Buy's DOTD: 3Com Cable Modem

[SUOrangeman]

I'm sitting on the fence with this one. BUY.COM (http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=9eASk0x48lo&subid=1&offerid=27222.1&type=10&tmpid=423&RD_PARM1=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.us.buy.com%2F&RD_PARM2=retail%2FDOTD%2FDOTD.asp%3Fsku=70003097)

According to 3Com (http://www.3com.com/products/en_US/detail.jsp?pathtype=purchase&tab=features&sku=3CR29210), this unit has been discontinued.

I'm tired of paying $15 a month for renting my Toshiba, but I'm not totally convinced that this guy will pull through for me.

What to do, what to do.

-SUO

[shaggymatt]

I went for it, tired of my POS RCA modem losing its mind once a week. I did some searching on the newsgroups, people seemed pretty happy with the OfficeConnect products, but not the HomeConnect versions. When I went to 3com's page this morning looking for information, I noticed that they only had DSL modems listed, and no cable modems listed.

As long as it works, it will pay for itself quickly for me. I can get rid of the Barricade 7004BR and I'm already half way there on cost recovery. Modem rental for me is $10 a month, and I've had service for almost a year now.

FWIW, others have it for $149-$266.

[BabyJesusDC]

Will this thing work with comcast@home in baltimore maryland. I dont know much about the technology of cable modems....

My RCA that comcast supplied is total crap.

[shaggymatt]

My installer told me as long as the modem was DOCSIS compliant you are good to go.

[jwilson2000]

Copied over from another Cable Modem Post for your information:

Also bought the 3COM as the DOTD from Buy.com *after* ATT customer support told me that DOCSYS compliance was the only requirement.

Had the service technician out today to make the swap and was informed that this is not a supported modem. For a modem to work on the ATT network, it requires ATT to create a configuration file that contains necessary provisioning/initialization information. There is currently no configuration file for this model. It also doesn't matter what area you're in. You're hosed.

The choice is to return the modem, exchange it for a supported one (good luck finding a supported one for $100, Chester), keep it and bug ATT to support this modem, or sell it yourself on EBay.

I'm going to hold on to mine for awhile and annoy ATT.

I wrote a scathing letter to ATT's complaint department at:
ATT Broadband
PO Box 4878
Englewood, CO 80155

and emailed them at:
[email protected]

I basically complained about how lousy it is that customer support can't accurately answer a simple question and asked that them to notify the appropriate tech group to support this modem.

If enough people complain about this, maybe we'll see some results. Trying to keep a straight face here.

[ffejtable]

I have purchased this 3com cable modem, and all I get is an eventual solid red (orange) light, which indicates that it has established a communications channel with the head end equipment. I should however see a green light for proper functionality.

Its been 4 days and comcast@home can't seem to get this modem working on their system. I did in fact call them prior to purchasing this modem as well and they too said DOCSIS was the only requirement.

I still have yet to find any URL regarding the $40 rebate for this thing.

No working modem.
No $40 rebate to be found.

Looks like I got screwed from both ends.

[jwilson2000]

Thought I might be in luck when the local ATT techie called me back to say that he researched this and someone at ATT Broadband got this modem to work by pretending it was a similar, supported 3Com model. So, ATT did all the provisioning on their end, then came out to do the swap.

Whey they connected the 3Com modem, all the right lights came on and it pinged the network successfully. It also appeared to be getting web pages and emails, but it would stall and time out before actually accomplishing anything.

After at least an hour, it was decided that if the firmware in the modem could be updated, it would probably work. We then spent another hour searching 3Com and various sites (using the old modem) looking for it with no luck. It doesn't help that not only is this a discontinued modem, but 3Com appears to be bailing out of the cable modem business altogether.

So, after many hours and $140, I consider myself screwed. Buy.com won't take it back, even for a credit. At least I got the rebate coming to me. Just hope I can sell it for what I paid.

We'll see if ATT gives me any relief. So far, just a "we're sorry" email. Sigh.

[jameslee]

I'm in Indiana and Insight@Home installed a 3Com in my old apartment to access their network.

I was going to jump on the cable modem deal, but i waited too long.

Any of you selling your bum 3com modems and if so, what's the asking price?

[ffejtable]

-----
You purchased a Buy of the Day product
• Buy of the Day products may only be returned within 14 days of your product's shipping date if the item is defective.
• Due to the nature of this promotion, we cannot accept returns for non-defective Buy of the Day items.
• If part of a product is defective, please return the whole product, including all manuals and accessories, in the original packaging.
-----


So what's the problem in returning this item guys? As far as I am concerned this unit is defective.

Major bummer because I was looking forward to getting rid of my ancient leased Motorola CybrSurfr...

I have an appointment with the cable company next week, but I am not risking not being able to return this modem only to find out its not going to work...

No wonder 3com has left the consumer cablemodem business.

[joesquared]

Guys, if you are renting your modem and you buy a new one, you are supposed to call your provider to let them know. They will usually send a technician over to set it up on the network for you. Just because the modem is compatible with your provider, doesn't mean you can just buy a modem and plug it in and expect it to work.
Also, I've noticed you guys have been having a lot of problems with your RCA modems? What kind of problems are you having? I've been using RCA modems, DCM225, and I've recently bought my own DCM205, and I have yet to run into any problems.

[ffejtable]

Yeah thanks for mentioning the obvious.

I called Comcast last Friday to have the modem provisioned. Since Sunday morning my service has been intermittent with my original Morotorla, and the new one failed to work. Tuesday they said the new one was finally provisioned, but it still failed to work with their equipment.

Looks like to me the 3cr29210 sucks butt, and the newer models didn't do much better and 3com is bailing on the market. Buy.com dumped these modems onto consumers as a result.

My last resort is to attempt to have Comcast provision the modem using the settings for one of the newer modems, but I am not going to hold my breath. If I can't get it working tonight its going back tomorrow.

[matyee]

I already sent mine back. AT&T@home only provisions the ones on their list and most of the other modems won't work 3COM sucks!