Can't connect to internet with Windows 7

I am trying to connect to broadband wired internet with Windows 7. I just added internet to my cable TV package. Bought a new SB6183 modem. No router.

I have 2 desktop computers. One of them has no problem connecting. No userid or password needed.

The other one gets a popup asking for "the user name and password that your ISP provided to you". Ha HA. The ISP (my cable co) says they don't have user name or password to provide, and what, are you crazy, no one else has that problem, please go away.

I'm glad to have the one computer accessing the net, but I would prefer to have the other PC also connecting, since it is newer.

The newer PC has Windows 7. The older PC, which is * able to connect * with no problemos, has Windows ME.

In addition to the user name and password problem, the troubleshooter tells me I need to install drivers for the network adapter.

Where is a safe website to download drivers for it?

I cannot download drivers from the internet because the computer that is able to connect is so old and limited, that I can only connect to a limited selection of websites . I get a "protocol error' trying to connect to most websites.

I can provide specs on the newer pc in the future. I am not at home now.

I bought it used, and have never tried to hook it to broadband internet before. Years ago, I did attempt to get a dial up modem working in it, and downloaded and installed drivers, to no avail.

The other computer (Windows ME) was already configured to connect with a dial up modem, and I did not have to change a thing to get connected to broadband internet. Did it just a few days ago with the new SB6183 cable modem.

Thanks.

The modem only allows you to connect one computer at one time. You need to use a router with the modem to plug in more than one computer.

Thanks.

I reread my post, and yes, it seems like I was saying I wanted to have two going at the same time, but no, I just want one computer at a time.

I don't want both computers to be online at the same time. One is all I want, but I would like it to be the Windows 7 computer.

I mentioned the other computer just to let you know I can get an internet connection.

I am testing one computer at a time. I just move the ethernet cable from one to the other.

byzantine said:

Thanks.
I reread my post, and yes, it seems like I was saying I wanted to have two going at the same time, but no, I just want one computer at a time.
I don't want both computers to be online at the same time. One is all I want, but I would like it to be the Windows 7 computer.
I mentioned the other computer just to let you know I can get an internet connection.
I am testing one computer at a time. I just move the ethernet cable from one to the other.

I don't understand what username & password you are talking about. You don't need them to connect to the Internet if you are using Ethernet. Are you sure you are not talking about the username & password to log into the modems config menu? You only need that to check the configuration for the modem.

It still wouldn't hurt to have a router to connect both computers at the same time. That doesn't mean you have to use both computers at the same time. It would also help with network testing.

BTW, I have 5 desktop computers hooked to my Gateway (modem/router). The router only has 4 ports so I added an Ethernet switch to extend that to 7 ports. I normally only use one of two computers at time but it is nice to just turn one on and be able to connect right to the Internet.

Have you set up the Windows 7 computer to use networking by selecting Connect to a Network. You have to do that first.
You have to start here. Once done you will see it is connected to the Internet as you see in the screenshot taken in one of my Windows 7 computers.

MisterEd, Yes, I get that screen (something similar). When I click on the 'set up a new connection' option, it only shows me my old 56K dial up connection, but it lets me click on an option to 'see other available networks you are not connected to' and it then shows an icon for broadband. When I click on that, it asks for 'username and password your ISP provided to you'. I can cancel out, or 'skip' or 'continue anyway', and whatever I do, it says 'you are not connected to a network' or something, and truoubleshooting says it did not find a working network adapter, or that I am missing the drivers for the network adapter. When I plug the ethernet cable into the back of the PC it plugs into a card, and a yellow light comes on, so something is there.

If you google 'windows asking for username and password to connect modem' you will get lots of results. I am not the only one. Unfortunately, there were no solutions offered in any of the discussions, lol'

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samuria said:

Without a router and out of support windows your pc is in danger Its possible the isp only allows 1 pc and its going by mac address

OK, I am worried enough now to get a router. Am thinking of returning my Arris SB6183 modem, and getting an Arris combo modem/router instead (don't know number). Costs $79 I think at Walmart. How do I tell if a router has a firewall? If it has wifi optional, can I turn the wifi off ?



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Is the LAN involved in this problem? Or just the WAN ?

Getting back to my original problem, not getting into the internet: In my windows 7 PC, I can't see any reference of the word 'ethernet' anywhere when I look around in internet options, modems, networks and sharing, device manager, etc.

In my Windows ME PC, I see reference to a 'PCI fast ethernet adapter' but no 'ethernet' mentioned on WIndows 7 PC. Shouldn't there be some mention of ethernet?

byzantine said:

Getting back to my original problem, not getting into the internet: In my windows 7 PC, I can't see any reference of the word 'ethernet' anywhere when I look around in internet options, modems, networks and sharing, device manager, etc.

In my Windows ME PC, I see reference to a 'PCI fast ethernet adapter' but no 'ethernet' mentioned on WIndows 7 PC. Shouldn't there be some mention of ethernet?

You should see the Ethernet adapter in the Device Manager. I have an Nvidia nForce 10/10/100 Mbps Ethernet



In the Control Panel if you go to Network and Sharing Center select Change adapter settings



You will see the Ethernet adapter there



You can show its properties and status



You will see the Ethernet adapter specification in the user manual.



Also, in the user manual you see that the Ethernet port is called LAN (RJ-45).



Lastly you will see the Ethernet port on the back of the computer. Here a yellow Cat 5e Ethernet cable is plugged into it.