Cable Modem needed

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

My 4+ year old cable modem and router combo is failing. Since I need to support two desktops and a laptop, I need at minimum a cable modem, router and one of them needs to be wireless. It seems to me a combo unit would be better as they are designed to work together.

I am finding old technology for $50 and up, and new technology at $80-135 depending on with or with out the router built in.

So far, the Motorola SBG6580 has my highest level of interest, but at $135 is at the top of the price chart for me.

Anyone have an input on what works or doesn't work for them?
Or, do I just go to Best Buy and get the modem and be done with it?

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

I may have an old wireless Cable router some where laying around. If you want it yoou can have it. I also hace an old DSL modem. BTW I agree the combo is yhe best way to go

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

Thanks Frank, but I think I am going to go with a new technology two piece setup of a modem and router. I think that may be less costly in the long run if I have one piece fail in the future as I did in my current situation.

[PigsDad Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close PigsDad]

I agree that you should look for a separate cable modem and router. If you ever switch to a different internet service, you really don't want to have to switch out your router at the same time. Plus, as you noted, you don't have the single point of failure.

With that said, I can highly recommend the D-Link DIR-655 wireless router. This is a gigabit (10/100/1000) wired switch, and the wireless is 802.11n (aka "Extreme N"). That provides very good range and the speed needed for streaming video. I had upgraded my house from a 10/100 wired / 802.11g to this new router earlier this year, and it has made a huge difference.

I really like D-Link's administration interface (via a web browser), and the setup was pretty straight forward for me. One really useful feature of this router is that it support a "guest" wireless zone that you can enable. That allows you to set up a separate wireless network (with its own security) that can be used by guests at your house to access the internet, but it does not allow those users to acces other computers on your network.

I've had it installed for about six months now, and it has been rock solid. Amazon currently has this for a little over $70. Highly recommended.

Kurt

[rapmarks Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close rapmarks]

just arrived in Florida. I disconnected from Comcast last May when i left, and now I have no internet service. Can't scout around for prices without service though and my old dial up won't work. i am going thru severe withdrawal pains.

[rapmarks Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close rapmarks]

Frank, will that modem and router work with Comcast?

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

Frank, will that modem and router work with Comcast?

I do not think so, The modem came from Verizon and is for DSL only

[JWC Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close JWC]

Verizon FIOS gives you the wireless router for free which is is used for the TV and Internet. I have had 2 go bad and Verizon replaced both of them for free with no questions asked. I have both a wireless connection for one of my laptops and 3 other computers wired to the router so I have both a wired and wireless LAN.

Did you contact your provider to see if they can provide the router?

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

In my case, I can get a cable modem from the cable company, but it had cost $3.00/month to rent 5 years ago, probably more now. I would have spent $180 in that time, so really I should be able to get a pretty good system for that money.

I figure I will spend about $100-150 and get a better setup than what I would have rented from the cable company.

[dale7 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dale7]

Tell the cable company that you want to cancel see if they make any offers on a free modem it worked for a friend that was out of work about two years ago.

[JWC Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close JWC]

In my case, I can get a cable modem from the cable company, but it had cost $3.00/month to rent 5 years ago, probably more now. I would have spent $180 in that time, so really I should be able to get a pretty good system for that money.

I figure I will spend about $100-150 and get a better setup than what I would have rented from the cable company.

I didn't know that they charge rent for it. Verizon doesn't charge anything at all.

[rapmarks Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close rapmarks]

I have a Verizon modem, but the wireless doesn't work on it. They said $100 for a new modem. Now they have been bought out by Frontier. I am paying for that service up north, brought my modem with, and may call Centry Link and find out if I can use the same modem. comcast is now renting for $5 a month, so would cost at least $25 a month, but they let me drop service after 6 months, which the phone company doesn't do, but phone company makes you sign a two year contract, so I am paying for two internet providers with the phone company year round.

Last year, i bought the comcast off my neighbor, but when comcast came to install, they would not let me use it, and i had to rent one from them.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

I have a Verizon modem, but the wireless doesn't work on it. They said $100 for a new modem. Now they have been bought out by Frontier. I am paying for that service up north, brought my modem with, and may call Centry Link and find out if I can use the same modem. comcast is now renting for $5 a month, so would cost at least $25 a month, but they let me drop service after 6 months, which the phone company doesn't do, but phone company makes you sign a two year contract, so I am paying for two internet providers with the phone company year round.

Last year, i bought the comcast off my neighbor, but when comcast came to install, they would not let me use it, and i had to rent one from them.

THE modem I Have is just a DSL MODEM no cable or wireless. I also dp not think the company will let you use it. I may have an old wireless router that I keep for a spare. But I replaced it because it was acting up.

[rapmarks Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close rapmarks]

I am hoping to go out this afternoon and look for a new computer, then get hooked up with interenet.
I am at the library and it is so frustrating. I called our Visa card last week and changed our address to Florida. Yesterday, we received the long promised new cards, but none for me, just for my husband. I called and they said they would expedite one to me. today I look at my email and there is a fraud alert that someone wants a credit card sent to our Wisconsin address. Now i have to go home and call them again and stop that mailing. They are trying to tell me that my husband called and ordered the first card. that is hogwash. i cannot get my husband to do any details regarding bills, credit cards, etc. I know two things, I can't go without a credit card and i can't go without a computer with interent access. Now I have to decide whether to go with deesktop or laptop.