Just purchased a PS3. Need help diagnosing what I hope to be a
simple problem. My set-up:

1 - Hand built PC rig (intel Quad core, 88ooGTS, Win XP)
2 - RCA Cable Modem via ethernet (Tme Warner Cable)
3 - Hannspree 28 inch monitor (TN)
4 - PS3 :D
5 - NO ROUTER

First, I tried swapping the ethernet cable from the RCA modem to the PS3. No
dice. No signal. Nothing.

There are two wireless access point nearby, both WEP protected, neither are accessible.

Do I need a router ? What am I doing wrong ? What am I missing ?

Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you.

You need a router. You can try running ethernet from modem to the PS3. You'll have to turn off the modem and reset it each time you change between the PS and your PC. Depends if TW locks it down with your mac address.

Routers are fairly easy to setup nowdays. Buy whatever is on sale at CC/BB/etc.

Yea, a router is the most simple and cheap way. You can switch the cat 5 every time, BUT like he said you will have to plug it in and then power cycle the modem to pull the dhcp correctly. Go check out the linksys wrt54g, its cheap and reliable.

Thanks so much.

So I needed to reboot the modem for the PS3 to connect but its so much easier to just buy a router. Check.

How and why would TW "lock down" the MAC to prevent another device from logging onto another on-line option ?

Well, its just the way modems work. It hands out the needed info when powered on, SO when you unplugged it and went into another device... it basically doesnt know who its talking to. By resetting the modem you let the modem reconfigure itself.

Thanks so much.

So I needed to reboot the modem for the PS3 to connect but its so much easier to just buy a router. Check.

How and why would TW "lock down" the MAC to prevent another device from logging onto another on-line option ?

Doubtful that they do this nowdays, but they can tie your service to the specific mac address in your computer. Get a new computer or network card, you'd have to call TW and let them know. Not really used widespread by cable companies anymore. A router works because when you start, it clones your PC's mac address and presents itself to the router as the same mac address it's looking for.