Troubleshooting Cable Modems

[NeoStarO1]

HI Everyone,

I have a rather quirky annoying problem. this been ongoing for quite some time now however its getting worse and worse and worse.

Specs outta the way first:

Toshiba S1405 Satellite Series laptop.
Running XP Pro (came with laptop) w/ lastest XP updates
Running NIS2003

That is it for programs running upon boot.

Has 256mb memory
Nic/Modem/and all that stuff that would be unrelated right now.


Now background on the house outlets:
Plain and simple they are not good. All outlets in house does need new outlets installed only because it makes for a loose connection.

Background of modem & ISP
I am with comcrap formerly known as attbi.
Modem is a RCA something ( i can't touch it right now. will explain next.)

I honestly belive its not my laptop that has the issues. I am of the belief now that it may be a modem problem or possibly an outlet problem. however with the outlets im less thinking its that because i can use other appliances in there. I just have to on occassion reinsert whatever plug that in the outlet. (goes for the entire house)

However the modem is a bit different. If i just touch the modem box with my hands or just a light touch with one finger, i will loose connectivitiy. I have the cable modem plug into the outlet to the right of my desk and the modem sits to the left side of my desk. I have also noticed that if i touch the cord in the back of the modem the one that plugs in from the other end of the power cord that i will lose all connectivity instantly.

I have so much trouble staying connected to the internet and at first i thought it had to do with the change over from attbi to comcast but now im inclined to think that the modem cord connection on the back of the modem is bad.

I continueully have to reset my modem and also powercycle my connection in order to be able to just get on the internet. Its extremely unstable to the point where I think my connection is so fragile.

I have had the modem about a year and a half now and this modem is provided by the isp company.

Now for my question
How can I sure fire test my modem phyical connections to see if they are either damaged or loose to the point that its not very reliable?


Edit: The reason I want to know how to sure fire test it is because when I call up comcast I want to have all my facts and testing done and not deal with the bs that they usally give you. I can connect fine with my laptop at work on the network and everything, so I know its not my integrated nic card.

[Steve R Jones]

I have the exact same problem with my rca modem with comcrap. VERY frustrating situation.

Spent 10 minutes on the phone with support. Then he said their system was down and that I'd have to call back..Service with a smile.

My modem is in the other room with the tv. I actually taped it down and proped up the power cord. Been working great for several weeks.

Bottom line,is the rca modem is a poor design. I'm betting if you call them and insist on a different brand, they'll bring it out.

[meese]

I think first you need to have stable power. You need to isolate the problem. Can you replace the AC socket?

[NeoStarO1]

Originally posted by Steve R Jones
I have the exact same problem with my rca modem with comcrap. VERY frustrating situation.

Spent 10 minutes on the phone with support. Then he said their system was down and that I'd have to call back..Service with a smile.

My modem is in the other room with the tv. I actually taped it down and proped up the power cord. Been working great for several weeks.

Bottom line,is the rca modem is a poor design. I'm betting if you call them and insist on a different brand, they'll bring it out.

HI Steve,

Sounds like you know exactly what I am talking about. Hmmm maybe will give them a call, have to do it via internet as they don't accept tty calls. Hopefully the connection will stay alive long enough to talk with them.

My other problem is that I can't wait on them forever as I do online classes. My tests are done all via java script and we only get one shot at the test so if our connection borks up its up to the instructor weather to allow for the test to continue. they normal do.

I think what I will do is have tony call up comcrap for me tommorrow and request for a new modem brought out to the house and a different brand. I'll also email my instructor to let him know that my connection is unstable and not to be surpised if i email him with problems of being locked out of the testings.

In the meantime I think I will do what you did, tape it up. Tape up the entire thing so it CANNOT move!

Originally posted by meese
I think first you need to have stable power. You need to isolate the problem. Can you replace the AC socket?

I'll be replacing the one either tonight or tommorrow AM, but i can assure you I really don't think that is the problem cuz i don't have my other applianaces loosing connectivity at all. Just once in while if the cord gets yanked. Such as my vacum.

If steve has had the same experience im sure the problem is the same as his.

Thanks for your input everyone.