I have a few Win98se PCs networked with a Linksys 4-port router. I have had this network configuration with two different cable modems and ISPs for a couple of years with no problems. After a recent move, DSL was the only option.

The modem I am using is a Arescom DSL800 with MSN service. The modem has a USB and ethernet port. It does work when using the USB port. But, since I would like to share my internet connection, I'd like to use the ethernet port. I've been unable to make it connect to the net this way.

The router is set up as a DCHP server and the PCs are set to obtain IP adresses automatically. When the modem is connected to the router, the router's WAN link light is lit and the modem's LAN and WAN link lights are lit.

Does anyone have any ideas why this setup is not working? Thanks for the help.

I would suggest assigning static IP's to your pc's unless of course you have a need for DHCP. This is all i can suggest without more detail.

Craig
:)

Dont try to use any crappy usb NIC, cause it wont work well with router. Experience, believe it or not.

hey, I had the same prob setting up dsl with that modem and msn dsl. The problem I had, was that the ip address (hard coded) in that modem is 192.168.1.1. This also happens to be the default ip address for the linksys router. You need to change the ip address on the router, ie...192.168.1.100 and set everything else accordingly. Hope this helps...I overlooked it for quite a few hours..:)

I am having the same problem with my arescom 800 and a netgear 4 port hub.

Rob in your response you said to set the ip address in the arescom to 192.168.1.100 - how do I do that? Then you said to set everything eles accordingly - what does that mean?

Thanks for the help.

I had that same problem. Qwest and MSN are idiots. I hate them. They make you leave CAP.

Just another shining example of Microsoft taking the control away from the user by implementing "stringent" standards. I guess by stringent they mean guaranteed to never work with anything else. Reminds me of the whole Microsoft Car idea "Hood?, no there isn't any hood. No one will ever need to look at their engine. Because we say so, that's why."

If you are using the ethernet port, the MSN/Qwest Arescom NetDSL 800 modem is hardcoded to give your PC one, and only one, IP address: 192.168.2.1. Not only that, the little b---tard remembers your PC's MAC address so if you should do anything so crass as to manually change the connection from one PC to another, it will get angry and refuse to talk to it until you power-cycle the modem.

My solution was to go out and spend $100 on a Belkin 4-Port DSL/Gateway Router, which will do the following for you:

(1) It will connect directly to the modem and pretend to be your PC by cloning your MAC address and remembering your assigned hostname and password.

(2) It will provide an internal-only set of IP addresses for as many PCs as you want (it only has 4 ethernet ports, but you can use a hub to get more out of it).

A cheaper but definitely more painful solution would be to install Linux on your old PC (everyone has one) and configure it to basicly do the same thing as the router.

if anyone is going to hardcode the tcp/ip for the arescom modem, these are the correct settings: ip address=192.168.1.2, subnet=255.255.255.252, gateway=192.168.1.1, if anyone has any questions about the arescom modem, i will be more than willing to try to answer them for you.

I FOUND A SoLUTION IF you are using THe Arescom DSL800 modem with MSN service and The LINKSYS 4-port Dsl/Cable Router using the ethernet connection.
Make sure your NIc is working and have the TPC/IP protocol set to obtain the IP automatically thru DHCP

First Change the Router's LAN IP Address to 192.168.0.1

Use the following settings, as necessary:

WAN IP Address - 192.168.1.2
Subnet Mask - 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway - 192.168.1.1
DNS1- 216.230.112.132*
DNS2- 216.230.108.132*
DNS3- 216.230.106.100*

Note - The dns servers listed here will only work for the the Southeast region of the United States. I HAD to call my ISP (MSN) to get my areas DNS SERVER IPS So you need to obtain the DNS settings for your area if possible. If unable to do so, then you can try use these numbers.

If this does not work, contact Linksys Technical Support for further resolutions THIS WORKED for me GOOD LUCK!!!

Okay, thanks to everyone for the advice. Bits and pieces of each response were helpful. Response 9 from GZ made the difference. I used those settings and set each PC (including one Mac) back to DHCP. I spoke to MSN and, of course, got the wrong DNS IPs. But, I visited http://www.dslreports.com and ran one of their tools that looked up the DNS IPs for my service. It seemed not to work at first (even after a release/renew) but after turning everything on the next day, every machine could see the internet!

Thanks again for everyone's help.
Jeff

rob is right!! this was intentionally done by microsoft and msn to screw you and your firewall software. your ip address is hard coded in the modem, and can be seen as a web page for the whole world to see. microsoft does'nt wan't you to use a firewall so they can peep on you. use smart DHCP, or sygate's firewall well worth buying. Be carefull running this modem with no firewall!! otherwise one day your computer might lock up and never reboot!!!

I'm having pretty much the same problem. Response number 9 offered the most help. This is where I am:

* All the lights on the Modem and Router are working correctly.

* My computers (one wireless, one cabled) are both being seen by the router.

* I can ping each computer from the other computer (i.e. they can see each other).

* I can ping and see the stats page for the DSL modem.

* MSN messenger is even able to log in and, as I get new email, it see it and alerts me in trealy time.

PROBLEM: I still can't reach the internet thru Internet Explorer.

NETWORK CARD: This is a LINKSYS Ethernet card set to get the DNS and the IP address dynamically.

FIREWALL: Norton Security, which I'VE DISABLED.

ROUTER: Set as a DHCP Server. PPPoE disabled (when it's enabled I can't see the DSL modem and MSN Messenger doesn't log in). DNSs configured according to specs and my ISP.

I've gone through the troubleshooting CD. I've tried powering down the entire system (including the DSL modem) and restarting. MSN Messenger logs in and shows me email, still can't reach the Internet.

What am I missing? What can I try?