mom is getting cable internet, does she need extra software?

[SonicIce]

WOW cable said they need to install some software to get the internet on her computer. I can connect here at home to DSL without any added software. i just create new connection in windows and say connect using a broadband connection that requires a username and password. if its cable then i just say connect using a broadband connection that is always on? i'm just trying to avoid the guy adding a bunch of worthless bloated software onto her comp.

 

[Greenman]

I dumped all the junk the cable company installed on my computer, a waste of memory and drive space.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

My time warner cable service doesn't need any software to run.

 

[poisonthewell]

You shouldn't need any software. I didn't when I had cable internet. Just plugged into the modem and done.

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

Don't let them install any crap on her computer

 

[d2arcturus]

Originally posted by: SonicIce
WOW cable said they need to install some software to get the internet on her computer.

What a big load of BS, I can smell it all the way over here. :thumbsdown: (I have cable myself.)

 

[mechBgon]

It would be a really good idea to hook her up with an affordable router, though. I'd give it the lockdown treatment like I describe in that link too, if your mom's anything like my mom :Q

 

[SonicIce]

so i just plug in the cables and then fire up my browser and im ready to go?

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: SonicIce
so i just plug in the cables and then fire up my browser and im ready to go?

Practically. Set the puter for DHCP, make sure it gets an IP, and away you go. Take mechBgon's recommendation under consideration. Those SOHO router dealies are life savers. :beer:

 

[piasabird]

If you have 2 computers, just get a router. It helps if the computers are close together like in the basement or 2 rooms that share a wall or a closet. Some people prefer wireless networking, but it just costs more.

 

[vailr]

The cable co. software would also likely set up a POP3 Outlook Express email account,
which could be easily done manually, instead.
Anyone on broadband should use a firewall router.
Or at least a software firewall, such as Sygate.

 

[knothead34]

dsl is the only broadband type internet that requires software to get a pppoe connection. when i had cable once i had the modem turned on just double clicked ie or firefox and i was online no software needed.

 

[SonicIce]

how do i set up email then?

 

[mechBgon]

Fire up Outlook Express and it should pretty much hold your hand. Fill in the display name (Mary Jones), the email address (mjones@companyname.com or whatever), the server (mail.company.com is a good first guess) and the username & password.

 

[Stas]

"Some people prefer wireless networking, but it just costs more."
AND it's slower.

 

[pcgeek11]

Originally posted by: SonicIce
how do i set up email then?

All of the information required POP Server, SMTP Server, E-mail address, User Name, Password ... should be provided by the cable company at the time of installation on paper. Put it somewhere safe. They will probably also allow you to set up XX number of additional mailbox email address' on the master account. They usually have a tech set it all up initially anyway with or without software.

pcgeek11

 

[RobCur]

Originally posted by: Stas
"Some people prefer wireless networking, but it just costs more."
AND it's slower.

speed is incosistent too very erratic from 1.0mbps to 3.0bmps, yuck!

 

[SonicIce]

this is her first computer and i really dont think shes ever getting a 2nd one so she doesn't need a router.
so i should get my POP Server, SMTP Server, E-mail address, User Name, and Password the day the guy comes over?

 

[Leros]

I refused to let the Cox Cable people touch my computers. I let them ping the modem or whatever they do to make sure its working, then I had to force them to leave w/o installing all of their "special software"

 

[fstime]

Originally posted by: Greenman
I dumped all the junk the cable company installed on my computer, a waste of memory and drive space.

My cable is plug and play.

No software.

Just make sure to reboot!

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: SonicIce
this is her first computer and i really dont think shes ever getting a 2nd one so she doesn't need a router.
so i should get my POP Server, SMTP Server, E-mail address, User Name, and Password the day the guy comes over?

The router isn't there to just let multiple computers access the net. That's a bonus. It's really there to help protect the computer. Get a router, it's like $20.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: RobCur

Originally posted by: Stas
"Some people prefer wireless networking, but it just costs more."
AND it's slower.

speed is incosistent too very erratic from 1.0mbps to 3.0bmps, yuck!

Something's wrong with your wireless connection.

 

[pcgeek11]

Originally posted by: SonicIce
this is her first computer and i really dont think shes ever getting a 2nd one so she doesn't need a router.
so i should get my POP Server, SMTP Server, E-mail address, User Name, and Password the day the guy comes over?

Yes when the tech is done you should get all this on paper. Sometimes they have an installer for the cable part then a tech comes by to activate the modem...

pcgeek11

 

[MDE]

My Comcast connection just required the modem to be activated and a couple line tests to be run. Don't let them install anything on the machine, it's most likely useless bloatware.

 

[mechBgon]

If they tried to install software on my mom's computer, they wouldn't get very far unless they're l33t ha><0rs. Limited-class accounts are wondarful :evil: