How to install replacement Set-Top Box

judia12000

I received notice that my set-top box will become obsolete in early December. I was assured that the replacement would be easy to install and would not require a technician. I received the new set-top box and am absolutely clueless. I tried to give it a go and knocked out my internet and phone. Fortunately, I got that back but it's absolutely infuriating that Verizon thinks everyone knows how to install this thing. It's Thanksgiving today so I won't contact them until tomorrow but, no question, if they don't send a technician, that's it for me and cable and probably Fios altogether.

Has anyone else had this problem? DId they send a technician?? I don't even know what piece of equipment this new thing is supposed to replace.

Accepted answers

judia12000

Tech arrived--right on time--and has corrected the problem! He needed to go out and get...something...but all is well.

I must say, I was an absolute mess over this and was determined to look for another provider. Then, my call with the customer service guy on Thanksgiving night--his patience, his knowledge, and the fact he tried his best, staying on the phone with me probably an hour or close to it--made a lot of difference. Roger, the tech who's here now, also convinced me that Fios is darn good. He's pleasant and knows his stuff.

I still don't know why they sent me a new top-box that wouldn't work with my current router even if I did know how to set it up but whatever. I guess I can overlook that...

Thanks to everyone who tried to educate this total tech-ignorant lunatic!

All comments

dexman

If a picture of the new equipment can be posted, along with a picture of the existing set top box, I can see if this is a direct replacement.

judia12000

Thanks for responding...now let me see if I can post images. The top one is what I have and the bottom the new thing. existing new

dexman

Once a Moderator approves the images, they will appear.

clem21

@judia12000
wrote:
Thanks for responding...now let me see if I can post images. The top one is what I have and the bottom the new thing.

Set up the router first, just transfer connections from the old one to the new one. Then the larger of the two boxes gets installed next. That is a Fios One VMS 4100 box and has to have coax going to it from a splitter. Also you need to hook up an HDMI cable from the box to your TV. Odds are you had coax at your old box, again just transfer the connections. Once everything with that box is connected, power up the box and the TV, and follow the directions on the screen. Once that box is up, the smaller box, the IPC or mini as we call it gets powered up and should be found by the system. That box can be hooked up with coax, ethernet or WiFi, although wired is preferred. You should also look here before doing anything:

https://www.verizon.com/supportresources/content/dam/verizon/support/consumer/documents/vms_4100_new_coax.pdf

dexman

Clem nailed it! The only thing not pictured is the old STB.

The only thing that could trip up the OP is if there are four devices connected to the old 424 router, and Verizon sent a cr1000a or b to replace it.

If my failing memory is correct, the a&b have only three Ethernet ports on their back while the 424 has four.

The workaround is to purchase a small switch, connect the first port on the switch to one of the LAN ports on the router and then plug the various devices into the remaining switch ports.