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Forum·Mediacom Posting Rules
·How do I add to this FAQ?
·Who Hosts the Mediacom Forum?
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Please refer to this thread for posting rules in the Mediacom forum.
 feedback form
 feedback form
by redxii 
last modified: 2002-03-09 02:00:55 |
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Click here to submit questions or information to this FAQ. It will be reviewed and if accepted, it will appear here soon.
feedback form
feedback form
by redxii |
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The Mediacom Forum is hosted by Broadbandreports.com and is not affiliated with Mediacom Communications. Have any suggestions for the forum? Feel free to contact the Mediacom Forum Hosts/Moderators:
Axilla
wafen
feedback form
feedback form
by wafen
last modified: 2006-09-24 21:17:07 |
1. General Questions·What are the Advertised Speeds For Mediacom Online?
·Possible reason(s) for not having a faster upload
·What should my signal levels be?
·List of areas serviced by Mediacom
·Local home page for your area
·What is the Acceptable Use Policy for Mediacom?
·How Do I Configure My E-mail for Newsgroups?
·How to contact a Mediacom office for support
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Mediacom currently advertises:
Standard: 8000/512
Max: 15000/1000
If you need help tweaking, please visit the BroadBand Tweaks forum for TCP/IP tweaking assistance. Modifying your configuration to maximize performance is known as tweaking.
feedback form
feedback form
by Santa Fe edited by wafen
last modified: 2009-10-25 08:43:01 |
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The "why can't we get a ###kbps upload??" has been discussed many times; particularly cable modem internet forums. Most users might run FTP servers, game servers, web servers, MP3 servers, or any other 24/7 activity dealing with the upload if it is fast. If the upstream is saturated, everyone will slow down to about the speed of the advertised upload. This is a TCP/IP flaw for just about all types on internet access, but only this will affect all the computers on the node rather than the single computer. There will be complaints about slow downs/huge pings/packet loss on your node. Say goodbye to gaming, hello to 56K.
DSL has more of an advantage over this. Because cable-modem users generally share a network loop that runs through a neighborhood, adding users means lowering performance in many instances. ADSL provides a dedicated connection from each user back to the DSLAM, meaning that users won't see a performance decrease as new users are added -- until the total number of users begins to saturate the single, high-speed connection to the Internet. At that point, an upgrade by the service provider can provide additional performance for all the users connected to the DSLAM. This doesn't exempt DSL users from running servers though.
The upload bandwidth use could be regulated with a cap, and a few dollars for extra MB over the cap. But still, there will be complaints about the limit. Some would want it removed.
There is no method to make everyone happy. You are just going to have to live with what you have...128 isn't all that bad for gaming, because pings are considerably lower than that of 56K, and casual uploading.
feedback form
feedback form
by redxii
last modified: 2002-03-21 19:53:40 |
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Information on signal levels: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/robin.d.h.walker/cmtips.html#signal
Downstream power level (Receive): -15dbmV to +15dbmV
A value of -15 or worse indicates a poor downstream signal path. A tech would aim for a value close to the optimal 0 dBmV, but a good cable modem should be capable of working within the broader range of -15 to +15 dBmV, provided the downstream Signal to Noise Ratio remains good enough.
Upstream (Transmit): +8dbmV to +58dbmV.
A value within the range +25 to +55 dBmV is within spec with 40's the most common. The lower this figure is, the better the upstream path to the UBR. If the cable modem is going offline, and the upstream signal strength is at +58dBmV, then a poor upstream path is probably the problem.
Carrier/Noise Ratio: 30dB to 36dB .
The downstream Signal to Noise Ratio must be 23.5 dB or higher, and should ideally be 30 dB or higher. The lower ratio the more noise and the poorer the performance. The Cable Modem will have to keep requesting retransmissions of packets with uncorrectable errors.
reference: same link as above
feedback form
feedback form
by redxii |
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Mediacom currently offers their high speed internet access in the following areas:
•Brewton, AL •Huntsville, AL •Mobile, AL •Apache Junction, AZ•Clearlake, CA •Ridgecrest, CA •Sun City, CA •Dagsboro, DE •Gulf Breeze, FL•Milton, FL •Columbus, GA•Fitzgerald, GA •Ames, IA•Burlington, IA•Cedar Falls, IA•Cedar Rapids, IA•Davenport, IA•Des Moines, IA•Dubuque, IA•Iowa City, IA
| •Marshalltown, IA•Mason City, IA•Spencer, IA•Waterloo, IA•Chillicothe, IL•Clinton, IL•Jacksonville, IL•Mineral, IL•Moline, IL•Muscatine, IA•Rock Island, IL•Auburn, IN •Kendallville, IN •Knox, IN•Burlington, KS•Osage City, KS•Marshall-Calloway County, KY•Summershade, KY•Cloquet & Proctor, MN
| •Eveleth, MN•Hutchinson, MN •Litchfield, MN•Mound, MN•Pipestone, MN •Prior Lake, MN•Savage, MN•St. Peter, MN•Waseca, MN•Columbia, MO•Excelsior Springs, MO •Jefferson City, MO•Springfield, MO•Edenton, NC•Franklin/Sylva, NC •Hendersonville, NC •Brookings, SD •Vermillion, SD•Yankton, SD
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reference
feedback form
feedback form
by redxii
last modified: 2002-03-12 20:15:21 |
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You can find the local home page for your community @ Mediacom OnLine.com.
feedback form
feedback form
by redxii |
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Mediacom's Online Accepted Use Policy (AUP) can be here. Please review it you have any questions, like if you can run a server, etc.
feedback form
feedback form
by redxii edited by wafen
last modified: 2009-10-25 08:29:15 |
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Please use the following steps to configure Netscape for Newsgroups:•Open Netscape Messenger
•Click the NEWSGROUP icon in the Component bar
•Click EDIT
•A new menu drops
•Choose PREFERENCES
•The Preferences box appears
•Double-click MAIL & NEWSGROUPS
•A new list displays
•Select NEWSGROUP SERVERS
•Locate the Newsgroup Servers list
•Verify that NEWS appears as a choice
•If it does not appear, click ADD
•Enter mail.mchsi.com
•Locate the field labeled: PORT
•Find the field labeled: SECURE
•Verify that it is NOT CHECKED
•Click OK
Please use the following steps to configure Outlook Express for newsgroups:
•Open Outlook Express
•Click TOOLS
•A new menu appears
•Choose ACCOUNTS
•The Internet Accounts box opens
•Select the NEWS tab
•New options appear
•Click PROPERTIES
•Click the SERVER tab
•Verify that netnews.attbi.com appears as the name of your server
•If it is not listed, add it
•Click OK until you return to the browser window
Source/Reference
feedback form
feedback form
by redxii
last modified: 2005-11-07 01:07:08 |
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For many online problems such as intermittent connectivity, slow speeds, etc. and most cable tv problems, you will need to contact Mediacom for support.
You can either send them an e-mail from
»www.mediacomcc.com/contactus.php
If you wish to contact a representative of Mediacom via phone, please refer to this site:
»www.mediacomcc.com/findlocal.html
For help with settings for e-mail and browsers use the support tools at »www.mchsi.com/
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By: lsvl - »How to contact a Mediacom office for support
feedback form
feedback form
by drake edited by redxii
last modified: 2004-05-21 22:13:02 |
1.1 General Questions about Cable Modems·How does a Cable Modem work?
·What is DOCSIS and what does it mean?
·What are the advantages of using a cable modem to access the Internet?
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Cable Modem Termination SystemThe CMTS provides, at the cable-provider's head-end, many of the same functions provided by the DSLAM in a DSL system. The CMTS takes the traffic coming in from a group of customers on a single channel and routes it to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) for connection to the Internet. At the head-end, the cable providers will have, or lease space for a third-party ISP to have, servers for accounting and logging, dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) for assigning and administering the IP addresses of all the cable system's users, and control servers for a protocol called Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications (DOCSIS), the major standard used by U.S. cable systems in providing Internet access to users.
The downstream information flows to all connected users, just like an Ethernet network -- it's up to the individual network connection to decide whether a particular block of data is intended for it, or not. On the upstream side, information is sent from the user to the CMTS -- other users don't see that data at all. The narrower upstream bandwidth is divided into slices of time, measured in milliseconds, in which users can transmit one "burst" at a time to the Internet. The division by time works well for the very short commands, queries and addresses that form the bulk of most users' traffic back to the Internet.
A CMTS will enable as many as 1,000 users to connect to the Internet through a single 6 MHz channel. Since a single channel is capable of 30-40 megabits per second of total throughput, this means that users may see far better performance than is available with standard dial-up modems. The single channel aspect, though, can also lead to one of the issues some users experience with cable modems.
If you are one of the first users to connect to the Internet through a particular cable channel, then you may have nearly the entire bandwidth of the channel available for your use. As new users, especially heavy-access users, are connected to the channel, you will have to share that bandwidth, and may see your performance degrade as a result. It is possible that, in times of heavy usage with many connected users, performance will be far below the theoretical maximums. The good news is that this particular performance issue can be resolved by the cable company adding a new channel, and splitting the base of users.
reference
feedback form
feedback form
by redxii |
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A It is an acronym for "Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification" - an industry standard that nearly all cable companies are adopting as they upgrade their systems. Being DOCSIS - compliant means your Cable Modem will work with virtually all upgraded cable systems in North America, should you ever decide to move.
feedback form
feedback form
by Santa Fe |
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A cable modem will provide you with rapid download transmission speeds. Downloading a file that would take one-half hour using a telephone modem connection will take only a few minutes with a cable modem connection.
A cable modem provides a continual connection to the Internet. Two-way cable modems do not require the use of a telephone line.
Your service will not be interrupted or receive external static since the outer layer of the cable line will not allow any noise to enter the transmission line.
As a high-speed medium, you will be able to view many different multimedia presentations---"live" or streamed---such as concerts, movies, etc.
feedback form
feedback form
by redxii |
2. Hardware Issues/Setup·What is a NIC?
·What is an IRQ?
·What Do I Do if I Have an Interrupt Request (IRQ) Conflict?
·Downloads for NIC Drivers
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A Network Interface Card, often abbreviated as NIC, is an expansion board you insert into a computer so the computer can be connected to a network. Most NICs are designed for a particular type of network, protocol, and media, although some can serve multiple networks. To be connected to the AT&T Broadband network your computer must have a NIC or a USB adapter.
feedback form
feedback form
by redxii |
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Abbreviation of interrupt request line, and pronounced I-R-Q. IRQs are hardware lines over which devices can send interrupt signals to the microprocessor. When you add a new device to a PC, an IRQ is usually assigned to the new device automatically; however, sometimes you may need to set its IRQ number manually. Setting an IRQ manually specifies which interrupt line the device may use. IRQ conflicts used to be a common problem when adding expansion boards, but the "Plug-and-Play" specification has removed this headache in most cases.
feedback form
feedback form
by redxii |
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An IRQ is basically a work order sent by a peripheral device to the microprocessor in a computer. A processor will interrupt the task it is performing and execute the new instruction provided by the IRQ. When the new instructions have been completed, the processor returns to its prior task.
An IRQ conflict occurs when two devices have been assigned to the same IRQ. Since multiple signals to the computer on the same interrupt line might not be understood by the computer, a unique value must be specified for each device
and its path to the computer. Please note that some peripherals can share the same interrupt, but many cannot.
To determine the particular IRQ
conflict you have on your PC:•Close or minimize all applications so you can access your desktop
•Right-click on the My Computer Icon
•Select PROPERTIES
•The System Properties window will appear
•Select the Device Manager tab
•Highlight computer by clicking on it once
•Select PROPERTIES
•A new window will appear
•Verify that you are working in the View Resources tab
•Put a dot in the radio button next to INTERRUPT REQUEST (IRQ)
•A list of numbers, 00 through 15, will appear with each number having either a designated hardware component using the corresponding setting or an available status
•Write down the listed IRQs and memory addresses in use by your system (you'll then be able to use this information to determine what IRQs and memory addresses are available if a conflict exists)
•Click OK to return to the Device Manager tab
•Verify that the radio button is selected next to View Devices by Type
•If your system has an IRQ conflict, the Device Manager will highlight the device with a conflict with an exclamation point inside of a yellow circle (to see each device listing, you may need to expand each device section under the COMPUTER heading by clicking once on the plus (+) sign next to the device name)
•If an exclamation point inside of a yellow circle appears next to any device, you may access more information about the conflict by highlighting the malfunctioning device and clicking the PROPERTIES button
•Once in the Properties window, click the RESOURCES tab
•The Resources tab provides resource settings and a conflicting device list which may help resolve the IRQ conflict
If you have identified
an IRQ conflict, you may want to consider one of the following actions:•If the IRQ conflict involves your Mediacom Broadband-supported NIC or resulted from the installation of the Mediacom Broadband software, please send Mediacom an e-mail. Have your IRQ list available so the customer care specialist can promptly assist you.
•Contact the manufacturer of the hardware component that has an IRQ conflict
or is not responding for technical support with their product.
Source/Reference
feedback form
feedback form
by redxii |
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A NIC (Network Interface Card) is defined as an expansion board you insert into a computer so the computer can be connected to a network. Most NICs are designed for a particular type of network, protocol, and media, although some can serve multiple networks.
Downloads for your NIC driver can be found at Mediacom's Software Center
feedback form
feedback form
by redxii
last modified: 2002-03-07 20:59:42 |
2.1 Modems·Which Modems Are Supported By Mediacom Online?
·How do I set up my service for DHCP?
·If You Have Purchased Your Own Modem
·If You Lease / Rent A Modem From Mediacom
·How to add a new modem
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Below is a list of Mediacom Online approved cable modems:
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Instructions on how to set up your DHCP can be found here.
feedback form
feedback form
by redxii |
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If you have purchased your own modem for Mediacom Online, then review their FAQ on it.
feedback form
feedback form
by redxii
last modified: 2002-03-15 21:36:51 |
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If you have leased or rented a modem from Mediacom Online, the review their FAQ on it.
feedback form
feedback form
by redxii |
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I was adding a new cable modem for my mediacom account and was having trouble. So I emailed a very nice mediacom rep and this is his response and what you need to do to get your new modem online.
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When you hook up a new modem to our cable line, our provisioning system will show it is unregistered and should kick you to our “Walled Garden” site to take it through registration. If this doesn’t happen automatically, you can go to »walledgarden.mchsd.com
The information you will need is the account number, as found on your Mediacom bill, it is a 16 digit number that starts with 8383. You will also need a registration code, which is usually the last 9 digits of your account number. However certain events can change this registration code, so if the site fails to recognize it, you will need to give us a call. It may also ask for the cable modem’s mac address which can be found on the modem itself.
Mark R
Mediacom Internet Support Representative
877.387.8087
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I looked everywhere for this information before I emailed this guy and couldn't find it, so I thought I should share it with the next poor guy.
Good luck and thanks for the great site.
cnsrol
feedback form
feedback form
by wafen
last modified: 2009-03-06 11:27:28 |
3. Software Issues/Setup·Connectivity lost when installing America OnLine 6.0/7.0
·What are some of the Settings I need to know to set up E-Mail, newsgroups, ect.?
·How do I uninstall the @Home software?
·Internet Explorer and Netscape FAQs
·How To Modify Your IE Security Settings
·How do I change my RWIN value in Linux?
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Some Mediacom Online customers have experienced network connectivity issues immediately after upgrading from America Online (AOL) version 5.0 to version 6.0 or 7.0. These problems are related to changes in the personal computer software that take place as part of the standard AOL installation process.
If you experience a loss of network connectivity immediately after installing AOL 6.0 or 7.0 and restarting your computer, please contact AOL at (888) 865-3680. AOL has developed a solution for this connectivity problem.
reference
feedback form
feedback form
by redxii
last modified: 2002-03-07 20:59:32 |
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E-Mail Settings:
POP:
mail.mchsi.com
SMTP:
mail.mchsi.com
Newsgroup:
netnews.mchsi.com
Personal Pages:
username.home.mchsi.com
FTP:
»ftp://upload.mchsi.com
Webmail:
»https://
commcenter.mchsi.com
feedback form
feedback form
by Santa Fe edited by redxii
last modified: 2002-03-09 02:08:54 |
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To uninstall @Home on a PC:
To uninstall @Home on a Mac:
Source/Reference
feedback form
feedback form
by redxii
last modified: 2002-03-17 21:58:05 |
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Mediacom offers FAQs for Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator.
Internet Explorer
Netscape Navigator
feedback form
feedback form
by redxii |
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How To Modify Your IE Security Settings
After reading how Cox internet, AOL and Netscape (and probably other services) all can insert themselves into your "local" security zone in Internet Explorer (thus bypassing your Internet security settings), you might be wondering if you can fix this if you find it has happened to you.
Here are some steps you can preform to repair the damage.
First, copy the current settings: Either make a full system backup, or simply write down whatever you see in the Local Intranet or Trusted Zone dialogs, including anything on "advanced" and "custom" tabs. Then simply highlight and delete the entries you don't want in those zones. By removing web sites from the Local Intranet or Trusted areas, you'll automatically be restoring them to the normal Internet Zone.
Next, reboot and try accessing web sites, especially any from the areas you just removed. If your Internet connection works--- and odds are it will--- you're all set. But if something isn't working, use your backup
or your notes to recreate the settings the way they were before.
Alternatively, you can restore the settings with greater security:
Recreate the Local or Trusted zone entries, but then use the "custom" tab to ratchet up the security levels for various browser actions. If you're unsure what a given action is or what it does, change the action's security setting to "prompt." That way, you'll be asked (via a dialog box) if your browser tries to take whatever action(s) you've set to "prompt." Over time, you can get a feel for what's going on; and can figure out what's OK to "enable" and what you may wish to permanently "disable."
If all this made your eyes glaze over, just do the first step: Make a backup or written copy of whatever's in your Local or Trusted zones, and then delete the items there. Chances are, everything will still work, but you'll be safer. And you'll still be able to restore what you deleted, should you need to in the future.
Source/Reference: A post by Santa Fe
feedback form
feedback form
by redxii |
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Let's say you wish to change your RWIN value to upgrade your Cable performance, and your running Linux. To find out how to change it, you can visit Here for information on how to change RWIN.
feedback form
feedback form
by Santa Fe |
3.1 Security·Do I need an Anti-Virus program?
·What is a virus?
·Can I get a free anti-virus program?
·Do I need a firewall?
·What is a firewall?
·I am using a broadband router. Do I still need firewall software?
·Can I get a free firewall?
·Mediacom Security Suite
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Yes! Even such a simple virus is dangerous because it will quickly use all available memory and bring the system to a halt.
feedback form
feedback form
by redxii
last modified: 2002-03-17 21:57:19 |
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A virus is a program or piece of code that is loaded onto your computer without your knowledge and runs against your wishes. Viruses can also replicate themselves. All computer viruses are manmade. A simple virus that can make a copy of itself over and over again is relatively easy to produce. Even such a simple virus is dangerous because it will quickly use all available memory and bring the system to a halt. An even more dangerous type of virus is one capable of transmitting itself across networks and bypassing security systems.
Some people distinguish between general viruses and worms. A worm is a special type of virus that can replicate itself and use memory, but cannot attach itself to other programs.
Source/Reference
feedback form
feedback form
by redxii |
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Yes. There are several effective anti-virus programs on the internet.
Recommended free anti-virus programs:
AVG 6.0 - GriSoft
Mediacom also offers a free security suite to Mediacom customers.
Find out how to get it here: »Security Suite for Mediacom customers
feedback form
feedback form
by redxii edited by wafen
last modified: 2006-09-24 20:28:49 |
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Yes! You are susceptible to attacks whenever you are connected. Fast connections make attacks on your system very efficient. An attacker can try many different attacks in a short amount of time. The always on nature of high speed Internet access with technologies like DSL or Cable modems make you a very convenient target.
feedback form
feedback form
by redxii |
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A system designed to prevent unauthorized to or from a private network. Firewalls can be implemented in both hardware and software, or a combination of both. Firewalls are frequently used to prevent unauthorized Internet users from accessing private networks connected to the Internet, especially intranets
Source/Reference
feedback form
feedback form
by redxii |
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A firewall is still recommended, even if you use a broadband router. Most broadband routers provide a form of firewall protection from unwanted incoming traffic through the very mechanism it uses to share the internet connection. However, most do not contain a "traditional" firewall and do not block any outgoing traffic. This still makes you vulnerable to trojan or malicious "phone home" programs.
feedback form
feedback form
by redxii |
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Yes. There are several effective firewalls on the internet.
Recommended free firewalls:
ZoneAlarm
Tiny Personal Firewall
Kerio Personal Firewall
feedback form
feedback form
by redxii |
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Mediacom also offers a free security suite to Mediacom customers.
Find out how to get it here: »Security Suite for Mediacom customers
feedback form
feedback form
by wafen
last modified: 2006-09-24 20:35:15 |
4. Networking and Sharing·Can I host a server with my connection?
·Will Mediacom Support a Network in My Home?
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Mediacom does not allow servers (http, ftp, 24/7 games) to be connected to the cable modem. This means that no computer in a personal network can be used as a server.
Can you play multiplayer online games? Yes, you can, but hosting a game 24/7 are not allowed by most ISPs and eventually may complain about your bandwidth usage.
feedback form
feedback form
by redxii
last modified: 2002-03-14 20:29:42 |
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Mediacom does not install Home Networking Solutions at this time and does not offer technical support for configuring your hardware or software for a Home Networking Solution. Mediacom's Customer Care team will provide technical support for issues related to your additional computer access as long as the computer in question is not connected to home networking equipment through a hub, switch or wireless access point. In order to troubleshoot, a Customer Care specialist may ask you to disconnect any additional computers from your network and verify that your primary computer is attached directly to the cable modem.
Source/Reference
feedback form
feedback form
by redxii |
5. Troubleshooting·Customer Service telephone numbers
·Connectivity problems
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If you need to call Mediacom for Customer Services/Repairs/Sales, telephone numbers are listed in the Service Areas maps.
feedback form
feedback form
by redxii
last modified: 2004-01-29 17:27:29 |
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If you launch your browser and cannot reach any Web site on the Internet, these troubleshooting guides will help you resolve the problem. It will provide you with instructions on how to troubleshoot your cable modem, network settings and software configuration.
Windows Connectivity Problems
Windows 2000 Connectivity Problems
Macintosh Connectivity Problems
feedback form
feedback form
by redxii
last modified: 2002-03-09 20:29:05 |
