RCA cable modem keeps dropping connection...

[MaxDSP]

I just got Comcast and they gave me a new RCA DCM315, but it keeps dropping the connection for some reason. The front panel lights all work, and there is always a cable signal, its just that I cant get on the Internet. If I wait for a certain period of time (usually 5-30 minutes) the connection comes back up. However, if I unplug the power supply cord and then plug back it back in, then I get my connection back after the modem reinitializes. Does this pretty much describe a faulty modem or is there something I forgot to do on my PC to configure my Internet connection?

 

[corkyg]

I would lean towards a faulty modem. I have exactly the same setup - same modem - and Comcast cable. It has been running steadily for almost a year now. The only times I have had a break in connection is then Comcast went down locally for maintenance, and again when some yo-yos cut a cable on a construction job.

You should call Comcast Tech Support - and they will ping you from their end and check out your system. Wait until it drops - then call. The RCA is an excellent modem - I think you may have a lemon.

Another long shot - if you also have cable TV from Comcast, then they install a splitter - but it has to be a special kind of splitter. They goofed on mine at the installation, came right out and fixed it.

 

[Macro2]

Try this...
Reset you modem defaults. On the RCA I have, you hold in the reset button with a paperclip or ballpoint pen and plug in the power cord at the same time.
If that doesn't work, RCA will usually send out a new modem if you give them your credit card and credit you when you send back your old modem.

That's if you own it and it's under warranty which is usually 2 years.
If it's comcasts modem it's THEIR problem.

You could also just have a weak signal. Make sure all your connections and splitters are tight. Also, how are your lower TV channels...like 3, 4, 5?
If they are bad you could just have a weak signal. Call Comcast.

Another option is that they are working on the lines somewhere.

Mac

 

[styrafoam]

My 3-com cable modem did the same thing for about the last 6 months until it finally died 100% about 3 weeks ago. Exact same characteristics as you describe, lost connection which is gained on a modem reset.

 

[MaxDSP]

Originally posted by: Macro2
Try this...
Reset you modem defaults. On the RCA I have, you hold in the reset button with a paperclip or ballpoint pen and plug in the power cord at the same time.
If that doesn't work, RCA will usually send out a new modem if you give them your credit card and credit you when you send back your old modem.

That's if you own it and it's under warranty which is usually 2 years.
If it's comcasts modem it's THEIR problem.

You could also just have a weak signal. Make sure all your connections and splitters are tight. Also, how are your lower TV channels...like 3, 4, 5?
If they are bad you could just have a weak signal. Call Comcast.

Another option is that they are working on the lines somewhere.

Mac

Comcast gave me the modem, altho I had my own but it seems to be unsupported (DLink DCM200). I think the install tech may have goofed though. I was told that they need to split up the cable line at the point where the cable is dropped outside the house. Instead, the tech put a splitter on the line that was already in my room which connected the TV to cable. This is sorta what it looks like:

outside line.......2way splitter.......3 way splitter.........my room splitter
------------------<-----------------------<--------------------------<----------------------cable connection


I was under the impression that this is the way it was supposed to be done:

outside line.......2way splitter..
------------------<-------------------cable connection

I dont know if it really makes that much of a difference, but while the modem keeps losing the connection, my speeds are always in the 1.7-2.0 mbps download range (I signed up for 1.5/256) when it does work.


Ill call em up today and see what they say about it

 

[MasterHoss]

Well, I recently moved up to Dallas and have been using Comcast High Speed Internet since April. They originally gave me the Motorola 4200 series cable modem. That was DOA and they came back to replace it with another 4200 series modem. The 2nd modem would drop connections ~1 hour after I would receive an IP address... the only solution was to release and renew my IP address or reset the modem and release and renew. Comcast didn't know what the hell was going on... they got it down to me having to reset my modem and release and renew my IP address Comcast came out to give me a 3rd modem and it's an RCA... same problemONLY ONCE EVERY 2 DAYS. My IP lease always is set to expire 4 days after it is obtained... but my connection dies after 2 days. Whatever, I love Comcast's Internet service

but hey, I can't complain with my average 2Mbps connection.

 

[corkyg]

I don't think you should have two splitters. The one outside the house seems to me to be wrong. Mine comes in - one cable into the house and there to the splitter. That feeds TV and Internet from there. Works perfectly. I think you need to get Cconcast to review your setup.

On mine they used the wrong splitter iside - the Internet worked but the TV sucked. They came out an the tech said - "That's the wrong splitter!" and replaced it.

 

[Macro2]

Too many splitters could be your problem. Make sure they are connected nice and tight too...OTOH...i'd go with a few spliiters as possible. You signal could already be low and the splitters are making it too low.

 

[MaxDSP]

Originally posted by: Macro2
Too many splitters could be your problem. Make sure they are connected nice and tight too...OTOH...i'd go with a few spliiters as possible. You signal could already be low and the splitters are making it too low.

thats what I was thinking also, and that also what I told the install tech, but he said "It's all the same" and he put a splitter on my bedroom cable and just hooked it up. However, does it matter that my speeds are usually 1.7-2.0 mbps when I do connect? I would assume that it means I have a good connection, but Ill call them and see what they say.

 

[MaxDSP]

well, after trying about 3 times and hanging up after waiting on hold for a while, I got through with it. The CSR said that my IP address was not good, since it started with 67.x.x.x so he gave me a 12.x.x.x addy. My connection is working now but lets see if it holds up for a while without dropping the connection.

 

[zephyrprime]

I've seen at hardware stores that there a specific splitters for cable modems (and also for digital cable but that's a different story). The difference between the splitters seems to be the frequency ranges. It could also be a bad modem. I've noticed that my modem drops the signal too every once in a while. Some days it will do it several times a day and some other days it doesn't do it at all. go figure. I'm using a Toshiba pcx1000 which is the frist cable modem toshiba made. I recently ordered a motorla 5100 so we'll see how well that works.

 

[MaxDSP]

hot damn, it's been 4 days now and my connection i sstill going strong. The tech guy knew what he was talking about after all. Excellent...