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AR15.COM
1/22/2005 11:42:15 AM EDT
    I had Adelphia install a high speed cable modem last week for me.  The problem is, it looks to be constantly dropping the signal.  If I leave the modem unplugged from the wall over night, I get 60-90 min online the next morning.  Then the modem, powers down, appears to log off the adelphia network and power cycles.  If  I unplug the modem from power at this time, and reconnect power, I get maybe 5 mins of use, then it goes back into the power cycle mode again.

  I knew as soon as I called Adelphia tech support, they would tell me it was my computer, which they did.  But, I spend several nights a week in hotels, and have no problem using either a wired or wireless connection there.  They finally got me to a seior tech support personnel, who couldnt figure out the problem either.

    I live on a country road, with very few houses.  The residents I know, do not have highspeed, just dial up.  I am not using a router, just straight from modem to my computer with network cable.  Running 2000 Pro.

   I looks to my, the modem is registering on their network, then getting booted.  What does this sound like to you??
1/22/2005 11:44:18 AM EDT
[#1]
Weak cable signal?  Especially out in the boonies... Maybe they need to send a tech to your house.  
1/22/2005 11:44:26 AM EDT
[#2]
Sounds like they are BSing you.

Its either getting a weak signal or the modem has a problem.


If your running off a splitter try taking out the splitter.
1/22/2005 11:47:35 AM EDT
[#3]
I do have a splitter, one line to the tv the other to the modem.  Modem is a Motorola SB4101.  Tv signal is fine.  Is there a amplifier or booster, I can put on....if indeed the signal is weak?
1/22/2005 11:51:51 AM EDT
[#4]

Quoted:
I do have a splitter, one line to the tv the other to the modem.  Modem is a Motorola SB4101.  Tv signal is fine.  Is there a amplifier or booster, I can put on....if indeed the signal is weak?




You will need a bi-directional amp.

Try pulling the cable directly in the modem, it probaly wont help but the cable company is going to want you to try it.

Also make sure the modem has space around it so it doesnt heat up.


If your still having problems call them.  The PC has nothing to do with the modem dropping.

Have them reprovision or recomission the modem, if that doesnt solve it they need to send a tech
1/22/2005 11:54:58 AM EDT
[#5]
Thanks for the help Taxman.  Next time I'm in GA, I'll look you up.
1/22/2005 11:57:06 AM EDT
[#6]
Definitely take the splitter out... not all splitters are rated for cable modem use.  Also, I wouldn't go with an amp unless it's something that Adelphia gives you... I'd think it would introduce noise in the line and screw up the connection even worse.
1/22/2005 11:58:18 AM EDT
[#7]

Quoted:
Thanks for the help Taxman.  Next time I'm in GA, I'll look you up.




No problem.

If they want to give you a hassle let me know and I'll 3-way call them with you.

I used to do cable support so it doesnt work if they try to and pull a fast one on me
1/22/2005 1:30:06 PM EDT
[#8]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I do have a splitter, one line to the tv the other to the modem.  Modem is a Motorola SB4101.  Tv signal is fine.  Is there a amplifier or booster, I can put on....if indeed the signal is weak?




You will need a bi-directional amp.

Try pulling the cable directly in the modem, it probaly wont help but the cable company is going to want you to try it.

Also make sure the modem has space around it so it doesnt heat up.


If your still having problems call them.  The PC has nothing to do with the modem dropping.

Have them reprovision or recomission the modem, if that doesnt solve it they need to send a tech



A booster might help but it is also likely the signal from the outside fluctuates in strength, this is very common. If so you will have to get the cable company to check the signal they can usually do this while you are on the phone with them IF you can get the person on the phone to listen.
1/22/2005 2:00:51 PM EDT
[#9]
So if we unhook the splitter, obviously I will lose either TV or modem use.  Will they have to run another drop from the pole to the house for the other device?
1/22/2005 2:04:22 PM EDT
[#10]

Quoted:
So if we unhook the splitter, obviously I will lose either TV or modem use.  Will they have to run another drop from the pole to the house for the other device?




May need to run another drop, or change how its wired in the house.  In some houses in enters and goes to a splitter then to other rooms.

They have a good many options on how they can wire it with the equipment they have.
1/22/2005 2:17:23 PM EDT
[#11]
Depending on location Adelphine sends out a signal to cause the modem to reboot about once every 24-48hrs.  (Mainly on Motorola Surfboards)

Certain 3rd party modems are not affected by this sys command and won't reboot.

This does not sound like its your problem though.

BTW I can also forward your info to some friends who are currently level 2 tech support for Adelphia - they can do some digging. ( Its sad what true Computer techs will stoop to after they have had a job outsourced to India...)
1/22/2005 2:28:34 PM EDT
[#12]
when i lived in the dorms i had the same setup.  i had a splitter and one going to the tv and one going to the cable internet.  the cable modem would drop out from time to time, then i would have to unplug it and plug it back in.  

im pretty sure that its your modem...get them to send you a new one or just tell them that its messing up and that they need to come install another modem for free.  since they hooked it up for you they should fix it for you.

another way to tell its not the connection is that if your tv works then your cable modem should work.  it comes in through the same signal, just converted through the cable modem.
1/22/2005 2:34:30 PM EDT
[#13]

Quoted:
when i lived in the dorms i had the same setup.  i had a splitter and one going to the tv and one going to the cable internet.  the cable modem would drop out from time to time, then i would have to unplug it and plug it back in.  

im pretty sure that its your modem...get them to send you a new one or just tell them that its messing up and that they need to come install another modem for free.  since they hooked it up for you they should fix it for you.

another way to tell its not the connection is that if your tv works then your cable modem should work.  it comes in through the same signal, just converted through the cable modem.




The TV will normally work off a weaker singnal.  Also a cable modem needs up and down streams, sometimes the upstream wont work becuase they have a filter on the line to block it.

If you get a new modem call and let them know you changed it, alot of people will hook it up and then wait and wonder why it wont work.

Powercycle and reboot are the solution to 70% of connection problems on cable modems.
1/22/2005 2:50:13 PM EDT
[#14]
how far is the cable modem away from the splitter.

the reason i ask is cuz in the dorms my modem was about 5 feet away from my splitter.  the wire ran from the splitter to my router then to my modem.  i also had a guy down the hall that connected to my router.  the wire that went from my router to his room was around 100 feet.  

im just saying this cuz if a signal can reach over 100 feet from the wall it should be able to handle the small length in his house.
1/22/2005 5:19:29 PM EDT
[#15]
Since you need to use a splitter make sure you're using the correct one.  Older cable splitters were only rated to handle freqs up to ~ 650 MHz.  In order to use a cable modem through a splitter it needs to be rated to handle signals up to 1 GHz (1000 MHz).  A bad or incorrect splitter will cause connection problems.
1/22/2005 5:25:51 PM EDT
[#16]
I'm in a suburb in Los Angeles, I have Adelphia cable modem also. I'm using an Adelpha supplie cable modem Teradyn TJ715. It's been really reliable. I get drops maybe once a week for a second or 2 but is immediately reconnected. Good Luck in finding you problem.
1/23/2005 3:01:34 AM EDT
[#17]
The really strange thing about it is..the longer I have the modem disconnected from power, when I repower up, the longer I can stay online.
1/23/2005 3:09:24 AM EDT
[#18]
It's over-heating. Make them give you a new modem.
1/23/2005 3:18:21 AM EDT
[#19]

Quoted:
It's over-heating. Make them give you a new modem.



+1, Thats what it sounds like to me.
1/23/2005 3:21:38 AM EDT
[#20]

Quoted:
It's over-heating. Make them give you a new modem.



same happened to me, and YES have thm come out and fix that rascal ASAFP!

Cable access will change you internet life for the better.