Comcast High Speed internet sucky?

[Psyber]

I used to love Comcast high speed internet, but for the last couple of months it's been really bad - I get connections some times and my modem won't get a connection on other occasions. Recently it just connects and disconnects repeatedly.

I've had 3 technicians come over already and all they've done is change the coax cable heads on different cables. I told the last tech to install an amplifier, but he wouldn't do it because he claimed it might damage my modem and during the time that he visited the signal was OK. He also claims that the signal never changes; after he's left I've taken records of the signals and I know for sure it ranges from 1-5 depending on the time of day. Should I give up and go to DSL? I don't really want to because Comcast is great when it works, but 3 technicians already....

 

[mitmot]

where are you located? my comcast has been fine

 

[Psyber]

Suburb of Philadelphia

 

[bonkers325]

it depends on where you live (i am guessing)

i hear lots of mixed feelings about comcast - some people have reliable connections, others get lots of packet loss and slow speeds.

 

[Psyber]

Originally posted by: bonkers325
it depends on where you live (i am guessing)

i hear lots of mixed feelings about comcast - some people have reliable connections, others get lots of packet loss and slow speeds.

I've had it for 4 years (2 years at my current address) and never had a problem till 2 months ago.

 

[Psyber]

Has anyone else had this problem?

 

[imported_Phil]

Can you log the signal strength in some way, perhaps over a couple of days?
Maybe you can get something tangible that Comcast will believe

 

[Psyber]

Originally posted by: Phil
Can you log the signal strength in some way, perhaps over a couple of days?
Maybe you can get something tangible that Comcast will believe

yeah I just started doing that. I'm taking screen shots of the the diagnostic screen and logging times when I can't connect at all.

 

[Merlyn3D]

My comcast HSI is finally working consistently and FAST. I love the speed, and the fact that when they advertise 4mbps you get 4mbps in speed tests.

 

[Blazin Trav]

My uncle needed a new cable.

Call comcast and ask them to check your signal strength, some of their technitians are n00bs and install it wrong, sometimes it takes serveral "reinstallations."

=/

 

[imported_Kensai]

Well, they're not the brightest bunch.

 

[Kelemvor]

Is it your own cable modem or theirs? If it's theirs, have them bring you a new one.

 

[Dulanic]

I had the same issue, they installed a amp and it works fine. If they refuse go pick up a Motorola amp their like $50 and see if it works.

 

[John0394]

Comcast does suck.

 

[Psyber]

Originally posted by: Blazin Trav
My uncle needed a new cable.

Call comcast and ask them to check your signal strength, some of their technitians are n00bs and install it wrong, sometimes it takes serveral "reinstallations."

=/

Did they run a new line? They just keep on changing splitters and coax cable heads for me.

Originally posted by: FrankyJunior
Is it your own cable modem or theirs? If it's theirs, have them bring you a new one.

It's mine, they suggested I rent one for a month to see if it works, but I'm 90% sure that isn't the problem since I do notice that the signal strength varies ALL the time.

Originally posted by: Dulanic
I had the same issue, they installed a amp and it works fine. If they refuse go pick up a Motorola amp their like $50 and see if it works.

Unfortunely, I think this might be my only solution. They refused to install one for me on the 3rd tech telling me the signal is fine. I don't think I should have to spend money when it is their fault though, it was working fine for 1.5 years. How's Circuitcity's return policy? If it works it probably would be worth it, but I want to be able to return it if it doesn't.

 

[Blazin Trav]

<< "Did they run a new line? They just keep on changing splitters and coax cable heads for me. " >>

All I know is they fixed the signal strength, and it was more than changing some heads, etc.

WHen they come by, ask them if the signal strength is strong enough, don't let them leave, especially if they say "it's your computer" or something to that effect.

 

[Conky]

Keep complaining... eventually one of their notoriously lazy techs will replace the cable and fix it for you.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Welcome to my hell.

 

[Noid]

Originally posted by: John0394
Comcast does suck.

 

[Psyber]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
Welcome to my hell.

Originally posted by: Noid

Originally posted by: John0394
Comcast does suck.

I assume u guys have the same problem?

 

[Tab]

Try getting a new modem, or post the error messages here.

 

[Azurik]

I have the same problem as you within the past week. My cable internet was fine then all of a sudden I had to keep hard cycling the cable modem. It turned out the signal kept getting weaker (they tweaked something in my neighborhood line or whatnot). I removed a few spiltters around the house and now it's a bit more reliable. Still, my signal strength still sucks.

It was a horrible -30 dB. Now it's -19 dB. The ideal range is -9 dB thru +10 dB.

 

[Randum]

my comcast just got a speed boost to 7.5down! and its always just around 7.2-7.5 when i test...i dunno might just be your location, it is cable so your connection can vary

 

[MidasKnight]

up

 

[BlueWeasel]

How do you check your signal strength?