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03/27/2007 06:02:59 AM · #1 |
Here's the situation. I've had Comcast high speed internet (cable-based, of course) for about 4 years now, and have been very satisfied. The connection has been remarkably stable and reliable....until about 3 days ago.
Since then, I can't keep a connection more than a few hours, then it just drops. The "online" light on my modem stays on, and all the lights on the router are A-OK. To get the connection back, I have to reboot (turn off, then back on) both the modem and the router. A reboot of just one (and I've tried multiple times just rebooting one and not the other) doesn't do the trick.
Last night I upgraded the firmware of the router, hoping that would fix things, but to no avail.
The modem is the standard Motorola cable modem supplied by Comcast. My router is a Netgear FM114P, which I've been very happy with for the past several years. I'm running a PC with XP Home.
Before I call Comcast, does anyone have any suggestions for things to try to fix this myself?
Any idea if it's the modem or the router that's screwing things up? (I want to avoid using the modem directly to the PC, because my router has a hardware firewall with SPA that I don't want to give up to test things for a few hours).
I plan to call Comcast later today for them to send me a new modem, and hopefully that will fix things. Until then, I'm open to suggestions.
Thanks! |
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03/27/2007 06:10:26 AM · #2 |
Every so often my router goes flaky like you're describing. I can tell it's the router because I am always using my laptop through the wireless connection, but my daughter's computer (which is wired to the router) will still have a connection.
If you're using wireless, try the wired connection when your signal drops... that might be a way for you to troubleshoot things anyway.
As for why it drops every so often, I have no clue. Just do like I do, and go into a semi-homicidal rage until it comes back consistently. |
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03/27/2007 06:14:20 AM · #3 |
| Motherboard LAN drivers? Not likely though.. |
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03/27/2007 06:17:52 AM · #4 |
Are you connecting wired or wirelessly? Any new electronics in the area, new portable phone or anything around the same time?
Can you log into the router's admin panel and confirm connection? The same with the Cable modem? |
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03/27/2007 06:18:38 AM · #5 |
Originally posted by alanfreed:
If you're using wireless, try the wired connection when your signal drops... that might be a way for you to troubleshoot things anyway.
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Unfortunately, I am using my PC which is hard-wired to the router, and the router is hard-wired to the modem, so it's definately not a wireless problem. The wired connection drops. |
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03/27/2007 06:38:11 AM · #6 |
To rule out your router, take it out of the mix. Cable your PC directly into the modem.
You may have to do an "ipconfig /release", "ipconfig /renew" at a command prompt. Or you could just reboot your PC after connecting it directly to the modem.
If your connection works, it's your router. If your connection is still flakey, it's not your router.
:-)
If it's not your router, give Comcast a call and they can probably run some diagnostics on the modem. If you call them and there's a router in the mix they will immediately blame your equipment. If they find the modem is OK, they will blame your computer. First they'll say it's a virus or trojan, so you'll want to scan for these so you can tell them that you're clean.
Next they may or may not blame your hardware, so you're out of luck unless you have another PC or laptop which works perfectly for internet at your office or friends house.
Good luck. Cable ISP's can kiss my ass, especially Cogeco. Cogeco tech support is hosted in Canada, but that's the only good thing I can say about it. The techs are young, stupid, obnoxious, arrogant, they don't give a damn, and they "accidentally" disconnect you as soon as you demonstrate that the fault is on their end, not yours. Especially if you berate them to the point they are in tears for working at such a shitty company and having such horrible jobs.
Message edited by author 2007-03-27 10:49:45. |
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03/27/2007 07:26:49 AM · #7 |
| StrikeSlip pretty much said what i would have said take it out of the mix. |
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03/27/2007 08:22:21 AM · #8 |
Originally posted by RainMotorsports:
StrikeSlip pretty much said what i would have said take it out of the mix. |
Making techies cry is the best part. |
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03/27/2007 08:27:28 AM · #9 |
Originally posted by Strikeslip:
Originally posted by RainMotorsports:
StrikeSlip pretty much said what i would have said take it out of the mix. |
Making techies cry is the best part. |
I moved into an old house and am having issue keeping the modem connected.
1 - Downstairs after 3 splitters (very bad) it keeps a connection on and off.
2 - Upstairs using Comcast suplied splitter and cable it does not work.
3 - Upstairs just directly connecting its just as bad as down stairs.
SOLUTION - The proper method is to have the first split going into the house conencted to the modem and the other branch through a high pass filter then onto the tv's.
Used the comcast supplied cable and splitter witht he line running up the side of the house in through the window.
So far its working 12 hours on but i wont be convinced its fixed till 48 hours is up. (The connection directly upstairs worked 24 hours before being cruddy.)
If this doesnt fix it im having the house rewired everything from the pole down with newer thicker cable.
EDIT - Comcast replaced the modem twice i decided to bitch smack them twice and tell them thats not the problem.
Anyways END of HiJack.
Message edited by author 2007-03-27 12:28:36. |
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03/27/2007 05:56:06 PM · #10 |
You didn't say what OS you are using, but a fix that works for some with intermittant disconnects is to change the power settings for the network adaptor your using to always be connected. Depending on your PC power settings they may be set to disconnect when the computer is suspended or goes into standby.
David
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03/27/2007 05:58:45 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by David.C:
You didn't say what OS you are using, but a fix that works for some with intermittant disconnects is to change the power settings for the network adaptor your using to always be connected. Depending on your PC power settings they may be set to disconnect when the computer is suspended or goes into standby.
David |
Hate to say it but if there were no changes in equipment or settings, i doubt this would all of a sudden be a problem. And hed expect it to disconnect when going into standby.
Hard to say but defiantly take the router out of the mix.
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03/27/2007 06:01:58 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by RainMotorsports:
Originally posted by David.C:
You didn't say what OS you are using, but a fix that works for some with intermittant disconnects is to change the power settings for the network adaptor your using to always be connected. Depending on your PC power settings they may be set to disconnect when the computer is suspended or goes into standby.
David |
Hate to say it but if there were no changes in equipment or settings, i doubt this would all of a sudden be a problem. And hed expect it to disconnect when going into standby.
Hard to say but defiantly take the router out of the mix. |
Depending on equipment and settings for auto-update, his drivers (and power defaults) could have been updated automatically without him knowing about it.
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03/27/2007 07:05:21 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by Strikeslip:
Originally posted by RainMotorsports:
StrikeSlip pretty much said what i would have said take it out of the mix. |
Making techies cry is the best part. |
Their not techies they are script kiddies reading it off some paper. Man I hate it when that happens.
BTW: Don't rule out the ISP, keep bugging them. I had a similar situation with a Megapath (ISP) T1 I had. Ran fine for years and then all of a sudden it go flakey. I did my thing troubleshooting (suspecting my equipment) finally badgered megapath who blamed it on covad. The two fought for a day or two, my connection got fixed. Megapath blamed it on faulty Covad equipment at the NOC. Who knows.
Message edited by author 2007-03-27 23:11:41. |
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03/27/2007 07:20:39 PM · #14 |
I had a modem that I had to replace after 4 years. Just went bad. I'd lose my Internet connectivity every day or so. Had to keep having Cox reset my address or something like that. Went and bought a new modem for $50 or so, and everything's been fine since.
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03/28/2007 04:53:16 AM · #15 |
Update:
Thanks to all of you for your suggestions. The tech guy I talked to actually sounded like he knew what he was talking about (imagine that!). He was able to see the frequent disconnects from his terminal, and suggested that it may be the line itself, and offered to send out a technician. When I suggested to try swapping out the modem first, he throught that was a good idea, and if it didn't work, to call back and they'd send someone out.
Anyway, I went down to the local Comcast place, picked up a new modem and installed it yesterday evening. The connection remained unbroken for >12hours, then i had to leave for work, so I'm not declaring victory yet, but so far, so good!
Thanks again to all who offered suggestions. |
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03/28/2007 06:12:50 AM · #16 |
Originally posted by Zal:
Update:
Thanks to all of you for your suggestions. The tech guy I talked to actually sounded like he knew what he was talking about (imagine that!). He was able to see the frequent disconnects from his terminal, and suggested that it may be the line itself, and offered to send out a technician. When I suggested to try swapping out the modem first, he throught that was a good idea, and if it didn't work, to call back and they'd send someone out.
Anyway, I went down to the local Comcast place, picked up a new modem and installed it yesterday evening. The connection remained unbroken for >12hours, then i had to leave for work, so I'm not declaring victory yet, but so far, so good!
Thanks again to all who offered suggestions. |
Hope so. I replaced mine and it work 12 hours or so also and then started acting weird again. My outside split using the suplied comcast splitter and cable seems to be working 24 hours in now 24 more and ill declare victory. |
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