You might want to contact Comast. I am sort of surprised they sent you an Arris modem and the phone package without instructions. In our area, Telephone requires a trip up the pole hence, self installs are not allowed. I assuming they allow self installs in your area.
I am assuming you didn't purchase this modem off eBay etc... For the most part Comcast will not provision a privately owned Telephony or EMTA modem. If you bought the package at a retail store (i.e.. Best Buy, then you might want to ask them for the instruction package).
But here are the steps:
Google for the PDF for your modem and print it or save to your computer.
You will need an alternate phone, such as cell phone.
Locate an area to install the cable modem. You will need close proximity to a phone jack, a cable outlet and a power outlet not controlled by a switch.
Test the phone line for polarity. You can buy a cheap suitable tester ate Radio Shack and other electronic stores. Its amazing the number of jacks I have run into wired backward.
Disconnect the current phone suppliers network from your internal wiring. Most of this country has a box located usually on the outside of the house called the network interface. A portion of this box is locked, but you should be able to open the consumer side. Disconnecting may be as simple as pulling out the phone jack, but it may be hard wired as well. You may need to consult your current phone provider.
Locate the new cable modem near a cable outlet and and phone jack. Removed the old cable modem.
Install the batter in the new cable modem.
Attached the cable modem to the incoming cable, phone line and the computer network.
Turn the power onto boot the modem. Verify the correct lights are one by consulting the manual.
Call Comcast to provision the modem and transfer your phone service to Comcast. (You have signed up already? )
I know when the tech did this in my house, it took some time.
Reboot the modem or reset per Comcast's instructions. Telephony modems have a reset function requiring a pointed instrument. Unplugging won't work, as they have a battery backup allowing hardwired phones to work for a period of time in the event of a power failure.
Verify that all of the lights on the modem indicate proper functioning.
After a short period your phone should work.
Reboot your router to pick up the new IP address. Reboot the individual machines or do a DHCP renew (on Windows... ipconfig /release then ipconfig /renew) , on Mac, just got preferences, network,click on DHCP renew. Other devices, just reboot them if you need to.
Don't forget to contact your current provider and discontinue the phone service. This should be handled by comcast if you are transferring your number.
