US Cable Support > Time Warner Internet Services > Does the leased SB6141 only get firmware updated?

reply to DrDrew

Re: Does the leased SB6141 only get firmware updated?

reply to RySean

No they just get it from the modem maker directly and then test it themselves for a few weeks or months to make sure it actually fixes known problems and doesn't cause any new ones.

ISPs like to push new firmware as little as possible because if it ain't broke don't mess with it. At most, you may see them push one update (or two if its a major emergency) a year. TWC didn't start pushing out 1.0.6.3 too long ago. Meanwhile Motorola pushes out a new one every 2-3 months which is way more frequent the any provider is willing to push them out. Newer doesn't always mean better.

reply to tonyram57

reply to DrDrew
I thought 1.0.6.3 was the ORIGINAL firmware that came from the factory on the SB 6141. You are saying that is not true? It is dated Aug 2011. So, did the modem come with that firmware or did TWC put that on it? I think it came with it because it was a brand new modem in its factory box with all the instructions etc in the box when Oceanic handed it to me at the office end of last Nov after they were out to upgrade me to DOCSIS 3 20/2 (can't use DOCSIS 2 modem on 20/2) and give me a new modem (which I didn't like..it was that surfboard gateway, wireless one so I exchanged it the next day).
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When governments fear people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny. Thomas Jefferson

For sure 6120s and 6121s didn't come with 1.0.6.3 and they've been updated. Older (May/June 2011) 6141 did not ship with 1.0.6.3, in fact 6141s originally shipped with 1.0.6.0, while more current black models have shipped with 1.0.6.3. Newer (white) 6141s seem to be shipping with an even newer firmware version then 1.0.6.3.

The age the modem was shipped by Moto certainly affects what firmware is on it. Seems they learned not to ship modems with old firmware so they don't get burned like the did with the 1.0.1.8 fiasco...

Don't worry though, Moto should have a newer version that no one has yet out by next month anyway.
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Two is one, one is none. If it's important, back it up... Somethimes 99.999% availability isn't even good enough.

Oceanic is currently only giving out the two Surfboards (the other is the gateway one the number I keep forgetting) for 20/2, 30/5 and 50/5 tiers so they likely would have current models. (I think they have a a different brand though if you also have TWC phone so you don't have to have two modems like for awhile but those without TWC phone are given one of two Surfboards).

They had a big stack of them all in factory boxes never used yet when I picked up this one...maybe they had just gotten a new shipment ...I was lucky to get a new modem not used by anyone.

Yes, I know Motorola seems to issue new firmware revisions VERY frequently. Indicates a lot of bugs to be issuing so frequent revisions.
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When governments fear people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny. Thomas Jefferson

reply to tonyram57
I should update my situation.

Long story short, I had an SB5101 that was great, bought a SB6141 for use on RR. It rebooted every 2-3 hours. Had a tech out, they replaced the coax to the pole. Same problem, although it did reboot a little less, like 4-8 hours. Bought another new SB6141, same problem.

Had a tech out this morning, he measured the signals, which were fine. I needed to call RR again to get my modem working, and they got me to a Level 3 guy. I again begged RR if they'd push new firmware, as I have the Aug 2011, and I know there's an Aug 2012 version. His response: They don't have the Aug 2012 version on their TWC network in my state.

So my SB6141 is using the same firmware everyone else is (in the state.) -- This eliminated the possibility that old firmware was causing the problems. (Well, of course the new firmware might fix it, but that's unknown.)

They are monitoring the modem now .. my guess is that I will be buying a 3rd modem and just go with an old DOCSIS 2 modem, as that SB5101 was solid as a rock.

reply to tonyram57
The SB5101 would have been a good modem for me if TWC did not keep changing the downstream and upstream channel all the time. The worse part was when they would change the upstream channel from 19,20 to 17,18 which caused very slow uploads after 11 pm at night.

I am returning the black SB6141 and just reactivated my SB5101U temporary until I get the white retail SB6141 from Newegg. I don't like the fact of having old firmware, TWC will not push the newer firmware and although I did not get any T4 errors if I decide to start getting them then I don't want the modem to keep rebooting. I like how the new firmware just drops the troubled channel.

Also I forgot with the August 2011 firmware when someone uploaded to SkyDrive it caused the wireless to drop packets on 5 Ghz (better on 2.4 Ghz & 5.8 Ghz) and the connection was a bit slow. I hope the new firmware fixed this.

reply to UKEE

If I Remember correctly

Hob

reply to tonyram57
You are right about it, I am on the black 6141 with the aug 2011 firmware and after modem is up for while it will always eventullay lose connection with t4 stuff, its quite sad twc who claim "enjoy better" but they wont bother updating firmware for modems they officially support? I hope there is a change in this plan soon.

If customer has to buy another modem of new date series just to have his firmware updated because their ISP will not do it even though modem manufacturer released firmware to fix issues that do affect customer then there is something wrong.

reply to RySean
Assuming you have some firmware load ready to go, the first step is to buy a CMTS. They aren't cheap. Then you need to provide all the "back end" services such as DHCP, TFTP, ToD, etc. Otherwise ya ain't doin' squat.

The only other way MIGHT be disassembly and attachment of a JTAG, if it even has one.

They are purposefully engineered this way so that customers cannot interfere with the operator's network (such as ignoring provisioning parameters and always using maximum possible speeds). The DOCSIS standard basically stipulates that all conforming (i.e., certified) devices can only be so manipulated through the operator's control. This would include firmware updates.

Consider also that unless the firmware load is built to ignore upgrade requests and can somehow fake the reporting of its firmware as being that which the operator is using currently, it would be reflashed anyway by the CMTS.
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English is a difficult enough language to interpret correctly when its rules are followed, let alone when a writer chooses not to follow those rules.

Jeopardy! replies and randomcaps REALLY suck!

I thought about doing the JTAG attachment, which would even allow me to use Haxorware. But I'd need to dedicate time and money to the project, which I can't do at the moment :-/ Sounds like a fun project though.

Got the white SB6141 today. No problem activating with Level 3. Except for the brighter blue lights (annoying blue blinking light I had to put black electric tape over as the white tape I could still see it) and the firmware version being 1.0.6.8 speeds are about the same. As long as TWC does not downgrade the firmware I should be fine.

So what problem, that you had, did it fix?