NTL connection probs

[Rave]

In my role as a (rather amateur) geek I've been asked to try and setup a friend's new lappy (a rather nice 17" widescreen DTR with a P4 3.0 and R9700 graphics- but I digress). Their old one was stolen, and we're trying to get this one connected to their NTL broadband. They lost their old setup disk, and were advised by the NTL helpdesk to set the cable modem up via the ethernet connection since it needed no drivers. This worked, but I couldn't get WinMX or Kazaalite to connect, and (not sure if this is related) the online installer for NTL's own 'broadband medic' software craps out halfway through. I thought it must be some kind of setting problem, so (after some searching ) I found the USB driver and connected the modem up via USB like it was before. Result- no difference.

In addition, their email (via outlook) did work properly initially, but now it instantly gives an error message that "Your server has unexpectedly terminated the connection".

I'm a networking numpty, and I'm not sure what the problem is- or even where to start looking. Help me please- my geek reputation is on the line here.

Cheers,

Rich :¬)

[Matt1eD]

what firewall are u using? When I had the same problem with normal ADSL it was Zone Alram playing up! I don't know why and can't explain it, but it happened!

[Rave]

They had Norton. I disabled it and switched to the Windows Firewall and that seems to have sorted Outlook and WinMX. Nice one mate!

Rich :¬)

[Matt1eD]

If anyone is reading this and can explain why it worked for me and Rave please explain!

[Zak33]

dunno but damn interesting one.

XP firewall, in latest SP2 guise is pretty good so al is well....but don't you HATE it when something seems to fix a problem but you dont know WHY???

[poindextermatic]

have u tried this: http://forums.hexus.net/showthread.php?t=38654

(2nd post)

it worked for me - I had connection probs also when using p2p software and this sorted it out...worth a try...??

[Kumagoro]

check out the cableforum.co.uk there is a sticky about how to install the modem
without the cd i dont know if it makes any diff to quality of service or not.

[Matt1eD]

but don't you HATE it when something seems to fix a problem but you dont know WHY???

I do indeed.

[Rave]

I got the driver for the Modem working in the end Kumagoro, google found it for me eventually, and manually directing the 'found new hardware' wizard to it did the trick. That changed nothing though- it does seem that the firewall was the problem.

I've used only the windows firewall since I first got XP (pre SP1) and I've never had any probs.

Anyway, this episode has got me thinking- if/when I get my second PC going, I was going to hook it up to the first using internet connection sharing. It does look as if the modem has built in NAT(?) capability, so I wonder if I could just plug both computers and the modem into my switch and cut down on lag and CPU overhead?

Rich :¬)

[Matt1eD]

perhaps, I always use a software & hardware (well the software on the hardware)firewall. I'm a fan of McAffee I was having problems with ZoneAlarm.

[Kumagoro]

Rave i read that you did i thought that if someone else had a similar problem they would want to know how to..., and the sticky at that forum is pretty comprehensive.