dv5t cable modem problems

I just recently received my dv5t and discovered it will not connect
with my Motorola SB5120 cable modem. I spent two hours with tech,
checking for problems. At the end of the session, the agent felt that
the modem was not compatible with Vista. I got out the modem box
and it says on the box it is only compatible with 95/98SE/ME/XP. No
mention is made to Vista. I went to Motorola's website and none of
their new models are stated as being compatible with Vista.

The only thing I found was a driver download that would enable
USB connectivity for Vista. I was hoping I could maintain my ethernet
connection, plus I have no idea if it would even work.

Are there any forum members successfully using their dv5t's connected to
the SB5120 via ethernet?

Rob

 

Assuming you are using Ethernet, when plugged in do you see the green and yellow light flash from the Ethernet port?

 

Yes - green light is on and yellow light is flashing. I can't tell you how
many different things I tried with tech support. There was nothing
we could do to get connected. All the diagnostics said everything was
OK, so that's why the agent felt the modem was the problem. I'm really
at a loss, as to what to do next. I might try calling Comcast tomorrow,
to see if they can come up with something.

Rob

 

Good plan, I have a question. In theory, shouldn't the ethernet line out be straight internet that any ethernet ready device can plug into? I have a DSL modem at my house and have been successful in connecting any device that uses the internet using this connection. Why would a specific OS be needed if internet was supplied in that format? Have you tried this with another laptop maybe? with and without vista? From how modems work, I find it hard to believe that if I was to plug in my sling box to the modem versus my vista laptop versus my xp desktop there would be issues, but then again there are exceptions...at any rate, more questions Good luck Rob

 

It's got to be some type of network connection adapter problem. It can't be Vista. I've used both versions of the vista (32/64) and they both work well. I use comcast as well.

When you look in the network connection window, what does the Local Area Connection Realtek adapter say? Not plugged in? Disabled? etc.

 

I agree. Do you have DHCP enabled?

 

I completely agree with 'gengerald'. I don't see how this can be Vista related. Did you follow the instructions for setting up your SB5120 cable modem with an Ethernet connection? Here is a guide for making sure your TCP/IP connection is configured properly for your modem (or for any modem for that matter). It is for configuring XP but Vista is quite similar.
http://tinyurl.com/5x6p9

Edit: Geez, I see several people responded while I was investigating / composing my response. Well I agree with all of them.

 

Ethernet port will work regardless of OS. Aslong as your ethernet adapter is functioning, it doesnt matter whats plugged in on the other end of the ethernet cable.

Sounds like a setting you missed.

 

I do have a question though, why not just purchase a wireless router. Isn't that the whole point of a notebook computer? While all the N routers I've seen suck (sadly), there are still some good older routers out there that are very reliable.

 

You probably tried this, but it doesn't hurt to try. Plug in the ethernet to the laptop. With it hooked on pull the modem plug out, wait 30secs and then plug the cord back in. It should work now, this happened with my dv2000.

 

Try Gray's idea. I know sometimes modems connecting to computers/routers have important wait times before connection. Also, ensure SP1 is installed on your Vista laptop and try disabling and re-enabling the ethernet device of the laptop, sometimes help with me.

 

Thanks to everyone for their assistance. I can't remember all the things
I did with tech to resolve the issue, but I'm pretty sure I tried all of the
suggestions given here. I rebooted the modem multiple times, without
any positve effects. Diagnostics showed the Ethernet card was connected.
I did an ipconfig refresh and ipconfig renew, neither of which did any
good.

I'm going to take my dv5t to work tomorrow and hook it up to our DSL
line. I haven't checked out the wireless, yet, but I'll do that, too. I'll
report back with results.

Rob

 

I spent over two hours yesterday with Hp tech support, to try and figure
out why I can't get connected to my cable modem. No solution was found.
I tried the computer on another cable system and our DSL at work, and
it won't connect on these either.

I'm calling Comcast tonight, to see if they can offer any assistance.
If they can't help, the dv5t goes back to Hp for a refund. I've got better
things to do with my time than to spend countless hours with some
lame laptop that can't even connect to the internet.

Rob

 

Thanks, gengerald, for you input. On Monday, two of my friends are
going to let me borrow their laptops, so I can see if they connect
properly. I can't see why I have any problems, at all, with the dv5t.
My Comcast connection has been stable as a rock for the last five
years. Never had one problem with any of my desktop computers.

Rob

 

sounds like the ethernet card might be bad.

 

For the first time today I connected my laptop to my DSL modem with an Ethernet cable (I always use wireless) just to see if it worked. I had no problem and am running Vista. It is an older SBC modem prior to Vista. I am actually writing this using the Ethernet connection.

I thought I would post my connection details in case it might help you even though you have been through the troubleshooting gauntlet.

From the Network and Sharing Center in Control Panel, Manage network connections then Local Area Connection > Properties. My Local Area Connection Properties are shown in the included attachment. Vista set these items automatically, I did no configuration. You might want to see if you have something missing. Of course the AV Kaspersky program will not be there.

 

As soon as I got home from work, I contacted Comcast about my dv5t
problem. They ran a diagnostic on my modem and said it was working
correctly. At that point, I still wasn't able to connect to the internet.
The service tech did a remote reset, and, voila, I was connected.

I did several resets and reboots, yesterday, when I was discussing the
problem with Hp support, but nothing worked. Apparently, at least in
my case, a remote reset can be more effective.

As they say, "All's well that ends well." Thanks to everyone who
responded. I am definitely a happy camper. Next step is a wireless
network.

Rob

 

Unless something stupid gets in the way, Ethernet should work perfectly. Vista's designers helpfully added a few layers of stupidity onto the Ethernet/TCP-IP stack.

Use a Cat-5 (or higher) cable to connect the laptop to the Ethernet port on your cable modem.
Unplug the power to the cable modem, wait thirty seconds, and plug it back in.
Wait three to five minutes. Make sure all the lights are lit, not just "Standby."

Open a command prompt and check your IP address by typing:

ipconfig

Chances are, it will be a 169.x.x.x address: the evil "Automatic Private IP Address" that has bedeviled people since Windows 98.
They are particularly persistent in Vista, but most versions of Windows will have problems if they get an APIPA address.
In the corporate world, we routinely disable that "feature" as follows:

Open an administrative command prompt and paste in the following command:

reg add "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters" /v IPAutoconfigurationEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0x00000000

Alternate method: Create a new DWORD value named "IPAutoconfigurationEnabled" in Registry key
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters
with data 0 (zero).

Then, restart the computer. (The above step will not hurt anything, even if this ain't the problem).
Check the IP address again.

If you have a 192.168.x.x or 10.1.x.x address (either before or after the above step), the modem is providing an interim DHCP address to the computer until it successfully connects to the cable company... and then Windows Vista is refusing to release the temporary address for "security" reasons. I have seen this problem with various Vista machines connected directly to cable modems.
Attempts to renew the address at a regular command prompt will fail, as you will need to completely release it first... and you (again) need an administrative command prompt to release IP:

ipconfig /release

then, assuming that sets the address to 0.0.0.0:

ipconfig /renew

This should give you a real IP address. Now, the last step is to make sure your network connection has "Local and Internet" access. That part is beyond the scope of my comments... Google 'Vista "local only"' to see just how many people have that problem.

(EDIT: I see you got it... congrats... but keep these steps in mind anyway).

 

Just an FYI...

Comcast only allows 1 device to be connected to the modem on their standard internet plans.

This requirement will not allow a new device to connect to the modem unless the IP is released, modem powered off, connected to new device, then powered back on.

They do this to prevent people from getting multiple IP addresses.

 

Ah it looks like they cleared your CPE cache from the Network. Sometimes if you MAC is cached with either a 0.0.0.0 or a another IP address on the network they just need to clear it and it'll start working.

 

If you have the time, just send it into the repair center for them to diagnose the problem.

 

It was a modem problem. I had Comcast do a remote reset. dv5t is online
and humming right along.

Rob

 

GOOD TO HEAR! What's the next problem you have for us Robby?

 

I think I've already reached my allowable limit of three

 

It's actually 5. You have a limit of 5 issues per month.