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earlsinclair2001

# Posted: 23 Oct 2009 21:53


Hi. I have a Motorola Surfboard SB4100 cable modem. My ISP decided do phase out support for this modem, and as of today, my internet will not work because of this. When I open my browser it says my modem is not supported. They totally failed to notify me in advance that my cable modem was being phased out so now I'm left in the dark. I can rent a cable modem from them, but today is Friday night and their offices will not reopen until Monday, and I don't have the money to buy a new, supported cable modem right now.

In short, I'm screwed over for the weekend with no internet (using my neighbor's right now). So my question to you is this. Is there a way to spoof the hardware identifier of the cable modem so that it will make my ISP think that this model is a different one? This cable modem obviously still works because it can open the ISP web page, so I thought there might be a way to fool the ISP to think this modem is a different model. Of course this would be only for the weekend.

Thanks in advance.
Shnerdly
Moderator
 # Posted: 24 Oct 2009 09:25


Not without a complete firmware change which probably wouldn't be supported by the hardware inside the modem. Some of the early SB4100's were only DOCSIS 1.1 while the later models were DOCSIS 2.0. I suspect yours is the earlier one because DOCSIS 2.0 is still the dominant specification in use in the USA. DOCSIS 3.0 is now available but is in the early stages of deployment and is supposed to be compatible with the 2.0 specification.

I would suggest looking on craigslist for a used SB5100 or SB5120. They are usually only $20 or so.
earlsinclair2001

# Posted: 25 Oct 2009 18:33


Thanks a lot for the tips. Unfortunately I couldn't find no used cable modems for sale on my local craigslist. I'm just gonna have to rent my ISPs cable modem for the time being.

Once again thanis.
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