Cable Modem Troubleshooting Tips

Intro & Index.
Update history.
Installer issues.
Registration issues.
Network setup.
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Cable Modem LEDs.
IP addresses.
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Dead connection.
System updates.
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Ethernet issues.
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CM diagnostics.
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Streaming media.
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P2P file-sharing.
SETI@home issues.
Faster web browsing.
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Simul down/uploads.
Swapping PCs on CM.
PCs sharing CM.
Simul dialup & CM.
VPN issues.
Time sync.
Virus security.
Firewall security.
Speed testing.
Latency issues.
Traceroute.
Packet loss.
FrontPage tips.
NTL/BY Tech Support.

BroadJump/Virtual Truck issues

Some cable ISPs provide an installation utility based on the BroadJump Virtual Truck. NTL's Broadband Installer is an example. This page notes some solutions to known problems with that system.

Uninstall AOL software.
Windows 98 First Edition and ntl:home 100 cable modem.
Problem with Virtual Truck every restart.
Doing without the Broadband Installer.
Correct Connect issues. New 2002 Jun 30
Doing without Correct Connect. New 2002 Jun 30

Uninstall AOL software

The Broadband installer is incompatible with an existing installation of AOL dial-up software. AOL have a non-standard proprietary dial-up protocol: to enable traditional TCP/IP applications to work over an AOL connection, the AOL software hides all the normal Windows network interfaces, and installs a virtual network interface called WAN Network Driver, with a MAC address similar to 00-03-8A-xx-xx-xx. This situation confuses the Broadband Installer.

So, before attempting to run the Broadband Installer, always completely uninstall AOL software from the PC, and ensure that the natural network interfaces are available.

Windows 98 First Edition and ntl:home 100 USB Cable Modem

If you intend to use the ntl:home 100 (Ambit) cable modem with a USB connection on Windows 98 First Edition, then do not run the Broadband Installer v1.1 CD-ROM until you have read http://www.ntlworld.com/help/windows98/ntlhome100/. This caution applies only to v1.1 of the CD-ROM. The problem was fixed with v1.2 onwards.

Problem with Virtual Truck every restart

In some circumstances (believed to be associated with previous failed installations that did not run to normal completion), on every restart, Windows asks for:

Insert CDRom.
Please insert your CDRom with the Virtual Truck program. Looking for file:
E:\INSTALLS\TERAETH\VTRUCK.EXE

The name of the file requested may differ in detail. Even after inserting the CD-ROM, the PC continues to make the same request on every restart. To repair this situation under Windows 98/ME:

Click Start, click Run.
Enter msconfig and click OK.
Click tab Win.ini to bring it to the front.
Click the [+] sign beside [windows] to expand this item.
If you see an entry run= involving \vtagent\reboot.exe, then uncheck it.
Click OK to exit the System Configuration Utility.

Doing without the Broadband installer

If you cannot get the Broadband installer to run at all, then you can probably get on-line manually by:

configure networking as described in Network Settings;
register with your cable ISP as described in Registration Issues.

Correct Connect issues

Correct Connect requires to make connections to various servers on the internet. It will not function correctly if it is blocked by firewalls. Configure your firewall to allow the Correct Connect application to make and receive connections.

Doing without Correct Connect

There have been reports of false alarms being raised by Correct Connect, especially when running on Windows XP. Correct Connect is intended to assist ISP's help-desks with fault diagnosis: it is not otherwise a necessary component to have running. It can be uninstalled using the Control Panel Add or Remove Programs.

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