Absolute Beginners Guide to Upgrading and Fixing Your PC

Upgrade #2: Connecting to Digital Cable Internet

To establish a cable broadband connection, you might have to schedule a professional installation from your local cable guy, although you can probably do the installation yourself. Most cable companies offer self-installation kits that include installation software, a USB cable modem, and easy-to-follow instructions. The basic installation is relatively simple, which is why you don't really need to spend $50 $100 for the cable guy to do it. (Of course, if your cable company offers the installation at no charge, there's no reason not to take advantage of their largesse!)

If you're making your own connection, follow these steps:

1. Connect a coaxial cable from the cable outlet on the wall to your cable modem.

2. Connect the cable modem to a power source.

3. Connect the cable modem to your PC's USB port, as shown in Figure 16.1.

   Figure 16.1. A typical cable Internet installation.

4. Run the cable company's installation software (or run the Windows Add New Hardware Wizard) to configure the Windows network settings to recognize the new connection.

In a perfect world, the installation software configures the necessary network settings within Windows to recognize the new connection, and you're up and ready to surf typically in less than a half hour.

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