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Old January 15th 20, 07:22 PM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10,alt.comp.freeware,microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
Arlen Holder[_6_]
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Default Freeware to test Costco docsys 3.0 cable modem from Windows 10 laptop that has no Ethernet port

On Wed, 15 Jan 2020 12:36:44 -0500, knuttle wrote:

Do they have two units, both a router and a modem?


Thanks Keith for hazarding a guess, where I realize how dangerous that is
on Internet.

Yes. The router and modem are separate units.

These kids moved into an apartment a few years ago, where, at that time, I
had gifted them an AC router & Costco modem, simply because asking poor
kids to rent a crappy modem at $10 per month is ridiculous. Long ago, the
Costco modem paid for itself for example, where, as I recall, it was
"Arris" branded.

Most ISP now use a combined Router/Modem.


I'm sure the ISP, in this case Comcast, will gladly rent a combined (or
individual) unit for $10/month for the rest of these kids' lives.

It's not a good model to teach kids to rent for the rest of their lives a
crappy unit when they can purchase a far better unit for far less money.

Most router and modems I am familiar with you can access the internal
menu by entering the address in to the address part of their browser.
the same as you would add www.google.com.


The kid entered the modem over WiFi via the router's gateway address, so
that isn't the problem. The question is two fold, where the first question
is how to "test" the modem, and the second question is how to eliminate the
router in that test.

If they have two units one a modem and the other a router, to see the
modem they may have to connect the modem directly to the computer.


Exactly the problem!
o *How do you connect a modem to a Windows laptop that has no RJ45 port?*

Years ago I had a two unit system and the modem would disappear if you
tried to access it from the computer side of the modem.


I'm pretty sure, if there is a USB-to-Ethernet or something like that, that
a cat5 cable would work between the laptop and the modem.

How does anyone on a laptop without the RJ45 connect to Ethernet nowadays?

As I understand she can connect to and see the router's internal menu.
To me that would indicate the WIFI LAN is working.


She doesn't know what to look for, where all she can see is that the
Internet isn't working. I'm a thousand miles away so I can't help her
directly.

I'm hoping there's a test of modems that she can run somehow.

If they have the two unit system they can check the modem by
disconnecting the cable from the modem to the router from the router and
connecting it directly into the computer.


There is no RJ45 port on the laptop.

If it is working the directly
connect computer should be able to access the internet as it is suppose
to. If it does not work make sure the ISP address information is in the
modem.


I am pretty sure the best way to test a modem is to connect directly to it;
but is there a way to directly connect a laptop to a modem when the modem
has an RJ45 but the laptop does not have an RJ45 port?

If both the directly connected modem works, and the WIFI connection to
the Router works, I would check the router addresses in the modem.


I doubt addresses changed, but the router can 'see' the modem; it's just
the modem which can't see the Internet. Actually, it's sporadic, but that's
just a complication.

If the modem is old there is the possibility that the modem has failed.
They do with time. If so I would replace it with a Combination/Modem unit.


Personally, I abhor the Swiss Army Knife philosophy, where I'd stick with a
good router and a good modem anyday over a crappy combo unit; but I don't
think the combination is the problem anyway.

The main question is twofold:
a. Is there software that tests a modem?
b. Is there a way for a laptop sans RJ45 to connect directly to the modem?

You said the modem was old, so I assume they do not have voice of
internet for their phone service.


These are kids.
I don't know a single kid who doesn't use their cellphone almost
exclusively.

Those who don't use their cellphones almost exclusively, do use VOIP
(particularly when calling Europe) but it's rare for kids, in my
experience, to need anything other than their cellphones for voice calls.

Nonetheless, I don't see how VOIP matters in this situation, as they get
cable Internet, which pretty much gives them everything when it works:
a. It gives them their Internet
b. Which Internet gives them their movies
c. And, if they wanted it, that Internet would give them their VOIP
But almost every kid I know uses the cellphone for voice communication.

In summary, the main two questions a
1. How does one test a modem?
2. How can a non-RJ45 Windows laptop connect directly to a modem?
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