Getting online with Time Warner Cable (Roadrunner) cable modem

Question

I have wasted a tremendous amount of time with Time Warner since switching from Verizon (New York City), as they are CLUELESS as to how to make a MAC connect to the modem. What settings do I use? It does not find it automatically, I know that much. And they have assured me it's not the modem, but that there's 'something wrong' with my computer. Since it worked fine with Verizon, and another Mac I have which works well in multiple locations with multiple connections also failed, I'm pretty sure there's nothing 'wrong' with my computer. Just tech support ignorance.
Any help?
Thanks
Shelley

Answer 1

Setting up a local Ethernet network
Equipment needed:
Cable/DSL modem: usually supplied by the ISP
Gateway/Router: at least a 4-port router, but you can get them with more ports if you need them. (Alternatively, you can get a switching hub to provide additional ports.)
CAT 5 Ethernet cables: one cable is needed for each device connected to the router plus one to connect the router to the cable/DSL modem.
1. Connect the Cable/DSL modem to the router's WAN port using an Ethernet cable (CAT 5 for 10/100.)
2. Connect each computer to the router's LAN ports using Ethernet cables. If you have network printers, etc. connect them to a LAN port on the router. If the router doesn't have enough ports, then you will need to purchase one with more ports or connect a switching hub to the router.
3. Now, for each Mac open its Network preference pane. Select the Built-in Ethernet port for configuration. In the TCP/IP configuration window set the connection/configuration to DHCP from the dropdown menu. Set your Location dropdown menu to Automatic and the Show dropdown menu to Built-in Ethernet.
4. Shut everything off. First, turn on the Cable/DSL modem and wait for the connect lights to indicate it has connected to the ISP. Next, turn on the router and wait to see if the Cable/DSL modem's communication status light starts to flicker. Also, if there is a status light on the router it should show a connection. Last, power up the computer. If all is well the TCP/IP control panel or Network pref pane should indicate an IP has been obtained from the router, usually in the 192.168.nnn.nnn range. If it's 169.xxx.xxx.xxx then you don't really have a connection.
5. If you have network printers connected each printer will have to be assigned its own unique IP address in the router's address range (usually 192.168.nnn.nnn.) Assign the printer(s) IP addresses above the number of computers that will be connected but within the router's DHCP address assignment range. Consult the router's documentation for that information. Consult the printer manual for how to assign an IP address to the printer. When you install the printer driver and/or Add the printer you will add it as an IP printer or LPR printer and use the IP address you assigned to the printer.