You haven't told us anything about your computer, so the response must be general.
Most cable companies will supply the necessary cable modem when you subscribe to their service. The interface to the cable modem is dependent on what the company provides. Most common is an Ethernet interface which will require a network interface adapter in your computer to work. Some cable modems provide a USB interface since this port is becoming more common on present day computers, but you will need to ask the cable company about the modem they will supply. If your computer has an Ethernet adapter, you will likely not need any additional software for it to work with your computer, only a cable, usually termed "Category 5", with RJ-45 connectors at each end. The RJ-45 looks like an oversize phone plug, but has nothing to do with the telephone. If you are using a USB interface, your provider will supply a disk with driver software for your USB port and you will use a standard USB cable to connect the computer to the modem.
If your computer is already equipped with a wireless network adapter, you may need to purchase a wireless router in order to use it. Cable modems do not usually have a wireless port. Your setup in such a case will have you connecting the wireless router with an Ethernet cable to the cable modem, and your computer will attach wirelessly to the router. For setup of the router, however, it is most convenient if you have an Ethernet port on your computer. Trying to set up the router via the wireless port can be difficult; each time you make a change the wireless port will disconnect and have to reconnect. If the settings between your computer wireless interface and the router differ by a lot, you won't be able to reconnect until you make the necessary changes to your computer wireless adapter.
*phew* i don't understand computers at all, so i can't tell you much about my computer.
but here's what i came up with since yesterday: the cable company has a list of modems that are compatible. my computer does not have a high speed modem (or whatever it's called) so i have to buy one.
i found one (actually several) on ebay that i can use, and are for a good price (so if it turns out it doesn't work or something, it doesn't matter, cuz it's only $10.00)
so, my question now is, do i need software with the modem? the modems on ebay didn't say anything about software, but they come with cables. I know that with other stuff (like my microphone) i just plugged it in witht he little usb cable, and my computer knew what it was; no software needed. is it the same for a modem?
Without knowing more about the computer you have, and the cable company's instructions, I really can't offer intelligent advice. It is unusual that the company is not supplying the modem.
What model computer do you have? About how old is it? Does it have a network port (the RJ-45 I mentioned in my first response)? Does it have USB ports?
If you have a Dell laptop bought less than two years ago, it probably has the network adapter built into the motherboard. If it doesn't, you need to know if it will accept pc cards (this is a slot about the width of a credit card) so that you can install one yourself. I don't know of any high speed modems that will mount directly into a laptop, and most desktops use a network connection instead of mounting the modem in the computer itself.
One issue for you to take into account is whether you want more than one computer connected using your cable modem.
If so, then you will need a router (also called a switch, also called "hub") and would connect in the following fashion: the signal from the cable company would connect to the cable modem. The cable modem would connect to the switch/router/hub. The Hub/router/switch would connect to one PC. It would also connect to another PC. Usually there are three, sometimes four, places to connect computers. In addition, you can get a router which handles both cable (Ethernet) AND wireless connections, in which case it may be called an Access Point but also needs the ability to connect multiple systems, should you go in that direction.
jackshack
6.4K Posts
0
September 26th, 2005 23:00
You haven't told us anything about your computer, so the response must be general.
Most cable companies will supply the necessary cable modem when you subscribe to their service. The interface to the cable modem is dependent on what the company provides. Most common is an Ethernet interface which will require a network interface adapter in your computer to work. Some cable modems provide a USB interface since this port is becoming more common on present day computers, but you will need to ask the cable company about the modem they will supply. If your computer has an Ethernet adapter, you will likely not need any additional software for it to work with your computer, only a cable, usually termed "Category 5", with RJ-45 connectors at each end. The RJ-45 looks like an oversize phone plug, but has nothing to do with the telephone. If you are using a USB interface, your provider will supply a disk with driver software for your USB port and you will use a standard USB cable to connect the computer to the modem.
If your computer is already equipped with a wireless network adapter, you may need to purchase a wireless router in order to use it. Cable modems do not usually have a wireless port. Your setup in such a case will have you connecting the wireless router with an Ethernet cable to the cable modem, and your computer will attach wirelessly to the router. For setup of the router, however, it is most convenient if you have an Ethernet port on your computer. Trying to set up the router via the wireless port can be difficult; each time you make a change the wireless port will disconnect and have to reconnect. If the settings between your computer wireless interface and the router differ by a lot, you won't be able to reconnect until you make the necessary changes to your computer wireless adapter.
Good luck to you.
sweetpea_148
2 Posts
0
September 27th, 2005 00:00
jackshack
6.4K Posts
0
September 27th, 2005 16:00
Without knowing more about the computer you have, and the cable company's instructions, I really can't offer intelligent advice. It is unusual that the company is not supplying the modem.
What model computer do you have? About how old is it? Does it have a network port (the RJ-45 I mentioned in my first response)? Does it have USB ports?
If you have a Dell laptop bought less than two years ago, it probably has the network adapter built into the motherboard. If it doesn't, you need to know if it will accept pc cards (this is a slot about the width of a credit card) so that you can install one yourself. I don't know of any high speed modems that will mount directly into a laptop, and most desktops use a network connection instead of mounting the modem in the computer itself.
BBraxton
2 Intern
•
2K Posts
0
November 8th, 2005 13:00
One issue for you to take into account is whether you want more than one computer connected using your cable modem.
If so, then you will need a router (also called a switch, also called "hub") and would connect in the following fashion: the signal from the cable company would connect to the cable modem. The cable modem would connect to the switch/router/hub. The Hub/router/switch would connect to one PC. It would also connect to another PC. Usually there are three, sometimes four, places to connect computers. In addition, you can get a router which handles both cable (Ethernet) AND wireless connections, in which case it may be called an Access Point but also needs the ability to connect multiple systems, should you go in that direction.