RCA DCM105 Digital Cable Modem User Manual

DCM105 Digital Cable Modem
User Manual

SAFETY/ INFORM ATI ON

CAUTION
Disconnect pow before servicing.
CAUTION
To ensure reliable operation and to prevent overheating, provide adequate ventilation for this modem and keep it away from heat sources. Do not locate near heat registers or other heat-producing equipment. Provide for free airflow around the cable modem and its power supply.

CABLE INSTALLER:
This reminder is provided to call your at tent ion to Article 820-40 of the National Electrical Code (Section 54 of the Canadian Electrical Code, Part 1) which provides guidelines for proper grounding and, in particular, specifies that the cable ground shall be connected ed to the grounding system of the building as close to the points of cable entry as practical.

DOCSIS-compliant
This product was designed according to Data Over Cable System Interface Specify at ions. It will operate on any DOCSIS-compliant HFC cable system and implement s Baseline Privacy to promote secure internet transactions.

Requirements

Here are the things you’ll need to access the internet over your cable system.
modem requirements

• Cable modem
• Power supply adapter

Computer requirements

• Personal computer with the following minimum system requirements (note that the minimum requirements may vary by cable company):

| IBM PC COMPATIBLE| MACINTOSH
---|---|---
CPU| 486DX 66MHz (Pentium preferred)| PowerPC or higher
System RAM| 16MB (32MB preferred)| 16MB (24MB preferred)
Operating System| Windows 95/98/NT| MacOS7.5.3 or higher
Available Disk Space| Minimum 45MB (90MB preferred)| Minimum 31MB (69MB preferred)
Sound Card| 16-bit| 16-bit
Video| VGA or better (SVGA preferred)| VGA or better (SVGA built-in preferred)
Floppy Drive| 3.5″ High Density (CD-ROM preferred)| 3.5″ High Density (CD-ROM preferred)
Ethernet| 10Base-T| 10Base-T
An ethernet card makes it possible for your computer to pass data to and from the internet. You must have an ethernet card and software drivers installed on your computer. You will also need a standard ethernet cable to connect the ethernet card to your cable modem.

cable internet service requirements

• The cable company that offers DOCSIS-compliant internet services

Cable Modem Overview

what the modem does

The RCA Digital Cable Modem serves as a two-way high-speed bridge between your personal computer and a cable Internet Service Provider (ISP). It converts information that originates from the internet into an electronic message that your computer can understand.

what themodem needsto do itsjob

the right cable company

Make sure your local cable company provides internet services that use cable TV industry-standard DOCS1Stechnology.
the internet service provider (ISP)
Your cable company must act as your Internet Service Provider (ISP). The ISP is your gateway to the internet. It provides you with all of the information you need to access the internet.
Check with your cable company to make sure you have everything needed to begin; they’ll know if you need to install special software or reconfigure your computer to make your cable internet service work for you.

Connecting the Cable Modem

Connecting the cable modem

You need three cables to make the necessary connections:

• Ethernet cable provided with your ethernet card.
• AC adapter provided with your cable modem.
• Coaxial cable provided by your cable company.

The connections can be completed in any order. Here we will work from the top of the diagram down.

1. Conned one end of the ethernet cable to the ethernet port on the back of your PC and the other end to the connector labeled “Ethernet” on the cable modem’s back panel.
2. Connect one end of the coaxial cable to the cable connection in the wall and the other end to the connector on the modem labeled “Cable In.”
3. Insert the cord from the AC adapter into the “Power AC Adapter Sock# 242225” jack on the cable modem. Then plug the adapter into an AC outlet.

NOTE Use the ‘Thomson power supply Sock# 242225 that is compatible with this unit. Using other adapters may damage the unit.

Using the Cable Modem

buttons

• On/off —Turns the modem on or put it In standby mode. Planning the cable modem in standby mode (the “off” position) allows for continued status monitoring from the cable network.

Do not press this button when transmitting data over the Internet. The information will be lost along with your ethernet connection.
Light indicators

• Power — Indicates whether the cable modem is inactive or standby mode. The light is off when the modem is in standby mode, and on when the power is activated.
• Data —Indicates whether the ethernet connection is a dive, ready to transmit/ receive, or actually transmitting/ receiving. The light is off when no ethernet carrier is present or the modem is in standby mode, on when the ethernet carrier is present but there’s no transmit/receive activity, and flashing when there is ethernet transmit/receive activity.
• Cable — Indicates the status of your cable connection. The light is off when no cable connection is detected or the modem is in standby mode. flashing when the cable connection is detected but not yet ready to send or receive data, and fully lit when the modem is registered with the network and data can be sent.

Using the Cable Modem

• Activity — Inclicatesthe existence of data traffic in the cable lines The light is off when no data traffic is present and flashing when data activity exists
• Email — This light flashes when you have mail. (Check with your service provider to make sure they offer this feature.)

All of the lights are flashing simultaneously. it means the cable modem is automatically updating its system software. Please wait for the lights to stop flaming. Do not remove the power supply or reset the cable modem during this process
reset switch

• The reset switch can be found behind a -toothpick hole” on the back panel. It may be used if the cable modem has been taken out of service in one location and is being reconnected to a different service, or if certain files become corrupted.

1. Press and release the switch to make it perform the same function as power cycling the cable modem (i.e. removing and reconnecting the power supply).
2. Unplug the modem from the AC power. Press and hold the factory reset button while plugging the modem into AC power. Continue holding the button. Release the button when all lights come on (about 5 seconds). This will return the modem to a factory “out of box” condition.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. What If 1 doesn’t subscribe to cable TV?
A. If cable TV is available in your area, data service may be made available with or without cable TV service. Contact your local cable company for complete information on cable services including high-speed Internet access
Q. How do I get the system Installed?
A. For now, professional installation from your cable provider is strongly recommended. They will ensure proper cable connection to the modem and your computer. In the near future, retailers will offer product and installation services in coordination with your local cable company.
Q. How does the RCA DCM connect to my computer?
A. If you have a computer that meets the minimum system requirements shown In this book, you’re all set The RCA modem connects to your computer’s 10Base-T Ethernet port. If your computer is not equipped with an Ethernet interface, an Ethernet card is available from your local retailer or your cable provider.
Q. Once my DCM Is connected, how do I get access to the Internet?
A. Your local cable company becomes your Internet Service Provider,’ offering a wide range of services including email, chat, and news and information services
O. Can I watch TV and surf the Internet at the same time?
A. Absolutely! And your phone line won’t be tied up while you’re online.
Q. Can I run more than one computer on the modem?
A. Yes—an angle RCA DCM will support up to 16 computers*
Q. What do you mean by broadband?
A. Simply put, it means you’ll be getting information on a wider bandwidth than a standard phone line. A wider. `broader” band means more information. more quickly.
Q. What Is DOCSIS and what does It mean?
A. ” Data Over Cable System Interface specifical ions” is the industry standard that virtually all cable companies are adopting as they upgrade their systems Being DOCSIScompliant means the RCA DCM will work with virtually all upgraded cable systems in North America, should you ever decide to move.

Troubleshooting

Nothing happens when I press the on/off button.

• Make sure that the AC adapter is fully plugged into a wall outlet.
• Make sure that the power supply cord is fully inserted into the AC adapter connection on the back of the modem.
• Double-check that the AC outlet you are using is not controlled by a light switch that is turned off.

All of the lights reflashing simultaneously.

• This means the cable modem is automatically updating its system software. Please wait for the lights to stop flashing. The updating process typically lasts less than one minute.
• Do not remove the power supply or reset the cable modem during this process

The light labeled email”is flashing.

• This means you have new mail to check.

I can’t get the modem to register an ethernet connection.

• Even new computers don’t always have ethernet capabilities—be sure to verify that your computer has a properly installed ethernet card and ethernet driver software.

The modem won’t register a cable connection.

The modem should work with a standard coaxial cable, but if you’re using a cable other than the one your cable company provided along with the cable modem, it may be the wrong one. Check with your cable company to determine whether you’re using the correct cable.

Service INFORMATION

Service for the RCA-branded Digital Cable Modem is provided through your cable provider or its authorized representative. For information on:

• Order Service
• Obtaining Customer Support
• Additional Service Information

Please contact your cable company.

Quick Reference

MINIMUM System Requirements

| IBM PC COMPATIBLE| MACINTOSH
---|---|---
CPU| 486DX 66MHz (Pentium preferred)| PowerPC or higher
System RAM| 16M B (32M B preferred)| 16MB (24MB preferred)
Operating System| Windows95/98/NT| MacOS 7.5.3 or higher
Available Disk Space| Minimum 45MB (90MB preferred)| Minimum 31MB (69MB preferred)
Sound Card| 16-bit| 16-bit
Video| VGA or better (SVGA preferred)| VGA or better (SVGA built-in preferred)
Floppy Drive| 3.5″ High Density (CD-ROM preferred)| 3.5 High Density (CD-ROM preferred)
Ethernet| 10Ba-T| 10Base-T

1. Connect one end of the ethernet cable to the ethernet port on the back of your PC and the other end to the connector labeled ” Ethernet” on the cable modem’s back panel.
2. Connect one end of the coaxial cable to the cable connection in the wall and the other end to the connector on the modem labeled “Cable In.”
3. Insert the cord from the AC adapter into the ” Power AC Adapter Stock# 242225″ jack on the cable modem. Then plug the adapter into an AC outlet.

Quick Reference

buttons

• On/off — Turns the modem on or puts it in standby mode. Racing the cable modem in standby mode (the “off” position) allows for continued status monitoring from the cable network.

Do not press this button when transmitting data over the internet. The information will be lost along with your ethernet connection.

light indicators

• Power — Indicates whet her power is on or off. The light is off when the power switch is off, and on when the power switch is on.
• Data — Indicates whether the ethernet connection is active, ready to transmit, or actually transmitting. The light is off when no ethernet carrier is present or the power switch is off, on when the ethernet carrier is present but there’s no transmit/receive activity, and flashing when there is ethernet transmit/ receive activity. This light will flash if you’re attempting to download or upload information over the internet.
• Cable —Indicates the status of your cable connection. The light is off when no cable connection is detected or the power switch is off, flashing when the cable connection is detected but not yet ready to send or receive data, and fully lit when the modem is registered with the network and data can be sent.
• Activity — Indicates the existence of data traffic along the cable lines The light is off when no data traffic is present and flashing when data activity exists
• Email —This light flashes when you have mail. (Check with your service provider to make sure they offer thisfeature.)

FCC INFORMATION

FCC/Industry Canada Information
FCC Regulations state that unauthorized changes or modifications to thisequipment may void the user’s authority to operate it.
This device corn plies with part 15 of FCC Riles Operation is subject to the following two conditions (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference Causing Equipment Regulations
This equipment has been typing tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B Digital Device in accordance with the specifications in Part 15 of the FCC rules. These rules are designed to provide reasonable protection against radio and television interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation.
If this equipment does cause interference to radio or television reception (which you can determine by turning the equipment off and on), try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures.
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna (that is, the antenna for the radio or television that is” receiving” the interference). Change the position of the Cable Modem with respect to the radio or television equipment that is receiving interference.
Move the Cable Modem away from the equipment that is receiving interference.
Plug the Cable Modem into a different wall outlet so that the Cable Modem and the equipment receiving interference are on different branch circuits
If these measures do not eliminate the interference, please consult your dealer or an experienced radio/television technician for additional suggestions Also, the Federal Communications Commission has prepared a helpful booklet, “How To Identify and Resolve Radio/TV Interference Problems” This booklet is available from the U.S Government Printing Office, Washington D.C. 20402. Please specify stock number 004-000-00345-4 when ordering copies.

10330 Nort h Meridian St reet
Indianapolis, IN 46290
©1998 Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc.
Trademark(s) Registered
Printed in the USA
TOCOM 1537757A

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