The Unofficial Opie & Anthony Message Board - Cable Modem, Windows XP, Virus, Firewall, Printer help -- it's all here!

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The Unofficial Opie & Anthony Message Board - Cable Modem, Windows XP, Virus, Firewall, Printer help -- it's all here!

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Discussion Topic: Cable Modem, Windows XP, Virus, Firewall, Printer help -- it's all here!

SweetAngel

posted on 04-05-2002 @ 7:50 AM

Psychopath
Registered: May. 01

Okay, so I finally broke down and decided to get a cable modem. Trying to install it last night and couldn't. Apparently my version of Windows was too old to support the USB port (Windows 98). Off to the store I go to buy an upgrade. After about 2 hours, my computer is now upgraded to Windows XP. Of course, this STILL doesn't seem to support the USP port, so apparently now today I have to go buy an Ethernet card. My questions:
1) What is an ethernet card?
2) How hard is it to install?
3) Will the cable modem work FINALLY after it is installed?
4) Is all this trouble really worth it?

This message was edited by SweetAngel on 4-12-02 @ 11:33 PM

Jack Meehoff
Teh funny blah blah absent blah blah teh blah

posted on 04-05-2002 @ 8:15 AM

Psychopath
Registered: Jan. 02

Ethernet Card is the same thing as a Network Interface Card (aka NIC) and is not difficult to install at all. For just cable access pick up the SMC 1244tx (goes for about 15-20 bucks) and is completely plug and play in Windows XP. All you have to do is shut the computer down, install the card, turn on computer and usually XP does everything for you.

EDIT: Yes it is worth it.

Â
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This message was edited by Jack Meehoff on 4-5-02 @ 8:18 AM

Rookie
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posted on 04-05-2002 @ 8:31 AM

O&A Board Regular
Registered: Jan. 01

quote:
Apparently my version of Windows was too old to support the USB port (Windows 98).

That is untrue. Windows 98 includes full USB support, so your problem all along was not the operating system.

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posted on 04-05-2002 @ 9:24 AM

O&A Board Veteran
Registered: Jul. 00

Whoa...

Slow down. Before you spend any more money. Like Rookie said Windows 98 does support USB. Matter of fact so do later versions of 95.

Using a NIC to connect a cable modem is probably preferable to USB but, not really necessary.

Who is your Cable provider?

There are lots of people on this board that use cable by several different providers. We've all had problems with install. And, none of us did anything wrong. Every cable ISP without fail has installation issues. And, in my experience tech support isn't a whole lot of help unless you're not sure how to turn your computer on.

Anyway...
I'm sure if you give us some more info, like who your provider is and what error messages you're getting we can help.

Long Live the "Syndication Underground"
The more things change...
The more they stay the same.

goatweed
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posted on 04-05-2002 @ 9:31 AM

O&A Board Regular
Registered: Jan. 01

Since you already spent the money, here is what I would do...

Keep XP- it's way better than 98. It's a lot more stable, and when you do crash you won't (shouldn't) have to do a hard-boot (turning off the computer). It'll just close the program that crashed.

OK, you've got the OS, and if you haven't already, pick up that NIC card. As previously mentioned, you should just have to install the card, turn on the computer, and let XP do the setup (it shouldn't take a whole lot of time either, unless the card comes with a bunch of extraneious software). Once the card is in, all you should have to do is connect the network cable coming out of the cable modem to the NIC card port on the back of your PC (it'll look like a really big phone plug). You might have to reboot for Windows to recognize the broadband signal, I'm not sure about that.

If the cable company installed your hookup on your PC, they probably put their own crappy software on it - you don't need it. In fact, if you have Internet Explorer or Netscape or some other browser, that's all you need. If you have AOL you can use that as well.

If you are an AOL user, at the sign-on screen go to setup, then modem properties (something along these lines) and have AOL scan you computer for installed modems. If your broadband is being recognized, AOL should pick it up as "TCP/IP" - select this as your preferred connection style. Then when you sign on, you should connect instantly (no dialing).

If you are using nothing but your cable company as an ISP, once you boot up your computer, start Internet Explorer. If it tries to dial-up cancel that, go to tools, internet options, and then connections. Then select "never dial a connection", and click the LAN settings box. Then select "automatically detect settings". Apply, save, ok. Then close IE, and reopen it - you should then be connected and at a much faster speed.

Of course if the cable company installed the connection for you on your PC this should have all been set up - but also as mentioned prior, these monkeys usually don't know their head from their asses.

If you run into any problems come back here and we can try to troubleshoot it for you. I'm at work, so no IM's till I get home - but if you see me online tonight, I'll be more than glad to lend you a hand.

And yes, it is so worth it - I can't see me going back to dial-up ever again. It's bad enough that I have to deal with dial-up from work.

something witty will be here soon...

You can reach me through AIM or email. Feel free to contact me if you have any board questions, techie (PC) questions, or even if you just wanna chat.

Sorry, you are not an instant winner. Please try again.

This message was edited by goatweed on 4-5-02 @ 9:45 AM

Buttmunch
USA
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posted on 04-05-2002 @ 10:06 AM

O&A Board Veteran
Registered: Oct. 00

What the geeks said.

And yes it is worth it.

Donâ€™t get me wrong, I am not fighting to uphold the restraints that give protection to rights fully accrued upon facts so nearly permanent as to be substantially impervious to change, rather I am for the supervision of changing conduct or conditions and are thus provisional or tentative.

TMS

goatweed
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posted on 04-05-2002 @ 10:14 AM

O&A Board Regular
Registered: Jan. 01

quote:
What the geeks said

Hey, I'm no geek! It's just a hobby :-D

something witty will be here soon...

You can reach me through AIM or email. Feel free to contact me if you have any board questions, techie (PC) questions, or even if you just wanna chat.

Sorry, you are not an instant winner. Please try again.

posted on 04-05-2002 @ 11:02 AM

O&A Board Veteran
Registered: Jul. 00

Oh yeah... That's helping your case :-p

Long Live the "Syndication Underground"
The more things change...
The more they stay the same.

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posted on 04-05-2002 @ 12:07 PM

O&A Board Regular
Registered: Aug. 00

1. What the geek (aka goatweed) said.

2. I don't know why you people bother with broadband (cable/DSL), it is just a phase.

2. SweetAngel, the real question is, will you completely drop AOL now, if you get cable working?

AIM: SmarterChild

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I think it all started with the Declaration of Independence -- the idea that we had the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That pursuit is what took America from the revolution to the computer age in 200 years. But the progress has come at a price. The obvious being the people that were exploited to make it possible; the not so obvious being us, the first group of people that were given no obvious frontiers to conquer. We hear stories that about the good old days that don't seem to apply anymore. It's a generation gap that leaves us without role models. But the bright side is that without role models, there are no roles. Maybe that's what the 60s were all about -- getting rid of the roles. But what do we replace them with? Without any guidance, what do we replace them with? Without any guidance, the choices become overwhelming. Sometimes it just makes everything feel hopeless. So we destroy our bodies in the search of an ideal. Try to salvage relationships that don't work. We feel we must do something, instead of doing something that we feel. It is the prison of self-imposed momentum, and the sad part is that we get used to it. It reminds me of a song I heard the other day. It's called "The Going Nowhere Fast." But the people I have met here have shown me another side of Nowhere. They've pointed out the beautiful irony that stagnation makes it easy to stop and smell the roses, if we just let it. What would we be if we had nothing to rebel against? Well we could finally be ourselves, the first group of people who stopped looking for the answers long enough to appreciate the questions. And all we have to do is to make our own Declaration of Independence. We can embrace the right to life and liberty by simply realizing that happiness exists -- not to pursue, but to accept. After that the only challenge would be to make sure with the rest of our lives that we weren't just another fad. I don't know, it's an idea. What do you think?

PeterDragon

posted on 04-05-2002 @ 12:31 PM

O&A Board Regular
Registered: Jan. 01

add another "what he said" :)

Barch is right that it helps to tell us which cable system - some systems have quirks.

If you plan on keeping aol, you can get it at a reduced rate if you use the cable instead of dial up.

posted on 04-05-2002 @ 12:33 PM

O&A Board Veteran
Registered: Jul. 00

Oh boy...

I know I should just realize that it was a typo and let it go but, I just can't resist.

quote:
The mod that's never ever wrong posted:
1. blah blah blah
2. blah blah blah
2. blah blah blah

Nice countin' skilz there slashypoo :-D

*Edit:

quote:
Barch is right

Now there's somethin' you don't hear everyday... :-D

Long Live the "Syndication Underground"
The more things change...
The more they stay the same.

This message was edited by barch97 on 4-5-02 @ 12:44 PM

Buttmunch
USA
Autoban

Head Slap... Swim Move...

posted on 04-05-2002 @ 12:42 PM

O&A Board Veteran
Registered: Oct. 00

barch97 a/k/a Slash's stalker

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posted on 04-05-2002 @ 1:13 PM

Psychopath
Registered: Feb. 01

Guess I'm late, but future readers may benefit by going into your BIOS (at boot, screen will say something like "Hit DELETE now to enter setup"). USB support may be turned off at this level. One would simply have to enable it and some newer Win95 release and from Win98 up will work.

Better late than never, my mommy always said.

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SweetAngel

posted on 04-05-2002 @ 4:55 PM

Psychopath
Registered: May. 01

Okay, first off, thank you to everyone for the help. I really appreciate it, even if I don't fully understand it. :)

Next, the cable provider is Comcast. According to their directions under "Connecting the Cable Modem" it says:

"You should have a Windows 98 SE, Windows Me or Windows 2000 operating system to use the Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection."

Next, yes Slash, I will completely get rid of AOL once the cable is installed (IF IT IS EVER INSTALLED!)

Next, I use the USB ports for other stuff (scanner, camera) without a problem.

Next, no, the cable company did not come out to install it, I got a "self-install kit" -- I'm beginning to think this was not wise. :)

I'll be going out later on to get the ethernet card unless you guys can figure out anything else I should try first -- or I might get it just for peace of mind.

Thanks again!

****EDIT**** Is it possible that I have to disable the other modem (the dial up 56K one) for Windows to recognize the cable modem? Okay, I know that's probably a stupid question, but at least it shows I'm thinking! ;)

***SECOND EDIT*** What about a firewall? Do I need one? I'm hearing conflicting information.

See? Still thinking.

This message was edited by SweetAngel on 4-5-02 @ 5:10 PM

goatweed
I've Got A Vagina With Teeth.
G.O.O.F.B.A.H.G.S.
Dragoon Battalion
My friends call me Weed

posted on 04-05-2002 @ 5:13 PM

O&A Board Regular
Registered: Jan. 01

quote:
Is it possible that I have to disable the other modem (the dial up 56K one) for Windows to recognize the cable modem? Okay, I know that's probably a stupid question, but at least it shows I'm thinking!

It's not a stupid question. However, it is not necessary to disable or remove the dial-up. In fact, I would reccommend leaving it in there, as you never know when you might need to dial out again for whatever reason. Windows doesn't recognize the cable modem at all - you won't see it listed in your control panel, etc. What Windows does recognize are the TCP/IP settings that Comcast is providing you with - basically, the IP address Comcast gives you and how your connection will speak to your PC.

Definitely try the Ethernet card - just don't spend more than $20 (thats the going rate). Also, be sure to connect the Coax to the cable modem FIRST - then plug the cable modem in (power supply) and if it came with a manual, see if it has a series of flashing lights and /or if it perfoms a diagnostivc or self test (it should). On mine, for example, if all is well, I always have two green lights on - when I turn on the PC, a third one goes on. And when I open a browser, a fourth one flashes intermittently, representing a data flow or net traffic. What I'm getting at is make sure the cable modem is getting and configuring a broadband signal before hooking it up to the ehternet card (which should be described somewhere in the modem's manual). If it is, then plug it in, turn on your PC, and go through the browser setup and AOL setup I described earlier.

something witty will be here soon...

You can reach me through AIM or email. Feel free to contact me if you have any board questions, techie (PC) questions, or even if you just wanna chat.

Sorry, you are not an instant winner. Please try again.

onehung lo434

posted on 04-05-2002 @ 5:16 PM

O&A Board Regular
Registered: Oct. 00

Just a couple of things.

1. You need a dedicated line for your modem. meaning not spliced off of the tv etc. you need to install a line filter also, coming from the main supply.

2.To install the ethernet card( linksys 10/100 lan card = 15 bucks ) you have to open your computer case and install it in an open pci slot. It just snaps in, just make sure you touch something metallic to get rid of any static electricity first.

3. you may have to call the cable company when your finished and give them some #'s so they recognize your puter.

posted on 04-05-2002 @ 5:20 PM

O&A Board Veteran
Registered: Jul. 00

I use comcast.

When I got my self-install kit it didn't work either. Mine included a SIG network card. Everything was connected and working properly yet I was unable to connect to the comcast server to complete the installation process. And, because this was not typed on the index card taped to the desk at Comcast tech support... I was told to reboot my computer several times.

Then they scheduled a tech to come out and fix it. It was officially labeled a "Provisioning error". What happened is they assigned me the same account number as another customer and because they were logged in... and, you're not allowed to login from more than one location simulatneously... I could not connect.

The moral of the story...
You probably did everything correctly and they fucked something up.

quote:
Is it possible that I have to disable the other modem (the dial up 56K one) for Windows to recognize the cable modem?

No. This really shouldn't make any difference as the dial-up modem and cable modem can theoretically be used at the same time. And, are for the most part unrelated.

quote:
What about a firewall? Do I need one?

"NEED" one? No, everything will work without it. Should you get one? ABSOLUTELY. You are essecially opening your computer to the rest of the world. And, there are plenty of sneaky evil bastards like slash out there that will mess up your stuff just to be funny.

Long Live the "Syndication Underground"
The more things change...
The more they stay the same.

FollowThisLogic
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posted on 04-05-2002 @ 5:52 PM

O&A Board Regular
Registered: Oct. 00

Umm... what they said. :)

NIC - much more gooder than USB connection.

Comcast requires you to use a computer name and workgroup that THEY provide. You have to call them to get this computer name. During that call they will instruct you on how to input that information. (This is your cable modem's "activation".)

A firewall is a definite GOOD thing to have. If the cable modem is connected directly to the computer, you are definitely suscptible to attacks. Example: my parents' house. They had one computer connected to the cable, and that computer split the connection to the other computers in the house. The computer directly connected to the cable had Norton AntiVirus, and it would catch viruses ALL THE TIME. No other computer on the network had that problem. They bought a combination router/firewall made by Linksys (which I highly recommend). The computer never gets any viruses anymore.

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This message was edited by FollowThisLogic on 4-5-02 @ 6:04 PM

posted on 04-05-2002 @ 7:20 PM

O&A Board Veteran
Registered: Jul. 00

quote:
what they said.

See, even FTL thinks slash is a sneaky evil bastard. :-D

Long Live the "Syndication Underground"
The more things change...
The more they stay the same.

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posted on 04-05-2002 @ 9:24 PM

O&A Board Regular
Registered: Jan. 01

doesn't XP have a built in firewall?

:rolleyes::):D

posted on 04-05-2002 @ 9:30 PM

O&A Board Veteran
Registered: Jul. 00

I don't know... does it? I'm still using 3.1

Long Live the "Syndication Underground"
The more things change...
The more they stay the same.

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posted on 04-05-2002 @ 9:38 PM

O&A Board Regular
Registered: Jul. 00

quote:
1. You need a dedicated line for your modem. meaning not spliced off of the tv etc. you need to install a line filter also, coming from the main supply.

I think this depends on the ISP. It is definitely better if it is run like this (from my expereience), but it's not needed. Mine is split, but then my ISP sucks balls. I asked when it was installed, they said everyone's connection is split. I had Roadrunner in NY on a dedicated line though, it ran much better. Then again RR's residential speeds were 2000 down/384 up and duplex, while this isn't duplex and 1500/128 :mad:

I think my mask of sanityÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â is about to slip