Is there a best cable modem?

**bruiser** · 05-12-2006, 10:01 AM

I'm thinking about a new cable modem. I've heard the Motorola Surfboards are very good. Current modem is a Best Data. It's a few years old, and from time to time I lose connectivity to the www, but all the lights on the modem indicate it is online. How could one tell if the modem is the problem, or it's the ISP?

~~PurpleSky~~ · 05-13-2006, 10:02 AM

Quote:

I'm thinking about a new cable modem. I've heard the Motorola Surfboards are very good.

My personal experience with motorolla products were not very happy. But on this I would read some reviews about them on the web.

Quote:

Current modem is a Best Data. It's a few years old, and from time to time I lose connectivity to the www, but all the lights on the modem indicate it is online. How could one tell if the modem is the problem, or it's the ISP?

Both are possible. Simply all hardware troubleshooting basics are current for modems too. Replace it with a working one and see if its the modem. But since you dont have a working spare you can call your ISP and let them do all the testing. They should be able to tell you if its a service outage or its your modem. Since the problem is not a solid connection problem this option is also a limited option to diagnose the problem. I would buy a cable modem from a local store and keep the receipt and ask about their return policy. If its the ISP then you may take the modem back and get refunded.

edit: here is a good comparison of 4 modems for you:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16825138109

**TheMatt** · 05-13-2006, 02:56 PM

I have a motorola surboard and I haven't had any problems.

ebackhus · 05-13-2006, 09:10 PM

I personally like the Toshiba modems. I have a cable/telephone modem that seems to work pretty good but I don't remember the brand. It's big.

05-12-2006, 10:01 AM	#1 (permalink)
bruiser TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,648 OS: xp	Is there a best cable modem? I'm thinking about a new cable modem. I've heard the Motorola Surfboards are very good. Current modem is a Best Data. It's a few years old, and from time to time I lose connectivity to the www, but all the lights on the modem indicate it is online. How could one tell if the modem is the problem, or it's the ISP?

05-13-2006, 02:56 PM	#3 (permalink)
TheMatt Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,695 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	I have a motorola surboard and I haven't had any problems. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

05-13-2006, 09:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
ebackhus Asst. Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 12,732 OS: WinXP Pro SP3 My System Blog Entries: 25	I personally like the Toshiba modems. I have a cable/telephone modem that seems to work pretty good but I don't remember the brand. It's big. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.