Author Topic: Dial-up vs DSL (Read 8364 times)

RNKIII · « **Reply #15 on:** February 22, 2009, 07:48:11 PM »

Stripedbass...

Where your cable enters your residence.... Do you have a 'splitter'? i.e. a small gizmo (technical term) that takes the single in-coming cable and 'splits' it into 2, one that goes to your TV(s) and another that goes to your cable modem?

When Charter installed ours they were emphatic that the computer and TV signals be separated prior to either of them going through any other equipment.

Just a random thought...

Bob K. rnkiii

Paddy · « **Reply #16 on:** February 22, 2009, 09:55:40 PM »

Also, can Comcast reach your modem from their office? They can ping it - or whatever they do - and can tell whether it's working or not. What did they say about that? I'm assuming they had you do the usual drill: shut down the computer, unplug the modem, wait at least 30 seconds, utter various incantations and then plug the modem back in, wait for all the lights to stop flashing, then restart your computer?

Also, what lights are lit up on your modem? There should be at least 4 of them and each one is particular to some part of the connection: power, receive, send etc.

When you go to your system preferences->Network, what do you see for Built-in Ethernet? It should have:

Configure: Using DHCP
IP Address: something other than 169.xxx.xxx
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Router (depends if you have one or not - you haven't mentioned one)
DNS Server: whatever Comcast is using in your area

All of these things will set themselves automatically once you choose "Using DHCP"

If you get an IP address beginning with 169.xxx...you're not connected to the internet.

Jack W · « **Reply #17 on:** February 23, 2009, 09:12:30 AM »

stripedbass,

If you haven't already:

You also need to tell your ISP the information on the modem, such as IP address, or other.

This is how they make sure yoo are legit, and it's you, not somebody else.

Contact your ISP to see what info they need.

HTH, Jack

Edited to add:

They will need the MAC address.

stripedbass · « **Reply #18 on:** February 24, 2009, 04:35:54 PM »

Hi Jack W, Paddy & others,

Sorry for being so slow to respond but I've not had my normal dial-up connection, leave alone the Comcast Internet. I'm posting this message from a library computer.

Paddy: I had already gone through the process you outline in your message before I posted my thread. My iMac just couldn't create the right ISP number. It kept giving me the 169.xxx.xxx number.

A Comcast technician finally came to my home this morning. After a couple of tries he gave up. He said that I could not get an Internet connection because either my operating system was too old (they require OS 10.4 or above but when I was setting up the account they told me OS 10.3.9 was okay), the iMac was too old or the ethernet card had a problem.

My question is this: If I wanted to get a used but better Mac (possibly a laptop since they don't take up much space) which could work with Comast without a problem, do you know a good model? I'm not looking for the latest model. I'm looking for one that's been out a couple of years but would be adequate for my needs. I mostly use my computer for web browsing and word processing. I also would like to try YouTube.

Xairbusdriver · « **Reply #19 on:** February 24, 2009, 05:22:14 PM »

Since you don't need any software from Comcast, the OS age/version is irrelevant, IMHO. But you do need an Ethernet capable modem. The "setup" is about as simple as it can get, assuming your Ethernet circuits are working.

So...
Call them back and demand to get the DNS and DHCP information in this < document>. Your're probably already being charged for a connection and you should not have to deal with nitwits who don't know what they are doing. The "Internet" is platform agnostic, in other words, it couldn't care less about what kind of computer gets connected to it. Same with TVs connected to Comcast. Would they ever say your (less than 10 year old) TV can't be used because it didn't have the proper channel selector? Of course not! If they did that everyone would know how incompetent they are!

Just because they "tech" didn't know what he should doesn't mean you can't connect to the Internet via Comcast. That's simply absurd and unacceptable, IMHO. Ask them they are trying to lose 10% (and growing) market?

Frankly, even with Panther, you simply don't need any "help" from Comcast and their "tech" support. BTW, here's another <Apple document> that may be of help. You don't really have to understand all the details mentioned in these documents but they should be able to get you started, logically. You can do it!

Jack W · « **Reply #20 on:** February 24, 2009, 07:32:59 PM »

Stripedbass,

Here's a shot of my network panel settings, if that gives you any help.

I am having no problems with Time Warner Cable with this setup.

HTH, Jack

krissel · « **Reply #21 on:** February 25, 2009, 01:41:15 AM »

You may be getting the usual 'bull' that they use when encountering Mac users. That said, do you have a friend with a Mac laptop that could drop by for a visit to see if they can connect? I'm on Optimum online and I had no trouble when I was using 10.3.9 with my 9600, my sister's old iMac 400 and various other older Macs.

I had a similar problem some time ago and it was solved by leaving the modem unplugged over night. Seems it had something to do with the associated MAC/IP address not being cleared properly. When I reconnected the next day it all worked.

Worth a shot. If nothing works and indeed there is something wrong with the ethernet card we can suggest some newer Macs but you need to tell us your range of spending.

pendragon · « **Reply #22 on:** February 25, 2009, 05:30:58 AM »

Stripedbass,

I hate to suggest this, as I presume Comcast already had you go through this routine, but just to be sure...

The point that your computer may not be "seeing" the Comcast Motorola modem is well made. And if this is so, no cable broadband. So:
1. Power down/unplug the modem.
2. Shut down your computer.
3. Wait 5 minutes.
4. Power up and turn on the modem and wait until you have all (4?) lights.
5. Restart your computer.

Any changes?

Paddy · « **Reply #23 on:** February 25, 2009, 11:43:05 AM »

I know that Comcast can be a bit dense, but if the tech came to the house, I'm pretty sure he would have tried the shut down and restart everything routine.

Did he have a laptop with him to test the connection?

Jim is absolutely correct in stating that the internet is platform/OS agnostic as far as the connection itself goes. You can still connect ancient Macs running OS 8.6 or even older; the problem there will be that the browsers fall over when they encounter anything but the simplest HTML. Your Mac per se is not the issue.

So, where to now? No harm in running through Harv's restart the modem routine again - you can then at least tell Comcast that you've just done that. I would call them back and ask them to ping your modem to make sure that it's not the issue, though as I stated above, I doubt it is. Ask them what they can "see" from their end. Ask for a second-tier tech if you get someone who doesn't seem knowledgeable or helpful. Tell them politely but firmly that the operating system and platform is NOT the issue, but you are trying to figure out if there is in fact a hardware issue on your end.

It is possible that the ethernet on your iMac has died. You've never used it, having dial-up, so wouldn't have noticed. Is there any chance you can take your iMac over to a friend's house who has cable internet and try connecting it to their connection? It will be especially easy if they have a router with a spare wired port - you can simply connect your iMac with the ethernet cable and start her up, and it won't require the friend's modem to be restarted.

Given the iMac's current value, I'm not sure that I'd advise taking it to a repair shop - you'll pay a minimum of about $60-$90 for diagnosis and if that diagnosis is "dead ethernet" you're not really much further ahead in that repair isn't worth it. Better to put the money towards a new machine.

If you do finally determine that the iMac's ethernet is indeed dead, then I would strongly advise that you buy an Intel Mac; anything else is about to become non-upgradeable as far as the OS is concerned. Mac OS 10.6 will not support PPC Macs from all reports. The lowest price MacBook right now is about $999, though can be had for less through places like MacMall where it also comes with some nice freebies if you don't mind mail-in rebates. Used is another option - but only if you can find a good deal and are very confident in knowing what you're getting and who you're dealing with. Buying new you do get a one year warranty - used, you will not get that unless the owner is selling a Mac that is less than a year old and/or a machine with AppleCare. Laptops can be dropped/abused easily, so you need to be very, very careful.

stripedbass · « **Reply #24 on:** February 26, 2009, 11:47:19 PM »

Hi folks,

After reading all your posts, which were very helpful, you gave me an idea: I decided to take my iMac to my local Apple store (www.apple.com/cambridgeside). They have something called a Genius Bar and you have to book an appointment a day in advance. Well, yesterday (Thursday) evening I had my appointment.

Guess what? When they hooked up my iMac to their Internet, the computer worked like a charm! The built--in ethernet grabbed an IP address with no problem.

So the problem is not with my computer. It's with Comcast.

Got to sleep. I'll deal with this in the morning. It's already past midnight.

But just want to thank all of you for your feedback, and giving me the idea to leave home and get my iMac tested by someone else.

Shades of Gray · « **Reply #25 on:** February 27, 2009, 10:18:03 AM »

We have had AT&T U-Verse since the 17th of Feb. What a difference! Excellent service, fast internet, excellent TV.

Xairbusdriver · « **Reply #26 on:** March 01, 2009, 07:58:25 PM »

QUOTE

So the problem is not with my computer. It's with Comcast.

I'm sure you will have a very challenging experience getting anyone at Comcast to believe that! Did you get a Notarized statement to that effect or did you simply rely on the anecdotal experience which could easily have been influenced by the RDF known to exist in Apple Stores?

OTOH, you could be one of the first to get them to accept the extremely rare and minute possibility that their equipment could be at fault. I would simply take a deep breath before issuing your findings and then let it out slowly, holding it would certainly be dangerous to your health!!!

BTW, your secret is safe with us and all our friends!

Still, it would be great if they could be convinced to 'ping' their own modem and see if it reports its existence to them. They might be convinced to bring a replacement, free of charge (other than the monthly rental hidden in their rates...)!

And, you've also been introduced to a group of usually intelligent people who not only like Macs but can actually offer solutions that work.

So, even your frustrations have provided you with some education and the possibility of future happiness!

stripedbass · « **Reply #27 on:** March 26, 2009, 10:18:20 AM »

Hi folks,

As some of you may remember, I could not get Comcast Internet service after I signed up with them last month. When I'd call Comcast they kept insisting that as far as they could tell everything was fine on their end and implied that it was likely my iMac that had the problem.

My problem was finally solved today, if you can believe it.

After going back and forth with Comcast, with them insisting that I disconnect my ethernet cable from my computer and modem (EMTA), wait for a couple of minutes, then connect it again, pull-out the back-up battery from the modem, then re-install it again, etc, etc, we finally ran out of trouble-shooting options.

I even took my computer to the local Apple store and it connected to their Internet with no problem. When I told Comcast this, they then told me that I needed to contact Apple. They were convinced that the problem was with my iMac. I gave up at this point since I was so busy with a renovation project at home in addition to my regular job.

But last week an idea suddenly popped into my head. Why not google to find out the e-mail address for Comcast's CEO? I found it! I sent him an e-mail explaining my problem. I got a phone call from a Comcast office in Canada! I explained to them my problem. They said they would send a technician to my home who knew Macs and would also bring another modem with him in case the one I had was defective.

Well, he came today and has just left. After doing a couple of checks, he determined that I had a bad modem. The modem I had was indicating that I had an Internet connection when I didn't. He immediately knew it had a problem when even after he disconnected it, it still indicated that there was an Internet link!

To make a long story short, after he gave me a new modem, I finally had Internet connection! In fact, I'm composing this post with my new Comcast Internet service. I'm no longer using dial-up!

I want to sincerely thank all of you who tried to help me. If it wasn't for your advice, I'd have bought a new Mac only to realize that the problem was with Comcast.

jcarter · « **Reply #28 on:** March 26, 2009, 10:42:47 AM »

So glad you got this fixed, and what a wonderful way of getting it solved!
Our kids live in Somerville and are using DSL at the moment, but will probably move over to Comcast, as thats what granny and grampa here on cape cod use with great success.
But the sick modem is very interesting, as we had a Comcast modem that worked intermittently, I took it into the Falmouth Comcast office and swapped it for a new one, and my problems ended.
And our Comcast cable box is acting funky now, they have to send the signal fairly often to reboot the thing, and said to just go to the office and get a new one. But its working OK now, so havent swapped it yet.
Guess these modems are delicate critters.
Jane

Xairbusdriver · « **Reply #29 on:** March 26, 2009, 12:00:05 PM »

Nothing like going directly to the "horse!"

You should get a years free service just for staying with them!

News:

Author Topic: Dial-up vs DSL (Read 8364 times)