| 0 |
Subject: Cable Modems
Posted by: Tree
- [5173206] Sun, Aug 20, 2006, 07:49
so, for years, i've had the same internet provider, and just used the modem they provided to me.
i'll be moving soon into a new place, and the owner has the entire building wired for cable/internet. all i need to do is provide my own modem. :o)
so, are any brands out there better than others? i've seen D-Link, Linksys, and Motorola modems at Best Buy, but i'm curious as to experiences some of have had.
thanks! |
| 1 | WiddleAvi
ID: 516233020
Sun, Aug 20, 2006, 10:39
|
Tree, doesn't sound right. If the whole place is wired for internet then you should not need a modem. All you shoule need is a Network cable to plug your computer into a jack in the wall.
|
| 2 | Perm Dude
ID: 4672199
Sun, Aug 20, 2006, 17:48
|
I think you are confusing Wi-Fi with cable internet service, Widdle.
Tree, about any modem will do. I have LinkSys myself, because it was fairly inexpensive. But press much any one will do.
Don't you now own the cable modem that came with your service? Or did you just rent it from them? It is usually best to purchase your modem, whether from the provider or on your own.
|
| 3 | GoatLocker
Sustainer
ID: 060151121
Sun, Aug 20, 2006, 17:59
|
Little confusion here.
I'm guessing you'll need a cable modem.
And, if you want WiFi, you'll need a router.
Any brand will work for either.
My Fiber Optic DSL has a combined Modem/Router and I just have it plugged into my Wireless Router.
Works fine.
Cliff
|
| 4 | WiddleAvi
ID: 516233020
Sun, Aug 20, 2006, 19:26
|
It doesn's make sense that the building is wired for internet and you don't need to order your own from a company yet you need a modem. A modem is used to connect to a service provider but if the building is wired for internet then you don't need the modem to connect to a provider.
|
| 5 | Tree
ID: 5173206
Sun, Aug 20, 2006, 19:30
|
It doesn's make sense that the building is wired for internet and you don't need to order your own from a company yet you need a modem. A modem is used to connect to a service provider but if the building is wired for internet then you don't need the modem to connect to a provider.
i think you're mistaken. a modem is used to connect to the internet, not an ISP.
|
| 6 | Perm Dude
ID: 4672199
Sun, Aug 20, 2006, 19:33
|
The cable company is the internet provider. The modem is used to connect to the service.
"Wired for internet" is a bit of a misnomer. The building is wired for cable, and the cable company has the additional ability to provide internet access through the cable line.
Not all cable companies can provide internet to all areas to which they provide cable TV service.
|
| 7 | WiddleAvi
ID: 516233020
Sun, Aug 20, 2006, 20:03
|
So do you have to pay for the internet Tree or you just plug in the modem that you buy and your good to go ?? Also you mention D-Link, Linksys etc. Those are brands of routers. Are you confusing modems & routers ??
|
| 8 | Tree
ID: 5173206
Sun, Aug 20, 2006, 21:31
|
those are, indeed, brands of routers. they are also brands of modems.
no, i don't pay for internet. i plug in my modem, and good to go.
|
| 9 | WiddleAvi
ID: 516233020
Sun, Aug 20, 2006, 21:43
|
Tree, If thats the case I am pretty certain that you should be able to just plug in your computer without a modem. Double check with the landlord. Something seems odd here.If you want cable TV do you have to call a company and sign up for that or is that included as well ?
|
| 10 | R9
Leader
ID: 02624472
Mon, Aug 21, 2006, 01:16
|
As someone who recently did the appartment searching thing, I can agree with #6. Adds with "Wired for internet" just meant the tennant could bring the ISP in and they would be able to install a cable modem.
Things always work different in other places, but assuming the US cable internet companies do things the same as they do here:
The building is wired with cable:
1) and has an ISP service already. The monthly net fees are probably built into the rent. (A nice touch I might add.) Thus, you only need a modem. Still, the best place for that is the ISP the building is signed up with, as most ISP's usually have a preffered unit. The landlord probably would have their phone #.
2) and does not have an ISP service already. This is the only scenario I've have seen around here (about 10 buildings). The ISP would come and install the cable, and would sell/rent you a modem. My ISP gives the modem for free if you sign up for a 12 month package.
Sounds like you might have situation 1, which is pretty cool. Situation 2 is the only thing I've seen (and heard of) though, so unless you are sure you should probably talk to the landlord for clarification.
Brand-wise, I don't think I've ever seen a modem for sale in a store. Again, that may just be how things work here. I've always been prefferential to Linksys routers, so I'd go that route.
|
| 11 | Tree
ID: 22745244
Thu, Aug 24, 2006, 06:16
|
indeed, the answer is that i do need my own modem, but that's it. the cable is piped into the apartment. i'm probably going with a motorola one sold at best buy, because it's gotten some pretty strong reviews on cnet...
|
| 12 | biliruben
Leader
ID: 589301110
Thu, Aug 24, 2006, 12:59
|
When I did this, Comcast wanted to rent me a modem for $5/mo, but begrudgingly would use one that was owned. I checked the models that were compatible, bought one used on craigslist for 20 bucks, and was good to go. Running non-stop for over 2 years.
They also wanted to rent me a modem for each computer attached to the internets for an extra monthly charge of 5-10 bucks. I instead bought a used router off craigslist for another $20 and created a home network. A bit of head-scratching, but got 'er done without too much trouble.
Thus endith my craigslist commercial.
|
| 13 | Perm Dude
ID: 51716249
Thu, Aug 24, 2006, 13:15
|
I used to use Comcast in my old place. They were actually pretty cool, and left it up to me as to whether I used my modem or theirs. And they even gave me a bit of a break, as my office was actually attached to a residence which was already wired for cable, so they put in a new line for just the office and gave me the residential rate. Saved me some big bucks.
I've heard some good things about craigslist and will have to check them out.
|
| 14 | biliruben
Leader
ID: 589301110
Thu, Aug 24, 2006, 15:24
|
Yeah - Craigslist's uses are dependent to some extent on how long they've but up and running in your city. It's much more geared towards getting people buying and selling face-to-face.
It was interesting to see it's influence in Seattle, however.
Last time I bought a car, around 3 years ago, the predominant forum was the local paper. Craigslist had a number of cars, but mainly low-end and it was only useful as a supplement to the newspaper.
I bought a car last week, and the opposite was true. Craigslist (and more nationally, autotrader) was the dominant forum by far, even for the newer car I was looking for, and the local paper was almost useless, it had so few ads.
|
| 15 | Tree
ID: 1411442914
Tue, Aug 29, 2006, 09:43
|
hmm. lovely.
so the modem seems to be working, but i can't access the web. it worked my first night in the apartment, but then, stopped working.
i know a signal is coming in, because i get cable when it's hooked up to my TV.
i get that notice that basically says it can't access whatever webpage i'm going to.
is there something i need to configure or something?
|
| 16 | Perm Dude
ID: 4677288
Tue, Aug 29, 2006, 09:48
|
Yeah, you'll need to give them the number from the back of yor modem. Ask your landlord if you need to call the cable company for that or you give the information to him to register it.
|
| 17 | Tree
ID: 1411442914
Tue, Aug 29, 2006, 11:12
|
need to give who the number..the cable company?
|
| 18 | R9
Leader
ID: 02624472
Tue, Aug 29, 2006, 11:54
|
Most ISP's require activation of the account, and some use the modem # to do that. When the guy came here to install mine he was on the phone with them reading #'s off my modem and TV receivers, so I assume that is what he was doing.
|
| 19 | Perm Dude
ID: 4677288
Tue, Aug 29, 2006, 11:56
|
Your modem should have a number on the back or the bottom (usually there will be two numbers, but it is the MAC number they will need).
I'm not familiar with having a whole building wired for cable internet, but I believe that if you are using your own modem to connect to the system you will be just like any other single cable modem user: you will need to give your MAC number to the cable company so that they can grant you the access.
[If someone else here with more experience can chime in I'd appreciate it].
Maybe the easiest way is to call your cable company and speak with an internet specialist and explain the problem. You have a building you should be able to plug into and you have a modem with a MAC number. They will probably be able to tell you what to do--it might be just a matter of them taking down the numbers and setting you up as authorized.
|
| 20 | biliruben
ID: 535193010
Tue, Aug 29, 2006, 12:22
|
With Comcast, I was allowed to make one phone call (I was only allowed 1, like jail), to someone who actually knew what she was doing.
The dude who installed the wiring was a complete idiot, but the person I talked to on the phone was very smart, knowledgable and helpful... and she made me promise never to call back.
Make that one call count.
|
|
|
|
Post a reply to this message: (But first, how about checking out this sponsor?)
|