LITTLEBLACKDOG.COM

Got a problem. Imagine this:

My parents have an old computer (that I built for them years ago) - a Pentium 233 MMX (running win 9 Cool

.

This past weekend, when I was visiting them, we talked about them getting a cable modem (they were on 56k dialup at that point). They liked the idea, but apparently Comcast (the cable provider in the area) indicated that they needed to install their software to get internet, and the minimum requirements for that was 300MHz (more than the 233MHz that their computer is).

When I talked to one of the techs about it on Sunday, he indicated that we should be able to use the internet service, we just won't get the "extras" that come with installing the software. We figured that would be fine, at least until I can get a new computer built for them.

Today (now that I'm back home, two hours from my folks, and too far for me to make a "house call"), they apparently got the cable modem guy out there to hook it up and all... Except this tech guy says that they NEED to install the software, and they NEED to upgrade to a machine that's 300MHz or faster. In fact, when they tried to install the software anyway, it even checks, and when it noticed it was slower than 300MHz, the install stopped/failed, indicating that they need a faster computer.

Now, my understanding of networks and internet, is you should be able to just enable DHCP (provided TCP/IP is installed, of course), and have internet service via the cable modem.

But it appears that's not happening. So I had them try winipcfg and release then renew the IP. They seem to be getting an IP from Comcast (it started with 12.*.*.*), but they can't ping anything.

I even tried having them remove the binding between the Dial-Up Adapter (they had been using a modem previously, after all), and the TCP/IP protocol. But no luck.

Now, being that I have to work tomorrow and they're two hours away, me going there to fix it just isn't feasible. All I can do is call them up, and have my sister (who is MUCH more technically savvy than either of my parents - except she's a Mac person, so she doesn't know the ins and outs of windows) walk through settings with me on the phone.

What should I suggest that she/they try?

My plan, is that I'll get the components for the new computer in the next couple of weeks, and I'll build it so I can take it to them when we visit them again in about a month (all other weekends are booked until then, though). But I want them to be able to at least limp along with the cable modem (on the slow computer) until then.

Any ideas?

Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2003 6:56 pm Post subject:

I have comcast cable Internet, please excuse my language, that's pure bullshit. I didn't have to use any special software. But I can imagine that because we're in different regions, and Comcast *just* came to my state, Connecticut, that things are done differently.

The only reason that the software is REQUIRED may be because after physically hooking up the cable modem you have to go to a specific HTTPS website (secured) and enter some code to activate the connection. That's what I had to do. So I'm guessing this software that's required does just that. The URL I had to type in was ridicuously long so the software is suppose to make it easier I guess. And I could not ping or access anything except for this Comcast specific web site.

The technician that came by should have provided them with the URL, if they go there with their web browser they can activate the connection, it's the only website they can go to when first signing up. Obviously the technician did not give it to them so I would call tech support. Explain to the person on the phone exactly what I just said. Add that because your parents computer can not support their software, you want the URL to the secure website so that you can activate the connection.

Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2003 7:19 pm Post subject:

I was an early adopter of Comcast@Home when it was rolled into my area several years ago. With the demise of @Home, I became an early Comcast.net customer when that system was created. I use the Comcast service with at least two PCs plus a ReplayTV 4000 every day. I have switched cable modems once. I have never had the Comcast software installed on any of my machines.

Saying that you need to install the Comcast software is pure BS. They have started requiring the software if you want their on-line self-help tech support guide, but I want to talk to a real person at the end of the 800-number anyway.

I have also used a Linksys BEF-SR41 router since the first week that I had cable modem service. When I have a problem, I always have to disconnect it and plug the cable modem directly to the PC's ethernet port to convince the techs that the problem is on their end, since they don't support the router, and their first response is always to blame the user.

Is the cable company a user-hostile monopoly, a bit like Microsoft? You bet. If you can't beat the weasels, join them. I now own a couple hundred shares of CMCSK.

Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2003 8:02 pm Post subject:

I have Comcast and a router. None of the systems here need any special software loaded.

Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2003 9:17 pm Post subject:

Also early adapter for @home user (3meg download) then @comcast (1.5meg download) Hmmm go figure why Im not happy.

Comcast will tell you a lot of BS. Oh we dont support firewalls and routers. Oh we dont allow vpns. Oh we cant tell you the gateway.

All bs. Forget their software, I havent had it install since the installer left oh so many years ago, yeah they made you have an installer come into you home and install it. Gee now its in a box at any store and you do everything yourself.

All you need is a 5 buck NIC and the modem.

So they were given an IP from comcast correct and activiated the account? I had to set my firewall to do a fake mac address for comcast to work. But since you didnt mention a firewall. I assmue you dont have one.

One thing I learned the hard way, do you have none comcast splitters on the coax? One going to the TV and the other going to modem? If so, this could be the problem. Comcast splitters are crap and really good splitters actually can cause out spec conditions that cause the modem to drop out. (had this happen once, took the cable guy 2 hrs and a lot of cussing) right before he left he looked at the splitter and asked if it were from them. said no and I thought he would beat me to death with his fluke. Due to my high price splitters there was no gain loss and it was actually out of spec to the high side. So he switches to the crap splitter and guess what cable comes right up. I didnt believe him so he switches back to my splitters and modem gone. put back his and modem comes back on. My splitters were good, but not within modems limits. Needless to say I shook my head and just said go figure.

However, try this

Type the following in a dos prompt

ping -a 216.109.125.73 this is www.yahoo.com
if you get a response try

ping -a www.yahoo.com
if you get a failure, then the DNS isnt setup, this may require you to call comcast and ask them what that the DNS is.

If I were to guess its eithe IP, subnet mask, gateway or dns # arent correct, so long as you have been setup by comcast.

Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2003 9:49 pm Post subject:

If that is the same software that I am thinking it configures outlook/outlook express and registers there computer to complete there setup.

Ahhh, that makes sense... On Saturday or Sunday, when I was down there (visiting my parents), I talked to one of the Comcast techs, and he seemed to indicate that if you couldn't install the software, you'd need to register (or was it activate? I don't remember now) on a web page instead.

Unfortunately, every tech that my dad talks to tells him that there's no way to use the service without installing the @&$%!# software.... Arggh, it sounds that all they need to do, is keep trying until they get a tech that actually knows what he/she is talking about, and can walk them through registration/activation, and they should be good-to-go.

<deep sigh>

Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2003 4:56 am Post subject:

https://sas.r6.attbi.com

That's where I had to go to activate/register whatever they call it. And it's actually to activate the cable modem, not your computer!

The technician that came to my house wrote it down on the pink carbon copy receipt also with the account number which you'll need to provide to the form on the site. You can call them up to find out what your account# is because my technician made an error and I couldn't get it going at first until I made a phone call to get my account #.

Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2003 5:12 am Post subject:

the account # is the mac address on back of the cable modem. Hint take a digital pic of the label and save somewhere like in outlook so when you call its easy to find and you dont have to dig for it.

Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2003 5:50 am Post subject:

edh wrote:
the account # is the mac address on back of the cable modem. Hint take a digital pic of the label and save somewhere like in outlook so when you call its easy to find and you dont have to dig for it.

That's kinda dumb in my opinion, using the Mac address of a modem that's rented. And what if we were to buy our own modem? We'd have to get the Mac address of it and give it to them I assume.

Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2003 5:55 am Post subject:

Lycander wrote:
https://sas.r6.attbi.com

That's where I had to go to activate/register whatever they call it. And it's actually to activate the cable modem, not your computer!

The technician that came to my house wrote it down on the pink carbon copy receipt also with the account number which you'll need to provide to the form on the site. You can call them up to find out what your account# is because my technician made an error and I couldn't get it going at first until I made a phone call to get my account #.

Was that recent? I ask, because I would have expected by now it'd be a Comcast domain, instead of the old attbi.com one.

Do you know, is it possible to do that registration from a different computer (on a different network)? I was thinking, if I could have my Dad find out the necessary info, *I* could log onto that web site and "activate/register" their service for them, and see if that works.

But not if it needs to be done from the computer with the cable modem on it (or even on the same network).

Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2003 5:59 am Post subject:

Also, I noticed that web page asks for two pieces of information:

- Comcast High-Speed Internet Account Number
- Registration Code

If the Account Number is the MAC address (on the back of the cable modem), where should my Dad find the "Registration Code"? Or is that something he needs to call Comcast and get?

Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2003 6:11 am Post subject:

Check the pink carbon copy receipt, it should have the reg code on it. Otherwise call Comcast because that's somthing the technician should have left with you.

I was quite impressed with the way things were done for me, but the service your family is getting seems to be of poor quality. Erm... Confused

They shouldn't be making you go through so many hoops just to get it going.

Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2003 6:58 am Post subject:

Lycander wrote:
edh wrote:
the account # is the mac address on back of the cable modem. Hint take a digital pic of the label and save somewhere like in outlook so when you call its easy to find and you dont have to dig for it.

That's kinda dumb in my opinion, using the Mac address of a modem that's rented. And what if we were to buy our own modem? We'd have to get the Mac address of it and give it to them I assume.

I wondered that myself. The real fun is that throw a firewall on it and if you dont spoof the pc mac, you'll have issues. Heck with when they started your machine needed to be part of the @home workgroup.

Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2003 7:25 am Post subject:

edh wrote:
Heck with when they started your machine needed to be part of the @home workgroup.

Ugh, don't remind me... I had one of the first cable modems in the area (before I moved out of my apartment), and I remember when TCI @Home had to completely muck up my network (changing settings and what-not), just to get on the internet...

Rather annoying, if I remember properly.