Zoom PCI Internal User manual

USER’S MANUAL
CableModem
Zoom
PCI Internal

Contents
GETTING STARTED ............................................................... 3
CONTACTING YOUR CABLE COMPANY........................................... 3
PACKAGE CONTENTS................................................................ 4
MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS.............................................. 4
YOU WILL ALSO NEED ............................................................. 4
1 INSTALLING YOUR CABLE MODEM........................................ 5
INSTALLING THE SOFTWARE ...................................................... 5
INSTALLING THE HARDWARE...................................................... 8
THE MODEM’S POWER-UP PROCESS ...........................................11
THE NEXT STEP ....................................................................12
2 CONFIGURING YOUR BROWSER ......................................... 13
INTERNET EXPLORER 4.0.........................................................13
INTERNET EXPLORER 5.X OR LATER............................................14
NETSCAPE NAVIGATOR............................................................15
AOL...................................................................................15
3 USING YOUR CABLE MODEM ............................................. 16
CONNECTING TO THE INTERNET ................................................16
THE ZOOM CM MONITOR UTILITY .............................................17
ENDING AN INTERNET SESSION .................................................21
IF YOU LOSE POWER ..............................................................21
REMOVING YOUR CABLE MODEM ...............................................21
APPENDIX A TROUBLESHOOTING ........................................... 23
APPENDIX B LOCATING YOUR PCI MAC ADDRESS................... 26
APPENDIX C REGULATORY INFORMATION ............................... 27

Getting Started 3
Getting Started
Your Zoom™ PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) internal
cable modem is designed to connect your personal computer
to the Internet through the same cable that you use for
television reception.
Contacting Your Cable Company
Please fill out the information in the following table before you
begin installing your Zoom cable modem. Your cable service pro-
vider needs this information to ensure that your modem connects
to the Internet successfully. Note: This manual assumes that you
have already arranged for cable modem service and established a
cable modem account with your cable company.
Important Installation Information
The following information is located on a label on your modem. You will
be asked to provide it when you call for installation.
Product Name: Zoom CableModem
Model: __________
S/N: _____ - _______ - ____ - _____ - ______
C-MAC Address:__________________________
To connect your PCI cable modem to your computer, you will need its
MAC Address. If you don’t know it or can’t find it, see page 37 for detailed
instructions.
PCI MAC Address:_________________________

4 Zoom Cable Modem User’s Manual
Package Contents
In addition to this manual, your package should include the fol-
lowing items. If anything is missing, contact your dealer or cable
service provider.
•PCI cable modem
•Software on a CD-ROM
Minimum System Requirements
•Windows®98/Me/2000/XP.
•Available PCI slot in your computer.
•24 MB RAM.
You Will Also Need
To complete your installation, you must have these items:
•Cable modem service provided by your cable company. The
service must be DOCSIS- (Data Over Cable Service Interface
Specification) or EuroDOCSIS-compatible, where applicable.
•A cable outlet.
•A 75-ohm coaxial cable that will connect to the cable TV sys-
tem and that can reach to the computer that will contain your
cable modem.
Note: Because there is great variety in the way cable is installed,
Zoom does not provide a coaxial cable to connect your
modem to your cable system. Your cable company may
provide the appropriate length cable for your use. If the
company doesn’t supply the cable, you should buy a coax-
ial cable with an RG-59 or RG-61U rating (75 ohm) and
industry-standard F connectors.
Tip: For best performance, do not use “push-on” F con-
nectors; use only “screw-on” F connectors.

1 Installing Your Cable Modem 5
1
Installing Your Cable Modem
Note:
Note:Note:
Note: If your cable company provides you with an installation
procedure, follow it instead of the instructions in this
chapter.
This chapter describes how to install your Zoom PCI cable
modem in your computer and connect to your cable service.
Installation consists of a few simple steps:
1. Install the software.
2. Install the hardware.
3. Ensure that the automatic synchronization procedure is
successful.
Installing the Software
Install your cable modem software first, before connecting the
modem hardware. Follow these steps.
1Your computer should be on. Insert the Zoom CD into your
computer’s CD-ROM drive. The CD will start automatically.
(If it doesn’t, from the desktop, go to Start | Run and then
type d:\setup.exe, where d: is the letter of your CD-ROM
drive.)

6 Zoom Cable Modem User’s Manual
2When the main menu appears, click Cable Modem Installa-
tion Wizard.
Be sure to read the Prepare to Install directions, take action
as needed, and then click Continue.
3When the Choose Your Modem dialog box displays, click the
PCI Internal Cable Modem button.

1 Installing Your Cable Modem 7
4The Zoom PC Resource Checker checks your computer to
verify that it has appropriate resources to support your cable
modem model. You will see a dialog box similar to the one
below.
•If your computer has the recommended resources, click
Continue to proceed.
•If your computer does not have the recommended re-
sources, click Details and follow the instructions to rectify
the problem.
5The Setup Wizard continues the software installation process.
6When prompted, click NO, I will restart my computer later,
and then click Finish.
Be sure to remove the CD from your computer when you’re
done.
7Shut down your computer.
The next stage is to install the hardware.

8 Zoom Cable Modem User’s Manual
Installing the Hardware
Remember: You must install the PCI cable modem software
before you install the hardware. Refer to the sec-
tion on page 5.
1
11
1If you have not already done so, record the modem’s C-MAC
and PCI-MAC addresses in the table on page 1. These ad-
dresses are printed on the label on the bottom of the modem
card. You may need to provide these addresses to the cable
company after the modem is installed, and the label will not be
visible then.
2
22
2Shut down Windows if you have not already done so, and turn
your computer off and unplug it. Don’t plug it back in or turn
it on until you have completed the hardware installation.
3
33
3Take the cover off your computer. You will probably have to
remove several screws on the back of the case. Most likely the
screws are near the outer edges.
4
44
4On the back of the computer, unscrew and remove the metal
plate that is covering an available PCI slot.
The PCI slot is shorter than other slots and usually a different
color (PCI slots are usually white or gray). Your cable modem
has three sections of gold connecting fingers, and a PCI slot
has three sections that match the ones on your cable modem.
CAUTION
Electrostatic Discharge Protection
Static electricity can damage components on your
PCI cable modem or inside your computer. Before
removing the board from its antistatic bag, touch
the computer’s metal chassis to statically discharge
yourself.

1 Installing Your Cable Modem 9
5
55
5Remove your PCI cable modem from its antistatic bag and
insert it firmly into an available PCI slot. See the following
illustration:
PCI Slot
Be sure that the gold finger end of the card is properly seated
into the connector. If you have a tower or mini-tower com-
puter case with a vertical main board, turn the computer gently
on its side so you can push straight down on the modem card
to insert it firmly in its slot.
Line the bracket up and screw it into the computer using the
screw you removed with the cover plate.

10 Zoom Cable Modem User’s Manual
6
66
6Connect the coaxial cable.
•If you have a wall outlet cable jack, connect one end of
the coaxial cable to it and the other end to your com-
puter’s PCI modem jack as shown below.
•If you don’t have a wall jack, you should have a length of
coaxial cable entering your house close to where you want
to locate the computer that houses the cable modem.
Connect the end of this cable to your computer’s PCI
modem jack as shown below.
7
77
7Replace the computer cover.
8
88
8Restart your computer.
You should see a dialog box similar to the one below.
Note: If this dialog box does not display automatically, go to
Start |Programs |Zoom Cable Modem |Cable Modem
Monitor.
Select your computer’s PCI card from the dropdown list and
click Next.

1 Installing Your Cable Modem 11
9
99
9The following dialog box displays.
Click Restart System.
The modem starts an automated power-up process that is de-
scribed below.
Note: The Resource Checker, User Manual, and supplementary
software are also installed on your computer during this
installation procedure. For removal instructions, see page
21.
The Modem’s Power-Up Process
Your cable modem now performs an automated power-up process
and synchronizes itself with the cable system.
The LEDs on the modem bracket indicate the progress of syn-
chronization. The green Status LED at the top or far right of the
bracket blinks, rapidly at first and then slowly. When synchroniza-
tion is complete, this LED becomes steady On. The yellow Activ-
ity LED, which flickers when the modem is sending or receiving
data, may also flicker during synchronization. The remaining LED
is reserved.
Note: It may take a few minutes for the modem to register with
the cable system. If the modem does not synchronize, re-
fer to page 24 for help.

12 Zoom Cable Modem User’s Manual
Note: If you experience an outage with your cable TV service,
your cable data connection will most likely also be off. If
you are unable to connect to the Internet, or if your
browser notes that it is unable to find a selected URL,
check to ensure that you have cable TV service available.
If not, contact your cable service provider.
At this point, the system at your cable company will communicate
with the modem and computer to finalize the installation. This part
of the installation varies from company to company, so you should
follow the directions that are given to you.
In some cases, the cable company will automatically query the cable
modem via the cable connection. In other cases, your cable com-
pany may have instructed you to phone back with your cable mo-
dem’s MAC address once the hardware installation is complete.
The cable company may need the cable modem’s MAC addresses
(located on your cable modem’s label), or request billing informa-
tion. Refer to the table on page 1.
The Next Step
If you are like the majority of users, your cable modem installation
is complete. Turn to Chapter 3(page 16) to learn how to use your
modem. The only exception is as follows:
•Your Internet browser setting may need adjustment. If you are
unsure, turn to Chapter 2(page 13) for advice.

2 Configuring Your Browser 13
2
Configuring Your Browser
An Internet browser is a program used to find and display Web
pages. To find a page, the browser must connect to the Inter-
net, either via phone lines or a LAN (Local Area Network). If
you are using a cable modem, your browser needs to connect
to the Internet via a LAN. This chapter describes how to config-
ure some of the most common Internet browsers. It is beyond
the scope of this manual to give step-by-step instructions for all
versions of all browsers, so the instructions below cover only
the major versions of the most common browsers. If you are
using another browser, please consult the documentation that
came with it.
Internet Explorer 4.0
1Start Internet Explorer.
2Open the View menu and select Internet Options.
3In the Internet Properties dialog box, click the Connections
tab.
4Click Connect to the Internet using local area network, and
click OK.

14 Zoom Cable Modem User’s Manual
Internet Explorer 5.x or Later
1
11
1On the desktop, click the Internet Explorer icon.
If you cannot access the Internet Explorer menu, follow these
steps:
•Click Start | Settings | Control Panel.
•Click the Internet Options icon, and go to Step 3.
2
22
2Click the Tools menu, and then Internet Options.
3
33
3In the Internet Properties dialog box, click the Connections
tab.
4
44
4On the Connections tab, click the LAN Settings button.

2 Configuring Your Browser 15
5
55
5In the Local Area Network (LAN) Settings dialog box, se-
lect Automatically detect settings and click OK.
Netscape Navigator
1
11
1On the desktop, click the Netscape Navigator icon.
2
22
2From the Edit menu, select Preferences.
3
33
3In the Preferences dialog box, click the Advanced option,
and then click Proxies.
4
44
4Select the option that allows you to connect to the Internet
directly.
AOL
AOL 5.0 or higher has a cable modem option that configures your
connection automatically.

16 Zoom Cable Modem User’s Manual
3
Using Your Cable Modem
This chapter explains how to use your cable modem, including
the following instructions:
•How to connect to the Internet.
•How to use the CM Monitor Utility.
•What to do if you lose power.
•How to remove your PCI cable modem.
Connecting to the Internet
Once you have correctly installed your Zoom PCI cable modem, it
will power up and synchronize itself with the cable network. You
know that your PCI cable modem is properly connected and syn-
chronized if the green STS light remains steady On.

3 Using Your Cable Modem 17
Light Name Mode Status
STS (Status) Off
Blinking Fast
Blinking Slow
On
Power is off.
Ranging is in process.
Registering is in process.
Online and fully operational.
ACT (Activity) Flashing Traffic activity through the cable
modem.
FCN (Function) On Reserved.
After your cable modem is synchronized, connecting to the Inter-
net is as simple as clicking on the icon that corresponds to the de-
sired Internet application.
Note: Your browser should be configured so that it connects via
a LAN. If you need help changing the way it connects,
turn to page 13.
The Zoom CM Monitor Utility
The Zoom CM Monitor Utility is automatically installed when you
install the cable modem software.
The utility is intended for both end users and cable service provid-
ers. It is meant to eliminate or decrease the number of cable com-
pany “truck rolls” and to save subscribers and service providers
time and money.
For end users installing the modem themselves, should a question
arise pertaining to the installation, the application can help during a
call to the cable company.
Cable company field technicians can monitor the cable modem
during the range and registering portion of the installation and
quickly troubleshoot any problems encountered during the initial
setup process.
To access the CM Monitor, from the desktop click Start | Pro-
grams | Zoom Cable Modem | Cable Modem Monitor. Then
double-click the monitor icon in the system tray:

18 Zoom Cable Modem User’s Manual
A dialog box similar to the one below displays.
The system tray icon (and the Status and Activity buttons) can be
one of three colors, indicating the modem’s connection status.
•Green: The modem is online and synchronized.
•Yellow: The modem is in the process of connecting.
•Red: Synchronization has been lost and the modem is trying to
connect.

3 Using Your Cable Modem 19
Depending on your cable modem model, you may be able to click
the More Details button for more technical information. The ta-
ble below defines this information. Most fields have “rollover” text
definitions: If you move your mouse over a field’s label, a defini-
tion of that field pops up.
Note: All these fields may not be visible for all cable modem
models.
Port Type PCI
Modem Status Online or Connecting
Traffic Meter:
CM to PC
The data rate, expressed in
bits/second, and the total amount
of data, expressed in bytes, from
the cable modem to the computer.
Traffic Meter:
PC to CM
The data rate, expressed in
bits/second, and the total amount
of data, expressed in bytes, from
the computer to the cable modem.
Reset Meter Clicking this button clears all traf-
fic fields.
Sync Status
Activity (ACT)
These lights indicate status and
any activity.
Hide Details Clicking this button closes the
more details screen.

20 Zoom Cable Modem User’s Manual
Connecting Status A text message that describes the
cable modem’s current mode.
C-MAC Address The cable modem’s RF MAC ad-
dress.
PCI MAC Address The cable modem’s PCI-to-PC
interface MAC address.
Serial Number The cable modem’s serial num-
ber.
Downstream Frequency (Hz) The frequency over which the
service provider’s head-end
transmits data to the modem.
Downstream SNR (dB) The signal/noise ratio (SNR) on
the downstream data channel,
from the service provider’s head-
end to the cable modem.
Upstream Frequency (Hz) The frequency over which the
cable modem transmits data to
the service provider’s head-end.
TX Signal Level (dBmV) The cable modem’s transmit
power output level.
Firmware Version The cable modem’s firmware ver-
sion number.
Registration Phase As the modem completes each
stage of the registration process,
a checkmark appears in each box.
The Connecting Progress bar on
the bottom of the dialog box tracks
this progression: When all stages
are complete, the bar is solid, and
Modem Status is Online.
Right-clicking the system tray icon displays a brief menu of op-
tions. From here, you can
•Open the CM Monitor’s Status screen.
•Close the CM Monitor’s Status screen.
•Quit the CM Monitor application.
•Review information about the application.