I'm going to be signing-up for broadband internet service through my
local cable provider soon, and plan to buy my own (used) modem. The
company provides a list of the ones they support (below), but since I
know didley squat about which cable modems are good and which ones may
not be so good, I'm hoping to get a few recommendations. Thanks in
advance.

Joe

CableONE currently supports the following CableONE-Certified cable modems

D-Link Cable Modem DCM201
D-Link Cable Modem DCM200
Linksys Cable Modem BEFCMU10
Linksys Cable Modem BEFCMU10 V2
Linksys Cable Modem BEFCMU10 V3
Motorola SURFboard SB5120
Motorola SURFboard SB5100
Motorola SURFboard SB4200
Motorola Wireless Cable Modem Gateway SBG900
Motorola Wireless Cable Modem Gateway SBG940
Motorola Wireless Cable Modem Gateway SBG1000
Scientific Atlanta WebSTAR DPX2100

The following supported models have been discontinued by their
manufacturer:

3Com USB HomeConnect Cable Modem 3CR29223
3Com HomeConnect Cable Modem External 3CR29220
3Com HomeConnect Cable Modem External 3CR29221
3Com OfficeConnect Cable Modem External 3CR29210
Best Data Smart One Cable Modem CMX110
D-Link Cable Modem DCM100
Motorola SURFboard SB4220
Motorola SURFboard SB4100
Motorola "General Instruments" SURFboard SB3100
RCA Digital Cable Modem DCM 105 / 205 / 215 / 225 / 235
Toshiba Cable Modem PCX2000
Toshiba Cable Modem PCX1100U
Toshiba Cable Modem PCX1100
Toshiba Cable Modem PCX2600
Toshiba Cable Modem PCX2500
Toshiba Cable Modem PCX2200
Toshiba Gateway PCX5000

"Joe McArthur" <joemac@hotpop.spamblock.com> wrote in message
news:Xns9569B42EEBCC1ipdaily@130.133.1.4...

You will likely get a lot of votes for the SB5100. I replaced that with the
Linksys I marked above. No regrets, faster and more stable. -Dave

Joe McArthur wrote:
DOCSIS cablemodems are almost, but not quite a commodity. They really
don't do much other than act as a bridge between your Ethernet LAN (or
single computer), and the RF cable network. What's happening on the RF
cable has far more effect on you than which cablemodem you pick. In
other words, if you don't have a separate cable drop for your
cablemodem, the splitter you use is going to be far more important than
the cablemodem you choose.

As far as support from the manufacturer, forget about it. If it's not
under a warranty that will replace it in case of failure, support from
the manufacturer means nothing. (The cable company is more interested in
that support even if you own the modem. Firmware updates, and control of
how the modem operates is something they handle.)

If your buying a used modem, the most important thing is what conditions
the modem had been used under, and how old it is. Heat build-up, and
future heat build-up due to layers of dust on the circuit boards and
components would be important considerations.

But why buy used? Most cable companies, along with stores like Best Buy
and Circuit City have rebate programs that greatly reduce the cost of a
modem just to get you as a new cable Internet customer. If you're
looking at used modems from sellers who have to ship you the modem, and
will charge you for that shipping, you probably won't find a working
cablemodem at a significantly less expensive price than what's out there
for new cablemodems for new cable customers. Add in the protection of a
warranty, and the difference is even less.

So in my opinion, any splitters you need require more thought than the
cablemodem, and if you're going to buy, buy a new one. The particular
make or model is far behind these two considerations in importance.

--
Warren H.

==========
Disclaimer: My views reflect those of myself, and not my
employer, my friends, nor (as she often tells me) my wife.
Any resemblance to the views of anybody living or dead is
coincidental. No animals were hurt in the writing of this
response -- unless you count my dog who desperately wants
to go outside now.
Blatant Plug: What does a new kitchen need?
http://www.holzemville.com/community...hen/index.html

if you can afford it buy a new one
I have a surf board 4200 been working fine since installed
if you buy used you are getting a what you pay for
why would anyone get rid of a good cable modem
now if you know the seller that is different.
"Joe McArthur" <joemac@hotpop.spamblock.com> wrote in message
news:Xns9569B42EEBCC1ipdaily@130.133.1.4...

"Dave C." <mdupre@sff.net> wrote in news:2r6pblF170jqnU1@uni-berlin.de:

Thanks a lot for the input Dave. I'll put a star next to both of them on
my list.

Cheers,
Joe

"Dave C." <mdupre@sff.net> wrote in news:2r6pblF170jqnU1@uni-berlin.de:

I agree - it's a good modem. I'm on a 5mbit plan and I get near the maximum
speed with the modem. Never had a disconnect with it either.

--
Lucas Tam (REMOVEnntp@rogers.com)
Please delete "REMOVE" from the e-mail address when replying.
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/coolspot18/

"BigJIm" <Jim10277@hotmail.com> wrote in news:1vr3d.72982$MQ5.10549
@attbi_s52:

Some people switch internet services.

--
Lucas Tam (REMOVEnntp@rogers.com)
Please delete "REMOVE" from the e-mail address when replying.
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/coolspot18/

I worked as a tech support agent for cable modem for a few years, and we had
no troubles to speak of with the early Toshiba's (1100's) compared with many
headaches with 3COM's, RCA's and Surfboards. In theory what Warren said is
correct, but in reality there are differences.
Try to find a rebate deal on the Linksys, which I own (V2) and have never
had a moments problem with, and consistently get speeds better than others
using my provider, by a little or more. With the right rebate combo, you
should end up with a nice Linkys for three or four stamps and sales tax on
$70. to $100.
Good luck.

dj

**Linksys Cable Modem BEFCMU10 V3**

"Warren" <wholzem@hotmail.com> wrote in news:4yq3d.13300$wV.10124
@attbi_s54:

Is DOCSIS a particular brand of cablemodem, or does it specify a type?
If it's a type, which ones in my list are of the DOCSIS variety?

Why do I need a splitter? I don't plan on having Cable Television, so
the only thing that's going to be attached to my cable line is the cable
modem.


I'm in agreement with you there.

Are you saying that the cable company has both the ability and the legal
right to perform remote firmware upgrades to my modem, that I own? If
so, that is a bit disconcerting.


With the exception of the modem's approximate age, the rest of that
cannot be known when buying from an unknown/untrustworthy source (e.g.
ebay). A certain amount of risk is unavoidable in such endeavors.

This is news to me. There are no Best Buy or Circuit City stores in my
town, and I have not seen any advertisements of this nature from my cable
company (either in print or on their website). I will check into it
though. Thanks for the tip.


Well I'll certainly be glad if you are correct about this.

I very much appreciate your well thought out and informative responses to
my post Warren. If you, or anyone else for that matter, can point me to
any particular advertisements/deals where I can obtain a new cable modem
for as little as I can buy one over ebay, I would very much appreciate
that. Thanks.

Joe

Joe McArthur wrote:
Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification.

Prior to DOCSIS, systems were proprietary. You had to have the same kind
of modem as the headend equipment. Rarely were these modems ever sold
to customers (there were exceptions), and never via retail channels.
They had no resale value as even if the cable company sold the modem to
you, it couldn't be moved to another system as it wouldn't be in the
system inventory, and few cable operators would add your modem to their
system inventory.

Long explaination, but the short story is that the DOCSIS standard
changed that. The only reason why there is a list of modems allowed by
your cable company is because they may be using features that require
specific config files or firmware updates. If your modem isn't on the
list it would theoretically still be able to work on the network, the
cable company doesn't want them there, and won't allow them to be
registered.


If you have a straight run to the modem, you don't need a splitter. More
common is people who have multiple cable outlets, with the signal split.
You didn't specify that you didn't.


Then don't get cable. Firmware updates and config files come from the
system, not the end user.


Risk and benefit are the keys. If you think the benefit is worth the
risk, that's your call. Buying a cablemodem on eBay is more risky than
buying one from a big-box retailer in town. Is that risk worth any
savings in price? And if there is no savings, obviously its not.

--
Warren H.

==========
Disclaimer: My views reflect those of myself, and not my
employer, my friends, nor (as she often tells me) my wife.
Any resemblance to the views of anybody living or dead is
coincidental. No animals were hurt in the writing of this
response -- unless you count my dog who desperately wants
to go outside now.
Blatant Plug: What does a new kitchen need?
http://www.holzemville.com/community...hen/index.html

The Toshiba PCX 2600 is brand new and I currently own one......
http://www.toshiba.com/taisnpd/products/pcx2600.html
It's faster then anything currently available. Check the link I provided!

"Joe McArthur" <joemac@hotpop.spamblock.com> wrote in message
news:Xns9569B42EEBCC1ipdaily@130.133.1.4...

Carl C. Jackson wrote:

Says who ? I doubt there's much difference in modem speed among
the top performers. After all, they are throttled down to whatever
speed the ISP allows for whatever tier of service you have. Any
modem should be able to pass 3000/512 or 3000/256 (the normal rates
for most ISPs) with negligible internal delay.

Lucas Tam <REMOVEnntp@rogers.com> wrote in
news:Xns9569ED38D31ABnntprogerscom@140.99.99.130:

Well that makes two stars for the SB5100. Thanks Lucas!

Joe

"Dr. Cajones" <drjawn.spamno@remove.yahoo.com> wrote in
news:t92dnaHSNuXx0tPcRVn-vA@comcast.com:

Sure wish I could find one of these rebate deals that everyone keeps
talking about. I checked Best Buy's web site and didn't see anything.
Maybe they only offer this kind of thing in the actual stores? I just
found out that Best Buy is going to open a store in my town, but
unfortunately that won't be happening until next month and I need to get
the service started by the end of this month. Thanks for the feedback Doc.

Joe

"Warren" <wholzem@hotmail.com> wrote in news%s3d.469486$%_6.10274
@attbi_s01:

<snip>

I think it's highly unlikely that, as an end user, I'd be unable to
initiate a firmware update to a cable modem attached to my computer.

Joe

"Carl C. Jackson" <cajo20@comcast.net> wrote in
news:ZGf5d.115679$D%.43936@attbi_s51:

Thanks for the recommendation Carl.

Joe

Joe McArthur wrote:
I currently have the SB4200 - that I own.
I do not seem to have any issues with it, occasionally my connection will
drag a little , but that is the exception rather than the norm.

Would there be anything to gain, by purchasing a 5100 to replace my 4200?


--
Don Burnette

Joe McArthur wrote:
You do not get to control the version of firmware being used by your
modem if it is connected to a cable Internet provider. If you want to
disconnect from the cable Internet service, sure, you can put whatever
firmware you wish on the modem. But as soon as you connect it to a
provider, they get to decide if they will change that firmware.

--
Warren H.

==========
Disclaimer: My views reflect those of myself, and not my
employer, my friends, nor (as she often tells me) my wife.
Any resemblance to the views of anybody living or dead is
coincidental. No animals were hurt in the writing of this
response -- unless you count my dog who desperately wants
to go outside now.
Blatant Plug: What does a new kitchen need?
http://www.holzemville.com/community...hen/index.html

My impression is that they are only offered in communities where there is a
cable provider that joins in the "promotion", as you must sign up for
service at the store, as part of the deal. The rebates, as I recall, come
in parts, from retailer, modem maker & cable company. so this wouldn't be
likely available from the website, but I don't see why it couldn't be, if
all parties got it together. so far, though, I have only seen them offered
with a trip to the store involved. One part of the rebate is merely for
"buying" an envelope of paperwork for the service initiation, as I recall.
Of course, keeping all receipts/copies of all submissions, and tracking
rebates as they arrive is required due to the integrity of US retailers
offering such rebates.
Best Buy is not the only retailer that may offer them.
Good luck.
dj

"Joe McArthur" <joemac@hotpop.spamblock.com> wrote in message
news:Xns956F77C80E241ipdaily@130.133.1.4...

After monitoring ebay cable modem sales for almost two weeks now, I see
that the highly recommended ones -- Linksys BEFCMU10 & Motorola SURFboard
SB5100 -- are selling for almost what a new one costs, so I guess I'll have
to revise my original request for (general) recommendations to ... of the
ones that can be had for less money (say under $30, including S&H), which
ones are pretty good and which ones should I stay away from?

There appears to be a definite correlation between price, which I'm sure
has a lot to do with the original release date of the product, and DOCSIS
version compliance (e.g. 1.0, 1.1, 2.0). So my question is ... what are
the major benefits of having a modem that supports DOCSIS 2.0, over one
that only supports 1.0/1.1?

Joe