You should have no problem getting a cable modem hooked up to your computer. First of all, go to device manager and see what it shows under ethernet adapters. If there is one showing and there are no exclamation or question marks, it should be good to go.

If there is none showing in device manager, it may be turned off in the bios because your computer has one built in.

A good cable installer will help get you on the right track.

Good Luck
Smitty

Thanks Smitty for the response. When I looked into the device manager. the 1394 Net Adapter and the NIVIDIA nForce Networking Controller did show up and they both appear to be on. Also, I did find in the device manager the following: IEEE 1394 Bus Host Controllers and OHIC IEEE 1394 Host Controllers. But I didn't find anything that said Ethernet adapters under Hardware in the Device Manager. Do I look any place else? I do have the Ethernet port on the back but can you tell me where I would find the Ethernet in my computer system? Also forgive my stupidity but what did you mean by "it may be turned off in the bios". Where do I find the bios? Thanks again. J

If you are unfamiliar with the BIOS then do not go there. That is not intended to frighten you, far from it. I usually encourage people to grapple with these beasts but you have a tech visiting in the very near future, he will take care of business for you.

When the tech arrives to install the modem and cable I am sure he will hook you up and ensure the connection works before leaving. As I understand it that is a part of their job otherwise you would have to phone tech support and have them walk you through. That would be bad policy from their standpoint just by the cost factor alone.

As Smitty noted, if you have no yellow exclamation or question marks in your Device Manager you are good to go and can do no more till the tech arrives.

There is a tech scheduled to come isn't there?

The 1394 firewire items normally would have nothing to do with your ethernet adapter that's connected to your dsl or cable modem connection.

Would be an unusual dial up modem that would use a firewire connection too.

Here is a link that might be useful: wikipedia - 1394 firewire

Thank you for all yours responses and no owbist I don't have the cable tech scheduled to come set up the cable modem high speed. The reason I don't is because when I called and gave them the info about the 1394 Net Adapter and a NIVIDIA nForce Networking Controller, I was told that this was for the dial up modem and not the ethernet. I expl to them that I did have an ethernet port. They told me that the software or drivers weren't loaded into my computer. However, Hewlet packard tech support said the 1394 Net Adapter and a NIVIDIA nForce Networking Controller WAS the drivers for the ethernet port. I didn't get this and I still would like to know where I could look into my computer and see the info on the ethernet port. The tech said I had to get this before they could set up the cable modem. I know some knowledge about computers, I just need to be guided on how to check my computer to see if I have the drivers etc in the system for the ethernet port that is in the back of the computer. I just need the directions on how to check this. Thanks again, J

OK, linked below are the specs for your confuser. It shows you have an integrated network card. In other words the network card is built into the motherboard. Therefore the drivers will be loaded when the machine was built and it is ready to go.

Go ahead and book the techie.

Here is a link that might be useful: a1610n specs

Thank you all of you very much for your help. I was able to resolve the issue and will go ahead and book the techie. lol!!! Thanks again all, J