Comcast Cable's software (not a modem related question)

DallasStar · May 4, 2003, 03:38 AM

Have any of you guys ever used Comcast cable internet?

I recently ordered the service and had the cable guy come install the modem etcetera. After he left, I installed the modem drivers, and everything went fine. However, after that, when I tried to install the software from the cable company, I was able to start the program up and click next, but after that, the software just turned white. Yes, it just turned homogeneously white. I couldn't read anything etc. Has anyone else experienced this? I've not been able to use my new broadband connection because of this. I must "register via the software" for my modem to be allowed to surf using their service.

It genuinely pisses me off that programmers who lack skills so much that they make this kind of crap software are even given jobs! I could have been surfing the web right now if it weren't for their stupid program trying to put pretty graphics on my screen instead of just information.

eyeguy616 · May 4, 2003, 04:04 AM

Funny, I used ATT Broadband Internet and it switched over to Comcast (Cable TV too). I never had to set up any software to use it. I just plugged the network cable to my on-board NIC and surf away.
My problems now are that Comcast doesn't seem to have any real support for its ATTBI users. I can't log into Comcast's site at all. It's a shame since ATTBI sends me there to view my payment statements. Stupid Comcast; can't even set up an email address there.

Time to make some phonecalls.....
~eyeguy616

rishid · May 4, 2003, 04:06 AM

Same thing happened to me, only thing I did was call Comcast and activate it on the phone.

BWX · May 4, 2003, 04:55 AM

There shouldn't be any software unless you are using a USB connection w/ your cable modem- if that is the case, go get an ethernet card for 20 bucks and uninstall the crappy software-

I have Cable and didn't need any software for it- I just hit 1.05 MB/s tonight for the first time- yes, that is 1050 Kb/second -- no software

MDboyz · May 4, 2003, 06:06 AM

Yeah... the only software to use is when you use the USB connection.. Otherwise, please save yourself troubles, don't install any software from Comcast.

scobywhru · May 4, 2003, 06:33 AM

Ok I had a friend who had a problem with it, not sure where your install is having problem but its before the Modem is initializied and allowed on the general network for the Cable service

Work around... Look for a folder on the install CD, it bypasses everything except the initialization, worked for me worked for my friend, Both on comacast
Run the CD-Drive:\Setup\SA\Setup.exe

Just run this and follow the directions and you should be on the Internet in no Time

~~craig588~~ · May 4, 2003, 01:40 PM

Any nic card, no matter how cheap will perform better than your usb port. (Unless you start looking at used ISA stuff.....)

WildChild · May 4, 2003, 02:00 PM

pending on your version of windows will depend on whether or not their software is needed ....2000 an xp its not needed ....as far as the usb topic ...why would you use usb unless you dont have a network card installed ...cuts ya bandwidth significantly<<< shruggin

DallasStar · May 5, 2003, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by scobywhru
Ok I had a friend who had a problem with it, not sure where your install is having problem but its before the Modem is initializied and allowed on the general network for the Cable service

Work around... Look for a folder on the install CD, it bypasses everything except the initialization, worked for me worked for my friend, Both on comacast
Run the CD-Drive:\Setup\SA\Setup.exe

Just run this and follow the directions and you should be on the Internet in no Time

Yeah... I tried that and it gave me an error that said my modem is not properly connected. I have a feeling this occurs because I'm using USB, but i'm not absolutely sure. The modem's lights indicate that it's connected properly and the modem shows up as a proper NIC in the device manager... the modem shows up in network neighborhood and everything etc.

I also tried activating it over the phone, but that didn't work either. I suppose something's up with the modem, but I can't see how that's possible unless the Comcast service has problems with USB connections.

Do you guys suppose buying a NIC and connecting the modem via it would help?

scobywhru · May 5, 2003, 12:23 AM

Why can't Problems be Simple.

When I ran that program I was using a standard NIC and not USB, I don't even have the drivers for USB, and that was on both of the computers I did it on, but Hey this should work, if you have access to a computer that has a NIC you could use, since the USB drivers are installed, just connect the MODEM to the nic and run the software, also make sure you release and renew the IP address for the NIC or you might not get any Connectivity

To Release an IP, just get into a command prompt/dos prompt, by either typing in a Run Dialog box, either Command for Win9X or CMD for 2K and XP
THen Type IPConfig /release
And Finally IPConfig /renew
You can also do it inside windows by repairing the connection but I'm not sure how well it works

WildChild · May 5, 2003, 02:35 AM

If you are runnin xp or 2000 you DO NOT NEED the comcast software .....connecting via network card....just reboot your modem ....while its refreshing plug in the cat 5 line to your computer ....you may have to reboot the computer but through the network card comcasts system will allow connection without thier software installed

DallasStar · May 6, 2003, 03:57 AM

i bought a NIC and then my father managed to get it working

. Hell yes! I can't believe these speeds

MDboyz · May 6, 2003, 08:19 AM

I found that using the NIC connection is better than USB connection. Use USB connection as your last choice.

BWX · May 6, 2003, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MDboyz
I found that using the NIC connection is better than USB connection. Use USB connection as your last choice.

Go here-- http://www.pcpitstop.com/internet/bandwidth.asp and do the cable modem 1mb test- see what you get.

I got this score- 4785Kb/s-
But yesterday I downloaded a file and it peaked at 1.05MB/sec- for some reason my connection is hauling ass lately

Download Bandwidth Test Results
Text Block Size 1000 KB

Download Time 1672 ms
Receive Buffer Not available
Transmission Speed 4785 Kb/s

Interpreting Your Results

DallasStar · May 6, 2003, 01:08 PM

i got 2153kb/s

BWX · May 6, 2003, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DallasStar
i got 2153kb/s

That's pretty good- better than w/ USB I am sure.

WildChild · May 7, 2003, 03:24 AM

In the network card advanced configuration....bein as it is cable connection ....set the link speed to 100 instead of auto detect ...should increase it some

scobywhru · May 7, 2003, 03:30 AM

Actually if you don't leave it at Auto you might not get any connection at all.

The Extra speed from switching to 100 won't give you any better ping or better downloads online, your Internet connection is limited to 3mps DL and 256kbps to 384kbps Upload, and that doesn't come close to the 10 mbps of the NIC.

IF you want better connection get a better NIC, one with an onboard DSP otherwise you could see your ping spike and fluctuate while you are playing games, because the CPU just can't handle everything, especially if you are really pushing it

WildChild · May 7, 2003, 03:36 AM

If it is indeed comcast cable connection then it will give him the connection....I have it on mine this is the only reason I have even mentioned this.

scobywhru · May 7, 2003, 03:50 AM

Its Modem dependent, it doesn't have to do with the Connection out to the internet, it only has to do with the link between your computer and your Modem, if your modem supports it, guess what, on Auto it sets it at 100, if it only supports 10, its sets it for that, and if it doesn't support Full Duplex it selects Half Duplex, and so on and so forth. Its really best just to leave it, not every Modem Manufacturer will put a 10/100 NIC inside there modem, they might just put a 10 in there.

I'm not trying to Flame or be a mean, or anything like that, I'm just trying to share the info I have, and SERIOUSLY, if you have a good NIC it makes a difference, I have an $80 NIC just so I can get a ping of 20, when I play games, went from a low of 60 to 20, just by getting better equipment, and thats through a home network and NAT just to get to the Modem before getting to the internet.

NIC = Network Interface Card
NAT = Network Address Translation, multiple computers on the internet sharing one IP

WildChild · May 7, 2003, 04:49 AM

no worries ...thats why its a discussion board for everyone to learn from each other and share ideas and things they have encountered

BWX · May 7, 2003, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by scobywhru
Its Modem dependent, it doesn't have to do with the Connection out to the internet, it only has to do with the link between your computer and your Modem, if your modem supports it, guess what, on Auto it sets it at 100, if it only supports 10, its sets it for that, and if it doesn't support Full Duplex it selects Half Duplex, and so on and so forth. Its really best just to leave it, not every Modem Manufacturer will put a 10/100 NIC inside there modem, they might just put a 10 in there.

I'm not trying to Flame or be a mean, or anything like that, I'm just trying to share the info I have, and SERIOUSLY, if you have a good NIC it makes a difference, I have an $80 NIC just so I can get a ping of 20, when I play games, went from a low of 60 to 20, just by getting better equipment, and thats through a home network and NAT just to get to the Modem before getting to the internet.

NIC = Network Interface Card
NAT = Network Address Translation, multiple computers on the internet sharing one IP

What NIC did you buy? I have a 20 dollar Linksys- I would like to know which one you got that cost 80 bucks so I can compare the 2 and see if it's worth the upgrade- Mine has been acting funny once in a while anyway- It keeps hitting the server for a new IP when it already has one- eventually the server says "no" and I have to shutdown/restart or cmd/ipconfig/release--/renew to get an IP again- But that's a whole different story.

What brand/chip is the nic you got?

scobywhru · May 7, 2003, 06:56 PM

Its a 3com nic I pulled from a used server, Looked up the price online was $80, 3Com Etherlink XL 10/100 PCI TX NIC (3C905B-TX), have some cheaper cards like a linksys and a generic realtek, but this one hasn't given me any problems, unlike the other ones. Plus I don't get the connection slow down when I am pushing my CPU like I did with those other cards. Pretty good for $20 investment in a used server that "wasn't" working when I bought it, just a bad video card

I love finding deals

3com Nics are pretty good but sometimes there is a problem with Audigy cards, creative products that kind of thing blegh, really don't ever want to buy from creative again, couldn't use another NIC I got because of that, but its working great for my friend, and that was another 3com NIC, a little cheaper, can't remeber how much though, he gets about the same ping as I do, I think I'm like 1 - 2 ms Faster on average

BWX · May 7, 2003, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by scobywhru
Its a 3com nic I pulled from a used server, Looked up the price online was $80, 3Com Etherlink XL 10/100 PCI TX NIC (3C905B-TX), have some cheaper cards like a linksys and a generic realtek, but this one hasn't given me any problems, unlike the other ones. Plus I don't get the connection slow down when I am pushing my CPU like I did with those other cards. Pretty good for $20 investment in a used server that "wasn't" working when I bought it, just a bad video card I love finding deals

3com Nics are pretty good but sometimes there is a problem with Audigy cards, creative products that kind of thing blegh, really don't ever want to buy from creative again, couldn't use another NIC I got because of that, but its working great for my friend, and that was another 3com NIC, a little cheaper, can't remeber how much though, he gets about the same ping as I do, I think I'm like 1 - 2 ms Faster on average

You should run CPUbench3003 beta2 and it will tell you what chip is on it- at least it did for me- it is a good benchmarking utility that you should have an your rig anyway

-

I just wonder what chip is on there- Or maybe it is that 3c905b-TX you mentioned- CPUbench told me I had a chip I never heard of but it turns out after a little research CPUbench was right.....

May 4, 2003, 03:38 AM	#1
DallasStar Junior Join Date: May 2002 Location: Wave Existence Posts: 2,065 Rep Power: 0	Comcast Cable's software (not a modem related question) Have any of you guys ever used Comcast cable internet? I recently ordered the service and had the cable guy come install the modem etcetera. After he left, I installed the modem drivers, and everything went fine. However, after that, when I tried to install the software from the cable company, I was able to start the program up and click next, but after that, the software just turned white. Yes, it just turned homogeneously white. I couldn't read anything etc. Has anyone else experienced this? I've not been able to use my new broadband connection because of this. I must "register via the software" for my modem to be allowed to surf using their service. It genuinely pisses me off that programmers who lack skills so much that they make this kind of crap software are even given jobs! I could have been surfing the web right now if it weren't for their stupid program trying to put pretty graphics on my screen instead of just information. __________________ "A picture of my existence... would show a useless wooden stake covered in snow... stuck loosely at a slant in the ground in a ploughed field on the edge of a vast open plain on a dark winter night." --- Franz Kafka

May 4, 2003, 04:06 AM	#3
rishid DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 1 Rep Power: 0	Same thing happened to me, only thing I did was call Comcast and activate it on the phone. __________________ RishiD

May 4, 2003, 04:55 AM	#4
BWX unplugged Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: USNY Posts: 19,669 Rep Power: 110 System Specs	There shouldn't be any software unless you are using a USB connection w/ your cable modem- if that is the case, go get an ethernet card for 20 bucks and uninstall the crappy software- I have Cable and didn't need any software for it- I just hit 1.05 MB/s tonight for the first time- yes, that is 1050 Kb/second -- no software __________________

May 4, 2003, 06:33 AM	#6
scobywhru DriverHeaven Senile Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Penthouse Basement Posts: 619 Rep Power: 0	Ok I had a friend who had a problem with it, not sure where your install is having problem but its before the Modem is initializied and allowed on the general network for the Cable service Work around... Look for a folder on the install CD, it bypasses everything except the initialization, worked for me worked for my friend, Both on comacast Run the CD-Drive:\Setup\SA\Setup.exe Just run this and follow the directions and you should be on the Internet in no Time __________________

May 4, 2003, 02:00 PM	#8
WildChild I'm Still Watching Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: New Jersey,U.S.A. Posts: 1,068 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Comcast Software pending on your version of windows will depend on whether or not their software is needed ....2000 an xp its not needed ....as far as the usb topic ...why would you use usb unless you dont have a network card installed ...cuts ya bandwidth significantly<<< shruggin

May 4, 2003, 04:04 AM	#2
eyeguy616 ZZzzzzzzzzzz........... Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 324 Rep Power: 0	Funny, I used ATT Broadband Internet and it switched over to Comcast (Cable TV too). I never had to set up any software to use it. I just plugged the network cable to my on-board NIC and surf away. My problems now are that Comcast doesn't seem to have any real support for its ATTBI users. I can't log into Comcast's site at all. It's a shame since ATTBI sends me there to view my payment statements. Stupid Comcast; can't even set up an email address there. Time to make some phonecalls..... ~eyeguy616

May 4, 2003, 06:06 AM	#5
MDboyz DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 22 Rep Power: 0	Yeah... the only software to use is when you use the USB connection.. Otherwise, please save yourself troubles, don't install any software from Comcast.

May 4, 2003, 01:40 PM	#7
~~craig588~~ Banned Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: In clothing Posts: 3,510 Rep Power: 0	Any nic card, no matter how cheap will perform better than your usb port. (Unless you start looking at used ISA stuff.....)

May 5, 2003, 12:23 AM	#10
scobywhru DriverHeaven Senile Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Penthouse Basement Posts: 619 Rep Power: 0	Why can't Problems be Simple. When I ran that program I was using a standard NIC and not USB, I don't even have the drivers for USB, and that was on both of the computers I did it on, but Hey this should work, if you have access to a computer that has a NIC you could use, since the USB drivers are installed, just connect the MODEM to the nic and run the software, also make sure you release and renew the IP address for the NIC or you might not get any Connectivity To Release an IP, just get into a command prompt/dos prompt, by either typing in a Run Dialog box, either Command for Win9X or CMD for 2K and XP THen Type IPConfig /release And Finally IPConfig /renew You can also do it inside windows by repairing the connection but I'm not sure how well it works __________________

May 5, 2003, 02:35 AM	#11
WildChild I'm Still Watching Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: New Jersey,U.S.A. Posts: 1,068 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Software If you are runnin xp or 2000 you DO NOT NEED the comcast software .....connecting via network card....just reboot your modem ....while its refreshing plug in the cat 5 line to your computer ....you may have to reboot the computer but through the network card comcasts system will allow connection without thier software installed

May 6, 2003, 03:57 AM	Thread Starter #12
DallasStar Junior Join Date: May 2002 Location: Wave Existence Posts: 2,065 Rep Power: 0	i bought a NIC and then my father managed to get it working . Hell yes! I can't believe these speeds __________________ "A picture of my existence... would show a useless wooden stake covered in snow... stuck loosely at a slant in the ground in a ploughed field on the edge of a vast open plain on a dark winter night." --- Franz Kafka

May 6, 2003, 08:19 AM	#13
MDboyz DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 22 Rep Power: 0	I found that using the NIC connection is better than USB connection. Use USB connection as your last choice.

May 6, 2003, 01:08 PM	Thread Starter #15
DallasStar Junior Join Date: May 2002 Location: Wave Existence Posts: 2,065 Rep Power: 0	i got 2153kb/s __________________ "A picture of my existence... would show a useless wooden stake covered in snow... stuck loosely at a slant in the ground in a ploughed field on the edge of a vast open plain on a dark winter night." --- Franz Kafka

May 7, 2003, 03:24 AM	#17
WildChild I'm Still Watching Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: New Jersey,U.S.A. Posts: 1,068 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Try this setting In the network card advanced configuration....bein as it is cable connection ....set the link speed to 100 instead of auto detect ...should increase it some

May 7, 2003, 03:30 AM	#18
scobywhru DriverHeaven Senile Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Penthouse Basement Posts: 619 Rep Power: 0	Actually if you don't leave it at Auto you might not get any connection at all. The Extra speed from switching to 100 won't give you any better ping or better downloads online, your Internet connection is limited to 3mps DL and 256kbps to 384kbps Upload, and that doesn't come close to the 10 mbps of the NIC. IF you want better connection get a better NIC, one with an onboard DSP otherwise you could see your ping spike and fluctuate while you are playing games, because the CPU just can't handle everything, especially if you are really pushing it __________________

May 7, 2003, 03:36 AM	#19
WildChild I'm Still Watching Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: New Jersey,U.S.A. Posts: 1,068 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	If it is indeed comcast cable connection then it will give him the connection....I have it on mine this is the only reason I have even mentioned this.

May 7, 2003, 03:50 AM	#20
scobywhru DriverHeaven Senile Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Penthouse Basement Posts: 619 Rep Power: 0	Its Modem dependent, it doesn't have to do with the Connection out to the internet, it only has to do with the link between your computer and your Modem, if your modem supports it, guess what, on Auto it sets it at 100, if it only supports 10, its sets it for that, and if it doesn't support Full Duplex it selects Half Duplex, and so on and so forth. Its really best just to leave it, not every Modem Manufacturer will put a 10/100 NIC inside there modem, they might just put a 10 in there. I'm not trying to Flame or be a mean, or anything like that, I'm just trying to share the info I have, and SERIOUSLY, if you have a good NIC it makes a difference, I have an $80 NIC just so I can get a ping of 20, when I play games, went from a low of 60 to 20, just by getting better equipment, and thats through a home network and NAT just to get to the Modem before getting to the internet. NIC = Network Interface Card NAT = Network Address Translation, multiple computers on the internet sharing one IP __________________

May 7, 2003, 04:49 AM	#21
WildChild I'm Still Watching Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: New Jersey,U.S.A. Posts: 1,068 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	no worries ...thats why its a discussion board for everyone to learn from each other and share ideas and things they have encountered

May 7, 2003, 06:56 PM	#23
scobywhru DriverHeaven Senile Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Penthouse Basement Posts: 619 Rep Power: 0	Its a 3com nic I pulled from a used server, Looked up the price online was $80, 3Com Etherlink XL 10/100 PCI TX NIC (3C905B-TX), have some cheaper cards like a linksys and a generic realtek, but this one hasn't given me any problems, unlike the other ones. Plus I don't get the connection slow down when I am pushing my CPU like I did with those other cards. Pretty good for $20 investment in a used server that "wasn't" working when I bought it, just a bad video card I love finding deals 3com Nics are pretty good but sometimes there is a problem with Audigy cards, creative products that kind of thing blegh, really don't ever want to buy from creative again, couldn't use another NIC I got because of that, but its working great for my friend, and that was another 3com NIC, a little cheaper, can't remeber how much though, he gets about the same ping as I do, I think I'm like 1 - 2 ms Faster on average __________________