CM600 with S8000 and R8500 Setup Question

[sherrijune]

I am having trouble setting up my modem with my Macbook.  I can't connect to the modem because there is no ethernet port on my laptop.  I have connected my modem to the cable and can see the wireless network.  It's asking for a password, but I don't know what to enter.  I'm a bit stuck.  Help?  Suggestions?

[antinode]

> CM600 with S8000 and R8500 [...]

   Presumably, the S8000 is not needed to set up the other devices.

> [...] I have connected my modem to the cable [...]

   Which "the cable"?  Co-ax?  Ethernet?  What, exactly, is connected to
what, exactly?

> [...] and can see the wireless network.

   Which "the wireless network"?  Of the R8500?

> [...] It's asking for a password, [...]

   What is?  What, exactly, are you doing?

> [...] but I don't know what to enter. [...]

   Visit http://netgear.com/support , put in your model number, and look
for Documentation.  Get the User Manual.  Read.  Repeat as needed for
different devices.

   Possibly interesting:

      https://community.netgear.com/t5/x/x/m-p/1636846

[sherrijune]

Okay, here's an update.  I think I fried my ethernet port because I was trying to hook it up to my macbook air with a cord that has ethernet on one end and usb on the other.  I noticed an electrical smell and took it out, but it when I hook it up to my dell laptop ethernet port nothing happens.  Does anyone know the default security key for the wifi?

[antinode]

> [...] I think I fried my ethernet port [...]

   Which "my ethernet port"?

> [...] a cord that has ethernet on one end and usb on the other. [...]

   I can't see it from here.

> [...] Does anyone know the default security key for the wifi?

   Do you mean the wireless-network credentials which are printed on the
product label of the R8500?  Look in the User Manual for "Label"?

[sherrijune]

The ethernet port on my modem.  There is a label on the bottom that has the username and password for once you are connected to the network, but I need the wireless security key so I can get connected to the network, since it seems I can't do it via ethernet.  I can't find my user manual.  I took it out of the box to look at the instructions and don't know where it is now.

[antinode]

> The ethernet port on my modem. [...]

   If that's fried, then you may need a new modem.

> [...] I need the wireless security key so I can get connected to the
> network, since it seems I can't do it via ethernet. [...]

   The CM600 is only a modem; it has no built-in wireless-network
capability.  Wireless networking is one of the functions of the R8500.

> [...] I can't find my user manual. [...]

   I'll try again...

>    Visit http://netgear.com/support , put in your model number, and look
> for Documentation.  Get the User Manual.  Read.  Repeat as needed for
> different devices.