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CAL1228
@insightbb.com
| [Connectivity] Moving Insight cable modem temporarily I have a somewhat unique question that I'm hoping someone here can help with.
I live in Springfield, IL, and have InsightBB 15.0 service. I am training for a new job and will be staying with family in Decatur, IL, for approximately 6 weeks
My family in Decatur has Insight cable TV service, but no computer or Internet. If I take my cable modem with me to Decatur and connect it to their cable (Insight) line, is there a possibility that I will be able to connect to the Internet via my own Insight account?
I tried calling my local Insight office and I was basically given the run-around about this. At first they said it would work, then I was placed on hold and subsequently was told that I would first have to pay an installation charge (what installation would be necessary?!) and also have the account billed to my mother's account for the next 6 weeks. I'm not interested in this option, especially because of the installation charge.
What are the odds that I will be able to just plug in the cable modem and have it work in that location? It should still be provisioned for Insight's network, correct? Insight's server should recognize the MAC address of my modem.
I am tempted to just pack up my modem and computer and take it over to Decatur, but I don't want to go to the trouble if it will definitely not work. Anyone have an opinion about this? | |
|  iamcool2
join:2006-05-12
Carmel, IN | Re: [Connectivity] Moving Insight cable modem temporarily I've Heard of people doing it with places that are on the same head-end so it might work.
Insight is probably just trying to get some money out of you by telling you it wont work. | |
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CAL1228
@insightbb.com
| Re: [Connectivity] Moving Insight cable modem temporarily Actually, maybe that has changed (re: headend). I haven't had cable TV for some time, so maybe they have consolidated and the channels are now the same. They are actually on the *same* headend according to this post:
»[CATV] Local HD channels
I may just take it over and see if it will work straight "out-of-the-box," so to speak. It'll just be a bit annoying to go to the effort to pack everything up and move it, if it doesn't. At times like these I wish I had a laptop.  | |
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CAL1228
@insightbb.com
| That's kind of how I felt, that I was being given a bit of a run-around. They want to charge me a one-time charge of $40 to install it at my mom's address, and send a technician out to do the install. Even if the modem DOES have to be re-provisioned for the Decatur location, that would be a matter of pressing a few keys on a keyboard at InsightBB, and would not necessitate someone coming out to "install" anything. I tried to explain that to the Insight CS rep that I was talking to, but she didn't get it.
Decatur is only 45 miles or so away from Springfield, where I'm moving the modem from. How would I know whether they are on the same headend? I know that the local (basic) cable channels, although they are the same exact channels, are on slightly different channel numbers in the 2 locations. | |
| | dishrich
join:2006-05-12
Springfield, IL
2 edits | Re: [Connectivity] Moving Insight cable modem temporarily said by CAL1228 :
would not necessitate someone coming out to "install" anything. Well that's partially true - some subscribers have high-pass filters on their cable drops, that block the return path on that cable line IF they were analog cable only subs. If you try hooking up a cable modem (or a digital set-top) it will not be able to send info back to the headend & therefore will not work. (the trap is on the connector at the tap & is about an inch long)
Insight quit putting these on newer customer drops altogether, but many existing analog only subs still have them. This is partly why Insight INSISTS on doing modem/digital cable installs themselves, in case they have to remove these traps. I should also tell you that Insight ALSO used to put these traps INSIDE the house, on ports of the splitter(s) that were NOT connected to a modem/digital box. Does your family in Decatur have a digital cable box - if they do, then they will not have one of these traps in their line, but could have them on other analog-only outlets.
As you said, just try it & see if the modem comes up over there - if not, you could always see if you can find someone to "remove the high-pass trap". | |
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CAL1228
@insightbb.com
| Re: [Connectivity] Moving Insight cable modem temporarily Thanks for that detailed reply. That information is very helpful.
(1) My family in Decatur has analog-only cable services. They used to have extended basic service (all of the non-digital non-premium channels), but have only had analog basic cable for about the last year or so. AFAIK, they have *never* had a digital box on that line.
(2) When they switched from the extended basic to the basic service, a technician came out and placed a filter (copper in color, about an inch or so long) on their line, directly on the outside of the house, right where the cable comes in. It seems like this is the only thing that's keeping them from getting the rest of the analog channels, and I've contemplated just going out and taking off that filter before, but haven't done so.
Not sure why they'd be placing the filter on the line on the house instead of up on a pole somewhere, but if this is the case, is it likely that that is the only filter on the line (the one on the side of the house where the cable comes in)? | |
| | | | dishrich
join:2006-05-12
Springfield, IL
1 edit | Re: [Connectivity] Moving Insight cable modem temporarily said by CAL1228 :
Not sure why they'd be placing the filter on the line on the house instead of up on a pole somewhere, but if this is the case, is it likely that that is the only filter on the line (the one on the side of the house where the cable comes in)?
Obviously the cable tech "de jour" didn't feel like climbing their pole or unlocking their backyard pedestal to put the trap in the proper location. But you should be aware that that trap alone might also block cable modem service, since some of the older traps Insight used simply cut everything off above ch 23 - the new ones for basic ONLY block 23 thru 68, so as to not cause modem problems for basic-only, cable modem subs. Can they get ch 71 or 72 on their TV's - if they cannot, then your modem will not work with this trap in the line, either.
BUT, do NOT assume the filter I was speaking of is NOT on their line as well - you need to look up on the pole or in the pedestal to verify this. But since you tell me they have NEVER had a digital box, it's very likely they DO have one of the high-pass filters in their line I spoke about.
(If somehow the expanded basic trap was to "disappear", serves them right for being so lazy in putting it on the house) | |
| 
DapperDan
join:2006-05-08
Noblesville, IN
| My vote is it won't work. I've changed my modem before and the 'head-end' has to have the mac of the modem. I had to call the tech support folks and get the new mac in the database. I think there is a page on insight's web site to do this yourself (don't remember what it is), but if your account is in a different town, I don't think they'll go for it. The installation charge would be for them building the account.
Of course I could be wrong!  Try it.... let us know.
--
Motorola SB5120
Linksys WRT54GL
w/dd-wrt v23 | |
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CAL1228
@insightbb.com
| Re: [Connectivity] Moving Insight cable modem temporarily said by DapperDan  :I've changed my modem before and the 'head-end' has to have the mac of the modem. The consensus, by searching the forums here, seems to be that Decatur and Springfield *do* share the same headend, so it seems that they would have my MAC address already in their database. I'm leaning towards trying it. It's a minor hassle to move everything and hook it all up, but it'll be worth it if it does work. | |
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Greg_Z
Premium
join:2001-08-08
Springfield, IL | Re: [Connectivity] Moving Insight cable modem temporarily Decatur & Springfield may share a Headend, but you will find that it will not work. Decatur is only 45 min's away at the most (Forsyth), so why not just commute back and forth. If not wanting, there is Wireless available at various places. | |
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Just a guy
@insightbb.com
| Re: [Connectivity] Moving Insight cable modem temporarily I think that it would work as long as there is not a trap in the line. However you said that they only had analog service only. Decatur and Springfield do share the same headend from what I know, and I actually have a friend from Springfield who also has a place in Lexington that takes modems back and forth and it would work fine. | |
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Greg_Z
Premium
join:2001-08-08
Springfield, IL | Re: [Connectivity] Moving Insight cable modem temporarily Only works, until Insight finds a Foreign device on that customer's line that does not have the service. | |
| | | | | | dishrich
join:2006-05-12
Springfield, IL
1 edit | Re: [Connectivity] Moving Insight cable modem temporarily said by Greg_Z :Only works, until Insight finds a Foreign device on that customer's line that does not have the service. And the only way that'll happen is if a tech makes a prem visit & actually tests THAT same person's line, which is HIGHLY unlikely - about as likely as them catching a person taking a digital box to another house that doesn't sub to digital service...  | |
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Greg_Z
Premium
join:2001-08-08
Springfield, IL
 ·Comcast
1 edit | Re: [Connectivity] Moving Insight cable modem temporarily Customer: "I am having problems getting online."
Tech: "Can you please confirm that your modem is turned on and connected."
Customer: "I have it hooked to the cable line and on."
Tech: "I do not see the modem on the system, from the MAC that we have assigned to your account. Are you at 123 Main St. in Springfield?"
Customer: "No, I am at 123 Main st. in Decatur, IL."
Tech: "I'm sorry, but that address does not have Broadband service, and we can no longer help you, unless you are willing to pay for Broadband service at that address."
Works the same for the Digital Subscriber boxes. | |
| | | | | | | | dishrich
join:2006-05-12
Springfield, IL
4 edits | Re: [Connectivity] Moving Insight cable modem temporarily Gee, but in ALL the cases that I've called tech support for connection problems, they have NEVER asked if I'm at my address.
AND, I suppose most people (including the OP here) that would attempt this, would be smart enough to give the address where Insight "shows" the box/modem at - NOT where it's REALLY at. Or, in the case of a digital box, take it back to the addy where Insight "thinks" it normally is to be replaced. So what you're REALLY saying is the way "Insight finds a Foreign device on that customer's line that does not have the service", is if the sub gives this fact away - uh, OK...
It's about like my satellite service that has a physical address to get Chicago locals - you surely don't think I give them my SPFLD address when I call up.
As I said, short of a prem visit or I guess as you pointed out, the sub is dumb enough to reveal this, Insight AIN'T gonna catch this otherwise - not exactly rocket science here dude... | |
| RCWings
join:2007-06-29
Carrollton, KY | Have you tried it yet Cal? I am curious to know if it worked. | |
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CAL1228
@insightbb.com
| Re: [Connectivity] Moving Insight cable modem temporarily I did try it, and it didn't work.
I'll backtrack a bit. First, I did remove the "basic cable" filter which was on the house itself. This opened up all analog channels.
As for the cable modem, the problem did indeed seem to be that my modem cannot "send" any data to Insight. A few diagnostics run on the modem while connected reveal that it can "see" Insight's TFTP server, but cannot send any information, only receive.
Since there has NEVER been digital service at that address (my family has lived there for over 25 years), it seems likely that there is a filter at the tap that is blocking upstream traffic. I would love to be able to remove that filter and see whether I could then get online, but I'm not about to climb the pole. :P
To the person who asked me "Why don't I just commute," the main reason is the price of gas, and the fact that I'm not making my full salary while in training, so money is tight. I am training in Champaign, so I'm staying with my mom in Decatur until I'm finished with training. This saves about 100 miles (round-trip) from my commute every day.
And wireless is not really an option for me, as I don't have a laptop. I have a very nice desktop system, but it's not particularly portable -- it's not as if I can pack it all up in my car and unpack it and set it up at the local Starbucks. | |
| | | indy0365
join:2001-08-25
Franklin, IN
1 edit | Re: [Connectivity] Moving Insight cable modem temporarily And wireless is not really an option for me, as I don't have a laptop
laptop who needs a stinking laptop
google
PCMCIA to PCI Adapter Card
then check your cell phone companies data plans sprint. verzion
if you got a good singnal and tower nearby might be workable uses evdo
»www.evdoinfo.com/content/view/37/61/ | |
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FormerCableTech
@insightbb.com
| Yes, your modem would normally work if the two cities shared the same head-end. But one other thing that might hinder you from getting your modem to work is that the return signal on the line your relatives are connected may not be working if other subscribers on the same line don't have cable internet and have never had it. It just may be that Insight has not installed all of the equipment. You can check with others in the area and see if they have Insight broadband. This will tell you if the service is working in that area. Good Luck | |
| | | | dishrich
join:2006-05-12
Springfield, IL
| Re: [Connectivity] Moving Insight cable modem temporarily said by FormerCableTech :
You can check with others in the area and see if they have Insight broadband.
What about if anyone has a digital box, since they TOO use the same return path? | |
| | | dishrich
join:2006-05-12
Springfield, IL
| said by CAL1228 :
Since there has NEVER been digital service at that address (my family has lived there for over 25 years), it seems likely that there is a filter at the tap that is blocking upstream traffic. I would love to be able to remove that filter and see whether I could then get online, but I'm not about to climb the pole. OK, do this - have your family get a digital box (tell Insight for the music channels, since it comes free w/any digital box rental) & when Insight comes out to install it, they'll HAVE to remove the high-pass filter (upstream trap) to enable the box to work. Then try your modem & it should work.
Have them take the box back to the Insight office a couple months later & the modem will still work, since Insight no longer installs those filters at all. | |
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