Rider - I'm using the word Modem here,
but It isn't really a Modem in the true sense of the word!
It's been used for convenience sake!
BEGIN
You contact NTL via their web site and register you interest! (you can TRY to phone!)
They call you back at some time with the phone number you gave them, to confirm your interest!
1.) An appointment is made for an engineer to call.
2.) An order is made for the cable modem
... It's free now, but it was (either rented £5.00p or purchased £150.00p ouch!)
Two Letters of confirmation arrive.
DELIVERY
It's delivered by a courier company called Global Direct! they (NTL/Virgin) wont re direct!
The VAN it arrived in was from AMTRAK.
If your not in (you usually wont be!) a card is left and you can collect it! but they (AMTRAK) will re-direct! go-figure?
IN THE MEAN TIME
You in the mean time BUY an Ethernet card, [ you know in 1998 - this all made sense - computers didn't HAVE ETHERNET CARDS INSTALLED!!! ]
fit it in your computer and set up the software:
then wait! for the NTL Engineer to call on the allotted day.
THE BIG DAY
When the Installation Engineer arrives, you're asked where you want the new cable to go to
(ie: to back of your cable modem location)
They usually go straight for the TV Cable Inlet port / or it could be your Phone Point outside.
They then split the out put Cable via 'T' connectors and run the new one to your Modem.
The line is tested and a reading of +/- 2.5 db is achieved via attenuators (0 db is best);
But NTL/Virgin have a system where 14db is base! ( I never understood that? )
The Engineer takes with him/her your NTL Agreement and Bank DD you just signed.
The Engineer leaves. (that just cost £25.00p) /
It's now free - unless they missed you! Then its £20:00p [ thankyou! ]
btw - THAT'S ALL THEY DO! and are ALLOWED to do !!!!
Note: 1a) Tacking this cable isn't a good idea as it CAN'T / MUSTN'T be bent!
Note: 1b) The protective cable covers MUST be kept on at all times - screws up the Police Bands.
NEXT STAGE:
1.) Now remove the protective covers and attach the Cable to the Modem - screw in carefully!
2.) Attach you CAT 5 Network Cable from your Network Card and then into the back of the Modem.
3.) Plug in the power supply cable.
DON'T TURN ON YET!
Turn your computer (first!) on first wait for the Desktop to appear: THEN turn on the modem:
DIAGNOSTIC TIME
Watch the lights on the modem go from 'send' 'receive' and 'online' then they'll drop back
to 'send' again and continue to cycle - this means the Modem is working!
At this point phone NTL (don't use the 0800 052 2000 or 150 number) but the number on your
Installation Confirmation Letter - which is 0800 052 4031 between 10-8 Mon to Fri and 9-5 Sat
2a.) You now give the Operator you NTL cable MAC number starts off 0020 xxx xxxx
(its BIG! don't get it wrong!)
... and then your account number something like 123456
At no point do you need to put that CD-Rom into your computer- you don't need it!
nor the 'ntl-ct7-cb484' that's just for Web Space and Email Address's on NTL's server if you need it
After you've registered with NTL the lights cycle through then stay on 'online': your in business.
In your browser remove all DIAL up info - and check the box 'I connect via a LAN' also remove any proxy settings you may have.
whoooossshhhh! - thats it! surf!!! ... was 512K and that was it absol' brill!
It's now 4meg [ same price ] and it's NOT so good!?
TROUBLE SHOOTING
Here's a couple of tips; If you don't go whooossshhh:
To check your LanCard and Modem are talking! Type in on the Browser Address Bar this address.