Customer Reviews

D-Link DCM-202 DOCSIS 2.0 USB/Ethernet Cable Modem

5 star:		(72)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(19)

 

 

I bought this cable modem when I moved into my new apartment because it would be cheaper than renting one from Comcast in the long run. Everything worked fine for about a month, but then I wouldn't be able to connect to anything outside of my local network. Comcast technical support said that from their end it didn't look like anyting was connecting to their network, and my router could release and renew its IP address, so that narrowed it down to the cable modem. Unplugging the modem and plugging it back in would make it work again for 30-45 minutes at a time, but it would cut out at random without warning.

I downloaded and installed new firmware from d-link's website that was specifically for Comcast customers and everything seems to be working ok again, but I know a lot of non-technical people who wouldn't be comfortable doing that. If you are a technically unsaavy person and use comcast, you may want to purchase another cable modem all together.

I was torn between the Motorola 5100 and the D-link 202. I already know the 5100 is good from the reviews but I had to see for myself with the D-link and I'm really glad I did. It was simple to hook up. Make sure your provider get's the MAC address and you will be online in minutes. WIth Adelphia the screen pops up asking for Mac address if you're not using a router so you don't even have to call it in.
Speed is great with most pages coming up right after click of the mouse. The most I've had to wait with a busy site was fifteen seconds with 5 being the norm. I have it a week now and haven't experienced any overheating or disconnections with the exception of one that Adelphia confessed to. I would like to see them match the two year warranty of the Motorola but I still go by the old computer rule of thumb that if a computer component or peripheral is going to go it's usually in the first three months. After the first two years there's no guarantee on anything. I'm going to play this one out because the way it's working now it's worth the small gamble with the one year warranty. I did call customer service just to see if they were there and they picked right up and answered a few of my dumb questions. I highly recommend.

It's now about three months later and I haven't had one problem. Great modem.

Now had it almost a year and a half and nothings changed. Still recomment.

It's now Nov. 2010 and modem has been flawless. I made the right choice.
I haven't had one problem with this modem and I'm now into Windows 7. I haven't done a thing with it except dust it once in a while. Needless to say I'm very satisfied.

So far I've used 3 of these devices in recent Comcast user installs with various SOHO broadband routers and have not had any compatability issues. As a matter of fact, they're solid high speed performers and I've been getting upwards of 9MB down! ...

One issue that may arise for comcast users is the need for a firmware patch if it hasn't already been upgraded.

Beyond that, this is a good alternative to the Motorola surfboard series.

As always....you can pick up additional information, troubleshooting notes and reviews form the DSReports hardware and service forums @ http://www.dslreports.com/forums/all

I updated firmware for using COMCAST cable.
If you use Windows XP SP2, you have to stop firewall.
Because DLink FTP Server cannot send Hitr252.bin file to cable modem.
I wasted an hour to find this problem.
Also Login ID is not "admin/hitron". (PDF manual was wrong)
You should use "dlink/dlink" for web login.
It works fine. That's it.

I couldn't be more pleased with this cable modem.

I called up my ISP, told them I was switching modems from the one they gave me and this D-Link one and they asked for the MAC address and serial number, and said to plug it in after about an hour. They said to give the network time to add the modem to the network. An entire hour without Internet! AHHH! OK so I didn't have to be without Internet, but I was.

So after plugging in this modem it connected with the network rather quickly and I was able to use the Internet in less than a couple minutes. From then on I've been able to browse the Internet with no interuptions and I thank this D-Link cable modem for that.

This modem works great with my Adelphia HSI service.I just replaced a Motorola SB5100 with it and it is fast or faster.Nice modem.(Comcast users need to update firmware to use this modem,Go to D-link website/support to do this.)

I bought this modem at the same time there was a problem with Comcast customers, and I heard there were other ISPs effected as well.

But now that time has passed D-Link and the ISPs found a fix and all these modems should be working fine. I was on the trail end of the problem and I just had to bring the router in to have it "upgraded" and I brought it home and it worked fine.

The modem seems pretty stable, but I don't think I've ever had a cable modem that was not reliable. This one looks nice, doesn't take up much space and was easy to install. Basically you just plug it in and it works.

If you buy one of these to replace the cable modem you are "renting" from your ISP, then make sure you call your ISP in advance so that they know you are switching. This is usually because ISPs only allow cable modems on their network that they know about. And how they know about it is by entering in the serial number, or MAC address on the back of the router into their system. This tell their system to allow this device to connect to their network. I believe it is standard procedure, at least it was for Charter Communications in my situation.

Overall this modem works great and I'm glad I can save money by purchasing it myself.

As have most other people who reviewed this Cable Modem, I had a splendid time setting it up and getting it to work. Basically just plugged it in and it worked. :) OK so I had to call my ISP first and tell them I was going to do it, but after THAT, it was as simple as it gets. There are no extra ports to confuse you, the cables only plug into one place, and I don't see how you could mess this up. After plugging it in, it takes about a minute and all the LEDs go green and you are connected. No biggy.

I'm new to cable internet, and am happy I did not read the reviews before I purchased the DCM-202. I did a self-install using USB, and have not experienced any of the problems some of the reviewers wrote about.

I had this modem for two/three years. Initially it worked great, but for the last year I had many intermittent hangups. I thought the problem was with Time Warner cables. Finally I got fed up when the hangups got more frequent and called Time Warner. They sent a technician twice who said he adjusted some filters outside my home. The hangups got more frequent, several times per day. I got a new Motorola SB5101U modem today, got it connected and it seems to work fine now. In the reviews here, I see other people have similar problems, especially related to Comcast. Time Warner bought the network here from Comcast several years ago, so I wonder if this is still this" Comcast compatibility" issue? As suggested by some users, I went to Dlink site to download "Comcast version" of the firmware. Well, there is NO firmware whatsoever available on their site. Looks like this product is unsupported by them anymore...

Update: looking at the FAQ for the Motorola modem, I think I understand why there is no longer any firmware update for Dlink modem:
"Any and all firmware upgrades to your Motorola cable modem, or any DOCSIS cable modem, is completely under the control of the cable operator. Motorola does not, nor is capable of, controlling the firmware upgrade process." - this seems to apply not only Motorola, but also any DOCSIS modem, including Dlink. So, the problem could be with Time Warner not loading correct firmware into my Dlink modem. It could also be that the modem just started malfunctioning. I guess I'll never know.