Confusing Problem

I have two Windows XP computers together with a Linksys BEFSR41 DSL router. These two were working perfectly, until we encountered some problems with the DSL provider, and they successfully walked me through screwing the whole system up. Now, we have no problem with printer or file sharing. However, if one computer is connected to the internet, the other one can not connect. Each one will connect seperately, but not at the same time. In Network Connections, the Internet Gateway will not enable. I have tried using both the same IP address on each computer, and also using seperate IP addresses. There is no problem when trying to ping. I am at a loss for words. I would call Linksys, but I have already spent over 5 hours on the phone with them, ending in being cursed at by the tech support agent, due to her utter REFUSAL to allow me to speak to a Supervisor. I am not trying that again. Please, if someone could help me, I would be greatly appreciative!!!!


Thank you soooo much in advance for any assistance!

 

You might want to try cloning the MAC address on the router so all the ISP sees is one MAC address making requests to the internet. They may have helped you disable this so only one PC can access the internet from your modem. Do you by chance use PPPoE on demand dial up for the modem?

 

Yes, it's a PPPoE. Nothing's ever been changed to the MAC address. I'm just so lost right now, thank you so much for helping me!

 

Did they have you configure your router for PPPoE? They should have helped you config the router for using PPPoE with a username and password for your account and then they should have instructed you to remove the PPPoE dialer application from each PC. They also needed you to set the max idle timeout setting for PPPoE to 0 so it will always be on. Do you also have the correct cables to connect from your ethernet card in the PC to one of the switch ports on the back of the router? I am of course assuming you are using the ethernet ports and not the single USB port?

 

I have DSL using pppoe. I set the router up to use pppoe and put in the user id and password, it connects to the server and the other 2 machines, connect and surf fine. The puter's need to be set to Obtain IP address automatically and the router provides them.