In reply to a post by XRaySpeX:

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

isn't by far the easiest thing to do is to check the Netgear is or isn't in bridging mode,(it almost certainly isn't), and set it to bridge?

Is it possible to bridge to a lone PC, cuz that;s how this Netgear is intended to be used? I thought bridging was only used when you connect to another router as you are doing with FTTC.

Therefore Netgear is not bridged!

Yes it is possible.

The OR FTTC modems are modem/routers bridged. It is perfectly possible to connect a PC direct to the ethernet port on the Openreach modem. This then needs the login details to be entered on the computer. A point that was picked up by someone earlier, thus suggesting that as the OP isn't needing to do that then it is configured as a modem/router.

As per the page I just linked to, which implies it is supplied as a modem/router.

I still think it is best to bridge it to the Belkin WAN port. Easy-peasy. Wood and trees syndrome seems to be in force. Then he can use the Belkin just as he did on VM.

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

I still think it is best to bridge it to the Belkin WAN port. Easy-peasy. Wood and trees syndrome seems to be in force. Then he can use the Belkin just as he did on VM.

Perhaps, and from an operational perspective there will be no difference. It is not necessarily easier to set up though IMHO, as the OP will have to make changes to two devices, when there are seemingly difficulties with configuring one.
Putting the modem into Bridge mode may be trivial for the experienced, but may not be for the OP.

The varying and even conflicting information provided has no doubt added to any confusion, so I'll refrain from further posts to reduce the noise.

Interestingly, the instructions there for bridging seem to set the connection manually in the Netgear. I have a feeling that step might not be necessary, as it is already auto-configuring from the ISP by the sound of it. That's just a question of experimenting though.

I see I did miss a reply from the OP. It looks as though he might have had cable modem >> router >> Belkin. In which case it wouldn't have been the WAN port in use. In which case, I wonder how he managed to get that set up. Or whether he was talked through it that time.

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

This then needs the login details to be entered on the computer.

That Post Office guide never required the user to manually configure his PC so, other than setting IE to Never Dial. And no CD was supplied to do that either. So it can't be in bridge mode!

I even thought of that while I was writing the preceding post; I stuck "untouched" from "lone PC" wrongly thinking you would understand.

C'mon, I was the only one to identify this Netgear as a Modem/Router and y'all are making unfounded objections and throwing OP off track. All he needs to do is get out of the WAN pages and into the LAN ones.

Yes, there are more ways than 1 to skin a cat, but OP has started the Router route and. as panda says, it could well be more difficult for him to start a new tack. The OP should not change PC at all to achieve what he wants.

I think you have stopped reading .

I've accepted it is a modem router, and also said that I think even in bridge mode it could still auto-configure. So all he has to do is follow the simple instructions on the page given, and see if it works.

If it doesn't, then OK start messing about with some permutation of what has been suggested.

SUCCESS!!!!

from a composite of your answers i have resolved this situation and can happily use my wireless
Thank you so much to one and all who contributed

Well done!

Did you go the bridging route or the DHCP route?

Sorry about any confusion; we were just discussing amongst ourselves the alternatives.

In reply to a post by drexl_spivey:

SUCCESS!!!!

Excellent .

from a composite of your answers ...

The only way .

As XRaySpex asks, what did you do in the end? It could be very useful to us all to knwo for the next person in a simialr position.