[Russian Mac fan]

We have an old cable modem that we are renting from Comcast with their cable broadband connection. It's a Surfborad SB3100 by Motorola - quite old and pretty basic (no reset button on the front).

Lately, we have been having dropouts in our signal.

We have 3 computers

One is an old (1998) HP with Windows 98 on it.

The second one is a Sony with Windows 2000 on it

The third one is my Mac OS Panther TiBook

They are all connected to the cable modem - my tibook wirelessly through D-Link and the two Windows machines via ethernet cable first to D-Link and thus to the cable modem.

Well, lately, on the 98 computer I sometimes have to hit Reload 10 times to get a page to load (there's still a signal), and on my Tibook maybe twice and not everytime.

Comcast said that they had had problems with their signal but everything should be up now.

The problem has been persistent for two weeks.

My mom is threatening to discontinue Comcast! I can't do that because my Tibook still works OK even though I occasionally have to reload a page for it to fully load.

We don't have any other providers in our area besides Comcast. (At least, I am not aware of any that offer broadband).

We think we should just go over to Comcast's office and demand for them to exchange our modem that they gave us (they should do that, right? since we are renting it for 3 dollars a month and have been for like 2 years now). Should they be able to give us a newer modem?

Also, should we just buy our own cable modem? In that case, any advice. I liked the relatively new one I saw at CompuUSA by Mororola for 80 dollars (50 after 30 dollar rebate)

I need all your advice

I have to have broadband, but my mom is getting mad at them. My brother is using the 2000 machine but his signal drops out too every now and then.

My mom is the one having problems with her 98 system which seems to crap out the most with our current modem and signal strength.

Any way to check out if that's a problem with Comcast's connection? or the modem? The modem is about 3 years old.

Thanks.

[bleuvixen]

I have a SB 3100 as well, can you post your signal levels? if you got to http://192.168.100.1 you should be able to get it on the "levels" page upstream and downstream will tell a lot, also what kind of pings do you get?

My SB 3100 as been working for 3 or 4 years now and rarely (maybe 3 times total) have I lost a connection.

[AC Rempt]

Sorry, but here's a shameless plug.

Cable modem for sale

I swear it's a great little modem.

[Vader’s Pinch of Death]

Will comcast let you use a 3rd party modem?

[Back up 15 and punt]

Originally posted by Vader’s Pinch of Death:
Will comcast let you use a 3rd party modem?

The short answer to your question is Yes. You have to let them know what modem you are using.