ipconfig

[AMD-homebuilt]

Have Windows 7
Trying to connect to new cable modem hooked to Xfinity Comcast
ipconfig/release works but ipconfig/renew gives error message "cannot connect with DCHP..."

When I go back to my still running Centurylink DSL modem, I do not get error

Any thoughts ?

[Midknyte]

Are you using a wired or wireless connection?

What is the exact model of the cable modem? Is it a combo modem/router?

[AMD-homebuilt]

Ethernet
Cable modem is Netgear CM500


Once I get good connection, I will add a wireless router

[Midknyte]

Ethernet
Cable modem is Netgear CM500

Ok, so it's wired and a modem only.

Dumb question, but you've already activated the modem with Comcast, right?
http://customer.xfinity.com/help-and...rchased-modem/

[AMD-homebuilt]

yes !
And I did have connectivity - went to their activation page, etc
But after multiple reboots to get our 2 other computers on-line, connection lost
Comcast says they see the modem and it has good signal
They reset modem multiple times.................

[Midknyte]

If you don't have a router, then the DHCP would be coming from Comcast directly. Note that when you switch computers, you'll have to restart the modem to pick up the new MAC address.

But after multiple reboots to get our 2 other computers on-line, connection lost

I thought you didn't have a router connected? How are you getting multiple computers connected?

What else does the ipconfig say? Copy and paste the text here.

I don't want to you to mess around with the software too much and make the problem worse.

[AMD-homebuilt]

I have a dumb switch to make the multiple connections

[AMD-homebuilt]

will hook up to the cable modem again and post error message

[Midknyte]

I have a dumb switch to make the multiple connections

That's not going to work unless you're paying for multiple IPs. That is exactly why you need a router. Otherwise, your computers will kick each other off. You only get 1 IP with the basic service.

[Train]

Comcast will rent you the other ip addresses same cost as the one you have now.

Buy a router and then you will not pay the rent per month for the extras.

The router gives me 4 ports. 1 has a computer, 1 has printer, and the 3rd has a 8 port switch hooked to it. The switch has my 5 desktops hooked to it. I use wireless through the router for the various windows and Linux laptops.

[Train]

Comcast will rent you the other ip addresses same cost as the one you have now.

Buy a router and then you will not pay the rent per month for the extras.

The router gives me 4 ports. 1 has a computer, 1 has printer, and the 3rd has a 8 port switch hooked to it. The switch has my 5 desktops hooked to it. I use wireless through the router for the various windows and Linux laptops.
Fact is comcast has a tutorial for that http://customer.xfinity.com/help-and-support/internet/connecting-to-the-internet-using-your-router

MY setup look about like this.

[Midknyte]

Once I get good connection, I will add a wireless router

I was under the impression that he was only testing the modem connection, not trying to split the signal.

[Train]

I was under the impression that he was only testing the modem connection, not trying to split the signal.

Now that may well be. Have to wait and see I guess.

[europanorama]

Comcast will rent you the other ip addresses same cost as the one you have now.

Buy a router and then you will not pay the rent per month for the extras.

The router gives me 4 ports. 1 has a computer, 1 has printer, and the 3rd has a 8 port switch hooked to it. The switch has my 5 desktops hooked to it. I use wireless through the router for the various windows and Linux laptops.
Fact is comcast has a tutorial for that http://customer.xfinity.com/help-and-support/internet/connecting-to-the-internet-using-your-router

MY setup look about like this.

I see-in my mind-guessing what you described but not showed...
1 pc
2 printer
3 multiple "wireless" laptops
4 switch for various desktop-pcs.
is this correct.
I always thought when wireless all ports will be. or does it depend router-type?
Since i seldom use more than one pc this setup seems no advantage to me. i have printer-switch and keyb/mouse/monitor-switch.

[Train]

Not all routers have wireless built into them.
Wired is much faster than wireless.
And things like lead paint on the walls can stop the wireless signal, well the house is over 125 years old so it had been repainted lots of times.
Saves me time as I do NOT have to mess with the wiring anytime I want to use a certain desktop computer.
Then again as I use a KVM, I can virus scan on one, update another, install on the 3rd and post here with the 4th at the same time.
Plus the wife can use either her desktop or laptop whenever she wants.
So, we have to figure out what is the best setup for our situation.

Each of my 4 desktops is wired to the 8 port switch, it has 3 open ports, which in turn is wired to the router.

The router has the wife's desktop, printer and the switch attached which leave one port open.

I see-in my mind-guessing what you described but not showed...
1 pc
2 printer
3 multiple "wireless" laptops
4 switch for various desktop-pcs.
is this correct.

Yes, that is correct.
Remember please, I do run Win 10, Win 10 Beta, Win 7, AntiX and MX which are Linux distros and I do BETA testing for them.

router
I have 155 ports that are handled by DHCP in the router and 100 that are not.Just the way I have it setup right now.