Wireless router trouble-shooting

I've got a Buffalo Wireless-G router (125?) at home that I need to hook up to my existing Comcast high-speed modem. Last night I got most of the way through the installation to the point where I established an internet connection (on my desktop) through the router. However, that was as far as I could get- the computer wouldn't recognize the router. Does anyone know of any common problems that I may be running into? I spoke with their tech support (and Linksys' support the night before) and they had me doing the same stuff- one of the main problems seemed to be that the IP address was still coming from the cable modem and not the router. Anyone?

yep.....Been there, done that....

I have been there too. The problem is that the Comcast modem keeps a history of what devices are connected to it and it only allows one device to connect to it. So if you introduce a new device (a new router) than the cable modem sees that and does not give any love to that device.
So what I had to do, ( a few times until it worked) was to plug everything in that was the way that I wanted it connected (cable => modem=> router=> pc) and unplug everything. Starting from the cable working toward the pc, plug in the power to the cable modem, wait a minute or two until all the lights are on and everything looks good, then plug in the router, again wait, then start your pc. You may have to do this a few times, but it should work. Mine works on the 5th or 9th time....Sucks. I should just watch tv.

Thanks mtglider- sounds like that just may work. I'll give it a try tonight.

Question after re-reading your post... by "unplug", do you mean just the power source, or all the cables?

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Originally Posted by smmokan

Last night I got most of the way through the installation to the point where I established an internet connection (on my desktop) through the router. However, that was as far as I could get- the computer wouldn't recognize the router.

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Assuming the devices are connected like so:

Wall <-> Comcast <-> Buffalo <-> your box

If you can get to the Internet from your box - you are done. Please elaborate on "the computer wouldn't recognize the router", the two sentences seem to contradict each other.

Unless I'm completely missing something.

Wiz- when running the Buffalo CD, after everything was hooked up, there's a step that accesses the internet and tells you if you've established a connection (through the modem and router, into the PC). It did that. After that, I tried to go onto the next step and it said that the PC could not recognize the router... so I'm assuming that it has something to do with the problem that mtglider explained.

Most cable companies keep the Mac address of the device. You have to power cycle the modem (usually for at least 30 seconds- some recommend longer) to get the address released. If that still does not work then many of the routers have a way to clone the computer's mac address and use it in the router. If all else fails then a call to the cable companies tech support may be next as they can release the info and do some things on their end to make the switch.

As for the computer not recognizing the router comment- if you do not even have the cable modem plugged into the router at all, start up the router and the computer and plug in the lan to the router (assuming that you are not trying wireless immediately until you get the router configured and set-up with the direct wired connection.) Then do an IPConfig from a command prompt and see if it returns the default address that is marked on most every Buffalo Router for the gateway and a number close to that - the last set will be different (sticker shows the IP address, the user name for administration and the default password.) It will be a 192.168.x.x (where x.x will be 2 other sets of numbers like 1.1 or 1.254 etc.) If that happens then the router is being recognized by the computer and the router is assigning the address. If it is still showing a Comcast public IP address then do an IPconfig /release and then Ipconfig /renew to get rid of the old Comcast address on the computer.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by smmokan

Thanks mtglider- sounds like that just may work. I'll give it a try tonight.

Question after re-reading your post... by "unplug", do you mean just the power source, or all the cables?

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yeah, power...

Also, If you are still having issues connecting your pc to the router, you may need to reset the router to factory defaults. Usually, the router has a reset button on the back. You can generally disconnect the power cord, push the reset button and hold it while you plug the power back in and for like 10-30 seconds depending on the router. Check with the manufacturer's website. Doing all those things should help you out. If not, watch TV.

Well, none of that worked, and I just spent another 30 minutes on the phone with "tech support". Computers are a fucking pain in the ass.

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Originally Posted by RShea

Most cable companies keep the Mac address of the device. You have to power cycle the modem (usually for at least 30 seconds- some recommend longer) to get the address released. If that still does not work then many of the routers have a way to clone the computer's mac address and use it in the router. If all else fails then a call to the cable companies tech support may be next as they can release the info and do some things on their end to make the switch.

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I think the MAC address issue may be at play as mentioned above. I've had issues with MAC address when setting up my a computer at a past girlfriend's house. As mentioned above cable companies often use MAC address in some way to verify that your supposed to get their service. Cloning the MAC address may help.

Her issue was that the cable company recognized her MAC address and thought her computer should be in a different city (since she had just moved). I know it's a different situation but definately sounds like it could be a MAC issue.

I went through my third session of tech support last night, and they couldn't figure it out either. I finally said screw it- the Comcast guy is coming out and he'll hook it up for me.

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Originally Posted by smmokan

Well, none of that worked, and I just spent another 30 minutes on the phone with "tech support". Computers are a fucking pain in the ass.

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Probably half the problem is that half the people working for tech support for companies like Comcast have no business in tech support. If the person you talk to is not able to get the issue resolved ask to talk to a higher level tech support person or their manager. It really shouldn't be much of an issue to put a router between your computer and your modem.

On a seperate note... I think you mentioned this was a wireless router. If you're using a wireless connection on your computer (instead of a possibly available ethernet plug), have you enabled your wireless card to talk to the router? If the router made you used WEP for security you would have to enter the WEP code in the setup of your wireless card to get communication. In any case you will likely have to enable your wireless card to allow you to pass data through the wireless connection.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by smmokan

Wiz- when running the Buffalo CD, after everything was hooked up, there's a step that accesses the internet and tells you if you've established a connection (through the modem and router, into the PC). It did that. After that, I tried to go onto the next step and it said that the PC could not recognize the router... so I'm assuming that it has something to do with the problem that mtglider explained.

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Go-go-go infamous networking wizards that never work and give meaningless error messages.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by smmokan

Well, none of that worked, and I just spent another 30 minutes on the phone with "tech support". Computers are a fucking pain in the ass.

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Who would have thunkit... :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by smmokan

the Comcast guy is coming out and he'll hook it up for me.

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Yay geeksquad. Post how it works out.

Found this little blurb:
"I set up the Buffalo router in place of my SMC router, following the manufacturer's instructions. Had just one glitch -- the router was unable to connect to my Comcast Cable Internet service until I switched from Easy Setup to Acquire an IP address Automatically from a DHCP Server."

google "Buffalo router Comcast problems".

^^^ I tried that already, with no luck.