Buying an internet modem?

[yanky]

So I'm paying for internet service with my cable company but my boy hooked it up with a cable box so I'm getting free tv, all I pay for is internet. My modem is an old motorola surfboard SB5101 that I haven't changed since I got it ~5 years ago. Recently my internet begins to drop and I realized they bumped me up to 55mbps and my modem can't handle to speeds so I need a new modem. I called the company and they told me I need a new modem and they were going to have a tech come out here to give it to me and check things out. Now if the tech see's that I am also hooked up to the tv but I'm not paying for it then I'm toast.

Now can I just go to bestbuy and get a new modem myself, hook it up and then I'll be all gravy? Will I have a problem with the customer s/n number's and other stuff that's listed at the bottom of the router if I run into a problem in the future?


Cliffs:
-paying for internet only but I'm getting cable as well
-modem needs to be changed
-called the internet company and they need to send a tech out here
-can I just get a new modem myself and hook it up without any problems?

 

[Nawzlew]

Jesus, 55 mbps? Just curious, who's your provider and how much do you pay for 55 mbps?

 

[yeah]

Yes, you can just get a modem yourself and hook it up. I'd recommend a Linksys or Netgear.

 

[digital022]

You're going to have to call the cable company to activate the modem.

 

[keko jones]

No matter what modern you get the came company has to be called to add it to the system.

 

[yanky]

Jesus, 55 mbps? Just curious, who's your provider and how much do you pay for 55 mbps?

Astound. $35 but when I look at my bill it only says I'm paying for 15mbps. I have no idea how that happened but it is what it is.

You're going to have to call the cable company to activate the modem.

No matter what modern you get the came company has to be called to add it to the system.

You guys think they'll hassle me on why I changed the modem? I'm assuming they'll want me to send in the old one but I'm afraid they'll want to send a tech over to pick it up and then he'll check the wiring.

Everyone been repped.

 

[Mark Antony]

What cable service? I bought a Cisco dpc3010 off amazon which does give you your full docsis 3.0 speeds for 27 bucks on amazon, works amazing. I have cox, but I think it works on Comcast and others as well. Check your provider's website.


You can cancel the tech, they know damn well your old *** modem can't support those speeds. When I did it I just set it up via the computer following the instructions, no call necessary.

 

[keko jones]

Astound. $35 but when I look at my bill it only says I'm paying for 15mbps. I have no idea how that happened but it is what it is.

You guys think they'll hassle me on why I changed the modem? I'm assuming they'll want me to send in the old one but I'm afraid they'll want to send a tech over to pick it up and then he'll check the wiring.

Everyone been repped.

Naw they should not give you ****. But it's a gimmick they used to get money.

I want to say you have a router modem combo. If this is the case, take the device to your local office and tell them you just want the modem .. Then go and buy the router. In sure the reason they want to go is because the router is not capable of those speeds not the modem.

Most providers have Motorola modems the SB61 edition. Then turn around and get a good router. I suggest the ASUS AC 1750 .. Linksys are trash but they got bought out by Belkins so let's see and Netgear and Belkin are OK. But the ASUS .... Google it.

 

[yanky]

What cable service? I bought a Cisco dpc3010 off amazon which does give you your full docsis 3.0 speeds for 27 bucks on amazon, works amazing. I have cox, but I think it works on Comcast and others as well. Check your provider's website.


You can cancel the tech, they know damn well your old *** modem can't support those speeds. When I did it I just set it up via the computer following the instructions, no call necessary.

Astound. Here's the list of modems they support:

http://www.wavebroadband.com/support/internet/equipment.php

I have the Motorola SB5101. I was going to get the SB6120 but they don't make that model anymore so I'll just go to the office and see what they say.

Naw they should not give you ****. But it's a gimmick they used to get money.

I want to say you have a router modem combo. If this is the case, take the device to your local office and tell them you just want the modem .. Then go and buy the router. In sure the reason they want to go is because the router is not capable of those speeds not the modem.

Most providers have Motorola modems the SB61 edition. Then turn around and get a good router. I suggest the ASUS AC 1750 .. Linksys are trash but they got bought out by Belkins so let's see and Netgear and Belkin are OK. But the ASUS .... Google it.

I do have a router modem combo. I'll go to the office tomorrow with the modem and see what they say. I have the Netgear N300 router which I'm sure is capable of handling 55mbps so I'm sure that isn't the problem. I know it's the modem because I also have the vonage device connected to it and when the signal drops the vonage device pops up an error saying "can't connect to the internet."

I don't think my provider supports the ASUS AC1750 so I'll stick with the motorola.

 

[keko jones]

Astound. Here's the list of modems they support:

http://www.wavebroadband.com/support/internet/equipment.php

I have the Motorola SB5101. I was going to get the SB6120 but they don't make that model anymore so I'll just go to the office and see what they say.
I do have a router modem combo. I'll go to the office tomorrow with the modem and see what they say. I have the Netgear N300 router which I'm sure is capable of handling 55mbps so I'm sure that isn't the problem. I know it's the modem because I also have the vonage device connected to it and when the signal drops the vonage device pops up an error saying "can't connect to the internet."

I don't think my provider supports the ASUS AC1750 so I'll stick with the motorola.

Wait do you have 1 or 2 devices?

Of you have 1 device that's a modem and router combo. If you name 2 devices then it's different.

Trust me when I tell you that the modem is not the problem is the router. Your provider doesn't care about routers .. You have to set it up .... It's compatible.

 

[yanky]

Wait do you have 1 or 2 devices?

Of you have 1 device that's a modem and router combo. If you name 2 devices then it's different.

Trust me when I tell you that the modem is not the problem is the router. Your provider doesn't care about routers .. You have to set it up .... It's compatible.

I have 3 devices total.

1-Motorola Modem
2-Netgear Router
3-Vonage box

Pic:

View media item 943513
I'm almost positive it's the modem because 5 min before I called my modem dropped the signal for about 30sec because I got the error message on my vonage device, then when i called the tech asked me if I reset the modem about 5 min prior to calling and that's when I knew it was the modem. Plus he said there were spikes in my usage history.

 

[Mark Antony]

You can buy the sb6120/sb6121 online. The sb6141 probably works too if those work, just identify it as one of those.

 

[Mark Antony]

Astound. Here's the list of modems they support:

http://www.wavebroadband.com/support/internet/equipment.php

I have the Motorola SB5101. I was going to get the SB6120 but they don't make that model anymore so I'll just go to the office and see what they say.
I do have a router modem combo. I'll go to the office tomorrow with the modem and see what they say. I have the Netgear N300 router which I'm sure is capable of handling 55mbps so I'm sure that isn't the problem. I know it's the modem because I also have the vonage device connected to it and when the signal drops the vonage device pops up an error saying "can't connect to the internet."

I don't think my provider supports the ASUS AC1750 so I'll stick with the motorola.

Wait do you have 1 or 2 devices?

Of you have 1 device that's a modem and router combo. If you name 2 devices then it's different.

Trust me when I tell you that the modem is not the problem is the router. Your provider doesn't care about routers .. You have to set it up .... It's compatible.

His modem cannot support the speeds he's paying for and is old, start there, troubleshoot in a logical order.

 

[fantastic4our]

You should be able to buy a modem, just check with your provider to make sure it's compatible. Might just have to give them like the serial number or MAC address

 

[yanky]

You can buy the sb6120/sb6121 online. The sb6141 probably works too if those work, just identify it as one of those.

I'll stop by their location tomorrow and ask if the SB6121/41 is compatible. Will update the situation tomorrow. Thanks for the help guys!

 

[keko jones]

His modem cannot support the speeds he's paying for and is old, start there, troubleshoot in a logical order.

you are right ... I didn't notice he said SB1501. I think that's a DOCSIS2 modem. My bad ... Get a DOCSIS 3

 

[crcballer55]

This should be compatible. Amazon product ASIN B004XC6GJ0
Bought it a couple years ago after my old Motorola Surfboard started cutting out too. I called for a routine service call a couple months back and was told I was already getting increased speeds even though they weren't officially being announced for another 2 weeks.

For anyone that rents/leases their modem, seriously consider just buying it. Within a year, you'll be way ahead on your cable bill. If you've been rending your surfboard for 5 years now you've paid about 5x more than it would have cost to just buy it. I doubt they'll care if you return it or not, but you can just tell them it's dying and you're upgrading to a more modern modem that supports the speeds you're supposed to be getting on your network.

 

[yanky]

^So that's the modem I got a few days ago, so far haven't had any issues. Thinking about tossing the old one since it's only worth $10 and nobody is going to buy it. Thanks for the help guys! Preciate it.

 

[yanky]

So since I started this thread I figured I'd ask my question here. Is it possible to see who is connected to my modem? If so can I block certain devices from connecting to my wi-fi connection? Specifically cell phones.

Edit: Found out I need am able to block the mac address. I'm assuming it's a difference mac address for every cell phone? i can't access my router settings because I don't know what the username/password is. I tried admin but it didn't work. Any other way to tap into those settings?

 

[crcballer55]

So since I started this thread I figured I'd ask my question here. Is it possible to see who is connected to my modem? If so can I block certain devices from connecting to my wi-fi connection? Specifically cell phones.

Edit: Found out I need am able to block the mac address. I'm assuming it's a difference mac address for every cell phone? i can't access my router settings because I don't know what the username/password is. I tried admin but it didn't work. Any other way to tap into those settings?

It's the Netgear router, right? If so, the username is Admin. Password is password. If it was changed and you don't know it, you can always do a hard reset by just pressing the reset button for 10 seconds. Then only devices that have the network password can get on.

 

[yanky]

So since I started this thread I figured I'd ask my question here. Is it possible to see who is connected to my modem? If so can I block certain devices from connecting to my wi-fi connection? Specifically cell phones.


Edit: Found out I need am able to block the mac address. I'm assuming it's a difference mac address for every cell phone? i can't access my router settings because I don't know what the username/password is. I tried admin but it didn't work. Any other way to tap into those settings?

It's the Netgear router, right? If so, the username is Admin. Password is password. If it was changed and you don't know it, you can always do a hard reset by just pressing the reset button for 10 seconds. Then only devices that have the network password can get on.

Ended up hitting that reset button. Figured out the rest. Right on for the reply.

 

[yanky]

So after a month and a half of having zero issues the problem starts up again. I can't even go 2 minutes into a youtube video at 480p without buffering for 30 minutes. SMH

Having a tech come out on Monday but there goes my free cable service

 

[superb]

Go to dslreports forum. Your going to have to post your modem dB signal numbers and they can tell you exactly what's wrong

 

[yanky]

Go to dslreports forum. Your going to have to post your modem dB signal numbers and they can tell you exactly what's wrong

Just posted a thread on there. Thanks