Cable Modem

[Reel Poor]

PLEASE.....Keep in mind I am pretty illiterate when it comes to computers, even some of the terminology.<br /><br />My question is I have cable access and am wondering should I rent the modem from the cable company or should I buy one?<br /><br />If I should buy one what would you recommend?<br /><br />And what are the mininum computer requirements?

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Cable Modem

i rent mine. i think it's 3 or 5 bucks a month.

 

[mikecjn]

Re: Cable Modem

I work for a cable company and we supply our modems for anyone who gets high speed access from us. That is our only option. The benefit is that we also will maintain the equipment at no charge.<br />I don't know who your cable provider is but find out what their policies are.

 

[Cranky18]

Re: Cable Modem

Our cable provider allows you to buy a modem. A Motorola SB5100 (similar to what I have) is about $60. I've had mine for about 3 years with no problem.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Cable Modem

I had a D-link modem that worked well for a while. Then I began to get in increased frequency of dropped connections. I called the cable company, they came and check the line and recommended their Motorola modem. It's been a year now and not one problem has occured.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Cable Modem

Thanks for the responce guys. I like Motorola products. Have always had great reliability from their electronics. <br /><br />I think im gonna try a buy, instead of rent.<br /><br />As for my other question....Is there a mininum cumputer requirement to support the hardware or software??

 

[mikecjn]

Re: Cable Modem

Who do you have for a cable company? Do they offer digital phone also? That may help determine which modem to look at also.<br />Motorola makes a good modem but I prefer the Scientific Atlanta modems. I get let service related calls on the SA's.

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Cable Modem

I have the motorola provided by Comcast. I am running a Pentium 3 using windows ME and the modem works fine with it. I recommend at least 500 Megs of raam. You dont need that much for the modem but it makes the data processing easier and faster. If you are using a Pentium 2 or older you are not going to experience the true cable experience.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Cable Modem

mike <br /><br />my provider is cable one. they offer a rental (not sure what brand) for 5. a month.<br /><br />Im just not a renter I would prefer to own.<br /><br />Alittle more info also. My computer is a Dinosaur. Its a Dell 233meg w/windows 98 and a 36k modem. Arrrgggg!!!<br /><br />She may be quite slow, but, im here and postin

 

[Twidget]

Re: Cable Modem

I bought mine three years ago. It's still going strong. *knock on wood*

 

[NBE]

Re: Cable Modem

Given the choice, I recommend buying one. Check with your cable company to see if they ok it and even get a recommendation from them on what type to buy. In my case, my cable company charges ten bucks a month to rent one so it made sense for me to get my own. It paid for itself in a matter of months.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Cable Modem

Minimum computer requirements depend on your operating system and other software, not the type of network connection you have.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Cable Modem

Definately buy one. You'll pay for it in less than a year with the savings over not renting. I have an RCA cable modem with Comcast, haven't had a single problem with it in 3 years I've had it, and I almost always get faster speeds than advertised.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Cable Modem

Im definately gonna buy one. Time to start shoppin.<br /><br />Can anyone suggest an inexpensive source.<br /><br />Thanks for all the replys.

 

[KRS]

Re: Cable Modem

Your computer needs to have an internal NIC (network interface card) to plug the cable modem into.

 

[Cranky18]

Re: Cable Modem

You can use pricewatch.com to find the lowest price (usually).

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Cable Modem

Originally posted by azfyrfyter63:<br /> Your computer needs to have an internal NIC (network interface card) to plug the cable modem into.

It does need a network interface. I'm sure a Dell with 233MHz would have a built-in NIC. If unsure, check the back of PC and see if there's a receptacle similar to a phone connection, only a little wider. If it's a little too large for a phone cord, it's a NIC.

 

[NBE]

Re: Cable Modem

If you don't have a NIC already there, you can get a USB network adapter that just plugs into the back on the computer in one of the USB ports. Then you connect your network cable to that. That saves you from having to open the box and install a NIC. You still need the appropriate drivers and such installed though. I do still have an old 333 MHz that the kids use hooked up this way and it runs fine. It's also not a bad idea to keep a dial-up connection as a backup. There are several reasonably priced (ten bucks or less a month) and fairly fast services available out there. Just depends on how bad you need to stay connected. In my case, I do work from home from time to time and connect to my work network from the house.