How to install replacement Set-Top Box
judia12000
Enthusiast - Level 3

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.

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judia12000
Enthusiast - Level 3

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!

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dexman
Community Leader
Community Leader

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
Enthusiast - Level 3

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.existingexistingnewnew

dexman
Community Leader
Community Leader

Once a Moderator approves the images, they will appear. 🙂

clem21
Community Leader
Community Leader

@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.existingexistingnewnew


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...

dexman
Community Leader
Community Leader

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. 🙂

judia12000
Enthusiast - Level 3

Thanks to you both for responding, but it's another language to me. Something's missing??? Do you mean the cable box with the time on it that's attached to the TV???

Nope.  This is hopeless...and I'm furious that Verizon just assumes everyone knows how to do this.  If I can't get a technician to do it, that's it.  Done with cable and, likely,  Fios.

But thanks to you both for trying to help!  Some people--despite what Verizon might think--are just not technical.

 

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dexman
Community Leader
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Swapping out a set top box for a new one is, basically, move one wire at a time from the back of the old set top box and connecting it to the back of the new set top box.

Knowing that the old set top box has a display tells me that it is very likely a Motorola unit. I used to have three of them here at home..

Verizon provided three 4100 series STBs when I upgraded my bedroom television from a 1990's vintage Sony Trinitron to a Samsung.

If my failing memory is correct, the upgrade was to connect the wires, plug in the power, turn everything on and, maybe answer some questions.

judia12000
Enthusiast - Level 3

So is THIS the set-top box???cablebox.jpg

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dexman
Community Leader
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I'll see once the picture appears. 🙂

dexman
Community Leader
Community Leader

Yup! That is the old set top box. The new small box in the first picture will replace this one.

judia12000
Enthusiast - Level 3

WHY DO THESE COMPANIES HAVE TO CHANGE NAMES OF STUFF FOR NO GOOD REASON???  That was what I thought was called a "Cable Box"!!!!

Thanks a bunch...might just brace myself later and give it a go now that I know it's none of those three scary boxes under my end table.

Have a great Thanksgiving.

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judia12000
Enthusiast - Level 3

Nope.  Still totally baffling.

A technician appointment or Fios is out of my life.

Thanks anyway.

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dexman
Community Leader
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I suppose "cable box" and "set top box" can be used interchangeably.

Verizon isn't a "cable company"  like Comcast, RCN/Astound and Spectrum are in that they use coaxial cable to bring Internet, television and telephone services to their customer's homes.

Verizon uses fiber optical cabling.

Either way, the installation of the new equipment should be easy for the visiting technician.

judia12000
Enthusiast - Level 3

Just called...and glad I did.  The new set-top box??  IT WOULDN'T HAVE WORKED WITH THE ROUTER I HAVE!  Thank God I didn't attempt to connect it and screwed everything up.   No technician until December 19th (I'm a journalist and will be away on the 9th, which would have been the first appointment).  Customer service guy was very good but I'm completely underwhelmed by them sending me the new set top box when, obviously, my record shows the router I have.

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dexman
Community Leader
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I just looked at the first picture, and the Customer Service rep is correct. The 424 router won't work.

The technician should be able to bring one along as long as the paperwork provided indicates that a new router is needed. 🙂

judia12000
Enthusiast - Level 3

Well it’s now total disaster—I didn’t touch a thing but my phone is dead and no internet.

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dexman
Community Leader
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If the Verizon fiber box in the first picture doesn't have any red lights, listen for dial tone one last time.

judia12000
Enthusiast - Level 3

No red lights. Everything’s dead. I have to use an unsecured network. No time on cable box. The customer service guy I spoke with at one point did something and said service might be interrupted but that was over an hour ago.  I’m a journalist with deadlines and I must have internet! I touched nothing. This absolute disaster. Have to leave here soon but Fios will hear from me tomorrow if it’s not cleared up.

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clem21
Community Leader
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@judia12000 wrote:

No red lights. Everything’s dead. I have to use an unsecured network. No time on cable box. The customer service guy I spoke with at one point did something and said service might be interrupted but that was over an hour ago.  I’m a journalist with deadlines and I must have internet! I touched nothing. This absolute disaster. Have to leave here soon but Fios will hear from me tomorrow if it’s not cleared up.


First unplug both the router from power and the cable box from power. Once the router powers up and stabilizes, power up  the cable box. If you didn't mess with any wires, there is no reason for the router to not power up unless there is a bad extension cord or outlet. That should at least give you internet. No lights on anything mean NO POWER. Check the circuit and any extension cords or surge suppressors you may have. The cable box in your pictures is ancient by today's standards. The processor is slow, it has very little memory and will have trouble with the guide that is being used now. They sent you the 4100 series boxes which are the up-to-date ones. Once installed you'll see a better picture and faster operation but you will NOT have a clock.  Also are you using a modern 4K TV or still on an old 1080 or tube TV?

judia12000
Enthusiast - Level 3

Thanks. Technician is coming tomorrow.  Was on the phone with customer service for an hour last night—accessed camera so he could see everything and no luck. Still have to wait til Dec 19 for installation of new box and router but, hopefully, I’ll have service again. Total nightmare having to work on an iPhone.

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