Cable internet connection dropping?

[JohnnytheSkin]

Hey guys, a tech question for you. I have Insight cable (aka Comcast in southern Illinois) and have their broadband service. Over the last couple weeks, I've noticed that my internet connection periodically drops. The modem resets but at times will blink slowly (every second or so) on the "Send" light.

I'm wondering what could be throwing me off. I usually only have one thing connected at a time, so I'm not browsing AND downloading off of XBL AND playing PS3...the only thing that's on is WiiConnect.

My modem is a Motorola SB5101 SURFboard and my PC is connected directly from my Linksys WRT54GS. I also had my cable levels checked two months back and they were fine.

Any help would be MUCH appreciated.

[jmood88]

Re: Cable internet connection dropping?

Hey guys, a tech question for you. I have Insight cable (aka Comcast in southern Illinois) and have their broadband service. Over the last couple weeks, I've noticed that my internet connection periodically drops. The modem resets but at times will blink slowly (every second or so) on the "Send" light.

I'm wondering what could be throwing me off. I usually only have one thing connected at a time, so I'm not browsing AND downloading off of XBL AND playing PS3...the only thing that's on is WiiConnect.

My modem is a Motorola SB5101 SURFboard and my PC is connected directly from my Linksys WRT54GS. I also had my cable levels checked two months back and they were fine.

Any help would be MUCH appreciated.

Did you ever have digital phone and recently cancel it? This same thing happened to me, we have a surfboard modem and the computer hooked up to a linksys router and every hour or so the modem would turn off and then turn on after about a minute. Apparently because we had digital phone in the past, the modem would occasionally check for a signal from the phone and turn off. We had to get the modem replaced and it has worked fine ever since. I have Time Warner by the way but it sounds like we had the same thing happen.

[JohnnytheSkin]

Re: Cable internet connection dropping?

We've never had digital phone, but the company DID just add the option a couple months back.

[fishepa]

Re: Cable internet connection dropping?

I would call Comcast, that is what their tech support is for.

[dagger55]

Re: Cable internet connection dropping?

i had to get a new modem.... mine just went to ****...

[mgoblue]

Re: Cable internet connection dropping?

it theoretically could be signal strength issues, if it's not the modem or something on their end. I'd call tech support or just take your modem in and get a new one.

[shugknight]

Re: Cable internet connection dropping?

listen to fishepa.. best way to get it resolved is to call Comcast or whatever their called to fix the problem. Also, Comcast and most cable companies tend to recycle old modems that older customers return because they no longer subscribe from them. Either a) your modem just cracked (possibly due to the t-storms we had a week ago) or b) they gave you an old modem and its slowly dying.

Oh wait, I forgot one more thing. Sometimes the signal strength coming from the outside line might be weak. Sometimes, once again, Comcast tends to use whatever cable might have been originally placed at your house before you moved in. Sometimes the cables are bad, or theres so much of a split from the pole to your line that the signal is really weak, hence why the modem is resetting itself.

This has happened to me a few times before. I called them up, and each time they told me I had a weak signal line. (Figured they would fix it the first time it happened but it didnt) Finally the 2nd time they gave me a BRAND NEW line and its worked great ever since. Except for when my router got fried from the t-storms.

Does that make sense? Too early and too much coffee has my mind running all over the place.

[Kruza]

Re: Cable internet connection dropping?

Hey guys, a tech question for you. I have Insight cable (aka Comcast in southern Illinois) and have their broadband service. Over the last couple weeks, I've noticed that my internet connection periodically drops. The modem resets but at times will blink slowly (every second or so) on the "Send" light.

I'm wondering what could be throwing me off. I usually only have one thing connected at a time, so I'm not browsing AND downloading off of XBL AND playing PS3...the only thing that's on is WiiConnect.

My modem is a Motorola SB5101 SURFboard and my PC is connected directly from my Linksys WRT54GS. I also had my cable levels checked two months back and they were fine.

Any help would be MUCH appreciated.

Interesting. Mine has been doing that s--- for months. So irritating. Now after reading this thread I see that my Motorola SURFboard SB3100 modem has to go ASAP.

Kruza

[shugknight]

Re: Cable internet connection dropping?

Interesting. Mine has been doing that s--- for months. So irritating. Now after reading this thread I see that my Motorola SURFboard SB3100 modem has to go ASAP.

Kruza

Have them check the line first. Your modem might be fine. But if your main cable line is being split off to a) your modem and b) your cable tv.. sometimes thats enough for it to be warranted as a weak signal.

If that is the case, request a brand new line. It should be free.

[mgoblue]

Re: Cable internet connection dropping?

Have them check the line first. Your modem might be fine. But if your main cable line is being split off to a) your modem and b) your cable tv.. sometimes thats enough for it to be warranted as a weak signal.

If that is the case, request a brand new line. It should be free.

shugknight knows the drill...sounds like you've gone through all the crap the cable company can give you before they fixed your problem.

The splitting action could be enough to make your signal weak only at certain times. I had that at my old place, but never was able to be there for a service call, plus I knew I was moving. It's either the modem or the line, not really many more options.

[Kruza]

Re: Cable internet connection dropping?

Have them check the line first. Your modem might be fine. But if your main cable line is being split off to a) your modem and b) your cable tv.. sometimes thats enough for it to be warranted as a weak signal.

If that is the case, request a brand new line. It should be free.

My cable line isn't split though. It's only going straight to the modem from outside. The signal just drops and come back on a couple minutes later -- just like JohnnytheSkin says what happens to his connection. I have a Linksys router hooked up, but I know that's running good.

The funny thing is I have the black Motorola SB5100 model that was originally hooked up years ago to my regular Xbox, and never ever had any problems with that one. But Comcast later replaces it with this crusty-looking beige piece of s--- SB3100 one, and lo and behold I have chronic signal issues. Damn crooks.

Kruza

[ODogg]

Re: Cable internet connection dropping?

The easiest solution, the one i'd try first, is take your modem to Comcast HQ and tell them you need a new one. This is assuming you don't own the modem of course. This will probably fix it (I had this problem in the past and a modem replacement fixed it). If not, it's time to call Comcast support and have them send someone out.

[JohnnytheSkin]

Re: Cable internet connection dropping?

The thing is, I actually "own" the modem (bought it as opposed to renting it from Insight).

As for the line, everything was brand new as we were the first house to get connected. The company laid new lines for the block as well as a new line from the post to our house.

We also don't have any splits (only two jacks are connected...one for the modem, one for the TV).

It's just that the drops are so random. I can't reproduce it and there will be days where I have no problems, while other days, browsing the same sites, I get dropped every half hour.

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: Cable internet connection dropping?

Sounds like your modem is dying.

I had Comcast Internet for a year, and switched to DSL, best decision I could have made. I had 2 Surfboard modems die with cable.

[eXperiment63]

Re: Cable internet connection dropping?

I would have them come out and check the connectors for water corrossion. That happened recently with me and my net was dropping like crazy. If they don't torque down the connectors at the pole, water can get in rather easily and eat at the copper core of the cable.