X21 plus cable modem equals NO GO?

[r2d2]

I recently installed a mini pci modem/lan card on an X21. This X21 is of the models that only come with modem but without ethernet connectivity at all. So after buying a 3COM modem/LAN card from eBay, I installed it and all seem ok as XP detected the card. I have downloaded the drivers from IBM website. My problem is, i cannot connect to the internet.

I just transferred to a new provider and I am connected via Motorola SBV-2552 cable modem. My previous provider uses DSL router, in fact I still have the router but no longer connected to the internet. The reason I say this because when I connect using my current internet connection (cable modem), I do not get 100Mbps connection and a message saying it cannot acquire an IP address. However (just out of curiosity), when i connected it to the DSL router (no internet provider) I got a 100Mbps connection.

I have a working connection using my PC + cable modem. I checked properties for TCP in the PC and they are the same with the ones in X21. I am now puzzled why I cannot get this connected and I am hoping someone can point me to the right direction because I admit that I may have missed some steps or drivers.

Thank you again for all the help in advance.

[Harryc]

Try power cycling the cable modem.

[r2d2]

Hi Harry.. if you mean that I should reset the cable modem (OFF/ON), I already did and the same thing happened... it will try to acquire IP address until it gives up with a message it as a low or no connectivity.
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[r2d2]

I got it to connect... but I need to change the MAC address from the original to the one with the PC. Of course I cannot connect both at the same time.

With this I found out that COX uses the MAC address of the computer (the first computer it was hooked up to). I do not know if they have programmed this MAC address in the cable modem during installation. All I know is, it only recognizes one PC... the one that uses a MAC address that matches the one on the PC that was first hooked up to it.

[Harryc]

Consider getting a router so that you can 'clone' the Mac address of your PC and make the cable modem see the same device when you fire up your laptop. Make your X21 wireless while you are at it and get a wireless router...very nice to have.