Orginal 3com Cable Modem vs What I can get from NTL

Minus · 07-05-2005, 11:36

Hi,

A question:
I have a 3com cable modem (owned, when you had to buy them back in the old days) attached to my 3mb line. I was wondering wether or not I should ask NTL to supply me with a newer cable modem (whatever make they are), since I pay for one in my subscription fee (Being having a few disconnects lately). Would I get any performance increases by getting a newer cable modem over my current 3com?

Thanks in Advance
(Really looking forward to ringing up customer services, NOT

)

**Rob M** · 07-05-2005, 12:56

Hi Minus

to CF

Not sure about the answer to your question but.....

There are a few CS reps that frequent the forum who might be able to give you the official line, they may be more willing to do so once they realise that your statement above wasn't supposed to be a blanket condemnation of all the NTL CS people - just an indication that you have had some bad experiences in the past

Minus · 07-05-2005, 13:06

I have nothing against NTL's CS people, used to work in a CS role for an IT company. So I know whats is like. I only had one problem with NTL, took three months to resolve and a lot of hardwork getting pass the "there must be something wrong with your PC sir" part

and that is the only problem I had in many years of service with NTL and Diamond cable before that. My "Really looking forward to ringing up customer services, NOT" comment was merely more of a "do I really want to ring NTL" after reading a lot of the posts here (majority of them very negative towards NTL CS), not a dig at NTL CS people, no offence meant. I'm sorry if I have upset anybody.

**Rob M** · 07-05-2005, 13:09

I'm sure you didn't upset anybody, my post was meant to be fairly tongue in cheek (hence the smileys). I'm sure someone will be along soon who can offer some up to date advice for you.

Chris W · 07-05-2005, 13:31

if it is 3com CMX, then don't change it if you can help it! they are extremely stable modems! you certainly wouldn't get any performance increase from getting an ambit (ntl badged) modem.

Minus · 07-05-2005, 13:33

Yep, it is a 3com CMX

Pian · 07-05-2005, 18:44

Funnily enough, I still have my own CMX on a 3mb service and I am getting regular drop-outs too. I have one of the silver ntl badged modem in a cupboard (which I requested and got when I had to start paying for it anyway). I have never been able to steel myself suficiently to phone up the helpline and register the MAC.

Are others still experiencing drop-outs, or is it just us CMX'ers? I have seen less posts about this recently, and was beginnig to wonder if it was just me.

Chris W · 07-05-2005, 18:49

There are very few CMX users now, compared to the other modems (i have only spoken to 3 in 2 years for ntl) but if you are having drop outs then i would suggest it is more to do with the signal coming to the modem than the modem itself....

Pian · 07-05-2005, 20:49

Hmmm. Is there any way of testing this (other than braving the help line to get an engineer out)? I seem to remember connecting a serial cable to the modem and looking at the logs a few years ago, and that the Robin Walker pages had some description. I can't remember whether there were any signal diags, though.

(Oh look - you've got one!!)

I never had drop outs before the speed upgrade, by the way.

carlingman · 08-05-2005, 03:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pian

Hmmm. Is there any way of testing this (other than braving the help line to get an engineer out)? I seem to remember connecting a serial cable to the modem and looking at the logs a few years ago, and that the Robin Walker pages had some description. I can't remember whether there were any signal diags, though.

(Oh look - you've got one!!)

I never had drop outs before the speed upgrade, by the way.

Have a look back at the Robin Walkers pages found here

Maybe doscdiag will work.

Croker · 08-05-2005, 08:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minus

Hi,

A question:
I have a 3com cable modem (owned, when you had to buy them back in the old days)

)

As a matter of interest do you get a discounted fee for that? I seem to recall that 'owned' cable modem useres had a Ã‚Â£5/month cheaper charge than regular users

Minus · 08-05-2005, 08:14

If I remember the discount stopped when NTL took over Diamond Cable, since then pay the same rate.

BBKing · 08-05-2005, 11:01

Quote:

Maybe doscdiag will work.

Alternatively, BBKing's special medicine will definitely work, if I know the modem's MAC address.

Pian · 08-05-2005, 11:16

Just PM'ing it. Thanks.

aweaton · 08-05-2005, 16:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Croker

As a matter of interest do you get a discounted fee for that? I seem to recall that 'owned' cable modem useres had a Ã‚Â£5/month cheaper charge than regular users

If you haven't gone up or down a broadband tier then yes it is cheaper. I was on 512Kb, 600Kb, 750Kb and now 2Mb for Ã‚Â£19.99

. The Ã‚Â£150 investment in my CMX has definetly been worthwhile - but when I signed up there wasn't a choice of renting and 512Kb was Ã‚Â£40pm.