"Adventures in ISP Cable Installation"

[MrsLop]

Hello All,
My "Adventures" are taking a different turn - in the form of hands on installation.
I have been following the promotions by Cox Cable ie. High Speed Internet, so that I could get a really good price.

Their current promotion runs until August 15th.  
They will send me a Free kit for installation, and my 1st and 3rd month will be charged at half price.

I just know that I can do this, with the proper instructions.  The customer service rep said that they will supply me with plenty of cable line, a splicer, router?  a modem, a CD and complete instuctions.  As long as I have the correct card in my Mac, I should be able to do a self installation.  I have Cable TV, so the line is already there.

I may not know much about computers, but I am handy with a toolbox and fairly good at assembling things.  
Have any of you done a self installation (specifically, Cox Cable); and if so, how difficult is it to do?  My concern is, the live Cable wire, which will have to be spliced.  I don't necessarily want to "fry" myself in the process.  As for the internet, Bernie had already installed Internet Explorer and Outlook Express.  

I have some lead time to do this.
I am still using the Web/TV (aka MSN) and have paid for service until the end of July.
Any information would be greatly appreciated.

BTW- It's nice to be back.

  Myrna

[RobW]

Hi,

I've only installed my dsl connection--and that was pretty easy. I would be pretty surprised if the company's tech support staff  didn't walk you through it if you find that you're having problems and called them. They have a vested interest in having those early days go well for you!

Hopefully, their tech support has people who know Macs. My advice is to wait until you've got everything, read through the stuff first (which I tend to NEVER do), and take your time with it. Don't get down if you don't get it at first. If you're stuck or even unsure, call them up from a phone next to your Mac.

Welcome back!

[Bruce_F]

QUOTE

I have Cable TV, so the line is already there.

In my case, the cable company had to come to my house and set up a data-port. It may differ with Cox Cable, however.

Hooking up the whole thing is very easy.

One cable is connected between the outlet on the wall and the cable modem.
Another cable goes from the modem to the computer.

Setting up the ISP addresses on your system can be easy, if you're given clear instructions. It may require a phone call to someone at the service provider to get things right.

Good Luck!

[bil207]

Myrna,

    Don't worry about getting "fried" from the live cable wire, it's coaxial cable that is carries the TV signal.

You can get the Cox Internet installation instructions here.

[MrsLop]

Hi Rob,

Nice to hear from you.  I am not sure about how easy or how difficult things will be.

I thought it best to come to TS and ask first.

Thanks for the reply.
(and encouragement)

Myrna

[MrsLop]

Hi Bruce,

I have so many concerns about this, but I thought it easier to tackle them one at a time.

What's a data port? Where does it connect? Why did you need one? (inquiring minds want to know)

Thanks for the information.

Myrna
 
 

[MrsLop]

Hi bil207 (do you have a real name?)

Thanks for the link.  My husband got upset when I told him that I had to splice the Cable line.  He only uses PC's with Windows, at work, so he has never even had to do any of the grunt work.  

Nice job,if you can get it.  Meanwhile, back at the ranch, while he's out plowing the back 40 acres, I'll be splicing and hopefully not dicing, the coaxial cable wires.

I will probably be on the line to Cox Internet Tech Support about more than just the hookups.

I just wanted to know if anyone had actually tried to do it themselves. Have you ever noticed that instructions, depending on who wrote them, are not always very clear or inclusive of everything that needs to be done? I am especially concerned, because, though they say that they support Macs, not everyone has experience with them.

   
Myrna

[RHPConsult]

STOP IT, Myrna!

How can we help you if we're laughing so hard?    

"Back 40" indeed!

[bil207]

Myrna,

  I installed the cable modem in my house, it's really isn't to difficult.
  Here is a simplied diagram of what is the installation requires.

Here is what the splitter looks like

BTW my name is Bill.  

[MrsLop]

Now Dick,

You know I can't resist a moment of levity.  OK,OK, maybe a paragraph.

Anyway, a "notorious spammer" like you needs all the laughter they can get. Really Dick, whatever shall we do with you?  What a distinction,
dubious of course, but what a distinction!
I can just imagine you sitting there in front of that screen ...sputtering

BTW I read your little post on the link AOL.  That is really alarming. I wonder how they get away with it.  Glad to hear that the "problem" is now cleared up.  Have they issued you an apology?
Myrna

[MrsLop]

Evening Bill,

I went to the link you provided however, this
@#$% (oops) WebTv keyboard does not allow me to scroll to the instruction link on the site. I run into this problem countless times on other sites.  I sometimes find that the sites won't even allow me to access their files because WebTV isn't a "real" computer. That's why I need to get onine with the Mac.

Thank you, love,love, love the simplified diagram.  When you did your installation did you use a kit?  I really hope that they include all the correct wires and gizmos I'll need to do the job.
I think I'll go on a fact finding mission to see what the kits include.

Oh, the adrenalin is really moving now!  I can't wait to get started.

 
  Myrna

[kelly]

Intersesting stuff Mrs. L.

You're going to be in the fast lane pretty soon.

They won't be providing a Router. That's something you'd get on your own.

I don't think you'll need one with only one computer.

Here's examples of Coaxial Tool Kits.

http://www.paladin-tools.com/kitforcoaxca.html

First I've seen of do it yourself installations like yours.

Nothing you can't handle I'm sure.

[Gregg]

Hmmm. But if you want cable TV service, you just provide the TV and they come with all the other equipment and set it up, turn on your TV to test it, and you don't have to lift a finger. And this is different, how?  

[MrsLop]

Evening kelly,

I was thinking more of a
"touchy feely" kind of fact finding  mission.
There may be some retailers out there that I can visit.  Sometimes, instructions are listed on the packaging.  Maybe I'll be fortunate and find a package that lists all the parts as well.  

I know it seems strange that Cox is doing this self installation thing.
My daughter who lives in California, said that she was able to get a promotion that included free installation and some other good things.  Unfortunately, since Rhode Island is sooo small, there is no competition and so they don't feel the need to offer free professional installation.  Usually around the Holidays they offer free installation.

I doubt that the Cox Internet kit will include any really fine tools.  I don't own a crimper, so I need to find out just what they do supply in their kit, before I order service.

Thanks for the vote of confidence.

Nice to be "home" again.

Myrna

[MrsLop]

Evening Gregg,

Nice of you to join us.  
Well, first of all they charge for the Cable TV set up if they come to the house (at least in RI they do).  I think its in the vicinity of $27.00.

For internet installations they charge $ 79.00 to do the work.

Giving me  a free kit to do a self install is a pretty good incentive. At least the price is right.

As kelly pointed out, I'll probably have to get my own router, not for multiple computer use, but for security purposes.

Coupled with the CD and Tech Support, I hope to be able to get up and running.  I just need to be patient and take my time.  I am sure that TS will help me to understand the actual process of using IE and Outlook Express, if I need help with it.

Really happy about being back "home"

Myrna