Re: swapping virgin modems
Re: swapping virgin modems
Where did you get the modem from? I.e. is it an old one of yours?
You're right in that it's not just a case of swapping it - much like how mobile phones are identified by their SIM card, cable modems are identified by a preinstalled certificate which is unique to that device. Without that identification, the CMTS wouldn't have a reliable way of telling apart yours and your neighbours' modems as they share the physical layer. The modems have to be effectively linked to your account.
Looking at the VM forums, it seems people have had some success in getting their older modems activated by speaking to tech support, but it does require getting through to someone who understands what you're trying to do and why.
Re: swapping virgin modems
I got it on ebay, VM never asked for it back when they switched to sky.
Re: swapping virgin modems
Quote:
Originally Posted by
g8ina
Talk to Dareos
Already tried with a PM - but guess he's busy which is fair enough.
Re: swapping virgin modems
Fit it and phone the activation number?
Fit and try virginmedia.com/activate
Fit and see if it just works and if not phone support to get it activated.
I would start with the above.
Re: swapping virgin modems
It will not work without prior activation, and you wouldn't be able to get to an activation website without an Internet connection.
The modem's certificate must be activated on VM's provisioning system before the CMTS will even initialise it. If it's been bought on ebay, as far as VM's systems are concerned it's still registered to its previous owner who presumably no longer has any purchased services (but wouldn't work for various other reasons anyway, like being on a different CMTS). Like I said, it's not unlike how SIM card registration works - the cable network is similar to a cellular network in that you're sharing the physical layer with other users, and both sender and receiver need a way of authenticating.
TL: DR - Your only option is to get in touch with support and hope they'll activate it for you. Unless the modem has been blacklisted, you should be OK.
Re: swapping virgin modems
Can't help with this, but I was about to switch an old Tivo out for a shiny new V6 .... until I found out it has no Scart output. Now, I doubt I'll bother and they can have the V6 back. Grrr.
Re: swapping virgin modems
It does have mini-scart, but I don't think it's activated.
Re: swapping virgin modems
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Saracen
Can't help with this, but I was about to switch an old Tivo out for a shiny new V6 .... until I found out it has no Scart output. Now, I doubt I'll bother and they can have the V6 back. Grrr.
Not ideal but would something like this work for you? -
https://www.amazon.co.uk/HDMI-SCART-.../dp/B00NAT0W2Y
The V6 is so much quicker than the TIVO, I couldn't go back now.
Re: swapping virgin modems
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Jonj1611
I did look at several devices like that, but I'd need a splitter too, and then the format converters all seem to be composite-only, and the concensus on various forums ranges from "don't work" to "works, but mediocre video quality".
@Smudger - according to various sources, the mini-scart is disabled in European versions.
Thanks for the suggestions, guys, but all the available options just seem like a quality compromise too far.
Re: swapping virgin modems
well it's arrived, now to see how I go calling Virgin.... :telephone:
Re: swapping virgin modems
Let us know how you get on! Don't give up if you don't succeed in one call though, like I say it might take a few goes to get through to someone willing to help. Also, I can't remember exactly what tier the SH2 is supported to but I used it on 200Mb so it should be OK at least up to that. I don't think VM will allow 300Mb on the SH2 though. It's technically capable of it, but probably undesirable as its lower supported channel count means it can't load balance across the available channels as well.
Re: swapping virgin modems
this post comes to you via not a hub3 :) ;)
alexa is stable, and got through the entire white album and hasn't dropped connection yet after several hours (previously it was 20 mins max)
Now that I finally have a fast stable connection anyone for some gaming? I've got all the latest titles... red alert 2, quake 3, far cry and this new one called battlefield 2. It's really good. Anyone?
Re: swapping virgin modems
Glad you got it sorted! :)
Maybe, one day, VM will hold up their hands and consider fixing the problem. It seems their PR strategy lately is to just ignore and/or stonewall customers with genuine complaints and not put any particular effort into resolving any connection issues in a timely manner.
A problem myself and many others had was one of terrible single-threaded download speed. It went on, getting worse for years and with constant back-and-forth between myself and various VM departments. At one point I managed to explain the problem to a knowledgeable guy in complaints who almost accepted there was a problem, but after going away and calling me back a few days later, was back to square one of insisting there was no problem. I find it hard to believe (and TBH a teensy bit suspicious) that VM staff don't seem to understand some issues which really aren't very complicated. Especially when they insist network engineers can't find anything wrong either (or claim that it's normal).
As expected, the problem went away (after I'd already left for BT, but tested on friends' nearby connections) with a CMTS upgrade, but you still won't get anyone from VM admitting there was a problem relating to the old CMTS as we customers had deduced a fair while ago.
Re: swapping virgin modems
If we ever find ourselves in a pub I will give you the full story, but I'm just happy to have a (so far) stable connection behaving itself.