Hello, A friend recently received a free Surfboard5100 external modem for subscribing to DSL via the cable company. We chose to use the NIC (linksys 10/100 PCI) instead of a USB cable. The NIC installed properly and when I go to device manager everything is in order and it's working properly. When I try to install the software for the modem it keeps coming back with a failure error that the modem does not detect the NIC or a USB cable. I then deleted the NIC from device manager and tried the USB cable only to get the same error. When trying to install the ISP software the same happens....not detecting the NIC Card or the USB cable. Of course if the Modem has a problem then the software will not detect the NIC. The modem has all ligts on except for "stand by" . The computer activity light is flashing as well. Not sure what the next step is here. Anyone have any Ideas?

Hi, Please send me an email. I might need to ask for some more information, Alireza

You should be using a crossover cable. If you are using a crossover cable then try a new one. The cable may be bad. Here is a list of how cables should be used for future reference. Deciding which cable to use: here's a small chart that will give you an idea which cable should go where: computer to computer crossover cable computer to hub straight through cable hub port to hub port crossover cable hub uplink to hub port straight through cable computer to router uplink crossover cable computer to switch straight through cable computer to cable modem crossover cable cable modem to router crossover cable hub uplink to switch port straight through cable Hope this helps...

Thanks for that handy info Dave02.

Thanks for the Info! Was told from the cable company that all we would need would be the modem. One question though, why is the modem not finding the USB cable either? I've tried both. I guess it will not be a guessing game on where this cable plugs into the modem or the PC?