What is wrong with my DSL connection?

[Svnla]

Hi all,

I am using ATT DSL only (no phone service) for the last couple years and most of the time, it was not bad. My connection: walljack --> phone line --> Motorola modem silver color --> eternet cable --> laptop eternet port.

But in the last few weeks, the green Internet light keeps turning red for about every 10 minutes (not kiddding) then the internet down for about 1 minute or less, and then it comes back on, good for a while, then down again and rinse and repeat.

I called ATT DSL support and they checked the line (test and sync and all that) and they said it was fine. They asked me to remove the filter at the walljack because they said I never had a phone but DSL only.

After that, same problem again. ATT also said that I may need to replace the modem with a new one ($75).

This is such a pain and cable (only other broadband choice around here) is not any good either.

Any suggestions or recommendations beside to buy a new DSL modem? And where to get one? (don't want to pay $75 from ATT). Thanks a bunch.

 

[JackMDS]

You have to ask ATT to send a tech guy to your place and make sure that the signla is coming out OK.

In most cases the claims that the central computer in the ISP's center shows that every thing is OK is a "Con" job. Their computer can not really tell much about the condition beyond their facility.

P.S. Motorola Silver is Not an id of a device. Is it a modem only or a modem/Router?

 

[Svnla]

You have to ask ATT to send a tech guy to your place and make sure that the signla is coming out OK.

In most cases the claims that the central computer in the ISP's center shows that every thing is OK is a "Con" job. Their computer can not really tell much about the condition beyond their facility.

P.S. Motorola Silver is Not an id of a device. Is it a modem only or a modem/Router?

I really don't want ATT tech to come out here because I will have to take a day off from work to wait for them and who knows how much they will charge me (probably an arm and a leg and more).

It is a silver color Motorola modem only, no router or anything else.

I have been using this same equipment bunch (modem, ethernet cable, computer, etc.) for the last 2 plus years and suddendly this "intermittent" DSL problem happen 2 weeks ago. Grrrrrrrr.

 

[gsaldivar]

A service visit won't cost you anything (other than your time). Tell them to send a tech out and check the line manually (make sure the tech actually connects a meter to the line...). Tell the tech to reinstall the line if necessary (move the service to a new pair of wires), or you will be cancelling the service because it is not stable.

Beware, some techs are lazy as hell... The check that they perform from the central office is nothing more than a loop test, which is a quick way for them to get rid of your service call because "everything looks fine"... In reality, there are many issues that could be causing the connectivity problems that are not evident with that type of test.

If you want stable service, you have to be the "squeaky wheel", otherwise you will get no grease from the company...