Sudden, random DSL connection loss.

[orion456]

I am suddenly having random loss of my internet connection. Up until now my connection was virtually flawless. Now connection loss can happen after days, hours or minues of use. When the connection is lost the only way to get it restored is to unplug both the modem and router for at least 20 seconds. Unplugging just one rarely works, but sometimes does restore the connection. I have changed both my Linksys router and DSL modem but the problem persists. I have updated the software in my router; no change.

I have run several virus checks with no results.

When it happens I can not even communicate with the router even though my computer says the line is active and 100 Mbps. Using WinXP repair on the Local Connection results in a report of no ability to repair the IP address.

Any idea why this would suddenly happen?

Is there any software that can determine what is causing a loss of connection?

[AMD Phreak]

Have you tried to contact your DSL provider?

[orion456]

My DSL provider suggested I get a new modem, which I did. Actually got worse instead of better; but then it was getting worse anyway.

I did add a fan to the modem because it was ridiculously hot and that has helped but the drops continue.

[Oroka Sempai]

You live in Bruce county in Ontario? Cause occasionally my ISP (BMI/BMTS) goes to crap and everyone in town has disconnect problems . One time it took them over a month to fix it, and it effected about 50 000 people, nothing done till the newspapers started making a fuss about it.

[MVC]

I was having a similar problem with my cable modem. After several calls to Time-Warner they agreed to replace it with a new digital model. After about 2 days the new modem started doing the same thing so I called and complained, again!, and somehow magically the problem was fixed.

If it isn't the hardware, and swapping modems pretty much eliminates the hardware, it's your ISP. About all you can do is complain to the ISP. Complain in writing and forward copies to the relevant regulatory/law enforcement agencies. I know that in New York, complaints copied to Attorney General Eliot Spitzer worked wonders :D

[orion456]

I was having a similar problem with my cable modem. After several calls to Time-Warner they agreed to replace it with a new digital model. After about 2 days the new modem started doing the same thing so I called and complained, again!, and somehow magically the problem was fixed.

If it isn't the hardware, and swapping modems pretty much eliminates the hardware, it's your ISP. About all you can do is complain to the ISP. Complain in writing and forward copies to the relevant regulatory/law enforcement agencies. I know that in New York, complaints copied to Attorney General Eliot Spitzer worked wonders :D

So you think it was the line or the equipment they were using?

[MVC]

So you think it was the line or the equipment they were using?
I think it was either a faulty connection somewhere on their end, or a bad piece of hardware, again on their end. I live in Manhattan and replacing cable anywhere except within their facility is a major project--I would have noticed if they had done that :)

[Cheator]

Do you have sympatico? Have they run the full test on the linecard and line? Ask them about signal quality on the line, and they should be able to determine that from the test.

Its possible your copper, somewhere between you and the office, is degrading or damaged. In my case, a pole about a block away has a bad... black box thingy ;). Every time it rains, the phone line goes wonky and gets choppy. We used to have our lines cross with others, so we could CLEARLY hear conversations other people were having in other houses.

Another issue might be the line card, and if this is the case, good luck with it, because it takes alot for them to replace them. Luckily when it happened to me, I mentioned it to them and they did a check on it. Turns out it was fubared and after a day my connection was restored.

And my last suggestion is interference, be it on the line or in the air. Do you have alot of wireless devices around the modem? and have you recently installed something on the phone line? like an alarm?

[orion456]

No recent changes, it just suddenly started happening.

I switch the router and got a new modem but it made no difference. I tried unplugging the cordless phones and turning off the wireless computer devices, no change.

So I'm going to try getting a 3rd new modem just in case this one is wonky, and after that I will get the line checked, although my phone sounds fine, just a faint hum but no cracks or pops.

[Oroka Sempai]

a hum is definatly interferance somewhere

[orion456]

3rd modem is even worse than the previous 2, so looks like it must be line problems.

Pushing the hidden reset button on the speedstream 5200 always results in a return to normal. It sounds to me like the speedstream is unable to correct itself from to much noise. That must be bad programming.

[shellshock]

Who is your ISP? I have SBC and also had a speedstream 5200 paired with a linksys 4 port router. I switched over to a 2wire wireless/wired router with the modem built and my disconnect problems have pretty much gone away.

My speedstream did work a little better though when I moved it to a cooler location in my basement. :-/