Sharing Webstar DPX2203 between laptop and desktop
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Sharing Webstar DPX2203 between laptop and desktop
Hi. I am sharing a cable modem connection between a laptop and a desktop. I am connecting via a Webstar DPX 2203 cable modem. The problem is, I do not have a network set up as of yet, neither a secondary ethernet card int he desktop to use as a bridge, nor a router, and I NEED to be able to switch between the two computers. Every time I try to unplug the desktop, plug in the laptop, and power cycle the modem though, it doesn't seem to work right, and I have to call my ISP to get it straightened out. Is there some fix to this? I have a friend who does the same thing between his desktop, laptop and XBOX, using a motorola surfboard modem, and never seems to have a problem.
Again, this is only meant to be temporary, but it is needed. I'll keep calling Time Warner every time I need to switch, if I have to, but I'd rather not have to.
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By Time Warner, I assume you mean that your ISP is AOL? Why does that not surprise me?! 
There should be no reason why what you're doing shouldn't work, as you've seen from your friend doing it, but AOL do all kinds of weird, non-standard and inexplicable stuff to your PC when you install their connection software so it doesn't strike me as especially surprising that things aren't working out as expected when you switch the modem between systems. I'm half expecting them to release an AOL-branded PC soon so that their customers can buy one that will actually work reliably and predictably with their software!
I guess the key to the solution is to ask you what it is that the AOL support guys get you to do to the PC, laptop or modem when you phone them up but, being realistic, AOL is a bit of a 'black box' system and it's unlikely that anyone other than them could tell you how to resolve the problem.