[computerdude1985]

I'm going to pick up my modem tomorrow because I'm switching from DSL to Cable, and I wanted to know if there is anyway if I could set it up myself, because they charge $40 bucks to set it up for you. It shouldn't be that hard to set it up. I remember doing the DSL setup myself. I just wanted to know if I could because I don't feel like paying them an extra 40 bucks for installation. Any tips would be appreciated or advice. Also, I'm ditching DSL because I download a lot of music and wait about an hour to get a full album, and I'm tired of it, so I got Sudden Link, and I signed up for the $39.95 a month deal, which is 4megabits I think. I don't really know much about the specs, but the highest download speed I get when I download using my DSL is about 23kb or 24kb. I hpe there's a big difference. Well, I hope someone can help me out, and let me know if there's going to be much of a difference with the overall speed of the internet. I would really appreciate some feedback, thanks so much!

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Your speed will depend on the time of day, how many people in your neighborhood have cable modem service and how clean your cable connections are.

As for setting up yourself, it isn't hard. You just have to make sure your modem is provisioned via your provider (some require that you register your MAC address of your NIC, so you might have to do that), make sure you have cable with GOOD fittings on the end and a fair knowledge of how to check your IP address.

Every provider is different on how they provision so I can't give you more info as I have never even heard of Sudden Link.

(I used to be a cable modem data specialist for AT&T Broadband)

[thenotch]

Your speed will depend on the time of day, how many people in your neighborhood have cable modem service and how clean your cable connections are.

As for setting up yourself, it isn't hard. You just have to make sure your modem is provisioned via your provider (some require that you register your MAC address of your NIC, so you might have to do that), make sure you have cable with GOOD fittings on the end and a fair knowledge of how to check your IP address.

Every provider is different on how they provision so I can't give you more info as I have never even heard of Sudden Link.

(I used to be a cable modem data specialist for AT&T Broadband)

[computerdude1985]

Your speed will depend on the time of day, how many people in your neighborhood have cable modem service and how clean your cable connections are.

As for setting up yourself, it isn't hard. You just have to make sure your modem is provisioned via your provider (some require that you register your MAC address of your NIC, so you might have to do that), make sure you have cable with GOOD fittings on the end and a fair knowledge of how to check your IP address.

Every provider is different on how they provision so I can't give you more info as I have never even heard of Sudden Link.

(I used to be a cable modem data specialist for AT&T Broadband)

Well, we have our account setup, and they're going to hold the modem for 5 days and were going to pick it up tomorrow. Here is the link to our new ISP.

http://www.suddenlink.com/Index.html

[thenotch]

Thats pretty straight forward. The only thing that sends up a red flag is installing their software. Yahoo DSL requires that in order to connect properly and is, IMHO, a pain in the rear.

I would try the steps to connect that are included HERE and then just before installing the software, open a command window and try and ping something. If you can ping something and get a response then I would try opening up a browser and see if you have connectivity. If it connects to a website I personally would not install the software. My guess is though you won't connect because they have to have the software installed to track your system in their database.

Other than that it looks like a fairly cut-and-dry install. The only other thing it didn't mention is in-house wiring. They mention the drop, but not the cable up to the modem. I would assume that if THEY did the install they would run the drop as well as the in-house cable. If not, you might be on your own there. I would ask.

[computerdude1985]

Thats pretty straight forward. The only thing that sends up a red flag is installing their software. Yahoo DSL requires that in order to connect properly and is, IMHO, a pain in the rear.

I would try the steps to connect that are included HERE and then just before installing the software, open a command window and try and ping something. If you can ping something and get a response then I would try opening up a browser and see if you have connectivity. If it connects to a website I personally would not install the software. My guess is though you won't connect because they have to have the software installed to track your system in their database.

Other than that it looks like a fairly cut-and-dry install. The only other thing it didn't mention is in-house wiring. They mention the drop, but not the cable up to the modem. I would assume that if THEY did the install they would run the drop as well as the in-house cable. If not, you might be on your own there. I would ask.

Okay, I have no idea how to do anything that you mentioned, but I will ask them about the wiring when I go pick it up later.

[thenotch]

If you can't do the basic network tests I would suggest you have them install the service for you.

The inside wiring is important too. If it isn't wired you are going to need that done. Again, it is sounding like your best bet is to pay the installation fee and have it done right.

[computerdude1985]

If you can't do the basic network tests I would suggest you have them install the service for you.

The inside wiring is important too. If it isn't wired you are going to need that done. Again, it is sounding like your best bet is to pay the installation fee and have it done right.

Yeah, well we are going to temporarily use our DSL connection until they come over on thursday morning to fix it. They're charing me $59 dollars, which I think is outrageous. That's why I tried to do it myself. Oh well, I guess it will be worth it in the long wrong so they can do it properly. I got all the wires hooked up correctly, and the only lights there were on were power and enet (because I used the ethernet cable), and the only other light that was blinking was sync, which shows me that it's attempting to connect, but not connecting successfully. I just don't know what I did wrong. I wish I could fix it, because I honestly think it's a small mistake that can easily be fixed. I would hate for the repair man to come into the house, and press a button in 2 minutes, and charge me the fee. I have no problem paying for it. I just wish I could've done it myself. Thanks for all your help dude. You're really awesome! Also, the ISP doesn't have any software. It just came with an installation disc to walk you through the installation.

[thenotch]

If your sync light is flashing it could be a couple things:

1. Your modem is not provisioned yet
2. You have noise on your cable line

Both are VERY likely.

The first one is an easy fix, you call tech support, find out if they can see your modem and if it has been provisioned and then they take care of it.

The noise on the line is tougher because someone will have to come out and the problem may not necessarily be at your location; it could be an amplifier, line extender or a myriad of other line equipment or cable problems coming from your neighbors or the cable itself.

A splitter inline can cause problems as well as too high or too low signal strength. Again, things someone would need to look at.

Good luck.

[computerdude1985]

If your sync light is flashing it could be a couple things:

1. Your modem is not provisioned yet
2. You have noise on your cable line

Both are VERY likely.

The first one is an easy fix, you call tech support, find out if they can see your modem and if it has been provisioned and then they take care of it.

The noise on the line is tougher because someone will have to come out and the problem may not necessarily be at your location; it could be an amplifier, line extender or a myriad of other line equipment or cable problems coming from your neighbors or the cable itself.

A splitter inline can cause problems as well as too high or too low signal strength. Again, things someone would need to look at.

Good luck.

Thanks again dude! I'm sure the repair guy can fix it.