Comcast switch-over > network troubles now

[Vesuvius]

We recently went through the Comcast switchover from the @home network. Previously we were on a static IP set up which has now changed to a dynamic system. We configured each computer to work with the new DHCP system. Each system runs fine on it's own. To switch which computer gets online I have to shut down both computers then unplug the modem to allow it to reset. Then whichever computer I boot up first is the one that gets online, the other will not.

Since both computers get online fine individually I am leaning towards the problem being on Comcast's end. The tech support person my GF talked to earlier said the problem was that my network hub was not configured correctly for DHCP. I *chuckled* because I think she is confusing my simple "dummy box" network hub with a router.

Is there something with network hubs that I'm not aware of as far as obtaining IP addresses is concerned?

My 2 systems are both running Win ME, computer A has a linksys PCI LAN card (ver. 5) and computer B has an SMC ISA card. The network hub is a Netsurf NS-ET8SH with 8 ports and has a selector for upplink/normal (I've tried flipping the switch but everything still behaves the same). The modem is a Surfboard 4100. Any suggestions, workarounds?

[Noevo]

I am assuming that you are paying for the multiple IP addresses. I'm asking this because since my transition on 12/29 I have had the exact same problem. There is nothing in the hub that is preventing it from doing anything. I have been told that my account had errors introduced into it because of the way Road Runner did there multi IP setups, Multi IP's are not available right now, and I have also been told that everything has been fixed with my account and I should have my 3 IPs once again.

A month later and they still can't get my IP's to work right. The cable modem (SB4100 also) will only remember one MAC address. Which leads me to believe it is a problem with the configuration file the modem is getting from Comcast. But, no one seems to be able to fix it for me.

[Vesuvius]

Yes we pay for the second IP, I guess this is what we get for doing things the legitamate way instead of going with a router and essentially stealing (for lack of a better term) the second computer access. I thought about the modem being a part of the problem only because I have to unplug it to clear out it's "memory" then plug it back in, let it reconnect to switch which computer get's online.

A friend of mine in the same area had this same issue as we are having and managed to work around it and get everything to work. I will be talking to him later today (5:30ish EST) and if I get it all figured out I will post it back here in this thread. Hopefully we can get them going again. If not I guess there may be 2 more routers among the speedguide members.

[Noevo]

I hear ya Vesuvius, by the way. I am in Westland Mi.

[qball15j]

Comcast is being a pain around here! They started putting up their own network last summer and said they would get the county online by the Jan, 1st but that didn't happen! I have been calling their tech support asking if I can get cable service about every two weeks and all they say is that it will be fully out shortly. Well guess what they have been saying that since December 1st when they released the service out to the beta testers that were in one small little part of a community on the other side of the county.

I know a lot of people that use Comcast High speed internet and they seem to be having the same problem you all are having since their service switched over to all DHCP and no static IP's.

I just have to throw a question in here. :D I keep hearing from people that they will not be offering static IP's but what about people that pay $70/month for the business service? Do they get static IP's?

I can't wait till I get my cable modem service! If I get that then all I need is Comcast to offer TechTV here! :D (I want my TechTV)

[Vesuvius]

Tech TV is offered up on my digital cable through Comcast hehe, I love that channel. Any one else see pat and leo as demi gods? :p
BTW i'm on the horn, on hold with them now I'll let ya know what the result is. PM me Noevo and I can get you the direct number.

[qball15j]

I read the Comcast Terms of Service and guess what now that their running their own network they are putting more restrictions on residential services! That includes Sharing of Internet access over networks!!!!! Read this yourself http://www.comcast.net/TermsofService/aup.asp It's all in the Bandwidth, Data Storage and Other Limitations section.

Gezzzz, looks like i'm going to have to get the business service after all whenever it comes down this way

[Vesuvius]

Since that last post I have been on the horn with them three times. I have had a modem re-push which required me to wait an hour. I have had a second IP address assigned, which required me to wait an hour. I then had a re-provisioning of my modem, which required a 2 hour wait. In all I have had 4 hours of interrupted service due to technical problems on their end. This is not counting the time on the phone I have spent with them or the time inbetween when I have 2 IP's billed to my account but only one computer online. The end result? I still have access to the internet with only one computer, I am out 4-6 hours of my life that I will never get back (a had a similar feeling when I watched that wretch of a 4 hour movie "Titanic") and I am frustrated as hell.

I have a strong opinion about routers and other devices used to access the internet, without paying for the service, for additional computers and refuse to do so. I am frustrated with Comcast to no end at this time. They even went as far as telling me it was a problem on my end, with my network. This network has been running flawlessly for over three years and after the changeover it stopped working. I'm not a rocket scientist but I think I know where the problem lyes and I'm pretty damn sure it's not on my end. They have 2 ways to deal with people who are not clueless as far as how things work. They either frustrate you into hanging up after way too much time on hold or transfer you to someone else until you amazingly get disconnected.

I think it is finally time to call good 'ol Ameritech (another giant conglomerate of corporate America with no clue) and try out their DSL service. At least they know how to implement multiple computers in a household BEFORE they implement thier network.

[BMED]

I had a second IP for about a year before I wised up a little a installed a Linksys Cable/DSL Router. I share multiple PC's now and wouldn't have it any other way!

$80 or less will get you a 4-Port Router, then you can share four PC's and save your extra montly IP fee and take the ole lady out for dinner.

Good Luck, BMED

P.S. I'm in Brownstown, Downriver's Multi-Township.

[Indy]

Sorry to hear about the problems that you're having...unfortunately, it's tied into a problem that they are having with accounts that have multiple ips. Hopefully they will have that resolved shortly.

Even tho Comcast (and many other cable companies for that matter) don't support routers (technically speaking), it is an easy and economical alternative to having to deal with a hub and multiple ips from your isp.

I read the Comcast Terms of Service and guess what now that their running their own network they are putting more restrictions on residential services! That includes Sharing of Internet access over networks!!!!! Read this yourself http://www.comcast.net/TermsofService/aup.asp It's all in the Bandwidth, Data Storage and Other Limitations section.

The information that qball15j is referring to is nothing new...it's been in the aup for at least the last two years. What they are referring to in their restrictions is taking the service that you have and selling it to a third person...

Bandwidth, Data Storage and Other Limitations

You must comply with the then current bandwidth, data storage and other limitations on the Services.

Users must ensure that their activity does not improperly restrict, inhibit, or degrade any other user's use of the Services, nor represent (in the sole judgment of Comcast High-Speed Internet Service) an unusually large burden on the network itself. In addition, users must ensure that their activity does not improperly restrict, inhibit, disrupt, degrade or impede Comcast High-Speed Internet Service's ability to deliver the Services and monitor the Services, backbone, network nodes, and/or other network services.

Comcast High-Speed Internet Service network residential customers may not resell, share, or otherwise distribute the Services or any portion thereof to any third party without the written consent of Comcast High-Speed Internet Service. For example, you cannot provide Internet access to others through a dial up connection, host shell accounts over the Internet, provide email or news service, or send a news feed. You may not use the Comcast High-Speed Internet Service residential service for commercial purposes. The Comcast High-Speed Internet Service residential service offering is a consumer product designed for your personal use of the Internet. For example, the service does not provide the type of security, upstream performance and total downstream throughput capability typically associated with commercial use.

You may not run a server in connection with the Comcast High-Speed Internet Service residential service, nor may you provide network services to others via the Comcast High-Speed Internet Service residential service. The Comcast High-Speed Internet Service residential service includes personal WebSpace accounts for publishing personal Web pages. Examples of prohibited uses include, but are not limited to, running servers for mail, http, ftp, irc, and dhcp, and multi-user interactive forums. For information about @Work products for commercial or network services purposes, including commercial-grade remote LAN access, please see http://work.home.net.

[BaLa]

if you have a router you are NOT stealing anything..

b/c you still have the same bandwith available as before..
all it does it split it so you can use it on more than one comp at a time!

[BMED]

Originally posted by BaLa
if you have a router you are NOT stealing anything..

b/c you still have the same bandwith available as before..
all it does it split it so you can use it on more than one comp at a time!

OMG! I have multiple T.V.'s in my house too, does this mean I'm stealing cable too?

I could see if I lived in an apartment and I was selling my neighbors cable internet and television service, that's cable theft!

I should be able to have as many PC's online in my home as I please, it's nice reading when on the can!;) (*visual moment*)


BTW, I also removed the tags off my mattress, I'm doomed!:rolleyes:

[daggutt]

Wish I was here offering a suggestion or better yet a solution. I'm having the exact same problems as you are. Rogers in Toronto, CAN, just finished completing their transition from @home. I have been on the phone with them non stop regarding connection issues. Unfortunately there isn't any competition this way.

I have 2 ips only difference are they are static, 2 computers networked through hub with straight thru ethernet cable. Only one computer will connect at a time. Which ever computer I connect 1st works. When I connect 2 computers the connection slows down to a crawl and the timesout. I then have to unplug modem and hub to get one connection back online. Both will work individually through the hub or modem but not at the same time. I didn't have a previous set up like this so I can't compare it to past experience. Just thought I would mention I'm in the exact same situation and have waisted way too much time on this. I guess a router would be the way to go. Rogers won't offer any tech support for home networking. They say the problem is at my end. If anyone has any ideas how to correct this situation it would be greatly aprreciated. Thats an understatement.