why dsl modem needs user/passwords

[monte389]

Hello

    I just joined  and hope to share all I know and find out more about various internet technologies..

first off I have been learning and trouble shooting my system and family and friends systems since 1996,I had never read in any books about having to lock or unlock my modems,but I received a modem through my phone company a few years back I moved and switched to cable access,I got tired of the crappy cable and went back to DSL,I thought the modem I had would and should work with my new service but it didn't,I called tech support and all they did was create a user name  and now I can't change that crappy user name.

I ordered their suggested modem and I found out that the modem has a setup disk to access the modem internally so you can change the user /passwords of that modem..

I contacted my DSL so I could receive that disk and was told they don't offer it..now they charged me 59.99 for the modem,I.have been told two different version.

1.) they don't rent their modems you are charge $3.00 until the price of the modem is reached.

2.) when you end you're service you can return the modem for a REFUND which some how I think is not going to be so easy..

I have an WESTELL 6100 , any input for this dilemma would be appreciated..

the other modem is a SPEEDSTREAM 5100 from my previous DSL account through Ameritech

Robert