Quick-N-Dirty: if you are having trouble with your download speeds and have a splitter, Double check it. It may be cutting your bandwidth.


For over a month now, I have been fighting with my cable (Cox) - Not the company, the hardware. I have a cable box and a cable modem -And a splitter. It started when we had a lightening storm. I didn't turn off the Surge Protector, and the modem got fried. It was confirmed when the cable guy gave me a New box and modem. And this was when the Fun started...

If I had the Cable box plugged in, the Modem died. Unplugged, it worked just fine. He found I had leakage on the ground wire - Between 30 and 42 volts worth. Old House, Crappy wiring, Right? So I called in an electrician... 2 days and $200 later, the wiring is fine. It's my 4 year old TV shorting everything out... I really can't complain too much - It had survived 4 moves, several bangs, bumps and other nasties... It also doubled as a Room Heater.

Hey! New TV Time... And - Same Difference. Modem doesn't work when the Cable Box is plugged in. Box is New. Modem is New. Cables are New... Hmmm. When I am down at my local hardware store, I see a Satellite Coax Splitter for $8 (2150 Mhz). Can't hurt...

Right now, I am listening to the tv, while my Download speed is running about 6 Mhz. So - if you are having trouble with your Box and modem... Double check the splitter isn't throttling your bandwidth down to nothing.