Using USB Connection but Want to Use Ethernet

[Stan the Man]

Hi all I’m in need of some help, I’m by no means a novice but I’m not an expert either.

I’ve just upgraded my computer stack to one with Asus K8V Motherboard + AMD Athlon 300 64 Bit CPU

I’m running Windows XP Home & connect to NTL Broadband 600mbps through a Set Top Box.

On my old stack I didn’t have an ethernet card so my connection had to be via an AEI USB TO Fast Ethernet Adaptor.

My new computer has a Marvell Yukon Gigabit Ethernet 10/100/100oBase-T Adapter, Copper RJ-45 but I can’t get it to connect so I’m still using the AEI USB TO Fast Ethernet Adaptor which by the way works perfectly well.

Its just that I would like to use my ethernet port for its intended purpose & it will also free up my USB port.

What have I tried so far, well I went into Control Panel/Network Connections/Local Area Connection for my Marvell Yukon Ethernet Device

I tried the configure key but it said I would need to contact my network administrator

I have all my internet connection settings so in Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties and entered all my connection settings, IP address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway & DNS Servers.

There was nowhere to put the Physical Address or DHCP Server though?

When I’d done this in my Local Area Connection Status Properties I seemed to be getting packets sent but none received & couldn’t connect to the internet or email.

In Internet Explore/Tools/ Lan settings I’m set to Automatically detect settings.

I thought Windows would just Automatically sort it all for me, but hopefully I think I maybe on the right track & with some expert guidance from yourselves I’m hoping to solve the problem.

Eagerly awaiting your advice

Yours Stan

[Kneebs]

You should just need to set it to be all assigned by DHCP. Once you've done this, reboot STB, then your PC. You should get a 10.x.x.x IP address. Then in IE goto start.ntl.com, and you should be taken to the provisioning page - you'll need to add your pc, and you'll also need your account PID & password

Edit - make sure you don't have a proxy specified in IE, as that prevents you getting to the provisioning pages

[Chris W]

You need to set the ethernet connection to automatic discovery of settings (ip and dns). Then when you have done this, you will need to turn off the STB, leave it off for 30 seconds, then connect the ethernet cable into the pc, and reboot.

Check what ip address you are getting- it should start 10.xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx

If it does, open a browser window and type "start.ntl" (without quotes) and follow the instructions for registering the new device.

Is it a PACE or Samsung box?

[Stan the Man]

Thanks for the rapid response guys

it's a Pace box by the way

I'll give your solutions a go & feedback cheers

[Stan the Man]

Originally Posted by Stan the Man

Thanks for the rapid response guys

it's a Pace box by the way

I'll give your solutions a go & feedback cheers

Well i would but i i said i'm not an expert so

Kneebs - You should just need to set it to be all assigned by DHCP. How?

monkeybreath - You need to set the ethernet connection to automatic discovery of settings (ip and dns). How?

[zoombini]

And don't throw the USB adapter away, you never know when it might come in handy

[Kneebs]

Originally Posted by Stan the Man

Well i would but i i said i'm not an expert so

Kneebs - You should just need to set it to be all assigned by DHCP. How?

monkeybreath - You need to set the ethernet connection to automatic discovery of settings (ip and dns). How?

We're both referring to the same thing - in TCP/IP properties (where I presume you manually set the IP addy, subnet mask etc) - there should be a check box for obtaining an IP address automatically, and also one for the DNS. Check them both, then do as we said earlier

[Stan the Man]

Well i'm back but i've had to restore my USB connection to get back online.

Followed your instructions to the letter & a message came up saying "You might not be able to access the Internet or some network resources. This problem ocurred because the network did not assign a network address to the computer"

When i looked in the network connection details, it had given me a
Physical Address
IP Address 169.xxx.xxx.xxx
Subnet Mask

But did not give
Default Gateway
Dns Server
Wins server

I was offered a Repair Option & it said "Windows is renewing your IP Address"
It then said windows could not finish repairing the problem because the following action could not be completed. Renewing your IP Address.

I repeat the whole thing again in case of a mistake - same result

My usual IP Adress by the way is 80.x.xx.xx if that helps in any way

Had to go through the same senario to restore my USB connection & that worked first time?

So i'm back in your hands guys

[Kneebs]

the 169.x.x.x ip address is one that gets assigned by windows, when unable to get one via dhcp.

what model of STB is it - it may be that you need a crossover adaptor - if so, it will have x-over or crossover printed or it will be on sticker where the ethernet port is on the back of the STB. You should have got a crossover adaptor as part of your BB welcome pack from NTL.

HTH

[Stan the Man]

Hi Kneebs, as i said before its a Pace box one of the original i think. It has a crossover adapter already fitted.

[Kneebs]

When you disconnect the cable (or switch off the STB for that matter), does windows tell you that a network cable is unplugged ? If not, there's something up with the connection. Just to double check, but you did reboot the STB, then the PC ?

[Stan the Man]

Originally Posted by Kneebs

When you disconnect the cable (or switch off the STB for that matter), does windows tell you that a network cable is unplugged ? If not, there's something up with the connection. Just to double check, but you did reboot the STB, then the PC ?

Yes it does. I shutdown my computer & unplugged my cable from the USB Adapter & pluged it into my ethernet port. I shutdown my Set top box for 30 seconds & then restarted it. I then restarted my computer. I still had my USB Adapter pluged in though.

[Stan the Man]

In device manager for Marvell Yukon Gigabit Ethernet 10/100/100oBase-T Adapter, Copper RJ-45 in the ADVANCED tab there are various settings & their values. The only value not filled in is the Network Address. What would happen if i just put my current Network address in, it's 10.xxx.xx.xxx Will it be the same for the ethernet as the USB?

[Marge]

Jumping in here, leave the box off for at least a minute, have just the cable going into the STB and take the USB Adaptor off

[Kneebs]

Originally Posted by Stan the Man

I still had my USB Adapter pluged in though.

I dont think that would've made a difference, but its maybe worth a try removing it.

Do you have a firewall running - I don't think this would affect it, as I'm sure windows tries to get the ip address before any programs start running, but its worth a try shutting it down if you've got one when you're trying to repair the connection in XP.

Apart from that, I'm at a loss as to why you're getting a 169 address, especially as the connection is there between the pc & STB.