- Make sure that your modem will work with your Internet subscription. While rare, some modems encounter issues when paired with a specific Internet company (e.g., Comcast). Double-check your modem’s compatibility with your current Internet subscription before buying (if possible).
If you find that your modem won’t work with your current subscription, try to exchange the modem for a different one that will work, or switch your Internet subscription.
- Find your room’s cable output. The cable output resembles a metal cylinder with a small hole in the middle and screw threads all around the sides. You’ll usually find cable outputs in the wall near the floor in living rooms and bedrooms.
- Decide on a place to mount the modem. The modem should be relatively high up (e.g., on top of a bookshelf), and it will need to be close enough to the cable output that you can connect it without stretching or bending the cable.
- Make sure that you have all of the required cables. A modem generally requires a coaxial cable to connect to the cable output, as well as a power cable to connect to an electrical outlet. Both of these cables should come with your modem, but if you bought it used, you may need to find replacement cables.
- If you plan on attaching the modem to a router, you will also need an Ethernet cable.
- Consider buying a longer coaxial cable if the one that you have is too short to allow you to mount properly your modem.
- Read your modem’s instructions. Each modem is unique, and yours may require additional setup outside of this article’s capacity. Reading your modem’s manual will help make you aware of any additional steps that you have to take to install the modem.
Part II Installing
- Attach one end of the coaxial cable to the cable output. The coaxial cable has a connection that resembles a needle on each end. This will plug into the cable output. Make sure that you screw the coaxial cable onto the cable outlet to ensure that the connection is solid.
- Attach the other end of the cable to the input on your modem. On the back of the modem, you should see an input that resembles the cable output cylinder. Attach the free end of the coaxial cable to this input, making sure to tighten as needed.
- Plug your modem’s power cable into an electrical outlet. A wall socket or a surge protector will do. It’s important to plug the cable into the power outlet before connecting it to the modem, since connecting the power cable to the modem first can cause damage.
- Insert the modem power cable’s free end into the modem. You’ll usually find the power cable input port at the bottom of the back of the modem, but check your modem’s documentation to confirm if you can’t find the power port.
- Place your modem in its spot. With the cables attached, gently move your modem into its designated position. You shouldn’t feel any resistance from the cables.
- Attach the modem to a router. If you have a Wi-Fi router that you want to use in conjunction with your modem, plug one end of an Ethernet cable into the square port on the back of the modem, then plug the other end into the “INTERNET” (or similarly labeled) square port on the back of the router. As long as the router is plugged into a power source, the router should immediately light up.
- Give your modem and router a few minutes to boot up before attempting to connect to Wi-Fi.
- You can also connect your computer directly to your modem via Ethernet if you have an Ethernet port enabled computer (ex. A PC or Ethernet Adapter for most Macs)
Today, almost all wired and wireless mice use USB as the interface to the computer. However, older computers may utilize PS/2 or serial ports. If your mouse is wireless, it can be communicating over Bluetooth, RF (radio frequency), or IR(infrared). To proceed, select your connection type from the list below and follow the instructions.
Connecting a wireless USB mouse
A cordless mouse has a small receiver that communicates with the mouse. The receiver connects to the computer via a USB port.
- Look for a USB port in the back or on the side of your computer and plug in the receiver.
- Once the wireless receiver is connected to the computer, Windows should automatically find and install the appropriate drivers as long as you’re connected to the Internet.
- Make sure there are batteries in the mouse or that it is charged.
- Next, verify that the mouse is turn on. Many wireless devices have an on and off switch on the bottom of them.
Connecting a wired USB mouse
Connect the USB cable coming from the mouse to one of the USB ports (shown right) on the back or side of your computer. If you are using a USB port hub, connect the mouse cable to that.
After the mouse is connected, the computer should automatically install the drivers and provide basic functionality. If the mouse you want to change how any special buttons work, additional software may need to be installed.
If the mouse is not functioning, see our mouse troubleshooting section.
Connecting a Bluetooth mouse
A Bluetooth mouse connects to a computer wirelessly using a Bluetooth signal. The computer must have built-in Bluetooth or have a Bluetooth adapter connected to it.
To connect a Bluetooth mouse to your computer, follow the steps below.
- Open the Bluetooth utility on your computer and make sure Bluetooth is turned on. The Bluetooth utility, if enabled, can usually be found in the notification area, with an icon that looks like the Bluetooth symbol.
- Turn on the mouse if it has an On/Off switch. Check the Bluetooth utility to see if it detects the Bluetooth mouse.
- When the Bluetooth utility finds the Bluetooth mouse, select the mouse in the Bluetooth device list and click the Pair button.
- If successful, the mouse will be connected to the computer.