Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

Has anyone who uses Comcast for internet & land line phone gotten an email or/and a letter indicating " A technical issue with the Wireless Gateway in your home was recently identified by the manufacturer." The letter goes on to say a new modem will be shipped free of charge within 7-10 business days. The new modem will need to be activated by 1/20/2018 to prevent significant impact upon the WiFi speed & range. At first I thought this might be a scam because 1) " identified by the manufacturer". The manufacturer is in China - are they accessing my equipment?; 2) 1/20/2018 passed with no delivery; 3) have had no problem with this modem. The new modem did arrive last night, 1/23/2018, with mucho forms/pamphlets,etc., so I have come to accept that this is legitimate. I am worried, however, in installing the new modem because I might be asked for a password & other ID info that I can't answer. If that happens I will not have internet connection until I can get help from Xfinity. My current modem was installed by an Xfinity tech.
Just wondering if anyone out there has had the same experience.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

You’ll likely need the PW and login that you use for your present internet provider (ISP). Go ahead and secure that while you still have internet access. Then, you’ll have to set up your WiFi. The modem will come with direction on how to access its administrative page. It will be an IP address. You’ll need to connect to the modem with a cable to your laptop/desktop, access the modem administrative console through your web browser and set up the WiFi - there will be a number of settings that you can customize. If you don’t feel technically competent to execute these steps, then call your ISP who set up the existing modem, and have them come do the installation, or walk you through it by phone (a landline or cell, not internet phone 😊).

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

A while back I received a couple of letters from Comcast/Xfinity stating that my modem will no longer work after <some date in February> because it is not DOCSIS 4? compliant. Since I own my modem, I replaced it. Had to call Comcast to give them the new MAC address for the modem.

Did you call your cable company about to check if it is legitament?

Joe Blow

Read the documentation. It should explain how to set it up and how to input a password.

jimq Loc: Cape Cod, MA

My new Xfinity box arrived about a month ago. No problem setting it up. After using the login info on the side, just go to the Xfinity website and change the password. One thing not to do is backspace over the password on the site, highlight it and delete.

Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

Did you call your cable company about to check if it is legitament?[/quote]

No. I just ignored the notice until the new unit arrived. Seeing the package and the contents convinced me it is legit.

Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

Noted, thanks. I have reserved today to tackle the installation.

Rich2236 Loc: E. Hampstead, New Hampshire

I have comcast equipment. If i received a letter like that, first i would call up comcast and verify the legitimacy of the letter. Then, i would set up and appointment that when the equipment arrives, i would have comcast come out and install. It is worth the few dollars that i spend to have them professionally do it.
Rich...

Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

Thanks. I plan on giving it the Old college try first. If that does not work, I will call to see if I can get over the phone help. If that fails, will ask for an appointment for a tech to do the honors.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

We have fiber optic. The optic modem is owned by the fiber provider so we need to know nothing about it. A few weeks ago we got a call about something about it and they were out the appointed day to change it out.

Photos94401

I got mine in November 2017 and I installed it with no problems. My old Comcast modem had a battery for backup, I removed it and installed it in the new modem - again, no problem. I ran both speed test programs - speakeasy.net and speedtest.net - and I am currently running at 240 mbps download and 12 mbps (I just ran speakeasy and it clocked 299.7 and 11.8) even at peak times. Go for it.

kerry12 Loc: Harrisburg, Pa.

I would call Comcast first. In my experience, they come to the house and install it for you. I would be careful.

nut4golf Loc: Windsor, CT

Might want to pull that battery out. I had done the same thing, and in a recent service call the technician removed it stating that they don't ship with a battery anymore on purpose as they found it was keeping needed updates that require a power cycle from being applied. The batteries were originally intended to keep your phone service going in a power outage. Keep it nearby should that situation occur...

raymondh Loc: Walker, MI

Got a notice last Nov that Comcast wouldn't support the modem (outdated) that they installed 9 years ago. Several weeks later a new one came in the mail.
A friend talked me into buying my own ($95 @ Best Buy) to save the $11 monthly rental.

Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

Thanks to all who posted. A miracle has happened - the install worked without a hitch. Phone & internet up and running.