DSL Modem Woes

[Grinder]

I friend has broadband internet provided by Frontier, in the form of a
Speedstream 5200 modem. It is connected to his single PC via an
Ethernet cable, but we have cause to switch to using an USB cable.
That's were the problem comes in.

When we run the Frontier setup disc, it will wait forever to spot the
device after we plug it into the USB port. Windows XP, on the other
hand, can see it immediately, but notes that it's not working properly
because it doesn't have software for it.

If we try to manually update the drivers using those from Frontier's
support site, Windows XP will claim that the drivers we're directing it
to don't apply to the hardware in question. It remains in the Device
Manager as an "Unknown Device" under the USB category.

We are confident that the USB ports are functional, as both of them work
to transfer music to his iPod. We used the same cable as well. Also,
the fact that XP can see, if not properly install, the modem suggests
that the port is operable.

In "Add & Remove Programs," there is an entry for "Efficient SpeedStream
blah blah." Any attempt to remove this software and start over fails
quickly with the complain that the uninstaller is not present.

All of these attempted solutions have been tried with the aid of a
Frontier tech support guy, who is now completely flumoxed. Can anyone
recommend what to try next?

 

[Paul]

I friend has broadband internet provided by Frontier, in the form of a
Speedstream 5200 modem. It is connected to his single PC via an
Ethernet cable, but we have cause to switch to using an USB cable.
That's were the problem comes in.

When we run the Frontier setup disc, it will wait forever to spot the
device after we plug it into the USB port. Windows XP, on the other
hand, can see it immediately, but notes that it's not working properly
because it doesn't have software for it.

If we try to manually update the drivers using those from Frontier's
support site, Windows XP will claim that the drivers we're directing it
to don't apply to the hardware in question. It remains in the Device
Manager as an "Unknown Device" under the USB category.

We are confident that the USB ports are functional, as both of them work
to transfer music to his iPod. We used the same cable as well. Also,
the fact that XP can see, if not properly install, the modem suggests
that the port is operable.

In "Add & Remove Programs," there is an entry for "Efficient SpeedStream
blah blah." Any attempt to remove this software and start over fails
quickly with the complain that the uninstaller is not present.

All of these attempted solutions have been tried with the aid of a
Frontier tech support guy, who is now completely flumoxed. Can anyone
recommend what to try next?

If you go to the Knowledgebase from here, then click "5000 Modem/Bridge",
you can find some information on the 5200. (I guess Siemens must
have bought Efficient Networks.)

http://subscriber.communications.siemens.com/subscriber_networks/support.shtml

Basically, it says for USB, you are supposed to insert the SpeedStream
CD first, and install the software, before connecting the USB interface
of the 5200.

Now, maybe the Frontier setup disk, installs the SpeedStream
software as part of its operation. (Maybe the SpeedStream installer
is inside the CD somewhere, and can be found by exploring the
CD.) In any case, _somebodies_ tech support should be sorting
out the uninstall procedure. Maybe you should hire a local
computer service to sort it out, then bill Frontier for the
cost of the service call. That may get them interested in
doing the job right.

Paul

 

[Grinder]

If you go to the Knowledgebase from here, then click "5000 Modem/Bridge",
you can find some information on the 5200. (I guess Siemens must
have bought Efficient Networks.)

http://subscriber.communications.siemens.com/subscriber_networks/support.shtml

Basically, it says for USB, you are supposed to insert the SpeedStream
CD first, and install the software, before connecting the USB interface
of the 5200.

That is what the Frontier installer recommends, and is in fact, what we did.

Now, maybe the Frontier setup disk, installs the SpeedStream
software as part of its operation. (Maybe the SpeedStream installer
is inside the CD somewhere, and can be found by exploring the
CD.) In any case, _somebodies_ tech support should be sorting
out the uninstall procedure. Maybe you should hire a local
computer service to sort it out, then bill Frontier for the
cost of the service call. That may get them interested in
doing the job right.

I'm not in a good position to issue threats on behalf of my friend. You
are, however, most likely right.

 

[Clark]

Most of the time, WinXP doesn't need drivers for USB stuff and the software
may not be just for connectivity, but other things. Do you know if the
modem is USB 2.0 and whether you have that set up on the computer. When you
insert a device Windows needs drivers for, it usually asks and you can point
it to the CD if you need to.

I had poor results when I once used a USB modem, but maybe they have gotten
better.

If I were you, I would remove the device and any drivers from Windows.
Reboot in safe mode and check the device manager to see if any occurrences
of it show up and remove those.

Reboot to normal Windows and then just plug in the device and see what
happens. If Windows asks for a driver, point it to the CD using the know
location scenario

And for clarification, do you have a 5200 or 4200 modem?

Clark

 

[John McGaw]

I friend has broadband internet provided by Frontier, in the form of a
Speedstream 5200 modem. It is connected to his single PC via an
Ethernet cable, but we have cause to switch to using an USB cable.
That's were the problem comes in.

snip...

It is hard to imagine what sort of "cause" would motivate anyone to
attempt to use USB, a definite non-network connection if there ever was
one, in place of an already-working Ethernet connection which was made
for such tasks and which handles them so gracefully. Sure, one can
sometimes get USB to work with a modem in a half-assed sort of way by
installing all manner of intrusive software to cover its shortcomings
but why bother? Simply uninstall all the software, drivers, and other
trash from the startup disk and go back to the Ethernet connection where
nothing extra is required.

 

[Paul]

snip...

It is hard to imagine what sort of "cause" would motivate anyone to
attempt to use USB, a definite non-network connection if there ever was
one, in place of an already-working Ethernet connection which was made
for such tasks and which handles them so gracefully. Sure, one can
sometimes get USB to work with a modem in a half-assed sort of way by
installing all manner of intrusive software to cover its shortcomings
but why bother? Simply uninstall all the software, drivers, and other
trash from the startup disk and go back to the Ethernet connection where
nothing extra is required.

Apparently you can run two users off the 5200, without a router.
That is why you would want the USB to work.

Paul

 

[John McGaw]

Apparently you can run two users off the 5200, without a router.
That is why you would want the USB to work.

Paul

Yes, but one might also very easily get by adding another Ethernet port
to the computer for literally a few $ and turning on ICS in XP. Assuming
that one's time is worth only a little bit of money per hour skipping
the annoyance and problems of the USB connection by adding a cheap
Ethernet card to the system is probably worthwhile.

Of course adding a cheap router/hub/switch is almost always the best way
to go if sharing is truly the aim. And if one's Speedstream is of the
proper sort it is often possible to enable its internal router if the
ISP has crippled it so that only a hub/switch are needed.

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/84

 

[Grinder]

snip...

It is hard to imagine what sort of "cause" would motivate anyone to
attempt to use USB, a definite non-network connection if there ever was
one, in place of an already-working Ethernet connection which was made
for such tasks and which handles them so gracefully. Sure, one can
sometimes get USB to work with a modem in a half-assed sort of way by
installing all manner of intrusive software to cover its shortcomings
but why bother? Simply uninstall all the software, drivers, and other
trash from the startup disk and go back to the Ethernet connection where
nothing extra is required.

We're wanting to use the ethernet port on the PC for a crossover
connection to his PS2. Budget is a primary consideration, so even $40
for a gateway router is not feasible.

 

[John McGaw]

We're wanting to use the ethernet port on the PC for a crossover
connection to his PS2. Budget is a primary consideration, so even $40
for a gateway router is not feasible.

Two things: 1) all you really need is a cheap Ethernet card to use with
ICS and that might be as little as $5. 2) It is entirely possible that
your modem already has a router built into it. I posted a link to an
article about that subject in a reply to Paul. If so, then all you need
is a cheap hub/switch and those are sometimes <$20 if you hit the sales
at the right time.

 

[kony]

We're wanting to use the ethernet port on the PC for a crossover
connection to his PS2. Budget is a primary consideration, so even $40
for a gateway router is not feasible.

how about $15?
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=298420&pfp=cat3

It's well worth $15 to avoid USB and be behind a router.

 

[Grinder]

how about $15?
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=298420&pfp=cat3

It's well worth $15 to avoid USB and be behind a router.

If it were must me, that would be the way to go.

As it is, though, I'm not really in the position to require that he
purchase more hardware for $15, or even $5 dollars. I was hoping we
could get it to work with the existing bits, but that's looking less likely.

Thanks for your suggestions.