Final answer:
After connecting a modem to a PC with a USB cable, the PC detects the new device, installs necessary drivers, and adds the modem to the network connections for internet access configuration.
Step-by-step explanation:
When you use a USB cable to connect a cable modem or DSL modem to a PC for the first time, several things happen in the background. Initially, the operating system detects the new device and begins a process known as enumeration. This is where the PC identifies the device, assigns it an address, and finds the appropriate drivers that are needed for the modem to communicate with the computer. Drivers are essentially software programs that allow your operating system to talk to hardware devices.
The next step is for the operating system to install these drivers, which may happen automatically or may require the user to assist by providing the driver software; this can happen through a CD that comes with the modem or by downloading it from the manufacturer's website. Once the modem is correctly installed, it will show up as a network connection in your computer's network settings, where you can configure it to access the internet.
Similar to connecting digital cameras and memory card readers with a USB cable, the modem becomes an additional device that can be managed through the computer's interface. On a Macintosh, for instance, the modem would appear under the 'Network' section in 'System Preferences', while on Windows, it would be found in 'Network Connections' within the 'Control Panel'.