kevinf1990
join:2003-08-02
Diamond Bar, CA
| thinking about buying own cable modem
roadrunner has just switched my cable modem from the blue (slanted shape) one (forgot the brand), to the RCA one that includes a router. is the rca one any good. i am thinking about buying my own cable modem from Motorola. how easy is it to switch cable modems. will they let me and what is the process |
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MacLeech
The one and only
Premium
join:2001-07-14
SoCal
| The router/modem TWC supplies usually requires a home networking charge, that can be taken off if you turn in the TWC router/modem.
You could just get your own router and use a regular TWC modem. The modem alone doesn't have any extra charges.
IF you do buy your own modem, call in the MAC address to TWC tech support, then turn in the rented one.
The blue slanted shape was a Terayon modem. RCA modems are fine especially their newer ones (grey/blue). |
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kevinf1990
join:2003-08-02
Diamond Bar, CA | thanks where would i turn it in and what is the number. are they usually ok with us buying our own modems or do they usually try to pursuade us to stay with the TW one |
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MacLeech
The one and only
Premium
join:2001-07-14
SoCal
1 edit | said by kevinf1990  :thanks where would i turn it in and what is the number. are they usually ok with us buying our own modems or do they usually try to pursuade us to stay with the TW one Try this site:
»www.timewarnercable.com/SoCal/cu···ntactus/
Looks like you could return the modem here:
21660 Copley Drive, Suite 195
Diamond Bar, CA
91765
Having your own is fine, there just aren't many upsides to it if you have issues with the modem. IF you use the TWC supplied modem, they'll swap it if there are problems with it. |
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kevinf1990
join:2003-08-02
Diamond Bar, CA | yeah i've been to the site but it didn't give me any number to call to report my mac address though. would they try to tell me not to get my own. |
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MacLeech
The one and only
Premium
join:2001-07-14
SoCal
| said by kevinf1990 :yeah i've been to the site but it didn't give me any number to call to report my mac address though. would they try to tell me not to get my own. Top of the page:
Call us 24/7 1-888-TW-CABLE
Will the tell you not to get your own? I don't know... probably not, but it depends on who you talk to. |
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kevinf1990
join:2003-08-02
Diamond Bar, CA | ok thanks. what is the best, most reliable and cheapest motorola modem that i should buy |
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MacLeech
The one and only
Premium
join:2001-07-14
SoCal
| One of the 51xx series.
Like these:
»www.walmart.com/catalog/product.···=4066723
»www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp···43113583
»www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Motorola···etail.do |
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kevinf1990
join:2003-08-02
Diamond Bar, CA | reply to kevinf1990
thanks for the suggestion what is the main difference between the 5120 and the 5101. why is the 5120 cheaper. |
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MacLeech
The one and only
Premium
join:2001-07-14
SoCal
| The difference is a different chipset in the modem.
Early in the release of the 5120 some people had problems with them because of the different chipset and some firmware issues. It's been fixed for a while though and they seem to work fine these days.
The 5120 may cost less because of the chipset being lower cost or because of the demand for the 5101 since it has a reputation of being more reliable for the reasons listed above. |
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kevinf1990
join:2003-08-02
Diamond Bar, CA | so the 5101 is newer? thanks, i was just confused and always thought that the greater the (model) number is the newer it is |
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MacLeech
The one and only
Premium
join:2001-07-14
SoCal
1 edit | said by kevinf1990 :so the 5101 is newer? thanks, i was just confused and always thought that the greater the (model) number is the newer it is Usually yes the higher model numbers are newer.
The 5120 is newer then the 5100 or 5101, but it's chipset came from a different vendor than either the 5100 or 5101 which is where the firmware issues came into play. New chipset, new vendor, new firmware, new problems... again they seem to have been resolved. |
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kevinf1990
join:2003-08-02
Diamond Bar, CA | but in this case the 5101 is newer, better, and more reliable? thank you for your help. looks like i will be buying the 5101 |
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MacLeech
The one and only
Premium
join:2001-07-14
SoCal
| said by kevinf1990 :but in this case the 5101 is newer, better, and more reliable? thank you for your help. looks like i will be buying the 5101 No matter which moto 51xx you buy, they'll all serve equally well. |
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kevinf1990
join:2003-08-02
Diamond Bar, CA | so it looks like i should just buy which ever one is cheaper. are firmwares on the modems upgradeable like the routers |
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MacLeech
The one and only
Premium
join:2001-07-14
SoCal | The firmware is upgradable by the cable providers only. |
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maartena
Stacked.
Premium
join:2002-05-10
Orange, CA
 ·RoadRunner Cable
| reply to kevinf1990
Why waste your money. You won't get a better speed with a cable modem that you own, and SoCal TWC doesn't give you a discount if you have your own modem. I'd rather just have them supply me one.
--
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -
Benjamin Franklin, Founding Father. |
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kevinf1990
join:2003-08-02
Diamond Bar, CA | i don't know. why do people always report faster speed with their own cable modems in product reviews though |
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MacLeech
The one and only
Premium
join:2001-07-14
SoCal
1 edit | said by kevinf1990 :i don't know. why do people always report faster speed with their own cable modems in product reviews though They don't. Much of the time the model of modem they get is the exact same model TWC issues, such as the Moto 5101 or 5120.
There is no real upside to getting your own modem. It doesn't save any money and YOU have to replace it if it breaks or becomes incompatible with the cable network for some reason. |
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