I was at staples today. They are pushing vista in 32 flavors and for another month or so, if you buy it from them they will come to your house and install it. As a reality check for those that are comfortable probing your PCs Psyche, there are many that wouldn't think of attempting to install anything. :D

I would make the statement, "If you can read, you can fix or build a computer." But think I'll wait a few days and see if my new one boots.
:tinfoil:

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If you WANT to. If you can read, you can fix or service your car. Most people don't want to....just use it till it stops then call AAA.

How many hours have you invested in this project, Buster? ;)

We just purchased a laptop with vista already installed. The problem is, our motorola cable modem driver isn't available here yet, so we can't use the bloody thing with the cable anyway.

To me, this is very annoying and very poor customer service.

Why do you need drivers for a cable modem? Its a stand alone device that works without interfacing with the OS, right?

i know this sounds weird...
 

However,

They may actually be using a Cable Modem without a router (they really need to use a router), or have a Cable Modem that doesn't have an Ethernet port on it (which are rare, but they do exist).

You're right...they really need a router.

Mitch

I bought a HP laptop (dv2214us) with Vista Home Premium onit a couple of weeks ago. I'm going to set it up for a couple of motnhs and then hand it off to her.

I'm finding the interface a bit annoying, it's all rounded and flashy but they've changed everything so it's less intuitive.

I don't know the deep ins and outs, we have ZoneAlarm as a firewall and Spybot for Malware on our other computers. Vista seems to be handling these functions so I'm not sure I need to add more layers.

In summary I wouldnt bother upgrading existing computers to Vista, if your buying new then that's whats going to be on it.

the problem is with the cable modem. It's designed for xp and me etc, so the drivers that come standard with the device don't support vista as an os. Therefor, we have to wait another week or so till motorola has the drivers available so that cable will work with vista.

I could probably go out and buy a different brand of cable modem, but that'd just be a waste of money since the drivers will be available in a week or so.

It's just annoying that's all.

I don't think I've ever seen a cable modem that required OS drivers, though. Care to share a model number? mbpark might be right in that it doesn't have an ethernet connection on it, but I've never seen one like that, before.

It does have an earthnet connection.

Model is SB5101i.

I have spoken to my isp a number of times about the matter. I can't imagine any reason for them to be dishonest about the situation.

They are not being dishonest. Maybe only parroting what they were told. But a Motorola SB5101 connects one ethernet port from their box to one ethernet port on your computer. Connect cable wire from cable company wire to your modem. That's it. Bring up Internet Explorer. Access the cable modem as if it was another web site like cellar.org.

Instead of entering www.cellar.org, enter 192.168.1.1 .

'Web server' inside that cable modem will display modem's 'home page'.

You may need to enter a MAC ID later. MAC address is located on a label on that cable modem. Every ethernet device has a unique MAC address. Yours will start
00:xx:xx: ...
where xx are further hexadecimal digits. Record that number.

Do not use a USB connection from comptuer to modem. Use the Ethernet connection to make things so easy - and faster.

From Windows XP, open a Command Prompt Window (found in Start>All Programs>Accessoriesd>Command Prompt ). In that CRT Terminal like screen, enter IPCONFIG . That command reports about everything you need to see the computer connected to the modem - to be an informed computer technician.

Further information is found at:
http://broadband.motorola.com/consum...5101_UG_EN.pdf
See page 30 (Adobe page 36) for further details.


What they may call a driver is simply software that taps your keyboard keys for you - to access the modem's web server and enter setup information. No drivers. Setup is simple. Trying it once can even create 'computer literacy'.

If it has an ethernet connection, there's a 99% chance it doesn't need a single driver loaded on the OS to operate. A router will suffice just fine.

They're not dishonest, they usually just suggest end users use their custom applications to make setup easier for both their call centers and you. If any connection to an ISP involves installing software they provide you, they're usually providing you a scripted shortcut that runs commands you could do on your own without their aid.

And malware.

That's all very interesting thanks. I'll have a go at it later and see if I can get it to work.

Once again, thanks for the advice. I really appreciate it. :)

OK...I've had a look at that site, and it doesn't have any information about vista on it at all tw. Only xp and prior.

I did look up the command window, and it says I'm connected to the cable etc, but it wont let me open webpages.

I have been trying to use the earthnet cable all along btw, so that's not the solution at this stage.

I might give the isp another call and see what they've got to say about all this.