I am replacing a Netgear RP614 router with Netgear GS605 Switch. The RP614 is connected to a TWC Cable modem and provides internet access for 2 XP desktops and a Vista laptop. When I replace the RP614 with the GS605, and power cycle the modem, only 1 PC has LAN connectivity. I plugged the modem into port 1 and I can plug this one PC into any of the other 4 ports and it works. The Vista laptop will not work in any port or on any cable, even on the cable that works for the one PC that has connectivity. I can only assume that other PC won't work with any other cable, but that's tougher to test. I do know that it's own cable will not work in any port. As soon as I put the RP614 back in and power cycle the modem, all devices work fine and the laptop will work on any cable. I assume that there is some setting on the laptop and other PC that is preventing them from working with the GS605. Any ideas what that might be? Thanks!

You can't replace a router with a switch. You can replace a router with another router. You can add a switch if you need more ports but that's it.

OK...thanks...my error. Please explain why the one PC works on the switch but not any of the others - even the laptop on the same cable that works with the PC.

That's because a switch does not do network address translation (NAT) and a router does. The switch is allowing one IP address to pass through to one PC but does not have the ability to handle more.

Actually, it's because your ISP only gives you one Internet IP to access the Internet (unless you pay for more). So whichever one of your home computers grabs it first gets on the Internet. A router lets you share the one Internet (WAN/Public) IP with multiple computers. That why replacing a router with a switch doesn't work. Assume that I already did an Internet search.