I never ever purchase refurbish , but the price differential be just too great not to give it a try . I have receive a email from Charter say that they have upgrade they system and that my old modem would not give optimum performance . label on CD say to `` Run CD First . '' if you be run xp like I be and use a cable , no need to run the CD . just remove the old modem , plug in the power cord for the new one . then attach you cable cord and the cable either to you computer or to you router . next , call you Cable provider and give they the mac number that be on the bottom of the modem and on the sticker on the box . the cable provider -lrb- Charter in my case -rrb- will enter the number and get you up and run . if you have a router , you will probably have to reset it also -lrb- just unplug it and plug it back in -rrb- . that be all you have to do ! the CD have a folder name `` Vista '' which I assume have driver . if you connect with usb cord , I do not know if you have to install anything . less than 5 minute for I to change the modem and be up and run -lrb- the hardest thing be to get through the \*\*\*\*\* automate answer for Charter and get connect to a real live person . -lrb- it take I longer because I do love tell the thing to `` shut up '' . -rrb-