cable modems

  • Thread starter Thread starter jinxy
  • Start date Start date
J

jinxy

Hello, I would like information reguarding a cable modem upgrade. My
cable company sent me a letter letting me know that I could upgrade my
modem for free. I am currently using a Terayon modem with no problems
to report over the last five years. The upgrade in an DOCSIS (Data
over cable service interface specifications) modem. They claim
consistant speeds and stability, and a lot of things to come. Is there
anyone reading this post that is using one of these new modems? and if
so what is your take on this modem? It sounds to me that they are
trying to streamline all of their service speeds throught one standard
modem. I never know when they are doing something for me or to me. Any
input about this modem will great , thanks in advance for your input.
Jinxy.
 
jinxy said:
Hello, I would like information reguarding a cable modem upgrade. My
cable company sent me a letter letting me know that I could upgrade my
modem for free. I am currently using a Terayon modem with no problems
to report over the last five years. The upgrade in an DOCSIS (Data
over cable service interface specifications) modem. They claim
consistant speeds and stability, and a lot of things to come. Is there
anyone reading this post that is using one of these new modems? and if
so what is your take on this modem? It sounds to me that they are
trying to streamline all of their service speeds throught one standard
modem. I never know when they are doing something for me or to me. Any
input about this modem will great , thanks in advance for your input.
Jinxy.
Click to expand...

DOCSIS has been standard for years. In fact, the last time I bought a cable
modem (several years ago) it was (I believe) DOCSIS 2.0 compliant.

I'd take the upgrade. I don't think it will hurt anything. I'd request a
NON-Motorola brand modem, though. I had a couple of motorola modems that
were flaky, and I never could convince the cable company that it was the
modem, until I replaced it with a Linksys and the problem (magically, it
seems) disappeared. There was nothing wrong with the motorola modems
ACCORDING TO THE CABLE COMPANY. It is odd though that they kept having to
be reset several times a day, and the linksys just plain worked, and never
needed to be reset. -Dave
 
jinxy said:
Hello, I would like information reguarding a cable modem upgrade. My
cable company sent me a letter letting me know that I could upgrade my
modem for free. I am currently using a Terayon modem with no problems
to report over the last five years. The upgrade in an DOCSIS (Data
over cable service interface specifications) modem. They claim
consistant speeds and stability, and a lot of things to come. Is there
anyone reading this post that is using one of these new modems? and if
so what is your take on this modem? It sounds to me that they are
trying to streamline all of their service speeds throught one standard
modem. I never know when they are doing something for me or to me. Any
input about this modem will great , thanks in advance for your input.
Jinxy.
Click to expand...

Somebody else has already said: DOCSIS is the industry standard...and
has been for a long time.

If "upgrade for free" means they provide the hardware and *not* charging
a monthly rental fee (you don't say what your current arrangement with
them is), I'd go for it.

If they want you to transition to a DOCSIS hardware, that's a good
thing...but if weren't giving me the modem (without a monthly rental),
I'd just ask them what models they support (even with the DOCSIS
standard, some providers recommend hardware that seems to play better
with their system), and go by one.

My current cable modem cost $75 and has been running steadily for 6
years..it's by far the oldest piece of computer equipment I own.

check out representative prices, hardware at amazon:
http://preview.tinyurl.com/youbg6

or

newegg:
http://preview.tinyurl.com/yrbjdh

or mwave
http://www.mwave.com/mwave/DEPTMDM.hmx?
 
Somebody else has already said: DOCSIS is the industry standard...and
has been for a long time.

If "upgrade for free" means they provide the hardware and *not* charging
a monthly rental fee (you don't say what your current arrangement with
them is), I'd go for it.

If they want you to transition to a DOCSIS hardware, that's a good
thing...but if weren't giving me the modem (without a monthly rental),
I'd just ask them what models they support (even with the DOCSIS
standard, some providers recommend hardware that seems to play better
with their system), and go by one.

My current cable modem cost $75 and has been running steadily for 6
years..it's by far the oldest piece of computer equipment I own.

check out representative prices, hardware at amazon:http://preview.tinyurl.com/youbg6

or

newegg:http://preview.tinyurl.com/yrbjdh

or mwavehttp://www.mwave.com/mwave/DEPTMDM.hmx?
Click to expand...

The new modem is a Motorloa sb5150. The cable company claims that th
previous terayon modem is not equiped to handle new and upcoming cable
services. It was a straight swap , no price increases. In short, I
have got the new modem and have been running it now for about a week,
with no troubles. Thanks to all that answered this post.
-J
 
The new modem is a Motorloa sb5150.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry to hear that. Really.
The cable company claims that th
previous terayon modem is not equiped to handle new and upcoming cable
services.
Click to expand...

So they gave you a motorola piece of crap so they could try to sell you
expensive extra services that you don't want. Got it.
It was a straight swap , no price increases.
Click to expand...

I hope so. Are they also going to reimburse you for your time when you need
to make technical support calls related to your defective modem that they
will SWEAR is working correctly?
In short, I
have got the new modem and have been running it now for about a week,
with no troubles.
Click to expand...

That must be some kind of new record for a SB5150.

Thanks to all that answered this post.
-J
Click to expand...

In all seriousness, if your cable modem connection isn't AT LEAST as
reliable as it was with your previous modem, consider buying a linksys brand
cable modem to replace it. It will save you many headaches, you will thank
me. -Dave
 
I'm sorry to hear that. Really.


So they gave you a motorola piece of crap so they could try to sell you
expensive extra services that you don't want. Got it.


I hope so. Are they also going to reimburse you for your time when you need
to make technical support calls related to your defective modem that they
will SWEAR is working correctly?


That must be some kind of new record for a SB5150.

Thanks to all that answered this post.


In all seriousness, if your cable modem connection isn't AT LEAST as
reliable as it was with your previous modem, consider buying a linksys brand
cable modem to replace it. It will save you many headaches, you will thank
me. -Dave
Click to expand...

Dave, I dont intend on buying any of their sevices other than my
curret set-up. I am told they also have a Webstar modem. To purchase a
modem ,I would first have to see what the monthly credit for self
owned modem would be, as the rental is included in the high speed
bundle.Only time will tell if I am to experience the troubles that you
have had, I hope not. Do you know anythng about the Webstar? I would
like to be ready if the shit starts to fly, so to speak. Thanks for
the head up.
-J
 
Dave, I dont intend on buying any of their sevices other than my
curret set-up. I am told they also have a Webstar modem. To purchase a
modem ,I would first have to see what the monthly credit for self
owned modem would be, as the rental is included in the high speed
bundle.Only time will tell if I am to experience the troubles that you
have had, I hope not. Do you know anythng about the Webstar? I would
like to be ready if the shit starts to fly, so to speak. Thanks for
the head up.
-J
Click to expand...

Never heard about webstar. But in general, any newer linksys brand cable
modem should work fine. Cable modems are standardized much in the way that
dial-up modems are. There are SOME proprietary networks that use funky
hardware. But in general, you should be able to walk into best buy or
compusa or staples or whatever and buy a "cable modem" and expect it to work
fine on your cable network. Only catch is, you will need to call your cable
provider to "provision" the new cable modem before it will work. Both times
I did this, I was pointed to a web site and talked through the procedure to
provision the cable modem online. That is, even though the cable modem
won't connect to the Internet at large, it will likely connect to the cable
provider's servers OK, right out of the box.

Only other thing I'd caution you about is, if you return a leased modem, GET
A RECEIPT FOR THE RETURN. Last time I returned a (defective sb5150, btw)
cable modem to the cable company, they continued to charge me for a leased
modem. Several phone calls later, the cable company insisted that I bring
in my receipt IN PERSON to their local office to "prove" that I didn't have
their modem anymore. This, in spite of the fact that the cable company
HELPED ME provision my new modem, and could still see ON THEIR NETWORK that
I was running a modem THAT THEY DID NOT OWN. Needless to say, I was more
than a bit pissed off. Switched back to DSL a few days later.
astards. -Dave
 
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