Please help with cable connectivity issues.... can't stay connected!

[justcrash]

I'm at the end of my rope guys, and I hope someone here can help me. I have an 800 MGHZ Tbird, 384 megs of RAM, Windows 98 SE. My problem is this. Constantly, my cable seizes up on me. I would think it was my system, except it does it on my wifes machne as well, and hers is a clean build, so basically nothing but Windows on it. I run it through the Linksys 4 port Router/hub, however, when i take that out of the equation, the same thing happens.

I will be cruising along just fine, either playing a game (RTCW or Tribes 2) or just surfing, getting email, etc... when all of a sudden.... BAM "Page can not be displayed". Reboot the modem, same thing. Usually it takes 2-3 reboots of the modem AND the PC to get it to work again. I'm paying for a service I really can't get any use out of.

I live in Columbus Ohio and our provider is Insight Communications. We did have a tech come out to the house once, and of course, it didn't act up for him, so he couldn't diagnose it. It used to just happen between 4 PM and midnight, but now its al the time, and I feel like crying over this, as Im helpless, and can get no resolutions on the issue. Insight has replaced my modem already once as well. Please... any suggestions would be great. THANKS!!

 

[minendo]

Do you have "Keep Alive" selected in the Router setup?

 

[justcrash]

<< Do you have "Keep Alive" selected in the Router setup? >>



Where is that and what does it do? And does that apply to Cable? My buddy has DSL and he uses a lot more of the router then I do.

 

[minendo]

All you want to do is enter the router setup by typing in its LAN address in IE. The router's LAN address should be 192.168.1.1 and it should prompt you for a user name and password. The generic password is "admin" with no user name. At the bottom of the age that opens after you enter the password there should be an option that says "Keep Alive", put a check mark by it and see if that helps.

I am not sure what version of the router you are running, but that is how I had to do it on my linksys router.

 

[justcrash]

<< All you want to do is enter the router setup by typing in its LAN address in IE. The router's LAN address should be 192.168.1.1 and it should prompt you for a user name and password. The generic password is "admin" with no user name. At the bottom of the age that opens after you enter the password there should be an option that says "Keep Alive", put a check mark by it and see if that helps.

I am not sure what version of the router you are running, but that is how I had to do it on my linksys router. >>



Did you have the same problem? What does Keep alive do?

 

[minendo]

"Keep Alive" keeps the connection active instead of connecting on demand. I had a similar problem with my DSL because the connection would only stay alive for a certain amount of time.

 

[justcrash]

<< "Keep Alive" keeps the connection active instead of connecting on demand. I had a similar problem with my DSL because the connection would only stay alive for a certain amount of time. >>



Very weird. I will make sure I have the latest firm ware and try that. However...it does do the same thing when it isn't going through the router...

 

[justcrash]

bump

 

[Texun]

I work with in the broadband industry and I've never used Keep Alive for cable modems, and I don't know of anyone on cable who has because it isn't needed when the system is working correctly. Also, you stated that you are having the same problem when you bypass the router.

Two questions to start with:
1. Do the modem lights remain solid when this lock up happens, just as they do when you have connectivity? If not, then the modem is most likely dropping out due to poor signal, either the forward is too low or the return path is too high. Cable modems will usually operate with a forward level as low as -15dBmv and will range as much as +61dBmv in reverse.

You're not expected to know what your levels are, but the tech should have checked that when he came out for the service call. It sound like the reverse levels are on the edge. When the modem is power cycled it adjusts the power level as needed but then drops when the slightest increase is needed.

2. Have you tried winipcfg in the Run box and released and then renewed your IP? Any change?
The reason I ask this last question is because someone may be spoofing your IP address. More common from 4PM to midnight? Prime time after school hours! How about weekends? Rare, but it happens. Once you stop surfing, their PC can grab your IP and steal it until the process is reversed... they stop and you pull it back by rebooting. Running winipcfg to release and renew should do the same thing. You are releasing your IP and pulling it back. If the cable operator is has a truely dynamic DOCSIS system, meaning you get a new IP each time you boot up, then this should rule out IP theft.

Could be other things but my guess is the reverse levels, as that is often the case with loss of connectivity. If you don't think your IP is being spoofed you should call them back out and have them check the levels.

R

 

[justcrash]

<< I work with in the broadband industry and I've never used Keep Alive for cable modems, and I don't know of anyone on cable who has because it isn't needed when the system is working correctly. Also, you stated that you are having the same problem when you bypass the router.

Two questions to start with:
1. Do the modem lights remain solid when this lock up happens, just as they do when you have connectivity? If not, then the modem is most likely dropping out due to poor signal, either the forward is too low or the return path is too high. Cable modems will usually operate with a forward level as low as -15dBmv and will range as much as +61dBmv in reverse.

You're not expected to know what your levels are, but the tech should have checked that when he came out for the service call. It sound like the reverse levels are on the edge. When the modem is power cycled it adjusts the power level as needed but then drops when the slightest increase is needed.

2. Have you tried winipcfg in the Run box and released and then renewed your IP? Any change?
The reason I ask this last question is because someone may be spoofing your IP address. More common from 4PM to midnight? Prime time after school hours! How about weekends? Rare, but it happens. Once you stop surfing, their PC can grab your IP and steal it until the process is reversed... they stop and you pull it back by rebooting. Running winipcfg to release and renew should do the same thing. You are releasing your IP and pulling it back. If the cable operator is has a truely dynamic DOCSIS system, meaning you get a new IP each time you boot up, then this should rule out IP theft.

Could be other things but my guess is the reverse levels, as that is often the case with loss of connectivity. If you don't think your IP is being spoofed you should call them back out and have them check the levels.

R >>



The modem lights will stay on as normal... unless I let it run its course... then its like someone flips a switch, and they go out, and start to reboot.

One of the first things i did was release and renew my IP. I thought the same thing. Thank you for teh suggestions though.

 

[Texun]

Okay...... unless there is some kind of head end work going on, not likely every day, when it cycles without warning it could be due to the signal or too much noise on the line. Sounds like you need to have them come out and check the levels and the upstream S:N ratio. It's not your router or PC.

 

[justcrash]

<< Okay...... unless there is some kind of head end work going on, not likely every day, when it cycles without warning it could be due to the signal or too much noise on the line. Sounds like you need to have them come out and check the levels and the upstream S:N ratio. It's not your router or PC. >>



Ok, thank you my friend.

 

[Slikkster]

Of course, the noise, if that's the issue, could also come from a bad connection on a cable splitter. I'd be checking that, too, if you have a splitter installed.

When my cable modem was installed, the cable to the TV was already running right behind the pc setup, so the guy just cut the wire and split it off right there. I'd definitely check for loose connections, or maybe use a different short length of cable from the splitter to the cable modem.

Same could be said for the Cat-5 cable that runs from the modem to the pc...an inexpensive option to try a new section to see if it makes any difference.