RCA dcm235 User manual

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CABLE MODEM
MODEM
CÂBLE
NUMÉRIQUE
MÓDEM
DE CABLE

CAUTION
Disconnect power
before servicing.
SAFETY/INFORMATION
CABLE INSTALLER:
This reminder is provided to call your attention to Article 820-40 of the National Electrical
Code (Section 54 of the Canadian Electrical Code, Part 1) which provides guidelines for
proper grounding and, in particular, specifies that the cable ground shall be connected to
the grounding system of the building as close to the point of cable entry as practical.
docsis and euroDOCSIS-compliant
This product was designed according to Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications.
It will operate on any DOCSIS-compliant (EuroDOCSIS-compliant for model DCM28x and
DCM29x) Hybrid Fiber Coax (HFC) cable system and offers DOCSIS Baseline Privacy to
promote secure internet transactions.
Powercord Requirement
This product must be operated with the supplied line cord or with a line cord meeting
IEC227 H03 VV-F or IEC227 H03 VVH2-F having conductors with a cross-sectional area
not less than .75mm2.
Operating Information
Operating Temperature:0˚ - 40˚ C (32˚ - 104˚ F)
Storage Temperature:-30˚ to 65˚ C.
If you purchased this product at a retail outlet, please read the following:
CAUTION
To ensure reliable operation and to prevent overheating, provide adequate
ventilation for this modem and keep it away from heat sources. Do not
locate near heat registers or other heat-producing equipment. Provide for
free air flow around the cable modem and its power supply.
Please fill out the product registration card that came with this modem and return it immediately.
Returning the card allows us to contact you if needed.
Keep your sales receipt to obtain warranty parts and service and for proof of purchase. Attach it here
and record the serial and model numbers in case you need them. The numbers are located on the back
of the modem.
Model No. ____________________________________________________
Serial No. ____________________________________________________
Purchase Date: ________________________________________________
Dealer/Address/Phone: _________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Product Registration

1
Table of Contents
introduction .............................................................. 2
Cable Modem Features ........................................................... 2
What’s on the CD-ROM .......................................................... 2
Computer Requirements ........................................................ 3
Placing the Rubber Feet on the Cable Modem ..................... 3
Cable Modem Overview ........................................... 4
Cable Internet Service Requirements .................................... 4
What The Modem Does .......................................................... 4
What The Modem Needs To Do Its Job ................................. 4
before you begin......................................................... 5
Contact Your Local Cable Company ...................................... 5
Connecting the Cable Modem ..............................6
Connecting The Cable Modem To A Single
Computer ......................................................................... 6
USB Connection ...................................................................... 6
Using Windows 98 SE for USB Connection ............................ 8
Using Windows 2000 for USB Connection .......................... 12
Ethernet Connection ............................................................ 16
Connecting More Than One Computer to the
Cable Modem (Ethernet Only) ...................................... 17
activating the Cable Modem .............................. 18
Initialization Mode ............................................................... 18
Using the Cable Modem ......................................... 19
Buttons .................................................................................. 19
Light Indicators –Operational Mode .................................. 19
Reset Switch .......................................................................... 20
Other Status Lights ............................................................... 20
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ............................... 21
General Troubleshooting ...................................22
USB Troubleshooting ............................................. 23
Quick Reference......................................................... 31
Service Information .............................................. 33
FCC INFORMATION ....................................................... 34
glossary ....................................................................... 35

2
Cable Modem Features
•Capable of receiving data at rates of up to 3000kbps‡(3 Megabits per second, over
50 times faster than 56K)
•Able to send and receive data over the cable line
•Plug-and-play operation for easy setup and installation
•Compliance to DOCSIS (EuroDOCSIS for model DCM28x and DCM29x) specification
•ON/OFF Button to put the Ethernet or USB port in standby mode
•Email waiting notification capability
•Diagnostics via LED or HTTP server
•Able to receive automatic software updates, if initiated by your cable company
‡The following may affect the speed of your cable modem: your computer
equipment and configuration (processor speed, amount of RAM, available disk
space); the number of programs you are running at the same time; the capacity of
your ISP; network traffic levels; the number of Ethernet or USB devices in use on
your computer. Your cable company may or may not fully support the speed
capabilities of this modem.
introduction
Accessing the Diagnostics Display through the CD-ROM
A button on the CD-ROM menu called “Look at Diagnostics”(found under the
“About My Cable Modem”menu), launches your browser and displays status and
diagnostic information stored within the modem in HTML format.
Please note that before this page can be displayed, your PC must receive an IP
address assignment from the Cable company’s server, over the cable network.
After the diagnostics page is displayed, you may want to “bookmark”this IP
address in your browser.
What’s on the CD-ROM
Insert the Cable Modem CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive to view troubleshooting tips,
the internal diagnostics, and other valuable information.
NOTE: You will need to use the CD-ROM to install the USB driver if you are connecting
via the USB port.
CD-ROM Contents:
•Links to RCA web sites
•Electronic file of the Instruction Book
•Usage and troubleshooting tips
•Information about other RCA products

3
* Windows is a trademark of the Microsoft Corporation
** Macintosh and the Mac OS are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.
introduction
Computer Requirements
•Personal computer with the following minimum system requirements (note that the
minimum requirements may vary by cable company):
An Ethernet card makes it possible for your computer to pass data to
and from the internet. You must have an Ethernet card and software
drivers installed in your computer. You will also need a standard
Ethernet cable to connect the Ethernet card to your cable modem.
USB Port USB (Windows 98SE/2000 only) N/A†
The Universal Serial Bus is a high speed bus that enables your
computer to communicate simultaneously with a variety of
peripherals. However, if you have other peripherals that send and
receive a lot of information, such as speakers, printers or scanners,
we recommend using an Ethernet card to support this modem.
†Mac Users: Mac OS or any other OS other than Windows 98SE or 2000 are not currently
supported for USB installation. Please use the Ethernet connection.
Placing the Rubber Feet on
the Cable Modem
A set of rubber pads have been packaged with your
modem. These pads (or "feet") can be attached to keep
the modem from sliding around on your desktop.
You have 2 options for placing the pads:
Option 1: Attach the pads to the four slight
indentations on the back of the modem.
Option 2: Attach the pads to the “rudders”on the
bottom of the cable modem. Be sure to
equally space the pads for best results. Option 2:
Equally space the feet on
the bottom of the unit
Option 1:
Attach the
pads to the
indentations
on the back
IBM PC COMPATIBLE MACINTOSH**
CPU Pentium preferred PowerPC or higher
System RAM 16MB (32MB preferred) 24MB (32MB preferred)
Operating System Windows* 95/98/98SE/2000/NT Mac OS** 7.6.1 or higher
Linux
Available Disk Space 125MB 50MB
Video VGA or better (SVGA preferred) VGA or better (SVGA built-in preferred)
CD-ROM Drive Required Required
Ethernet 10BaseT or 100BaseT 10BaseT or 100BaseT

4
What The Modem Does
The RCA Digital Cable Modem serves as a two-way high-speed bridge between your
personal computer and a cable Internet Service Provider (ISP). It converts information
that originates from the Internet or your computer into electronic messages that can be
transported over the same wires your cable company uses to transport video signals.
What The Modem Needs To Do Its Job
The Right Cable Company
Make sure your local cable company provides data services that use cable TV industry-
standard DOCSIS (EuroDOCSIS for model DCM28x and DCM29x) technology.
The Internet Service Provider (ISP)
Your cable company provides you access to an Internet Service Provider (ISP). The ISP is
your gateway to the Internet. It provides you with a pipeline to access Internet content
on the World Wide Web (WWW).
Check with your cable company to make sure you have everything you need to begin;
they’ll know if you need to install special software or re-configure your computer to
make your cable internet service work for you.
Cable Modem Overview
Cable Internet Service Requirements
•Cable company that offers DOCSIS-compliant (EuroDOCSIS-compliant for model
DCM28x and DCM29x) internet services
Computer Internet
Cable
Modem
Cable Company
(Internet Service Provider)

5
before you begin
Contact Your Local Cable Company
You will need to contact your cable company to establish an internet account before you
can use your modem. You should have the following information (which you will find on
the sticker on the modem) ready:
•The serial number
•The model number of the modem
•The Media Access Control (MAC) address
CAUTION
Your cable company should always be consulted before
installing a new cable outlet. Do not attempt any rewiring
without contacting your cable company first.
Please verify the following with the cable
company:
•The cable service to your home supports DOCSIS-compliant (EuroDOCSIS-compliant
for model DCM28x and DCM29x) two-way modem access.
•Your internet account has been set up.
•You have a cable outlet near your PC and it is ready for cable modem service.
Record your information here:
Serial Number: _________________________
Model Number: _________________________
MAC Address: __________________________
S.N.
MODEL:
MAC:
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
DCMXXX
001095XXXXXX
NOTE: It is important to supply power to the modem at all times. Keeping
your modem plugged in will keep it connected to the Internet. This means
that it will always be ready when you are. To disconnect just your computer
from the Internet, use the ON/OFF button to put the modem in standby
mode.

6
Connecting the Cable Modem
Connecting The Cable Modem To A Single
Computer
Below are important points to remember before you connect the cable modem:
•You should have a Windows® 98 SE (Second Edition)* or Windows 2000
operating system to use the Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection.
•You must choose one connection only: Ethernet or USB. Do not attempt to
connect your computer to both the Ethernet and the USB port simultaneously.
•Do not attempt to connect one computer to the Ethernet port and another
computer to the USB port using the same cable modem.
For Ethernet connections, go to page 16.
USB Connection
Follow instructions 1 through 5 to connect the Cable Modem to the USB port on your
computer. (Note: Instructions must be followed in the order they appear.)
1. Connect one end of the coaxial cable to the cable connection in the wall. Attach the
other end of the coaxial cable to the connector on the cable modem labeled CABLE
(Fig. 1).
2. A. Insert the plug from the AC adapter into the jack on the cable modem labeled
POWER AC ADAPTER.
B. Insert one end of the power cord into the AC adapter. Plug the other end of the
power cord into an AC outlet.
3. Insert the supplied RCA cable modem CD-ROM. Wait momentarily for the cable
modem CD window display.
4. Close all open applications and dialog boxes, including the cable modem CD
window.
Note: Open applications may interfere with your cable modem installation.
5. Connect one end of the USB cable to the USB port located on the back of your
computer. Connect the other end of the USB cable to the USB port on the cable
modem’s back panel.
Note: Use only the Thomson power supply that accompanied this unit.
Using other adapters may damage the unit.
If you have Windows 98 SE, go to step 6 on page 8. If you have Windows 2000, go to
step 6 on page 12.
*Follow the instructions here if you are unsure of the operating system installed in your computer.
A. Click on the “Start”icon in the lower left-hand corner of your screen.
B. Select “Settings,”followed by “Conrol Panel.”The “Control Panel”window appears.
C. Double-click on the “System”icon.
D. Select the “General”tab in the “System Properties”window.
Your operating system is identified on this screen below “system.”
Microsoft®and Windows®are either registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation
in the United States and/or other countries. Screen shot(s) reprinted by permission from
Microsoft Corporation.

7
Connecting the Cable Modem
CABLE
RESET
POWER AC
ADAPTER
ETHERNET USB
USB Connection
AC Power
Coaxial Cable
CABLE jack
Thomson Power AC
Adapter
1
2a
2b
Important Connection Information
•The cable modem cannot support both Ethernet and USB connections
simultaneously. The first port connected takes priority.
•This modem does not support “Hot Swapping”of cables.
Follow these steps to change the type of connection you are using (Ethernet to
USB or USB to Ethernet):
1. Unplug power supply from the AC outlet.
2. Switch connection type (USB or Ethernet).
3. Plug power back into the AC outlet.
4
5
NOTE: Use only the Thomson power supply that accompanied this unit.
Using other adapters may damage the unit.
3
Fig. 1: USB Connection

8
Connecting the Cable Modem
Fig. 2
Using Windows 98 SE for USB Connection
Follow steps 6 through 14 if you have a Windows 98 SE operating system:
6. When the “Add New Hardware Wizard”appears, click “Next”to initiate the search
for drivers for your USB device. (Fig. 2)
Note: If the “Add New Hardware Wizard” did not automatically appear, Windows 98 SE
does not recognize the cable modem’s presence because your Bios settings may not
permit USB and/or Plug-and-Play devices. Please contact your computer’s customer
service department.
7. Choose “The updated driver”option, (recommended) and click “Next”(Fig. 3).
Fig. 3

9
Connecting the Cable Modem
Fig. 5
9. The search should find the driver for the “RCA or Thomson USB Cable Modem”(Fig.
5). To confirm that this is the case, click “Next”to continue and proceed to step 11.
Otherwise, see step 10.
Important: Do NOT continue if the search finds “USB Composite Device”driver.
Proceed to step 10.
Fig. 4
8. Choose ONLY the “CD-ROM drive”option and click “Next”(Fig. 4).

10
Connecting the Cable Modem
10. Follow these instructions only if the driver found was NOT the “RCA or Thomson
USB Cable Modem.”
A. Click “Back”to return to the previous window.
B. Ensure that you have selected the “CD-ROM”option.
C. In addition to the CD-ROM selection, choose “Specify a location”(Fig. 6 ).
Fig. 6
D. In the location box, type in your CD-ROM drive. For example, if your CD-
ROM is located on the E: drive, type “E:\.”
E. Click “Next”to continue.
The search should find the driver for the “RCA or Thomson USB Cable
Modem.”
F. Confirm that this is the driver selected, and click “Next”to continue.
11. Windows should now prompt you to install the “RCA or Thomson USB Cable
Modem”driver. Click “Next”to install the driver.
At this point, your PC needs to copy Windows 98 SE specific files. If these files are
not located on your hard drive, you may need to insert your Windows 98 SE
installation media (i.e., Windows disks or Windows CD-ROM), but first remove the
cable modem CD-ROM.
12. After the Windows specific files are copied, you may be asked for another USB
driver file named “NETRCACM.SYS”, located on the cable modem CD-ROM. Remove
the Windows 98 SE CD-ROM (if necessary), and reinsert the cable modem
CD-ROM that accompanied your cable modem.

11
Connecting the Cable Modem
Fig. 7
14. The Cable Modem installation is now complete. To validate a proper installation,
perform the following instructions:
A. Click on the “Start”icon in the lower left-hand corner of your screen.
B. Select “Settings,”followed by “Control Panel.”The “Control Panel”
window appears.
C. Double-click on the “System”icon, and select the “Device Manager”tab.
D. Scroll down the list until you come to “Network Adapters.”Double-click
on “Network Adapters.”
If the “RCA or Thomson USB Cable Modem”does not exist, the cable modem
was NOT installed correctly, go to Solution 2 on page 26.
13. Windows now informs you that the installation is complete. Click on “Finish”
to finalize the process (Fig. 7). When the “System Settings Change”window
appears, click “Yes”to restart your computer.

12
Connecting the Cable Modem
Using Windows 2000 for USB Connection
Follow steps 6 through 14 if you have a Windows 2000 operating system:
6. When the “Found New Hardware Wizard”appears, click “Next”to initiate the
search for drivers for your USB device (Fig. 8).
Note: If Windows 2000 does not recognize the cable modem’s presence, your Bios
settings may not permit USB and/or Plug-and-Play devices. Please contact your
computer’s customer service department.
Fig. 8
7. Choose the “Search for a suitable driver for my device (recommended)”option, and
click “Next”(Fig. 9).
Fig. 9

13
Connecting the Cable Modem
Fig. 10
8. Choose ONLY the “CD-ROM”option and click “Next”(Fig. 10).
Fig. 11
9. The search should find the driver for the “RCA or Thomson DCM 2XX Cable
Modem”(Fig.11). To confirm that this is the case, click “Next”to continue and
proceed to step 11. Otherwise, see step 10.
Important: Do NOT continue if the search finds “USB Composite Device”driver.
Proceed to step 10.

14
Connecting the Cable Modem
D. In the location box, type in your CD-ROM drive. For example, if your CD-
ROM is located on the E: drive, type “E:\.”Click on “Ok”to continue.
E. Click “Next”to continue.
The search should find either “RCA or Thomson USB Cable Modem”or
“RCA or Thomson DCM 2XX Cable Modem.”
11. Windows should now prompt you to install either the “RCA or Thomson USB Cable
Modem”or “RCA or Thomson DCM 2XX Cable Modem.”Click “Next”to install the
driver.
At this point your PC needs to copy Windows 2000 specific files. If these files are not
located on your hard drive, you may need to insert your Windows 2000 installation
media (i.e., Windows 2000 CD-ROM), but first remove the cable modem CD-ROM.
10. Follow these instructions ONLY if the driver found was NOT the “RCA or Thomson
DCM 2XX Cable Modem.”
A. Click “Back”to return to the previous window.
B. Ensure that you have selected the “CD-ROM”option.
C. In addition to the CD-ROM option, choose “Specify a location.”Click on
“Next”to continue (Fig. 12).
Fig. 12

15
Connecting the Cable Modem
Fig. 13
12. After the Windows specific files are copied, you may be asked for another USB
driver file named “NETRCACM.SYS,”located on the cable modem CD-ROM. Remove
the Windows 2000 CD-ROM (if necessary), and reinsert the cable modem
CD-ROM that accompanied your cable modem.
13. Click on “Finish”to complete the process (Fig. 13).
14. The Cable Modem installation is now complete. To validate a proper installation,
perform the following instructions:
A. Click on the “Start”icon in the lower left-hand corner of your screen.
B. Select “Settings,”followed by “Control Panel.”The “Control Panel”
window appears.
C. Double-click on the “System”icon, select the “Hardware”tab, and choose
“Device Manager.”
D. Scroll down the list until you come to “Network Adapters.”Double-click
on “Network Adapters.”
The “RCA or Thomson USB Cable Modem”should exist. If the “RCA or
Thomson USB Cable Modem”does not exist, the cable modem was NOT
installed correctly. Go to Solution 2 on page 26.

16
Connecting the Cable Modem
Ethernet Connection
Make the connections to the modem in the following sequence:
1. Connect one end of the coaxial cable to the cable connection in the wall, and the
other end to the connector on the modem labeled CABLE.
2. A. Insert the plug from the AC adapter into the POWER AC ADAPTER jack on the
cable modem.
B. Insert the power cord into the AC adapter, and then plug into an AC outlet.
NOTE: Use only the Thomson power supply that accompanied this unit.
Using other adapters may damage the unit.
3. Connect one end of the Ethernet cable (straight-wired, see below) to the Ethernet
port on the back of your computer, and the other end to the ETHERNET port on the
cable modem’s back panel.
•Make sure that the Ethernet cable is straight-wired (not “null”or
crossover-wired). However, you will need a crossover-type cable if you
are connecting the modem to a hub, or a hub within a port switch
that provides the same function.
CABLE
RESET
POWER AC
ADAPTER
ETHERNET USB
Ethernet Connection
AC Power
Coaxial Cable
CABLE jack
Thomson Power AC
Adapter
3
1
2a
2b

17
Connecting the Cable Modem
CABLE
RESET
POWER AC
ADAPTER
ETHERNET USB
Connecting More Than One Computer to
the Cable Modem (Ethernet Only)
You’ll need the following equipment:
•Crossover-wired, or “null,”category 5 Ethernet cable for the cable modem
to be connected to the hub
•10BaseT or 100BaseT Hub or Switch
•Straight through, or standard, category 5 Ethernet cable (one for each
computer to be connected)
If you have a hub with an uplink port*, a straight through cable can be
used in combination with that port in lieu of the crossover cable.
*An uplink port has a small switch on it to change the polarity of the connection. It
can accept either a cross-over or a straight cable, depending on the setting.
“Null” cable (not
supplied)
Standard Ethernet cables
(not supplied)
Ethernet hub

18
activating the Cable Modem
1. Tuning –The cable modem is
functional and searching for a
downstream cable modem service
channel on your cable system.
2. Ranging –The modem is now tuned to a
downstream cable modem channel and can
now receive data. Now it searches for an
upstream channel so that it can send data.
3. Connecting –The cable modem is now communicating
start-up data both downstream and upstream.
The cable company is establishing IP connectivity with
your modem.
4. Configuring –The cable modem received its IP address and is
downloading its configuration file from the Internet Service
Provider (ISP).
5. Registering –The cable modem configuration is
complete. It is registering its “as-configured”
settings with your Cable Operator. Once complete,
the lights stop flashing and the modem enters
Operational Mode.
Initialization Mode
After you install the cable modem and turn it on for the first time (and each time the
modem is reconnected to the power), it goes through five steps before it can be used.
Each of these steps is represented by a different pattern of flashing lights on the front of
the modem.
Legend Off On Flashing
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Note that all LEDs flash once prior to the
initialization sequence.