stardotstar
join:2000-12-13
Barker, TX
| Which Modem to get to replace older speedstream
In trouble shooting my email issues, the tech said he noted I had an old speedstream 5660. He said the latest that would show me some improvement was a Motorola 2210. Although I was a legacy customer, he could not offer me a modem.
I see a lot of these on eBay, is there a reason why? Are they junk? Should I buy something else?
Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks |
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d_l
Barsoom
Premium,MVM
join:2002-12-08
Reno, NV
| If you have a choice between 2210 or a Speedstream 4100b, 4100, or 5100b, avoid the 2210 and pick up one of the Speedstreams. They may be getting near the end of their lives if they have been used all this time, but many of the 2210 modems (especially the defective serial number batch of units) seem to die within a year or so of their initial use. A number of people feel the 2210 is junk. |
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stardotstar
join:2000-12-13
Barker, TX | Thanks for the information |
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daveinpoway
Premium
join:2006-07-03
Poway, CA
| The Netopia 3346N-002 is also a good modem. Because they have a lot of configuration options, they are not all that easy to set up. Once they are properly configured, they work very well.
There is also the Netopia 3347 (basically the 3346 with wireless added). |
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stardotstar
join:2000-12-13
Barker, TX | Thanks, if I buy a new one, do I notify ATT? |
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d_l
Barsoom
Premium,MVM
join:2002-12-08
Reno, NV
1 edit | reply to stardotstar
AT&T doesn't care which modem you use. If you use one that they don't support, they simply won't help you (answer questions about the modem) when you phone in for help. |
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stardotstar
join:2000-12-13
Barker, TX | Thanks |
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seh2000
@swbell.net
| reply to stardotstar
I purchased a 2-Wire Modem/wireless router from AT&T in early 2008 to replace my Speedstream 5360. It just went out last week and is out of warranty. I called AT&T and reminded them that the cable people give out free modems if one goes out, plus I have other choices. After 5 minutes of holding, the rep came back on the line and they are sending me a new one for free. Just a suggestion to try. |
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Friz
@swbell.net
| reply to stardotstar
I found a Zyxel 660HW modem/router at 3bTech for $30. Their t/s d/nt know nada. Zyxel about the same. I managed to get it on line from some info found on this website and some SWAG settings, but there are some settings I'm not clear on, and may be slowing it down.
Peak, system, max cell rate need to be set properly?
So far working good as a modem/router on AT&T 768K DSL, haven't set up the wireless yet. |
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psx_defector
join:2001-06-09
Allen, TX | You don't set the cell rate. Set it wrong and you will be stuck with a speed issue.
The auto provisioning utility in the Zyxel setup should be all you need to do. |
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friz
@onebane.com
| reply to stardotstar
I know that with the cell rate =0 like the default was, it didn't work at all. I set it to 1200, it connects and can browse.
Speed was 620K. With the Speedstream modem I could get 750K.
620 is better than nothing and paying $75 for the modem AT&T wants to sell you.
I couldn't make it run without encryption enabled but once I set the passwords on both ends, connected ok. |
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friz
join:2009-10-06
Houston, TX
| reply to stardotstar
OK, I got it nailed down now. Got the bugs out & ran speed tests.
I have been using the Zyxel 660HW DSL modem /wireless router for awhile, and works fine.
Only glitch: my Belkin Skype phone won't work with it, and Belkin is no help. Probably the Zyxel is an older model and doesn't have the software capability.
My local distributor had the Actiontec DSL modem /router on sale, so I got one and tried it. The setup went flawlessly (the DSL line was already in operation).
It is superior to the Speedstream or Motorola modem since it has the router function built in, albeit only one port. This is much better than the AT&T supplied ones, and cheaper. $75 vs $49. The Zyxel is cheaper, but is a little more cranky to setup, BUT it does have Wireless.
Ran the speed tests from DSLREPORTS and AT&T. Got pretty much identical numbers from both modems. Around 650-675 d/l,
300-360 u/l. |
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daveinpoway
Premium
join:2006-07-03
Poway, CA
| One problem that Actiontec has (although it may not affect you) is that if you set up OpenDNS on that unit, if the modem power is shut off and then turned on again, OpenDNS will no longer work. Apparently, pretty much all Actiontec DSL modems have this issue- seems to be some sort of firmware bug that they never fixed.
In my opinion, a SpeedStream 4100 or 4100 B or a Netopia, combined with a separate router, is a much better choice than an Actiontec. Others are welcome to disagree. |
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d_l
Barsoom
Premium,MVM
join:2002-12-08
Reno, NV
| reply to friz
I agree with daveinpoway, if you have the money, a separate modem to connect and a router to network is the best bet. From what we have seen the modem manufacturers don't make the best routers and the router manufacturers don't make the best modems (of course certain modem makers can't seem to either  )
BTW, there is a pretty complete router embedded in the Speedstreams below the SBC-AT&T neutering software. It can be accessed and used with effort. Pretty much all the generic 5200/4200 router commands are available on the AT&T-versioned 5100/4100s. |
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daveinpoway
Premium
join:2006-07-03
Poway, CA
1 edit | I know that there is some 4200 firmware (from Australia, as I recall) available on the Internet, but I have never tried installing it into an AT&T 4100 or 4100 B. Perhaps the modem would tell you this firmware is incompatible, perhaps the firmware would install and display the 4200 graphical interface, perhaps the modem would be ruined. No clue.
One way to save some money- use an older router that you have lying around or purchased from a thrift store, etc. Some decent routers have become obsolete now that cable Internet speeds have increased to 20+ Mbps. These routers are still good for 6 Mbps (or lower) ADSL connections. |
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easyed
join:2009-05-16
| A friend of mine was numb enough to assume he'll get better gaming speed from a D Link 504 T DSL modem router if he put some Australian firmware on. End result had him bricking it. In just about all cases, using firmware from other nations results in either bricking or it being unstable or lots slower. |
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