I have one computer that connects to the Internet via cable modem and that connection is fine. I have a newly modified second computer and, for now, I just want to unplug the connection from the LAN port on first computer and plug it into the LAN port on the second computer for internet access. Real Simple. They are NOT networked. I just replaced the motherboard/cpu on the second computer and I installed the LAN drivers. And it shows a successful LAN connection (100 mbps). But I can't connect to the internet. I also disabled the old LAN connection so it would not interfere. (Can't seem to delete it though since the 'delete' feature is grayed out.) Anybody have ideas on how I could have a successful LAN connection- but not be able to bring up web pages? Thanks! Having to fix broken stuff is an effective but tough way of learning. Perhaps all of life is like that...

What you want to try first is unplug and plug in the cable modem after switching the ethernet cables. That will authorize the MAC address of the second computer in the cable modem.

When I was with Adelphia, I could only have one MAC registered at a time. Didn't matter how many computers I tried, or how many modem resets; only the original NIC worked. Life's more painless for the brainless.

Do you have a built-in nic on the motherboard and an addon nic adapter? Any firewall or anti-virus software running that would prevent internet access? Silence is golden but duct tape is silver

Thanks for all the comments and advice! Problem solved. The governing factor, as Bill points out, is that the modem needs to be turned on and off (reset ) with the second computer connected because it needs to generate a new MAC address (same as a dynamic IP address?) So I can now access the internet when I do that. Of course, to switch connectivity back to the first computer I must do the same thing (60 secs each time). Now I realize I was mistaken about merely switching the cables with the old setup a few months ago. I know a network (hard wired or wireless) is the way to eliminate this problem. I'll try to do that sometime soon. Jenn: Yep, I remember when the IP address was fixed like that. Comcast implemented dynamic addresses during the last year to eliminate all the headaches that caused. SYSMAN: I have a nic on the motherboard. Just curious: When you say 'addon nic adapter’ is that an ethernet card? Again, thanks everyone for the help. Hope to give back to this board with my own expertise some time. Having to fix broken stuff is an effective but tough way of learning. Perhaps all of life is like that...

Glad it's working. What I meant by addon adapter was a network adapter not built into the motherboard but connected to a pci,etc slot. Your statement "I also disabled the old LAN connection so it would not interfere. (Can't seem to delete it though since the 'delete' feature is grayed out.)" led me to believe you had two ethernet adapters. Silence is golden but duct tape is silver

"generate a new MAC address (same as a dynamic IP address?) " No, that's not what he said. :) The hardware address of the MAC (NIC) is unique to the card and has nothing to do with the IP. The Dynamic IP address is the IP assigned by the server. Life's more painless for the brainless.