[RESOLVED] Magic Connection

[Nix]

I have my brothers PC at the moment for annual cleansing and install of dvd burner.

I installed my adsl modem / isp software on my brothers PC so I could use my connection to d/l stuff/

After finishing I unistalled the software and shutdown.

The next day I remembered something else I had wanted to d/l and just went to the site.

Only after d/l it did I realise that I hadn't reinstalled the modem software again.

How did it know what credentials to use etc ?

Are they stored in the modem itself or is it just magic, proof that computers are all smoke and mirrors.

[photolady]

You really didn't need to install the software as long as there is a NIC onboard and cable going to the modem, the PC will pick up the connection. Since I build and repair computers here and have a router (on high speed wireless connection here) there is no need for any software to be installed to connect to the net. Another fact, my daughter and her three computers have no dsl software installed and still all three computers can access the internet.

[HAN]

Yes, the user name and password are stored on DSL modems (or at least all are to my knowledge.) In some cases, you may need the software to do the original setup. But once in place, the ISP software is pretty much useless and serves no purpose except to take up space...

**EDIT**

I am as slow as molasses today!

[Nix]

Well there you go, learn something new everyday.

Pity there's no way of using his ADSL account so I'm not using up my limit d/l stuff to fix his PC.

[wojo629]

Methinks the only reason they want you to install that stuff is so that your browser homepage can be redirected their website. Almost like a legit hijack!!!

[Nix]

Methinks the only reason they want you to install that stuff is so that your browser homepage can be redirected their website. Almost like a legit hijack!!!

Usually when you install it, it takes you through the process of entering credentials.

How would you do this if you didn't go through this process ?

ie lets say you just plugged the ethernet cable in and turned the modem on, would it prompt you for a user id and password when you went to connect to the interent for the very first time on that modem ?

[frebo]

i install road runner cable on pc all over i never use the software when you hook the modem up and change your settings in the internet options about never using dialup and reboot it will auto connect.

[Train]

Check the ISPs website, they may tell you how to set things up with out using the cd.

[Nix]

Ok here's a bit of a follow up.

After completing everything, I gave my brothers PC to my parents who in turn gave it to him.

He rang me yesterday to say that he could not connect to the internet in Win2K but was fine in WinMe.

I went to the ISP site and there was a user guide for Broadband set up and in it is said to use the CD provided by the ISP.

I told him to disconnect the modem from the ethernet port and reboot before doing anything.

He said "ok, nothings connected" but then told me it was hanging at he XOSL boot manager screen.

After a few attempts he said "should I disconenct the printer or the Ipod ?"

I said "I thought nothing was connected. Yes disconnect the Ipod and reboot".

It booted up and he selected Win2000.

He dug out his ISP set up CD and we went through the process of installing.

It all went well until right near the end when it said it was now going to install the usb drivers.

I said "that's odd that it thinks the modem is connected via USB" and he replied "I dunno."

He let it install and I asked him to reboot and afterwards we still couldn't connect to the net.

We went through this process a few more times with no success and he said "what if I call my ISP ?".

I said "good idea".

He did and about 15 minutes later rang me back and said the the guy took him through the internet connection wizard and when they still couldn't connect said that the USB drivers for Win2000 were required and that they (ISP) didn't support Win2000 problems only their own software.

I said it shouldn't need USB drivers if it's connected via ethernet and he said "it's connected via USB. It's plugged into USB on the back of the modem and the flat connector on the back of the PC"

I said "so when I said disconnect from the ethernet port, what did you do" he replied "I checked and it wasn't connected to the ethernet port".

I said "when we installed the software was the modem on and connected to USB ?" he said "yes".

I got him to go to device manager and page down to USB devices and sure enough his modem was listed with a code 29.

Told him to choose update driver and then let windows search for a better driver.

It ran this process and found the drivers that had been installed by the ISP CD setup program.

After that I got hi to reboot and then we tested and he was successfuly able to connect to the net.

Overall this took about 90 minutes of my time whilst I was at work - how frustrating.

[usil]

FWIW, those CD's that ISP's provide, usually go through the process or making a dialer. Thats why you have to enter your username and password.
When you use a router, you will use a protocol such as PPPoE which requires a username and password to keep you always connected. Routers have their own dialers. Thats why when you are connected to a router using a protocol such as PPPoE, all you have to do is connect your pc with an ethernet cable and you will automatically be connected.