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JackMcB
@comcast.net

JackMcB

Anon

SB5100 from EBay, not working on Comcast?

I picked up a used SB5100 on eBay for $12 that I thought I could use to stop paying the $5 monthly rental from Comcast. I swapped it out, called Comcast, and they said they couldn't activate it. Here's what shows up on the Web page for the modem...

Software Version: SB5100-2.3.1.6-SCM01-FATSH
Hardware Version: 1
MIB Version: II
GUI Version: 1.0
VxWorks Version: 5.4

Does it make sense that this shouldn't be able to be supported on Comcast?

WoofieInPC
Premium Member
join:2009-04-04
Panama City, FL

WoofieInPC

Premium Member

Chances are it is a stolen modem, or one attached to an account in arrears.
tthnow
join:2006-06-07
Oakland, CA

tthnow to JackMcB

Member

to JackMcB
Ebay - SCAMMERS MARKET. Be very careful shopping there, paypal is no different.

netcool
Premium Member
join:2008-11-05
Englewood, CO

netcool to JackMcB

Premium Member

to JackMcB
said by JackMcB :

Does it make sense that this shouldn't be able to be supported on Comcast?

You can try posting your problem in the Comcast Direct Forum along with your HFC MAC address.

»Comcast Direct

It looks like the modem is running pretty old firmware and that might be causing issues. SteveTeow See Profile can take a look anyway.
comnasty
join:2011-11-14
Parkton, MD

comnasty to JackMcB

Member

to JackMcB
traceback is an issue for them.
If you get sued by the mpaa for pirating, the modem is how they find you.

You know they could do it, but they wont.
Kearnstd
Space Elf
Premium Member
join:2002-01-22
Mullica Hill, NJ

Kearnstd to JackMcB

Premium Member

to JackMcB
I have a 5100 series working just fine.

I would never have trusted a modem off Ebay though, odds are its still tied to an account somewhere. And if it was a rental that means its still technically comcast property.

Personally id find out if the area has DOCSIS3 and just get a 6100 series off Newegg or from a box store.

IowaCowboy
Lost in the Supermarket
Premium Member
join:2010-10-16
Springfield, MA

IowaCowboy to JackMcB

Premium Member

to JackMcB
I advise people just to buy modems brand new and factory sealed. Used modems could be stolen, unreturned equipment (many times rental modems are the same ones sold in stores) or linked to an uncollectable account.

I'm not sure on this one but if you have a Best Buy near you that sells EMTAs, I'd just buy one of those in case you decide add voice later.

Johkal
Cool Cat
MVM
join:2002-11-13
Pennsyltucky

Johkal to JackMcB

MVM

to JackMcB
Comcast would only know if it was stolen if it was registered to their network. From the firmware version listed "SB5100-2.3.1.6-SCM01-FATSH", I have only seen "NOSH" on Comcast's network for that modem; not "FATSH".

tshirt
Premium Member
join:2004-07-11
Snohomish, WA

tshirt to JackMcB

Premium Member

to JackMcB
said by JackMcB :

Software Version: SB5100-2.3.1.6-SCM01-FATSH
Hardware Version: 1
MIB Version: II
GUI Version: 1.0
VxWorks Version: 5.4

A quick google of
SB5100-2.3.1.6-SCM01-FATSH
shows that firmware was widely used by modem hackers (mostly europe and is now blocked on all D1.1 and up systems, and eventually locks out the modem.
Someone sold you their garbage modem which they bricked while attempting a hack, and they will use your money to buy a new one.
As said above, avoid ebay or garage sales and buy a modem from a reputable vendor you will sell come out ahead within a year.
I agree with a D3 modem (for ComCast systems, some other ISPs are being slower to adopt D3) but recomend against eMTA/all in ones.

ArrayList
DevOps
Premium Member
join:2005-03-19
Mullica Hill, NJ

ArrayList to JackMcB

Premium Member

to JackMcB
get rid of that modem on ebay. you don't know for sure that it was a hacked modem.

NormanS
I gave her time to steal my mind away
MVM
join:2001-02-14
San Jose, CA

NormanS

MVM

Excellent idea! Pass your problem on to somebody else, who will then post here about their bricked, eBay modem.

Or did I miss the [sarcasm] tags?

ArrayList
DevOps
Premium Member
join:2005-03-19
Mullica Hill, NJ

ArrayList

Premium Member

He at least deserves to get his money back. Yes, it is a viscous circle.

Johkal
Cool Cat
MVM
join:2002-11-13
Pennsyltucky

Johkal to NormanS

MVM

to NormanS
said by NormanS:

Excellent idea! Pass your problem on to somebody else, who will then post here about their bricked, eBay modem.

Or did I miss the [sarcasm] tags?

It's not bricked. The diagnostic page is accessible. Just presumably hacked.

Best to just advertise it as a modified modem & sell it Ebay.

tshirt
Premium Member
join:2004-07-11
Snohomish, WA

tshirt

Premium Member

best to recycle it and spare the next user some grief

EG
The wings of love
Premium Member
join:2006-11-18
Union, NJ

EG to ArrayList

Premium Member

to ArrayList
said by ArrayList:

Yes, it is a viscous circle.

That's laying it on pretty thick !! Think you mean vicious ?

NormanS
I gave her time to steal my mind away
MVM
join:2001-02-14
San Jose, CA
TP-Link TD-8616
Asus RT-AC66U B1
Netgear FR114P

NormanS to ArrayList

MVM

to ArrayList
said by ArrayList:

He at least deserves to get his money back. Yes, it is a viscous circle.

And so will the next guy, and the next guy, and the next guy. Where will it stop?

Johkal
Cool Cat
MVM
join:2002-11-13
Pennsyltucky

Johkal to tshirt

MVM

to tshirt
It's only grief for the buyer that doesn't know what it is. Fully disclosing what's been done to the modem & selling it "as is", is up to a the buyer to know what they are getting into.

ArrayList
DevOps
Premium Member
join:2005-03-19
Mullica Hill, NJ

ArrayList to EG

Premium Member

to EG
said by EG:

said by ArrayList:

Yes, it is a viscous circle.

That's laying it on pretty thick !! Think you mean vicious ?

oh dear, you caught me.
ArrayList

ArrayList to NormanS

Premium Member

to NormanS
said by NormanS:

said by ArrayList:

He at least deserves to get his money back. Yes, it is a viscous circle.

And so will the next guy, and the next guy, and the next guy. Where will it stop?

when someone is dumb enough not to sell it to some sucker?