:: Installation of Cable Modems

You will need a self-installation kit for installing cable modems. Along with this kit you will need the following items:

• Cable modem
• CD-ROM with your computer's operating system software (e.g., Windows 98 or higher)
• Phillips head screwdriver
• Network Interface Card (NIC)/ Ethernet Card (if installing NIC)

Now locate the cable TV wire and disconnect it from the cable box, TV or VCR and put it in the IN jack of the cable splitter provided in the installation kit. Secure it tightly. Now put the short white cable wire from the installation kit and put it in the OUT jack of the cable splitter and the other end to the back of the cable modem labeled as CATV or CABLE.

The modem’s power supply cable is connected from one end to the cable modem and the other end is connected to the grounded electrical outlet.

There are two ways to connect the cable modem to the computer, either via USB or NIC/Ethernet.

To connect using NIC/Ethernet card, use the RJ-45 Network Cable given with the cable modem. It has connectors similar to a telephone wire. Connects its one end to the LAN jack of the cable modem (labeled as 10BT, 10BASE-T, ENET or Ethernet). If the computer already has a NIC/Ethernet Card installed, then plug the other end of the RJ-45 Network Cable into the adapter’s LAN jack.

The following steps explain how to install the NIC/Ethernet Card.
First shut down the computer completely. Open the back of the computer (CPU). Inside there will be an open slot with one end near the rear panel of the computer. There are 2 types of slots PCI (white or light gray in color) or ISA (Black or dark brown). Most often, PCI cards are used. A spacer plate would be covering the slot. Remove the plate using screws and push the Ethernet Card in the slot. The card should be secured properly in the slot. Now put all the screws back and close the computer. Use the CD Rom to install the software for Ethernet. Now plug the RJ-45 Network Cable into the NIC/Ethernet card’s LAN Jack and plug the power cable into a grounded electrical outlet. After installation, check the lights on the front of the cable modem, they will blink.

Now let us check Network setting for the PC for Windows 95/98/2000/ME

Click on the start button and go to settings and then control panel. In the control panel double click on the Network icon. If TCP/IP is listed as a network component, then cancel the operation and just verify your IP address in Windows 95/98/ME only. Otherwise, select Network component type, then select ‘protocol’ and click ‘add’. By clicking on ‘add’ the select Network Protocol pop-up appears. In this select Microsoft under manufacturers and select TCP/IP under network protocols and click ok. TCP/IP will be added. Now go back.

Go to copying files pop up. For a Windows 98 Computer type d:\win 98 in the copying files box and click ok. The System Settings Change dialogue box will ask you if you want to restart your computer Click Yes.

Now proceed to verify your IP address.

For Windows 95/98/ME
Go to the start button and select Run. There type winipcfg and click ok. The IP configuration pop-up will appear. Click the drop down arrow next to the white box and select your network adapter from the list. Then click on the release button, which will give you a line of zeros in the IP address and Subnet Mask fields instead of the numbers. Once you do renew, the numbers will replace the zeros.

For Windows XP/NT/2000 here’s how to go about verifying your IP address.

Go to start button and select Run. There type cmd and click ok. As a result the command prompt box will appear, type ipconfig/release and enter. Then type ifconfig/renew and enter. Finally type exit and enter.