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Motorola Surfboard 5101 Cable Modem

I just wanted to post a message about my findings and my solution to the Mototrola SurfBoard 5101 Cable modem. I use comcast as my ISP. I was using an old COM21 modem. I was getting around 4300 KBPS on a broadband test from Speakeasy. Since Comcast was starting this PowerBoost, I needed a DOCSIS 1.1 compliant modem and the COM21 modem wasn't. I went to my localComcast office to switch it out since I was leasing one. They gave me a SurfBoard 5101. I already saw the postings and the articles on Macfixit.com. I tried the modem and was getting 2700 Kbps. I tried everything to get the speed better. Connecting my iMac directly to the modem. Tweaking TCP settings.

I called Comcast and they said they never heard of the issue. I explained of all the postings I saw and the artiles also. She said she believed me but didn't know of the problem. I found one article talking about using other modems. The newer Surfboard 5120 modem said was better but had issues with Comcast's network and would disconnect. They said the linksys cable modem wasn't any better. The one they said was the best was the DLINK DCM-202. It was 49.95 on sale at Best Buy. I thought, what the **, I'll try it. If it didn't work I can return it. I got it home. Installed it. Provisioned it and ran the Speakeasy tests. I was blown away. I got a speed of 9049 Kbps. Just ran the test while typing this.

So if anyone else having this issue, I would return the cable modem back to Comcast and ask for a non Motorola modem. That's the advice the Comcast rep told me. Or just buy the DLINK modem. I can now return the 5101 modem and stop leasing it and finally I get my full speed.

Thanks!!!

iMac 17" G5 iSight and iBook G4; iPod 5G, Mac OS X (10.4.7), Airport Express (Used for iTunes)

Posted on Aug 17, 2006 4:40 PM

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Motorola Surfboard 5101 Cable Modem

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