What is happening

[xMercuryx]

I have had dsl for a while and i like it, there are 2 downsides. One is that its through earthlink, and the other is that it keeps signing off. I thought dsl was an always on connection. I am using a Linksys 4 port router could that be the reason why its signs off every so often?

[Über~PhLuBB]

That's a shame.

You most likely have poor line conditions. Or alot of hops between yourself and your ISP. Or you're far (distance wise) from your ISP.

DSL has speed limits, when you get near the edge of it's availability, you will experiance drops and slow downloads if you live in that ring.

Go here:
http://www.dslreports.com/tools
And check out the tools. (Namely 24/7 Line Monitoring)

You may also want to run the Tweak Test.

If all else fails, you can always cancel your DSL subscription, and get a Cablemodem connection. The distance is much further with Cable, but chances are it wont be nearly as fast as DSL has the capability to go.

My DSL is always on, ALWAYS. I get consistant download/upload speeds of 650+/120+, and if something DOES happen, a simple power cycling of the modem, and a winipcfg release all and renew all fixes it all.

1 meg every 10 seconds is EASILY worth any problems you could possibly come accross. (At least to me, but I know how to fix stuffz:D)

(Also note that it took me more then a month to get DSL, and after it was "working", I was having many, MANY problems for all of 2 weeks after that initial month of waiting to get hooked up. I called the tech guy out no less then 16 times, no sh*t. After that 2 weeks, all was well, and aside from drop every 2 months or so, I'm golden.)