Just had amplifier put on cable line

[CKent]

I have TV, internet & VOIP through my cable company (Optimum Online). TV was kinda bad, it would skip and get blocky and such. Cable guy came & tested the line, said signal strength was low and put an amplifier on the line. Now whenever the phone rings I get booted from the internet. What's strange about it is that it almost seems to be affecting my router; instead of simply not getting service, windows goes through the whole deal it would go through if I power cycled my router, telling me a cable is unplugged, then reconnecting, etc.

Anyone have any idea what could be going on? The modem is a Motorola model, router a D-Link DI-524. Sorry if this is the wrong forum, it seemed the best place to ask. Should I just get those dumbasses back out here to look at it? I'm afraid they'll just a) making it worse b) be unable to figure it out and blame my router.

 

[bruceb]

Did you get the amp yourself or did Cablevision / Optimum install it for you ?

You need a BiDirectional Wide Bandwidth Digital Amp for everything to work properly.
Also, the Modem should be installed after a Splitter where the cable service enters your home.

Just reread your post ... I would call the cable company back.
First thing they need to do is fix the Signal Level coming into your home
from the Cable System. They run Fiber Optics and COAX Trunk lines all
over and they use Line Amps which can easily go bad, as well as defective
splices at either coax or fiber connections.

It is their problem. Insist that they get it fixed

 

[CKent]

Yeah they put in the amplifier, not me. It's gonna be rough getting them to do anything, I'm on a remote deadend road so it's not cost-effective for them to fix the lines here, which must be decades old I'm guessing. Should I put in a splitter before the line gets to the amp and run one half of it to my modem? The problem is the amp is in my basement where the line comes in and there's no phone jack nearby, which I need for VOIP. I'd also rather have a hard wired connection on my main PC than wireless.

 

[bruceb]

Yes, I would suggest running a line direct to the Modem .. alternately you can install the
Modem where the line comes in and then just run a CAT 5 cable to a Router located
elsewhere. As to the cable company, since they offer the service in your area, the FCC
requires them to provide Good Service ... so wether they want to fix it or not, you just have
to push the issue and insist they give the Quality of Service to which you are entitled.