Wireless Oddity

Hi

I have a DELL XPS with Windows XP a Motorola SB5101 SURFboard Cable Modem, and I am ashamed to say that I own an Actiontec GT704-WG DSL Modem/Router. I have connected the Ethernet cable that comes out of my Motorola Modem to the "Ethernet 1 port" on the back of my Actiontec modem/router. After I do this I am able to see my wireless connection with the same name that I had in my old apartment (I had Qwest in my old apartment). So the settings on my modem/router still hold.

The funny thing here is that I am able to see my wireless network, I am able to connect to it after typing in my key (I only had to type that key the first time only), but I am not able to browse the internet. I am able to browse to my router, but wait it gets even weirder. After doing this hardware setup, and my laptop not being able to browse to the internet I decide to turn on my Ubuntu laptop and connect to my wireless network, after it connects IT IS ABLE TO BROWSE THE INTERNET, and it is fast too! I thought that my Windows laptop had issues so I decide to bring another Windows laptop, but same thing happens it connects but it doesn't browse can't ping can't do anything. I can connect to my neighbor’s wireless network, and browse the internet so it is not my wireless card or anything. A friend has the feeling that this Actiontec modem/router will only allow one machine to connect to the internet wirelessly. So I turn off my Ubuntu laptop, and I reset the Actiontec modem/router to factory settings, I re-do the whole wireless setup, and I am still not able to browse after connecting.

I don't know if my Actiontec modem/router thinks that it should act as a DSL modem, but I want it to act as a Wireless router. Any suggestions or explanations on why I am not able to browse the internet even after connecting to my wireless network?

For what is worth I am able to connect and browse the internet using my Motorola Modem connected directly to my ethernet port in my laptop.

Thank You.

Your Actiontec will not work as a router but as a wireless switch in the configuration you are using. Since you probably have only been given a single IP address by your ISP only one computer at a time will be able to access the network in your config. In order to use more than one computer and wireless you need a "real wireless router" so that NAT can be carried out and give you a local LAN.
If your surfboard 5101 had had NAT capability you would have been able to use the actiontec as you did.

Well that is a shame. I thought that my Actiontec modem would do the job, and I guess that my cable modem doesn't have NAT capabilities. Now I have to spend more money on a real router. Oh well

Thanks a lot for your time.