Posted by Lisa Prestegard on 3/29/08 8:55am
Msg #241255

Router configuration mess

I have the following routers/modems/hubs that must work fluidly and I am evidently inept at making this cohesive:
1 Cable modem
1 VOIP router
1 Wireless router
1 Ethernet hub

My laptop has an internal wireless card, but for the life of me, I cannot figure out how to make it work by feeding off my high speed cable connection without setting up the wireless router.

I am positively clueless... anyone have answers?

Reply by Bob_Chicago on 3/29/08 9:08am
Msg #241256

Ask one of your kids. Usually works for me (LOL) n/m

Reply by Lisa Prestegard on 3/29/08 9:14am
Msg #241258

Bob, my kids just point and laugh at me! n/m

Reply by Pat/CA on 3/29/08 12:08pm
Msg #241282

That's funny-and true! My son was 3 when he hooked-up...

his first computer! I told him not to touch anything while I went and got the manual. Less than 10 minutes later I came back and everything was up and running! He said "Moooom, you just hook the green with the green, blue with blue, yellow with yellow!" Men don't always read manuals because that part of their brain is the "common sense" side (I think). Kudos to you. Now if only it were common sense for relational things - lol!

He's 13 now and loves that story... and still the one I go to for all my tech advice... as do his 3 siblings in their mid-twenties!!!!!!!!!!

Reply by LKT/CA on 3/29/08 2:27pm
Msg #241299

Ask the kids...definitely!

My 17 yr. old is my I.T. guy.......and once in blue moon if he doesn't know something, I'll ask my 14 yr. old.

Reply by Ernest__CT on 3/29/08 9:20am
Msg #241259

As a general thing, your cable modem will have one output: a hardwire connection. That hardwire jack should be connected to the input jack of your wireless router.

UNLESS your cable modem _also_ functions as a wireless router, which some cable modems do.

Which situation is yours?

Reply by Lisa Prestegard on 3/29/08 9:28am
Msg #241262

I have no idea! I suppose a call to Comcast is in order ASAP. I'll post what I discover.

Reply by CF on 3/29/08 10:10am
Msg #241266

You have to turn your wireless ON- in your computer

for it to work. Some laptops have a switch one the side....and some you go through the control panels to - enable Wireless. Hope this helps.

Reply by Ernest__CT on 3/29/08 10:12am
Msg #241268

Cable modem and router suggestions

No matter who your Internet Provider (IP) is, they will always ask (silly) questions, among them:
What is model number & serial number of your equipment?

Have you reset (powered off and back on) your modem? No, then try it while IU'm on the phone with you.

What lights are on?

Can you plug your computer _directly_ into the modem? (They will often insist on this, no matter how hard it is for you to do!)

Unplug everything. Then plug things in one by one.

Log in to the modem (they'll give you instructions; _write them do before / as you do them!_ You may want to troubleshoot again.)

Good luck!

Reply by Dave_CA on 3/29/08 11:31am
Msg #241275

Re: Cable modem and router suggestions

If everything Ernest says does not help you will probably need to talk with support at your cable co.
Having said that I have a similar set up and finally got ti to work. Part of my problem was 2 routers both trying to provide routing services.
I have my cable modem connected to my wireless router with the wireless radio turned off most of the time. The wireless router is connected to an Ethernet switch which has an Ethernet cable to: each PC, 2 printers, my home server and my VOIP router which is only connected to 1 line on my phone. Routing services are off on my VOIP router.
At least this is the way I remember the setup. It's been a while.
If you disconnect the VOIP router and turn the wireless radio function off in the wireless router and then just plug an Ethernet cable into your PCs and laptop and that works you have narrowed the problem down to the VOIP router.

Hope this helps but there is a lot going on to trouble shoot from a distance.

Reply by MikeC/NY on 3/29/08 7:41pm
Msg #241346

I'm assuming your wireless router has at least 4 ports (most do).

Generally, the cable modem should be connected to the wireless router, which then controls the feed. Your VOIP can then take a port on the wireless router. If you really need it, the ethernet hub can take another port.