Replacing cable modem. What's involved?

[Slickone]

Do I need still to call Comcast if I'm swapping cable modems?
There's nothing in Windows network settings or router settings that I need to change is there?

 

[Slickone]

^

 

[Jeff7]

You might need to call them so that they can change the MAC address linked to your account. They'll just need to know the MAC address on the new modem.

 

[ViRGE]

Originally posted by: Jeff7
You might need to call them so that they can change the MAC address linked to your account. They'll just need to know the MAC address on the new modem.

QFT

 

[xtknight]

I just plugged mine in. Whenever a request was sent to the modem it directed me automatically to a 'new service' page. From there, I selected the appropriate settings, and everything was fine. I didn't have to pick up the phone. I use Comcast HSI.

 

[Slickone]

Originally posted by: xtknight
I just plugged mine in. Whenever a request was sent to the modem it directed me automatically to a 'new service' page. From there, I selected the appropriate settings, and everything was fine. I didn't have to pick up the phone. I use Comcast HSI.

Hmm. Wow. Never seen anything like that. So Comcast automatically opened up a browser window? Had you ever seen that kind of page before?

 

[xtknight]

Nope, never saw that before. I first got Comcast HSI on Jan 13, 2000 (IIRC) back then it was called MediaOne Road Runner (in Ann Arbor, MI at least) before Comcast bought them, but I never saw that setup screen until I plugged in a new modem (because they set up the old one for me I suppose). It acted like I just got the service but then there was an option that said I had already had it, and from there it setup the new cable modem MAC address. I think it wanted me to download some wizard, and I went through that. Never had to call Comcast though.

It didn't automatically open, but no matter what address I typed in, I was redirected to the same cable modem sign-up page, so I noticed as soon as I opened any browser home page. My old 3com cable modem used to go out, let's say 5 minutes cumulatively every hour. When I replaced it with a Motorola SurfBoard SB5120, I haven't had any outages since I first got that. Best/easiest thing I've done with the network and it sure did help the problems. You should not have to touch your PC's NIC settings. I didn't.

My Linksys router automatically synched with the MAC address and everything. No matter what MAC address the router is cloned to, I could always get a connection, so I wasn't surprised. I can't remember if that wizard wanted to install a Comcast-branded IE, but somehow I avoided it if it did, so don't worry about that.

In the wizard, I did have to enter some ID number that was on the monthly bill, so have it ready. Also had to try several combos of entering that number because the dash on the wizard text box wasn't in the right place or something. Good luck.

 

[poisonthewell]

It's really a case-by-case situation, determined by what type of modem you get and who your provider is. At best you'll be able to plug it in and go, you might have a "login screen" of some type in which you'll need your username (likely the part of your email addy they give you before the @), or at worst you'll have to call.

 

[JE78]

I got a new modem from Time Wanner, what they did was they turned off my old modem at 11am the day the new one arrived from UPS. The only thing was UPS didn't get here till almost 2pm. There was a note in the box and once I plugged it in it worked fine.

 

[corkyg]

I also replaced a modem with Comcast HSI - it was pretty automatic. I did call Comcast so they could update their records and tell me what to do with their rental unit.

It all worked as advertised including accessing the Comcast web site.

 

[Slickone]

Just an FYI, my new cable modem (SB5100) wouldn't work until I called Comcast. In fact, I had to call back a 2nd time and give my modem info again, which the guy said there was no record of my first call or my modem info the woman had supposedly entered.
Thought that modem would fix my occasional slow/no connection, but didn't seem to.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

Why wouldn't you just call for a service call?