I have two computers, both running WinXP. I have a Cable modem with internet access. I have a 2-port router. I want to setup a home network so that both computer may use the internet connection. So far I have both computers plugged into the router, the router plugged into the cable modem, and the cable modem plugged into the cable. Neither computer now has access to the internet (Packets are sent but not recieved). When I directly connect a computer to the cable modem, I get access. I want both computers to have access. How do I do this. (yes I realize it's a broad question but I'm fed up with this non-working-internet-network crap:). Here's a diagram /-------- Comp 1 Cable Modem-----Router \-------- Comp 2 I don't get why it doens't work.

pay no attention to the diagram. I guess this forum doesn't print white spaces :( the two comps are plugged into the router and the router into the cable modem

When a computer is directly connected to the modem and can access the net: 1) Start, Run, cmd /k ipconfig /all 2) Write down Physical Address, IP Address, DHCP Enabled, Subnet Mask, Gateway, and DNS Server(s). Hook everything back up as in the diagram. You'll need to configure your router.... Typically you need to type something like http://192.168.0.1/ in your web browser to get your router configuration page. I'm assuming DHCP was enabled, so set your router to obtain it's external IP address automatically via DHCP. However, the router will still have an internal of 192.168.0.1 or whatever. You can manually type in the DNS Servers. You *might* need to also type in the Physical Address (also know as MAC address) of the computer that can access the net when directly connected to modem). With everything plugged in: Repeat steps 1 and 2 for each computer. If you get any 0.0.0.0 invalid IP addresses, you need to configure the ethernet adapters. For sake of example, I'll assume your router has local/internal/priavate IP of 192.168.0.1 Control Panel > Network Connections > right click/properties ethernet adapter > TCP/IP Properties: First Computer IP 192.168.0.2 Subnet 255.255.255.0 Gateway 192.168.0.1 (router's IP) Second Computer IP 192.168.0.2 Subnet 255.255.255.0 Gateway (router's IP) Hope this helps get you started.

Ack, the IP for the Second Computer should be 192.168.0.3 !!!

http://www.dslreports.com covers it all for both dsl/cable. Similarly: http://www.helmig.com has a sharing isp section (dun/dsl/cable); much useful "how to" there as well.

Cyberslug explains it well but make sure you take note of response no 3 otherwiose you'll have an ip conflict.

If u have your network Cd that came with the router and u went through the steps with it, a lot of times the steps do not tell the user that they must be already connected to the Internet using the Host computer and also something else that is not mentioned is that when u go through the steps u may have to disconnect ethernet wires while still being connected to the Internet.