I'm trying to connect a PC to a router through a wired connection with no luck. 1. There is nothing wrong with the PC since I can connect it directly to the internet with no problems (both through DHCP and static IP)... and I have connected it to other routers in the past. 2. I assume there is nothing wrong with the router, since I can connect a second PC (also wired) to the router both through DHCP and static IP and have access to the router admin and the internet without problems. 3. Im sure there is nothing wrong with the Cat5 wire or specific router slots since I have traded these items between computers and the behavior remains the same. So, all three parts test fine individually, but together I dont get an IP assigned when under DHCP and when setting IP manually, I dont get access to the internet and cant ping the gateway. I confirmed that the DHCp client limit is high enough and that router settings are default (ie. no restrictions of any kind, etc.) This should be easy! But if all three parts in the equation test fine individually how could it not work when together... What on earth could I be missing?

If you've connected that PC directly through the internet in the past, you have used a special driver, to put in your login data for your provider, right? So it seems, that this driver tries to connect you to the internet which doesn't work except there is a special function in your router operating system, to allow clients to connect by itself. Disable the DSL driver on the pc and reboot the computer. You normally should get an ip address automatically from the router, if configured. If this is working, you are also able to surf the internet.

>> Disable the DSL driver on the pc and reboot the computer. << How is he to do that when no such thing exists.! The only time you need a special driver to connect to broadband is if you are connecting via a USB device then you need a USB driver supplied by the device manufacturer. Connecting via Cat5 and all you need is standard network drivers that are part of Windows. ISP logon, DSL configuration is done withing the modem/router. Try pinging 127.0.0.1 If that works then it shows you NIC and netwrok sotware is working therefore so ahould everything else. If it fails you need to reinstall the NIC drivers then try running the netwrok set-up wizard. Stuart

Ah yes, just right. So there must be a Network connection for the DSL Broadband, where the data for the provider is stored. So, as long as this is configured, Windows tries to authenticate at the provider, which didn't work, except the router supports pppoe path thru and this function is activatet in the management interface of the router. So the connection for the direct authentication in the "My Network neighborhood" has to be deletet oder deactivated, if possible.