Linksys Modem Driver Confusion

I have a linksys cable modem, BEFCMU10 v4. The Linksys website offers
a driver for this modem:

http://tinyurl.com/2tjeoo

I run Windows XP and I was assuming that I would need to upgrade the
driver by way of the Device Manager. I then realized that I don't
really know what I am supposed to upgrade because I can't seem to find
the modem listed anywhere. (I also use a Linksys router)

I contacted Linksys and the tech told me that this driver was something
that my ISP would have to install. Is this correct? What kind of
driver is this and what's it for?

Thanks if you can help.

If the modem is supplied by your Internet Service Provider, then they are
the ones who are responsible for the upgrading, not you. I would contact
them for further information. Normally, an ISP will upgrade the firmware
with a "push" to the modems within their system and perhaps also upgrade
their own firmware in their central office.
--
Chris H.
Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
Associate Expert
Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone


<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) ps.com...
>I have a linksys cable modem, BEFCMU10 v4. The Linksys website offers
> a driver for this modem:
>
> http://tinyurl.com/2tjeoo
>
> I run Windows XP and I was assuming that I would need to upgrade the
> driver by way of the Device Manager. I then realized that I don't
> really know what I am supposed to upgrade because I can't seem to find
> the modem listed anywhere. (I also use a Linksys router)
>
> I contacted Linksys and the tech told me that this driver was something
> that my ISP would have to install. Is this correct? What kind of
> driver is this and what's it for?
>
> Thanks if you can help.
>

Thanks for the help Chris.

I realize in most cases the ISP rents the modem but in my case I
provided my own (and so avoid the monthly rental fee). If there is
firmware available, gigabyte didn't provide it possibly because this
particular modem is in its 4th version and so updates have not been
needed. Because it's actually a "driver" and not firmware, then I
guess it must reside either with my OS or with whatever software the
ISP uses. Obviously I can't control what they do, but if the driver is
something XP is concerned with then I'd like to take care of it if I
can.

Jim


Chris H. wrote:
> If the modem is supplied by your Internet Service Provider, then they are
> the ones who are responsible for the upgrading, not you. I would contact
> them for further information. Normally, an ISP will upgrade the firmware
> with a "push" to the modems within their system and perhaps also upgrade
> their own firmware in their central office.
> --
> Chris H.
> Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
> Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
> Associate Expert
> Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>
>
> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed) ps.com...
> >I have a linksys cable modem, BEFCMU10 v4. The Linksys website offers
> > a driver for this modem:
> >
> > http://tinyurl.com/2tjeoo
> >
> > I run Windows XP and I was assuming that I would need to upgrade the
> > driver by way of the Device Manager. I then realized that I don't
> > really know what I am supposed to upgrade because I can't seem to find
> > the modem listed anywhere. (I also use a Linksys router)
> >
> > I contacted Linksys and the tech told me that this driver was something
> > that my ISP would have to install. Is this correct? What kind of
> > driver is this and what's it for?
> >
> > Thanks if you can help.
> >

It would only be firmware on the modem itself, and not an issue with a
"driver" which XP would not have for a modem. I would ask your ISP, as
that's where support would know the information, or contact the manufacturer
of the modem itself.
--
Chris H.
Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
Associate Expert
Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone


<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) oups.com...
> Thanks for the help Chris.
>
> I realize in most cases the ISP rents the modem but in my case I
> provided my own (and so avoid the monthly rental fee). If there is
> firmware available, gigabyte didn't provide it possibly because this
> particular modem is in its 4th version and so updates have not been
> needed. Because it's actually a "driver" and not firmware, then I
> guess it must reside either with my OS or with whatever software the
> ISP uses. Obviously I can't control what they do, but if the driver is
> something XP is concerned with then I'd like to take care of it if I
> can.
>
> Jim
>
>
> Chris H. wrote:
>> If the modem is supplied by your Internet Service Provider, then they are
>> the ones who are responsible for the upgrading, not you. I would contact
>> them for further information. Normally, an ISP will upgrade the firmware
>> with a "push" to the modems within their system and perhaps also upgrade
>> their own firmware in their central office.
>> --
>> Chris H.
>> Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
>> Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
>> Associate Expert
>> Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>>
>>
>> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:(E-Mail Removed) ps.com...
>> >I have a linksys cable modem, BEFCMU10 v4. The Linksys website offers
>> > a driver for this modem:
>> >
>> > http://tinyurl.com/2tjeoo
>> >
>> > I run Windows XP and I was assuming that I would need to upgrade the
>> > driver by way of the Device Manager. I then realized that I don't
>> > really know what I am supposed to upgrade because I can't seem to find
>> > the modem listed anywhere. (I also use a Linksys router)
>> >
>> > I contacted Linksys and the tech told me that this driver was something
>> > that my ISP would have to install. Is this correct? What kind of
>> > driver is this and what's it for?
>> >
>> > Thanks if you can help.
>> >
>

The Linksys Tech said it was something the ISP would have to do. There
was a bit of a language barrier talking to the tech and I ended up
repeating the same thing over and over until he understood what I was
saying. The help was sincere but I just wasn't sure if I communicated
the problem correctly. Anyway, it's nice to have someone like you
confirm it with a second opinion. I'll assume it's out of my hands
and not worry about it. Thanks for your hep and advice Chris.

Jim

Chris H. wrote:
> It would only be firmware on the modem itself, and not an issue with a
> "driver" which XP would not have for a modem. I would ask your ISP, as
> that's where support would know the information, or contact the manufacturer
> of the modem itself.
> --
> Chris H.
> Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
> Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
> Associate Expert
> Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>
>
> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed) oups.com...
> > Thanks for the help Chris.
> >
> > I realize in most cases the ISP rents the modem but in my case I
> > provided my own (and so avoid the monthly rental fee). If there is
> > firmware available, gigabyte didn't provide it possibly because this
> > particular modem is in its 4th version and so updates have not been
> > needed. Because it's actually a "driver" and not firmware, then I
> > guess it must reside either with my OS or with whatever software the
> > ISP uses. Obviously I can't control what they do, but if the driver is
> > something XP is concerned with then I'd like to take care of it if I
> > can.
> >
> > Jim
> >
> >
> > Chris H. wrote:
> >> If the modem is supplied by your Internet Service Provider, then they are
> >> the ones who are responsible for the upgrading, not you. I would contact
> >> them for further information. Normally, an ISP will upgrade the firmware
> >> with a "push" to the modems within their system and perhaps also upgrade
> >> their own firmware in their central office.
> >> --
> >> Chris H.
> >> Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
> >> Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
> >> Associate Expert
> >> Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
> >>
> >>
> >> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> >> news:(E-Mail Removed) ps.com...
> >> >I have a linksys cable modem, BEFCMU10 v4. The Linksys website offers
> >> > a driver for this modem:
> >> >
> >> > http://tinyurl.com/2tjeoo
> >> >
> >> > I run Windows XP and I was assuming that I would need to upgrade the
> >> > driver by way of the Device Manager. I then realized that I don't
> >> > really know what I am supposed to upgrade because I can't seem to find
> >> > the modem listed anywhere. (I also use a Linksys router)
> >> >
> >> > I contacted Linksys and the tech told me that this driver was something
> >> > that my ISP would have to install. Is this correct? What kind of
> >> > driver is this and what's it for?
> >> >
> >> > Thanks if you can help.
> >> >
> >

In article <(E-Mail Removed) om>,
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
:I have a linksys cable modem, BEFCMU10 v4. The Linksys website offers
:a driver for this modem:
:
:http://tinyurl.com/2tjeoo
:
:I run Windows XP and I was assuming that I would need to upgrade the
:driver by way of the Device Manager. I then realized that I don't
:really know what I am supposed to upgrade because I can't seem to find
:the modem listed anywhere. (I also use a Linksys router)
:
:I contacted Linksys and the tech told me that this driver was something
:that my ISP would have to install. Is this correct? What kind of
:driver is this and what's it for?

The driver is needed only if you are connecting to the modem via its USB
interface. Since you're using a router, you obviously aren't doing that
(and if you _were_ using the USB connection, Windows XP would have
prompted you to install the driver). The Linksys technician must have
been referring to the firmware in the modem. Changes to that firmware
are done by your ISP from the cable side of the modem, and you have no
control whatsoever over that process.

--
Bob Nichols AT comcast.net I am "RNichols42"

Robert Nichols wrote:
> Changes to that firmware
> are done by your ISP from the cable side of the modem, and you have no
> control whatsoever over that process.

The modems don't support a configuration where the customer can choose
to use whatever modem he wants? They only support a configuration where
the modem is managed by the ISP? That seems kind of strange. That
certainly isn't the case with DSL, dialup, and most other Internet
access methods.

DS

In article <(E-Mail Removed) .com>,
David Schwartz <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
:
:Robert Nichols wrote:
:> Changes to that firmware
:> are done by your ISP from the cable side of the modem, and you have no
:> control whatsoever over that process.
:
:The modems don't support a configuration where the customer can choose
:to use whatever modem he wants? They only support a configuration where
:the modem is managed by the ISP? That seems kind of strange. That
:certainly isn't the case with DSL, dialup, and most other Internet
:access methods.

The customer can choose any cable modem that is on the list of modems
that the ISP supports. The ISP always has to supply a configuration
file for the modem (settng rate caps, possible port filtering, among a
whole bunch of other configuration options) and is solely responsible
for providing and installing firmware updates. It's the same for DSL.
Just try buying a DSL modem that isn't supported by your ISP and see how
far you get with it.

--
Bob Nichols AT comcast.net I am "RNichols42"