Hello all, I'm new to Linux and recently came across an old dell which i recieved for free, and decided to put Linux on. I installed most of it easily, but I still have one problem, I have no internet.

I don't actually have no internet, I have comcast cable, and when i set up eth0, i used automaticallly obtain IP with dhcp. But when i hit activate, it sits there for a few minutes and says "Determing IP information to eth0.....failed"

What could be causing this?

Keep in mind, I am extremly new to Linux, and don't want to let this block my path to linuxness.

Thanks.

I assume you have multiple PCs? How are they both connect to the cable modem?

No, its only one pc. This is my windows desktop, and to just unplug the it from here and put in in the back of the Dell with linux on it. I have onboard LAN, and a Realtek PCI one on it. Niether work, but it detects both of them.

I take it you disconnect the ethernet cable from the desktop and plug into the Dell.

If Comcast is similar to Cox the ISP remembers the desktop's ethernet interface's MAC and will not assign another IP. The easiest method is to repower the MODEM and then bring up the eth0 interface.

Well, I tried that, to no avail. I took the IP/subnet/Gateway off of this pc and set it to static on the nix box, but nothing happend.

I also noticed something. When the ethernet cable is in my Windows box, it has the LAN light on the modem on. But when its in the Nix box, it doesnt. What could be the reason for this?

i have the same problem here on my box. i tried to off/on the modem but to no avail.

UPDATE:

Now the LAN light is on for my modem, but when i hit activate and it is on auto-DHCP, it says no link present, check cable. And the cable is plugged in.

for me all the lights that are supposed to be on are on

What's happening (Assuming all your hardware works, and your dell is really configured for DHCP) is that your Cable Modem is remember the MAC address of the machine its hooked to. You need to unplug your cable modem for 3-5 minutes, then plug your machine back in. You should get an IP from it after that. You need to let your cable modem stay off for more than a few seconds. Sometimes even a minute or two isn't long enough.

However, that being said, since you have two machines, you should get a router. Keep an eye out on Techbargains.com, and pick one up on sale. I got a fine d-link for $10AR.

Try removing the device via network configuration, then rebooting then add your NIC back in the network configuration. I had this problem with my PCMCIA Wireless NIC and finally got it to go that way. I realize your connection is different but it's worth a shot.

cypionate,

i tried your way but it does not seem to have done anything.

Ed-MtnBiker has got it right (I used to have comcast when I was in Maryland). Get yourself a cheap router (D-Link, Linksys, etc...). Not only will it allow you to have both computers connected simultaneously, more importantly, many routers can do what's called 'MAC Address Cloning'.

Since your Windows box was connected to the router, the router has recorded the MAC address of the network card in the Windows box (usually called the Hardware Address or Adapter Address in Windows). Set up the router to clone the MAC address of your network card, and it should obtain the same DHCP lease as your network card did, thus allowing you internet access.

i really don't have any money. i'm not even working

is there a way to wipe the MAC address on the modem?

Only one I know is to keep the modem unplugged for a long time. If you want to switch back and forth between systems, this would suck.

An alternative maybe, set up a second NIC in the Windows box and enable Internet Connection Sharing (ICS). Then use a crossover cable or cheap hub to connect the linux box to the second nic on the windows box. ICS will then act as a DHCP server and router for the linux box.

I'd call the ISP and confirm what MAC they have on record. Let them know you switched PC's. Some ISP's cache that info and it causes problems. Router is a cheap and easy alternative. If you don't have the cash, is ur birthday coming up? lol I'd help donate but no extra router here to give or I would.