How to Install a DSL Modem With a Cable Modem

Connect a cable modem and DSL modem to your computer.

Cable Internet is broadband service provided by a cable company. The modem for cable Internet connects to a coaxial cable. DSL, on the other hand, is provided by a phone company, and is high-speed Internet service over a phone line. Connecting a cable modem to a DSL modem is possible, but not needed. Combining these two technologies will not increase the speed of your Internet connection. However, connecting both modems to your computer will provide two ways to connect to the Internet in case one of them is down or running slow for whatever reason.

Instructions

Connecting the Cable Modem

1. Connect the coaxial cable from the wall socket to the slot on the back of the cable modem. Twist the coaxial cable in tightly so that it won't come loose.

2. Plug in the Ethernet cable (the yellow cable that came with the modem) into the back of the cable modem. Plug in the other end of the cable modem into the computer in an available Ethernet port.

3. Plug in the power adapter to the back of the cable modem, and then to the wall outlet. You now have power to the cable modem. Wait for all of the lights on the front of the modem to turn solid green.

4. Add the drivers for your cable modem by putting in the installation disk that came with the modem into the CD-ROM drive on your computer. The installation wizard starts automatically. Go through the installation wizard to completely install the cable modem.

Connecting DSL Cable

1. Connect the DSL modem to the phone line with a regular phone cord. Plug one end to the phone line socket on the back on the modem (it is marked with a picture of a phone) and the other end into the wall outlet.

2. Connect the DSL modem to the computer with the Ethernet cable or the USB cable. If you have more than one Ethernet port on your computer, plug in the Ethernet cable to the available Ethernet port that isn't being used by the cable modem. If your only Ethernet port is occupied by the cable modem, use the USB port to connect the modem to the computer.

3. Connect the power adapter to the DSL modem and plug it into an electrical socket. The lights on your modem will start blinking. Wait until all of the lights are solid green.

4. Replace the CD you used earlier for the cable modem with the one that came with the DSL modem. Wait for the installation wizard to start automatically. Proceed through the installation wizard to install the drivers for the DSL modem so that it will work correctly. Restart your computer. The computer will detect both of your modems after it has been restarted.

References

• Smart Computing: How to Install DSL & Cable Modems