Need help connecting my Motorola Surfboard Cable. I know this hardware can work because it did for months. Ive read other posts on this subject and they are not helping.

Im using Mandrake 9.1

Problems arose the day after a fresh install. Prior to reinstall, Surfboard
was connected to both USB and NIC. Dont know which Linux was using. Just know it worked :-)

1. I can ping localhost
2. i can ping the static 169.x.x.x address
3. Windows 2000 has no problem connecting, though it uses USB
4. Im attempting to connect with the NIC
5. I know I have the right drivers for the NIC

Im shying away from the USB approach in Linux for three reasons.

1. I read a post about a similiar problem in this forum that said it was a bad idea. Would need to recompile kernel or something to that affect.
2. Linux describes my connection as eth0
3. poor performance

Ive read the docs I could on this subject. They told me that with the subfboard plugging into a properly configured NIC, it should work
perfectly.

Am I too quick to write off USB? Anything I should have said but didnt?
Any help towards either method is welcome

-lost and frustrated noob

I connected mine today...worked flawlessly...connected to the inboard ethernet port...using Mandrake 9.2....used the connection wizard in configure computer...

It's a good idea to abandon the usb idea for the surfboard. Just totally unplug it. Try to ping a website like
and post what you get.

SInce you say your nic is configured correctly, when everything is plugged in and ready to go, (including the computer being turned on), unplug the modem's power cord and count to ten. Plug it back in. Once all of the lights are on, open a terminal and as root type:
if that doesn't work, try
I had some trouble getting my surfboard up and working (I run through a netgear router). These are two things that should get it going for you.

WARNING: Don't get into the habit of always unplugging and replugging the power chord to the modem--it wears it out.