Cable Modem issues...

M11293M11293
edited July 2006 in Science & Tech
My ethernet on my modem went out, so I switched from ethernet to USB to access the internet. I tested the modem on 2 other computers, both allowed me to use the internet through USB only. The ethernet connection will not work with 3 computers, but the USB will. The modem was a SB4200 Motorola Surfboard. I assumed that since the ethernet won't work on 3 computers, which the ethernet did previously, that the modem was loosing its capabilities. I drove down to my internet provider and bought a new modem through them, an SB5120 Motorola Surfboard. I then tried to install all the drivers and use the ethernet. Notta. I can only access the ethernet trough USB. I need the ethernet to connect to a wireless router in our home.

This is driving me nuts. I have even tried different cable outputs in my home. :banghead:
On one of the three computers, I have noticed that under device manager, there is no network connections tab. This probably means that I am missing the ethernet drivers for my onboard LAN.

I am running a MSI Neo4 Platinum and it uses Marvell LAN. http://www.msi.com.tw/program/support/d...dvr_list.php?part=1&kind=2&CHIP=2&ID=3 here is where I can download these Marvell drivers, but I cannot install them after I download them. I just get a file and a security log. I dont know what to do.

Thanks
I have some things under "other devices" that may be a cause to this problem:

1. Other PCI Dridge Device
2. PCI Mem Controller
3. SM Bus Controller
4. Universal Serial Bus (USB) Controller

What should I do with these. I am running an MSI Neo4 Platinum. How do I install the software for these 4?

Thanks guys...
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Comments

  • airbornflghtairbornflght Houston, TX Icrontian
    edited June 2006
    What os are you running on?

    What lights are on on the modem. Are they all normal? I have a modem very similar to yours.

    If you are running windows xp, do this for me. Go to start, run, type in "cmd" without the quotations of course. You should see the command console come up. Now type in "ipconfig" without quotes again. push enter, and tell me what it displays, it should display 4 lines of info.

    also, after you get that info, type in "ipconfig/renew" and give it a few minutes if nesesary. It should come up and display 4 lines again. If they are different than before, write them down. Right now I just want to see it is on the right gateway and all that good stuff. because I've had problems like this from my modem.

    Are you by chance behind a router, switch, or anything like that? if so, run a straigh ethernet connection to your computer and see if you can get to the internet. Check back and let us know.:)
  • M11293M11293
    edited June 2006
    I am running XP. Currently I am on an intel. I do have an AMD that I am trying to get this working on too. But which ever one works is fine. I am trying to get this modem hooked into a router, but I am currently just trying to get the ethernet to work directly to my PC, which is not working.

    The IP addresses were identical.

    ETA: The lights are normal, all 4 green and one yellow/orange.
  • M11293M11293
    edited June 2006
    Anyone?
  • airbornflghtairbornflght Houston, TX Icrontian
    edited June 2006
    I'm here. I usually go to bed around 10 or eleven my time because I have to get towork at 7 in the morning, and be awake around 6. so yeh. anyway.

    what I am thinking is that you bought this modem and your cable company doesnt know. because, your cable company can 'see' each modem that is conected. and your modem has a MAC address. If your cable company doesnt have that MAC address on their server or whatever. You will not get internet. So on the back of your modem, there should be a sticker or something about a MAC address get that, and call your cable company and tell them that you purchased a new modem and need it activated or the MAC turned on. Once you are sure that they have the MAC and your cable company says it should be working, then we can go from there.
  • M11293M11293
    edited June 2006
    I bought if from the cable company and they said that they enter the MAC address at the time of purchase.
  • airbornflghtairbornflght Houston, TX Icrontian
    edited June 2006
    did you ask them to double check it and read the MAC back to you while you look at it printed on the back of the modem to make sure that it is exactly the same.

    I'm sure they did if they say they did, but too many times I have tried to fix something or get something running and it was a little piddly thing such as this. Can you call your cable companies tech support for free? if so, that would be the best route, because at least with my company (Cox Cable) they can reset my modem and the such, and they really have a much better chance of getting you going than us. because if you connection pings out, then you should have a connection. Do this.

    follow my commands.

    Start>>Run>>"cmd">>[enter]>>"ping www.google.com">>[enter]

    okay, those are clicks, the ones in quotes just type (without the quotes) and the ones in brackets a keyboard comands.
  • flyriceflyrice
    edited June 2006
    Who's your cable provider? Some companies only look for the device MAC, some look for the actual input MAC (On the motorolas, you may want to see if you can have them provision the ethernet MAC, not the HFC MAC, which is probably what they used).

    Here's what you need to do.

    In DOS (Start --> Run --> type "cmd" minus the quotes, press enter or click OK), do an ipconfig (ipconfig) and see if you're getting an IP address at all with your ethernet connection. You should at least be getting 192.168.100.X or 169.254.x.x. If you're getting "Media State Disconnected", that essentially means that your PC isn't seeing a connection at all and thinks there is no connection and that may be a problem with something called "Media Sense" on WinXP. Google it for more info.

    If you're getting a 192.168.100.X IP and you have 4 solid green lights and a flashing PC/activity light, then it's 99.999% provisioning. Call your cable company and let them know that you need your ethernet MAC entered into their provisioning system. Have them provision your Ethernet MAC (now if you're using Charter, then it's other issues because their provisioning system only uses the HFC MAC and nothing else).

    If you're getting a 169 IP, remove the coax from the modem, do an "ipconfig /release", then an "ipconfig /renew" (minus the quotes) in DOS and see if you get a 192.168.100.x IP address. If you do, then it's something on your cable company's end....call them up. If you STILL get a 169 IP with the coax removed after renewing the IP address, then it's generally a PC-related issue and you'll want to look there.
  • M11293M11293
    edited June 2006
    Sorry it has taken me forever to respond to this. I have been out of town and very busy.

    I was getting a 68... IP address with the USB connection. With the either net ipconfig I am getting "Media State ....: Media Disconnected."

    What should I do now?
  • airbornflghtairbornflght Houston, TX Icrontian
    edited June 2006
    Check your ethernet cables, to make sure they are still good/wired correctly. Get a known working set and use those.
  • RWBRWB Icrontian
    edited June 2006
    umm earlier you mentioned the ethernet on your computer wasn't showing up. I'd start with that. BTW you shouldn't need to install anything if your connecting the modem via ethernet, drivers are usually for the USB. Though it may have software required for initial installation.
  • RWBRWB Icrontian
    edited June 2006
    BTW WHat is your ISP? Also, in case it is ethernet related, what is the model of your motherboard, I think there are multiple MSI Neo platforms out there.

    EDIT://

    I looked up the modem your using, I am not sure if you knew this, but FYI it looks like you cannot use both ethernet and USB at the same time.... which is similar to how things were back when I worked with Verizon :P
  • airbornflghtairbornflght Houston, TX Icrontian
    edited June 2006
    hmm, that is interesting, my modem said I could use both, as long as they went to different computers, never have though, only ethernet.
  • RWBRWB Icrontian
    edited June 2006
    Well the text reads Ethernet or USB... and unless it's got router functionality then it's probably not, even if it did. Most the modems sent out from Verizon DSL are ethernet or usb only, either-or, not both. But that's DSL and a different company. But something tells me that this modem is the same way becuase my roadrunner cable was ethernet or USB as well with a toshiba cable modem.

    Still he has a router, so it shouldn't matter. But I am wondering why he wants to hook it up to his computer when he is going to be using the router.

    Sometimes with DSL the CO would not pick up the new modem from time to time, sometimes the guest would need to simplykeep the danmed thing unplugged for 24 hours so it drops the connection and renews it. If the device is bridged though you could usually run a release/arp -d/renew commands in the command prompt to get it going, if that didn't work then the 24 hour thing should.
  • M11293M11293
    edited June 2006
    I've tried several different ethernet cables.
  • RWBRWB Icrontian
    edited June 2006
    Not teh ethernet cables, but the etherrnet connection in your computer, the controller seems to be uninstalled or possibly borked :P
  • M11293M11293
    edited June 2006
    I've tried it on 2 computers and 2 sets of coaxial cables.
  • RWBRWB Icrontian
    edited June 2006
    OK, wasn't sure.
  • airbornflghtairbornflght Houston, TX Icrontian
    edited June 2006
    hmm, did you call the cable company, can they see the modem and see that it has a connection? because if two computers, two ethernet cards, two different computers, and different ethernet cables are all messed up, than you are one unlucky person;)

    I would call your cable company and see if something is up with the modem.
  • M11293M11293
    edited June 2006
    I had a modem that started doing this then I bought a new one to solve the problem. Same issues. What is the coincidence of this happening to 2 comps?
  • RWBRWB Icrontian
    edited June 2006
    Slim, but when you have to ask that question.... it's probably a good chance.
  • airbornflghtairbornflght Houston, TX Icrontian
    edited June 2006
    I would like you to answer one question, becuase I havent hear a direct answer from you yet.

    Have you contacted your isp's technical support, and talked to them. Have you asked them if they see that your modem has an internet connection, and have you asked them to try and troubleshoot it for you. As it is easier for them to troubleshoot than us, because they can see if your modem has a connection or not, and until we know for sure that it does, then the problem could be on the isp's end and there is nothing we can do about it.
  • flyriceflyrice
    edited July 2006
    Google "Media Sense disabled" because that may be something that has happened to your computers. Don't ask me how, but it may be something to look into.

    The only thing your cable provider can really do is provision your MAC if it has an ethernet MAC address on it, but I honestly don't think that'll do anything. Their tech support won't do much if you can get online with USB because it's going to be a non-support issue in that situation (you can get online with their service, they're done as far as they are concerned).
  • flyriceflyrice
    edited July 2006
    M11293 wrote:
    Sorry it has taken me forever to respond to this. I have been out of town and very busy.

    I was getting a 68... IP address with the USB connection. With the either net ipconfig I am getting "Media State ....: Media Disconnected."

    What should I do now?
    With that IP block it sounds like your provider is Charter Communications. If so, let me know because I can actually look into a little more in depth when I get a chance.
  • SertSert
    edited July 2006
    Ok so I'm having a similar issue to what this guys describing. Let me see if I can explain it better.

    Phase 1) I have an onboard NIC that I've been using since purchasing the components for my pc. It has worked with my modem for over a year now. Suddenly my NIC is unable to detect a cable connected to it. "Media state disconnected" and all that. I assume the possibility that something has either overheated or just gone out on my pc and resign myself to using the USB connection for my modem.

    Phase 2) I'm at my parents house this weekend and I bring my PC, I try to access their ISP via ethernet to their modem, still getting media state disconnected with my onboard NIC. This is using working cables/connection.

    Phase 3) I don't have the drivers for their modem handy, or a USB cable for it, so I decide to finally go buy a replacement NIC.

    Phase 4) I install the new NIC, and it works fine. I play wow all day, g'bye nef thanks for the mindflayer helm, and turn the pc off finally, I think this is the first time I reboot the pc since installing the new NIC. Now I'm not sure if I played in the morning before work or not, and if I did I'm not sure if I used my parents PC or not...I just don't remember.

    Phase 5) I come home and assume that I now have a working Ethernet connection and can connect to my modem. "Media state disconnected" hmm, no lights on the new card...same issue I was having with my on board NIC previously...Switch back to USB and it works fine.

    Phase 6) Now I'm totally confused, and searching the internet for possible solutions and any available info on new viruses or anything that would cause this to happen to two different network cards that at one point or another worked perfectly fine, but are now unable to detect any cable that's plugged into them.

    I've read up on the "Media Sense" per Flyrice's suggestion and will try that tonight, I found out my new card wasn't working at lunch today and didn't really have time to address the issue. However, I did disable the onboard NIC in the bios, I uninstalled the onboard drivers, reinstalled the new NIC, although I haven't switched PCI ports for it yet. And I think I just hot swapped it, where I uninstalled it and then without rebooting(WinXP) reinstalled the card. So I may try completely removing it and uninstalling, than reinstalling. So far the only things I can come up with as to the cause of this are.

    1) NIC on modem is out, and that my new NIC really works fine(what I'm hoping)
    2) Some form of Virus, and both of my NICs are really working fine.
    3) Maybe I really didn't reinstall it correctly yet.
    4) God Hates me, and doesn't want me on the internet.

    I have a friend coming over tonight bringing a router and a laptop to help me try and figure out where my issue is on my home network, but if it is just the cables or whatever....Why on earth would my onboard NIC bork out at my parents house, where their cables / connection works fine.
  • M11293M11293
    edited July 2006
    Sorry it has been a while. I contacted my cable provider and requested that they name the MAC address off to me and they had the correct number. They did a troubleshoot, which did really nothing. They basically told me that it was my computer that had the problem, wich I believe is true.

    We tried the modem on the laptop once and again and some how the ethernet worked. I am still unable to get the ethernet to work on the 2 other computers, which happen to be my ideal choice for the ethernet and router to base off of. There is no sense in having a laptop wired with wireless internet.

    I am currently on my desktop that I recently purchased. I checked under network adapters and it found only one item, the modem itself (connected through USB). I also noticed 4 items under other devices: Other PCI Bridge Device, PCI Mem Controller, SM Bus Controller, Universal Serial Bus (USB) controller. Would these four items have any relationship with my ethernet's inability to function? No device labled ethernet or ehternet controller is found under other devices or anywhere else.

    I believe that I am missing my onboard network card drivers. I am running an MSI Neo 4 board.

    I have tried to install the Marvell drivers for my board and I am unable to install them, because I am unable to located any sort of ethernet device under device manager.

    Any help would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks
  • airbornflghtairbornflght Houston, TX Icrontian
    edited July 2006
    Do you know how to set your computer to obtain its ip address automatically from the router/modem?
  • M11293M11293
    edited July 2006
    No...enlighten me.
  • M11293M11293
    edited July 2006
    Anyone?
  • flyriceflyrice
    edited July 2006
    M11293 wrote:
    Anyone?
    Start --> Control Panel --> Network Connections --> double click on your local area connection --> click on properties under the GENERAL tab --> highlight Internet Protocol TCP/IP in the white box --> click on properties --> make sure IP is set to "Obtain an IP address automatically"
  • M11293M11293
    edited July 2006
    I have 2 local area connections.

    One under modem and the other under Intel Pro/100 VM Network...
    The Pro/100 says network cable unplugged. Is my ethernet card screwy? Right now the modem is enabled. The "find IP address automatically" was already set under the modem's options. It was also checked under the card's settings.

    What should I do now.

    Thanks
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