Need help with connecting to the internet using only USB without Ethernet

Gem · 18-01-2006, 14:26

I have a SB5100 cable modem which at the moment is connected to my PC with USB and Ethernet and the internet works fine.

However, I need the the slot that the Ethernet wire is in to plug in my network wire to network my 2 computers and I can't get the internet to work using only the USB connection.

I know its possible to do, I just dont know how!

18-01-2006, 14:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gem

I have a SB5100 cable modem which at the moment is connected to my PC with USB and Ethernet and the internet works fine.

However, I need the the slot that the Ethernet wire is in to plug in my network wire to network my 2 computers and I can't get the internet to work using only the USB connection.

I know its possible to do, I just dont know how!

Sound like you need an extra Ethernet card in that PC and then you can bridge the connection between the 2 PCs and the Internet.

Gem · 18-01-2006, 14:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScaredWebWarrior

Sound like you need an extra Ethernet card in that PC and then you can bridge the connection between the 2 PCs and the Internet.

That would probably work, but I've got this working before perfectly fine, but since I've re-installed windows on the first PC the internet won't work without the ethernet being plugged in.

Halcyon · 18-01-2006, 14:40

If you are going to use USB, have you made sure to install the USB drivers.

Alternaitvely, you can get yourself a £20 wired router, use your ethernet connection which is more reliable than USB, and then connect up to 4 computers to the router and have your network that way.

Gareth · 18-01-2006, 14:40

Are you rebooting your cable modem after unplugging the ethernet cable and plugging in the USB cable? If not, you'll need to do so.

Jon M · 18-01-2006, 14:41

to CF Gem

Aragorn · 18-01-2006, 14:43

Gem

If you have two computers that need to share your BBand, the best way to do it is with a router. (The PC's connect to the router via LAN cables and the router shares out the BBand connection) If both are near the Cable Modem, you can get a cheap wired only router, such as this. Otherwise you can go wireless.

Gem · 18-01-2006, 14:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aragorn

Gem

If you have two computers that need to share your BBand, the best way to do it is with a router. (The PC's connect to the router via LAN cables and the router shares out the BBand connection) If both are near the Cable Modem, you can get a cheap wired only router, such as this. Otherwise you can go wireless.

Thanks!

I know that a router will work, but it worked perfectly fine before I reinstalled windows. I don't really want to spend money when I know that it's possible to get it working without spending money! I'm a little tight like that!

SMHarman · 18-01-2006, 14:48

Think how much electricity you can save by switching off the ICS PC when you are not using it though.

Gem · 18-01-2006, 14:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMHarman

Think how much electricity you can save by switching off the ICS PC when you are not using it though.

My electricity is included in my rent, might as well make the most of it!

Aragorn · 18-01-2006, 14:58

OK - when you reinstalled the main PC, did you reinstall the Telewest USB network drivers? Robin Walker's page points to the Motorola drivers page here (expand discontinued products at bottom!)

Once you got the drivers loaded, turn off the main PC & modem. Plug the USB from CM to PC, unplug all Lan cables. Turn on the CM and wait 30 sec. Turn on the PC and see whether it will connect to the internet/modem.

HTH

**Chris** · 18-01-2006, 15:04

Does nobody else think it odd that this computer is currently connected to the modem by both the ethernet and USB ports, at the same time?

It might be an idea to try to work out which one of the ports is actually serving the computer before we go any further.

Gem · 18-01-2006, 15:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris T

Does nobody else think it odd that this computer is currently connected to the modem by both the ethernet and USB ports, at the same time?

It might be an idea to try to work out which one of the ports is actually serving the computer before we go any further.

Well I assume that its the Ethernet seeing as the internet doesnt work without it in the PC

**Chris** · 18-01-2006, 15:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gem

Well I assume that its the Ethernet seeing as the internet doesnt work without it in the PC

You would assume correctly. Not that it matters much, but why did you have the USB plugged in as well?

Gem · 18-01-2006, 15:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris T

You would assume correctly. Not that it matters much, but why did you have the USB plugged in as well?

Well the set up told me that I didnt need ethernet at all, and only USB. It was my brothers computer and he set up the internet originally so Im not entirely sure why he even had Ethernet as it should be a USB modem.

When I first started networking the 2 computers, I never had this problem at all.