So I've got this problem with Comcast, and I'm thinking part of it may have to do with the insane cable run that was done prior to me moving into my apartment a few years ago. Here is how it is setup.
Before reading, keep in mind I'd like to NOT have Comcast come over. Technically I'm not supposed to have TV service, but they have never turned it off at the pole, the basic cable is always on. Always has been, even when not paying for internet service. I'd like to not lose this...
Comcast has their box on a power pole across the street a bit, from there the coax cable is strung along a wire across the street to the back corner of my building. That is in itself a good 80 feet. From there, it is strung up over the roof of my building and to the corner where my main tv room is. It comes down and into the side of the apartment. Total length from pole to my cable modem I estimate to be 150 to 200 feet. There are at least two cable-cable connections in there, so it's like 3 pieces of cable strung together. When it gets inside my apartment, I have it split with a 4-way splitter to a TV, TV and Cable Modem. 4th split not used.
Now, since I'm not a coax guy, I don't know the specs and standards for this sort of thing. One time I had Comcast come out and the tech said the cable run was out of code, and he said an engineer would come out to fix that, but they never did. So now I'm having major connection quality issues to the point that internet is very flakey, many dropped connections, periods of zero service, etc. TV is viewable, slight noise noticable, but not too bad. Here are some ideas I've had, and what I plan to do. I'm hoping some folks here can help by giving more suggestions.
1. Possibly weather related, have had many below/above freezing temperature swings here all winter (St. Paul, Minnesota). I think maybe water got in the connections or something and froze multiple times.
2. Cable is just old and needs to be replaced. Possible corrosion?
3. Cable run is too long and needs an inline amplifier.
4. My 4-way splitter is splitting the signal too much. I've tried plugging cable modem direct to cable from the wall though, and that didn't resolve anything. So I'm not so sure this is the problem.
5. Comcast may need to check their equipment at the pole.
My plan of action tonight is to try moving my cable modem and router to the back of the building to the first break in the coax. I will plug it in there if possible to test and see if I get a better connection. If I do, that means I have bad cable going over the roof.
Other than my plan tonight, I'm not sure what else to try. Anyone have any suggestions?
Before reading, keep in mind I'd like to NOT have Comcast come over. Technically I'm not supposed to have TV service, but they have never turned it off at the pole, the basic cable is always on. Always has been, even when not paying for internet service. I'd like to not lose this...
Comcast has their box on a power pole across the street a bit, from there the coax cable is strung along a wire across the street to the back corner of my building. That is in itself a good 80 feet. From there, it is strung up over the roof of my building and to the corner where my main tv room is. It comes down and into the side of the apartment. Total length from pole to my cable modem I estimate to be 150 to 200 feet. There are at least two cable-cable connections in there, so it's like 3 pieces of cable strung together. When it gets inside my apartment, I have it split with a 4-way splitter to a TV, TV and Cable Modem. 4th split not used.
Now, since I'm not a coax guy, I don't know the specs and standards for this sort of thing. One time I had Comcast come out and the tech said the cable run was out of code, and he said an engineer would come out to fix that, but they never did. So now I'm having major connection quality issues to the point that internet is very flakey, many dropped connections, periods of zero service, etc. TV is viewable, slight noise noticable, but not too bad. Here are some ideas I've had, and what I plan to do. I'm hoping some folks here can help by giving more suggestions.
1. Possibly weather related, have had many below/above freezing temperature swings here all winter (St. Paul, Minnesota). I think maybe water got in the connections or something and froze multiple times.
2. Cable is just old and needs to be replaced. Possible corrosion?
3. Cable run is too long and needs an inline amplifier.
4. My 4-way splitter is splitting the signal too much. I've tried plugging cable modem direct to cable from the wall though, and that didn't resolve anything. So I'm not so sure this is the problem.
5. Comcast may need to check their equipment at the pole.
My plan of action tonight is to try moving my cable modem and router to the back of the building to the first break in the coax. I will plug it in there if possible to test and see if I get a better connection. If I do, that means I have bad cable going over the roof.
Other than my plan tonight, I'm not sure what else to try. Anyone have any suggestions?
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