160-3537 Comcast High-Speed Internet Self-Install Kit

What's the big deal about high-speed internet and how do I get it?

Why would I use this kit instead of having my system hooked up for me?

What comes in the box?

What are the system requirements?

How difficult is it to use this kit to set up my system?

What else will I need to set up a basic system?

Can I connect more than one computer to the modem?

How can I get one of these?

The Comcast kits are no longer available. The information in this document is for reference and information purposes only. The kits were originally sold through RadioShack stores which were offering the Comcast service.

What's the big deal about High-speed Internet and how do I get it?

As the amount of high-bandwidth media (such as streaming audio/video) increases on the Internet, a High-speed connection becomes less of a luxury and more of a necessity. High-speed Internet connections offer numerous benefits over a standard, telephone-line dial-up connection:

• Super-fast navigation and download speeds -- up to 50 times faster than 28.8K modems, allowing faster access to on-line music, movies, and more (instead of waiting (and waiting) for the download to finish)
• Reliable, "always-on" connection through the cable line
• The ability to be on-line without tying up your telephone line
• No limits to how long you can stay on line
• No connection time-outs to drop connection right before your download finishes

Additional advantages are offered by the service provider. The provider for the service presently offered through RadioShack is Comcast® Cable Communications, Inc., which offers a number of services:

• Round-the-clock customer service, by e-mail or telephone
• Up to 7 e-mail addresses per account
• Remote access to your account and your e-mail, allowing you to pick up messages from anywhere
• Personal storage space on the web ("My File Locker") for MP3s, photos, and more
• A new homepage with news, weather, stocks, other standard content and exclusive broadband content featuring streaming video and high-quality sound
• Member services such as account management, FAQ's and troubleshooting

You can sign up for Comcast's High-speed Internet service at any participating RadioShack store. Participation is limited to the Comcast service area. To find out if this service is available in your area, contact your local RadioShack store.

Why would I use this kit instead of having my system hooked up for me?

Having someone come out and install computer equipment can be expensive. The three-step setup guide provided with the kit gives detailed instructions, including diagrams and actual pictures, and once you have your cable modem and either an Ethernet or USB port on your computer, installation is simply a matter of connecting cables and running the installation disc. The only variables are whether or not you are connecting your computer modem to the same cable outlet as your television. The basic steps are given under "How difficult is it to use this kit?".

What comes in the box?

The self-install kit includes the following:

• Comcast High-speed Internet Welcome Kit envelope containing four items:
  • Easy-to-follow three-step guide to connecting your system
  • Welcome letter from Comcast
  • Comcast High-speed Internet Install Wizard CD
  • Comcast High-speed Internet Subscriber Agreement
• Cable splitter
• 3-foot coaxial cable (to go from the cable outlet to the splitter)
• 25-foot coaxial cable to go between the splitter and your cable modem)
• nail-in cable clips to secure the cables to the wall
• 5-foot Cat-5E Category 5, Enhanced) cable to go between your cable modem and your computer's Ethernet port

What are the system requirements?

The kit supports both the PC/Windows^® and the Macintosh^® operating systems and computers.

PC/Windows^® requirements

• Operating System: Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows XP, Windows NT 4.0, or Windows 2000 Professional
• CPU (processor speed):
  • minimum: 166 MHz
  • recommended: 200 MHz or greater
• System Memory (RAM):
  • minimum: 32 MB (64 MB for Windows 2000 Professional and Windows NT)
  • recommended: 64 MB
• Disk Space: 150 MB
• Peripherals: CD-ROM
• Ports: either Ethernet or USB

Macintosh^® requirements

• Operating System: 8.5 through 10.1X (excluding 10.0X)
• CPU (processor speed):
  • minimum: PowerPC 601, 166 MHz
  • recommended: PowerPC 603 or greater, 200 MHz or greater
• System Memory (RAM): 32 MB
• Disk Space: 100 MB
• Peripherals: CD-ROM
• Ports: either Ethernet or USB

Note: "Minimum" indicates the lowest requirement for the system to work. "Recommended" indicates the lowest requirement for optimal performance.

How difficult is it to use this kit to set up my system?

The materials provided in the kit make it very easy to make the necessary connections, and no networking experience is required. The section below details the basic connection steps, depending on whether you are connecting the modem and a television to the same cable wall outlet or connecting the modem to a different cable wall outlet than a television.

Connecting the modem and a television to the same cable wall outlet

Connecting the modem to a different cable wall outlet than a television

If you have any problems either connecting the cables or running the High-speed Internet Install Wizard, you can contact Comcast directly at 888-793-0800 for assistance.

What else will I need to set up a basic system?

This kit does not include everything needed to hook up your High-speed Internet system. There are additional items you will need:

• A Cable Modem available on-line or through participating RadioShack stores
• An Ethernet card or a USB port on your computer
• Comcast High-speed Internet account (available through participating RadioShack stores)

If you are using a USB connection, you will also need either a USB cable or Ethernet-to-USB adapters, 250-3084.

If you are using an Ethernet connection and your cable modem is not located within 25 feet of an active cable outlet, you would need a longer coax cable. If your cable modem is more than 5 feet away from your computer, you would need a longer Cat-5E cable.

Can I connect more than one computer to the modem?

Yes! By installing and using a home networking system, you can connect multiple computers to your modem. In its simplest form, a home network consists of a central networking point (such as a hub, switch or router) and multiple connection points (one per computer, either desktop or laptop). While you should have some networking ability, home networks are much easier to install than business-based LANs (Local Area Networks). RadioShack presently sells three different different home networking systems: a wireless system and a wired system by Linksys, and a combination wired & wireless system by Compaq. The significant difference between wired and wireless systems is that the wireless systems do not require that you run cables between the central networking point and the connection points. A wired system requires that a Cat-5E cable be run to each connection point.