Internet On/Off Message Cable Activity Cable Link PC Link Internet CABLE MODEM 16500150 cover 1 12/6/04, 6:36 PM
CAUTION CAUTION Disconnect power before servicing. To ensure reliable operation and to prevent overheating, provide adequate ventilation for this modem and keep it away from heat sources. Do not locate near heat registers or other heat-producing equipment. Provide for free air flow around the cable modem and its power supply. DOCSIS (DCMXX5) or EURO-DOCSIS (TCMXX0) Compliant The DOCSIS product (model number - - “5”) is designed according to DOCSIS specifications.
Table of Contents Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 2 Cable Modem Features .................................................................................................................................................. 2 What’s on the CD-ROM ..................................................................................................................................................
Introduction Cable Modem Features • DOCSIS models are capable of receiving data at rates of up to 30Mbps‡ (30 Megabits per second). • Euro-DOCSIS models are capable of receiving data at rates of up to 38Mbps‡ (38 Megabits per second).
Introduction Please note that before this page can be displayed, your PC must receive an IP address assignment from the Cable company’s server, over the cable network. You may want to “bookmark” the IP address in your browser after the diagnostics page is displayed.
Introduction Placing the Rubber Feet on the Cable Modem A set of rubber pads have been packaged with your modem. These pads (or "feet") can be attached to keep the modem from sliding around on your desktop. Internet On/Off Message Cable Activity Cable Link PC Link Internet Attach the pads to the four posts on the bottom of the modem.
Cable Modem Overview What the Modem Needs to Do Its Job • The Right Cable Company: Make sure your local cable company provides data services that use cable industry-standard DOCSIS or Euro-DOCSIS technology compatible with your cable modem. • The Internet Service Provider (ISP): Your cable company provides you access to an Internet Service Provider (ISP). The ISP is your gateway to the Internet. It provides you with a pipeline to access Internet content on the World Wide Web (WWW).
Before You Begin Please verify the following with the cable company: • The cable service to your home supports DOCSIS-compliant or EuroDOCSIS-compliant twoway modem access. • Your Internet account has been set up. • You have a cable outlet near your PC and it is ready for cable modem service. Note: It is important to supply power to the modem at all times. Keeping your modem plugged in will keep it connected to the Internet. This means that it will always be ready when you are.
Connecting the Cable Modem Connecting the Cable Modem to a Single Computer This section of the manual explains how to connect your cable modem to the USB or Ethernet port on your computer and install the necessary software. Please refer to figure 1 to help you connect your cable modem for the best possible connection. Attaching the Cable TV wire to the Cable Modem 1. Locate the Cable TV wire. You may find it one of three ways: A. B. C. Connected directly to a TV, a Cable TV converter box, or VCR.
Connecting the Cable Modem Important Connection Information The cable modem supports both Ethernet and USB connections simultaneously (if allowed by your cable provider). Note: Only use the power supply provided with this unit. Using other power supplies may damage the unit. 3VDC 800mA ETHERNET USB RESET CABLE Coaxial Cable AC Power Supply Fig.
Connecting the Cable Modem Below are important points to remember before you connect the cable modem: • You should have a Windows® 98 SE (Second Edition), Windows Me (Millennium Edition), Windows 2000, or Windows XP operating system to use the Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection. • For Ethernet connections, go to page 22. USB Connection The cable modem CD included with your modem contains the drivers and other information you need to install your cable modem.
Connecting the Cable Modem Using Windows 98 SE for USB Connection Follow steps 6 through 14 if you have a Windows 98 SE operating system: 6. When the “Add New Hardware Wizard” appears, click “Next” to initiate the search for drivers for your USB device. (Fig. 3) Note: If the “Add New Hardware Wizard” did not automatically appear, Windows 98 SE does not recognize the cable modem’s presence because your BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) settings may not permit USB and/or Plug-and-Play devices.
Connecting the Cable Modem 10. The search should find the driver for the “RCA or Thomson USB Cable Modem” (Fig. 7). To confirm that this is the case, click “Next” to continue and proceed to step 12. Otherwise, see step 11. Important: Do NOT continue if the search finds “USB Composite Device” driver. Proceed to step 11. 11. Follow these instructions only if the driver found was NOT the “RCA or Thomson USB Cable Modem.” A. Click “Back” to return to the previous window. B.
Connecting the Cable Modem 12. Windows should now prompt you to install the “RCA or Thomson USB Cable Modem” driver. Click “Next” to install the driver. At this point, your PC needs to copy Windows 98 SE specific files. If these files are not located on your hard drive, you may need to insert your Windows 98 SE installation media (i.e., Windows disks or Windows CD-ROM), but first remove the cable modem CD-ROM. 13.
Connecting the Cable Modem 15. The cable modem installation is now complete. To validate a proper installation, perform the following instructions: A. B. C. D. Click on the “Start” icon in the lower left-hand corner of your screen. Select “Settings,” followed by “Control Panel.” The “Control Panel” window appears. Double-click on the “System” icon, and select the “Device Manager” tab. Scroll down the list until you come to “Network Adapters.” Double-click on “Network Adapters.
Connecting the Cable Modem Using Windows 2000 for USB Connection Follow steps 6 through 14 if you have a Windows 2000 operating system: 6. When the “Found New Hardware Wizard” appears, click “Next” to initiate the search for drivers for your USB device (Fig. 10). Note: If Windows 2000 does not recognize the cable modem’s presence, your BIOS settings may not permit USB and/or Plug-and-Play devices. Please contact your computer’s customer service department. 7.
Connecting the Cable Modem 9. The search should find the driver for the “RCA or Thomson DCM xxx Cable Modem” (Fig. 13). To confirm that this is the case, click “Next” to continue and proceed to step 11. Otherwise, see step 10. Important: Do NOT continue if the search finds “USB Composite Device” driver. Proceed to step 10. 10. Follow these instructions ONLY if the driver found was NOT the “RCA or Thomson DCM xxx Cable Modem.” A. Click “Back” to return to the previous window. B.
Connecting the Cable Modem 11. Windows should now prompt you to install either the “RCA or Thomson USB Cable Modem” or “RCA or Thomson DCM xxx Cable Modem.” Click “Next” to install the driver. At this point your PC needs to copy Windows 2000 specific files. If these files are not located on your hard drive, you may need to insert your Windows 2000 installation media (i.e., Windows 2000 CD-ROM), but first remove the cable modem CD-ROM. 12.
Connecting the Cable Modem 14. The cable modem installation is now complete. To validate a proper installation, perform the following instructions: A. B. C. Click on the “Start” icon in the lower left-hand corner of your screen. Select “Settings,” followed by “Control Panel.” The “Control Panel” window appears. Double-click on the “System” icon, select the “Hardware” tab, and choose “Device Manager.” D. Scroll down the list until you come to “Network Adapters.” Double-click on “Network Adapters.
Connecting the Cable Modem Using Windows Me for USB Connection Follow steps 6 through 9 if you have a Windows Me operating system: 6. Windows Me will briefly display the “Found New Hardware Wizard,” and automatically proceed to the “Add New Hardware Wizard” (Fig. 16). Choose the “Automatic search for a better driver (Recommended)” option, and click “Next.” Note: If Windows Me does not recognize the cable modem’s presence, i.e.
Connecting the Cable Modem 9. The Thomson cable modem installation is now complete. To validate a proper installation, perform the following instructions: • • • • • Click on the “Start” icon in the lower left-hand corner of your screen. Select “Settings,” followed by “Control Panel.” The “Control Panel” window will appear. Double-click on the “System” icon, and select the “Device Manager.” Scroll down the list until you come to “Network Adapters.” Double-click on “Network Adapters.
Connecting the Cable Modem Using Windows XP for USB Connection Follow steps 6 through 9 if you have a Windows XP operating system: 6. Windows XP will briefly display the “Welcome to the Found New Hardware Wizard,” (Fig. 19) and ask you to insert the installation CD-ROM that came with the unit. Choose the “Install the software automatically (Recommended)” option, and click “Next.” Note: If Windows XP does not recognize the cable modem’s presence, i.e.
Connecting the Cable Modem 8. When the “Completing the Found New Hardware Wizard” window appears, click “Finish” to complete the process (Fig. 21). 9. The Thomson cable modem installation is now complete. To validate a proper installation, perform the following instructions: • Click on the “Start” icon in the lower left-hand corner of your screen. • Select “Settings,” followed by “Control Panel.” The “Control Panel” window will appear.
Connecting the Cable Modem Ethernet Connection to One Computer Make the connections to the modem in the following sequence (Fig. 22): 1. Connect one end of the coaxial cable to the cable connection in the wall, and the other end to the connector on the modem labeled “CABLE.” 2. Insert the plug from the AC power supply into the power AC jack on the cable modem and the two-prong plug into the AC outlet. Note: Use only the power supply that accompanied this unit. Using other adapters may damage the unit.
Connecting the Cable Modem Connecting More Than Two Computers to the Cable Modem If you need to connect more than two computers or if you need to connect two computers but USB is not available, you’ll need the following additional equipment (if supported by your cable operator): • Crossover-wired, or “null,” category 5 Ethernet cable for the cable modem to be connected to the hub • 10BaseT or 100BaseT Hub or Switch • Straight through, or standard, category 5 Ethernet cable (one for each computer to be co
Activating the Cable Modem Initialization Mode After you install the cable modem and turn it on for the first time (and each time the modem is reconnected to the power), it goes through five steps before it can be used. Each of these steps is represented by a different pattern of flashing lights on the front of the modem. Note: All indicators flash once prior to the initialization sequence. Internet On/Off Internet On/Off Message Cable Activity Message Cable Activity 1.
Additional Information Buttons INTERNET ON/OFF* – Turns the Internet connection ON and OFF for additional security. In OFF mode, the CABLE ACTIVITY LED is also disabled. Important: Do not press this button when transmitting data over the Internet. The information will be lost and your Internet connection disabled. Indicators – Operational Mode Internet On/Off Message Cable Activity Cable Link PC Link Internet INTERNET* – Indicates whether the Internet Connection is active.
Using the Cable Modem Reset switch Reset Switch The reset switch can be found behind a “toothpick hole” on the back panel. It performs two functions: 3VDC 800mA ETHERNET RESET USB CABLE • Basic Reset – Press and release the switch to make it perform the same function as disconnecting the power from the modem. It will start up again in Initialization Mode, see page 24. • Factory Default Reset – Unplug the modem from the AC power.
Frequently Asked Questions Frequently Asked Questions Q. What if I don’t subscribe to cable TV? A. If cable TV is available in your area, data service may be made available with or without cable TV service. Contact your local cable company for complete information on cable services, including high-speed internet access. Q. How do I get the system installed? A. Professional installation from your cable provider is strongly recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions Q. What is DOCSIS and what does it mean? A. “Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications” is the industry standard that most cable companies are adopting as they upgrade their systems. Should you ever decide to move, the Euro-DOCSIS cable modem will work with all upgraded cable systems that are EuroDOCSIS-compliant or DOCSIS*-compliant. Q. What is Euro-DOCSIS and what does it mean? A.
FCC Information FCC Declaration of Conformity and Industry Canada Information This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. Trade Name: RCA Equipment Classification: Model: DCM425 Computing Device Accessory Responsible Party: Thomson Inc. 10330 N.
Quick Reference Minimum System Requirements IBM PC COMPATIBLE MACINTOSH CPU Pentium preferred PowerPC or higher System RAM 16MB (32MB preferred) 24MB (32MB preferred) Operating System Windows 98SE/2000/Me/XP, Linux Mac OS 7.6.
Quick Reference Button/Light/LED Indicators Internet On/Off Message Cable Activity Cable Link PC Link Internet INTERNET ON/OFF* – Turns the Internet connection ON and OFF for additional security. In OFF mode, the CABLE ACTIVITY LED is also disabled. Do not press this button when transmitting data over the internet. The information will be lost and your connection disabled. INTERNET* – Indicates whether the Internet Connection is active.
Glossary 10BaseT – Unshielded, twisted pair cable with an RJ-45 connector, used with Ethernet LAN (Local Area Network). “10” indicates speed (10 Mbps), “Base” refers to baseband technology, and “T” means twisted pair cable. DHCP (Dynamic Host Control Protocol) – A protocol which allows a server to dynamically assign IP addresses to workstations on the fly.
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