Is having to restart a modem normal?

[perdomot]

I've noticed that every couple of weeks, I have to turn off my modem for 30 seconds or so because my download speed drops by about half. This has happened with both Alcatel and Westell DSL modems and I wondered if this was normal. If it isnt, is there a DSL modem that this doesn't happen with?

 

[John]

Out of sheer curiosity, are you using DSL because the cable modem service is crappy in your area?

 

[perdomot]

No, I started with Bellsouth because of the price difference between DSL and cable. Although the local cable company Comcast has brought prices down a bit, I have heard a lot of complaints from people so I havent switched. Is the dropping speed related to DSL?

 

[lenjack]

Instead of switching off, try pressing F5. This sometimes works.

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: lenjack
Instead of switching off, try pressing F5. This sometimes works.

f5 just refreshes the page....

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: perdomot
I've noticed that every couple of weeks, I have to turn off my modem for 30 seconds or so because my download speed drops by about half. This has happened with both Alcatel and Westell DSL modems and I wondered if this was normal. If it isnt, is there a DSL modem that this doesn't happen with?

when i had dsl a couple years ago i ran a cisco675 modem and never had an issue with it. since then i think the locals around me switched to a different type of dsl, maybe adsl (can't remember) and the cisco678. possibly call your isp and ask them if either one of those modems are ok with your service and look for one on ebay if you are network savvy since you may or may not get tech support from your isp.

also you may want to call your isp and talk to them about your issue as it is not normal, at least from what i have and many friends have experienced with both dsl and cable.

 

[JBT]

I had a Westell DSL modem with Verizon and I never had to reset the modem.

 

[Noema]

My old Speedstream 5200 would suddenly crap out liike that, giving me dial up like speeds and 1000ms+ pings. Resetting it fixed it every time, but it got annoying as I had to do it almost every other day.

I now have a 2Wire modem/router and so far, hasn't given me problems. My parents also have a 2Wire in their house (and have had it for almost 2 years now) and I don't think I've had to reset that ever.

It might be a bad modem; you may want to call your ISP so that they give you a new one.

 

[perdomot]

The modem is from Bellsouth itself so it should work with their service fine. This modem is only a few months old but the previous one they also gave me had the same odd issue even though it was from Alcatel, not Westell. From what I gather, a slow down is not normal so maybe it is these modems since turning them off for 30 seconds brings the speed back to normal.

 

[bobsmith1492]

I would imagine that would be a possibility. DSL modems, when they start up at least, run a test over your line to detect the maximum bandwidth they can get (depends on the construction of the local phone lines) by determining which frequency bands are useable with the least attenuation. Maybe your modem is getting too many errors, so it retunes its connection occasionally, which ends up being lower each time? There might be some settings in the modem you can look at - is it like a router where you can log into it and change settings?

 

[crydee]

Are you sure it's not your router and you're also turning off your router when you resetting your modem?