Very annoying.

Intermittent cable issues:

Sudden loss of signal (per a call to the tech support at the cable/internet provider), "weak" signal from modem when they checked it remotely.    

This is occasional...never seem to have a problem during the day (when I'm home)...but generally in the evenings...happened tonight several times (for 30 minutes to an hour each time).    Was working well (no speed issues), went away from the computer for 30 minutes, then it wouldn't connect.    Tried the usual (unplug cable modem,  unplug wireless router, etc.) several times.    The cable modem would reset itself (over the course of more than an hour).    The laptop (through the wireless) has the same issues.

No visible problems with the cable service...channels are fine, on-screen guide is fine, etc.

This is fairly recent...last month or so, only noticed about 4 or 5 different days (but I'm not always on the computer).

No changes to the connections, etc.

There's a call in for a service call...but they don't know what time they will be here on the scheduled day...and I can't be home most days to sit around waiting.  

Does this sound like a bad modem?   Problem with the lines on their end?    Problem with the splitters here in the house?

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Arg......It's doing it now...very slow.  Hit the submit button for the above post...took 5 minutes (and 2 page refreshes) before it went out.    Then I tried 'reply' and it took 10 minutes to load.    Worse than dial-up!


AFARR

i have had problems just like this before...  

both times, it was a bad "connection", loose connector or bad cable, outside the house, - which is their territory.  i'd go ahead and schedule the service call...  

only other thing it could be is if you are routing the coax to your cable model through a surge protector - usually the upstream signal is attenuated too much and can drop out - i've also had this happen before, and no longer route the incoming coax through a surge protector.

in the evenings is when all your neighbors get online and start streaming porn.  its sends your download speed into the shitter.  Get DSL.

Now it's fine...hit reply and it went very quickly....

No surge protector.   Cable splitter downstairs (one incoming, split into the TV connection and the cable modem connection)...but that hasn't changed in years.    Was wondering if someone is doing something like streaming video that's overwhelming their system?

this

Two choices here (I've looked repeatedly hoping someone would bring something else)...Cable or Satellite.   No DSL or FIOS.

AFARR

type 192.168.100.1 into your browser bar and report back here.

Is that a tarp?

Sounds like a problem I had a couple of years ago.





The cable guy(an ARFCOMMER BTW) checked the resistance in the cable and the splitters.  


He replaced all the old coax cables and upgraded to better splitter indoors and outdoors.


My cable modem was an old model and he replaced it.





Problem solved.

 

nope it will tell you your signal levels. google it if you dont believe me.

(cable tech here)

Disconnect it and go to the basement or wherever the cable comes in to the house and connect it there so there is the fewest splitters/cables.

Then go to http://192.168.100.1 and see what the signal levels are.

Then take it back to the original location and do the same thing and see if there is much difference in the levels.

I assume you want this (however, it is working fine right now).    I'll have to check when it's slow....

they are right, Im wrong.  your power level is low.  the 18db number.  I think it should be under 10.  too many splits in the cabling.

Only one split.   Cable comes in the house, downstairs (near the breaker box) to a splitter...then to the computer (there may be one in line connector).

AFARR

Interesting.

I get:

-4 dBmV Downstream

46 dBmV Upstream

.

if the signal is weak coming into the house, even one splitter will knock several DB off the signal, and that might be too much.  if you look a the splitter it might have DB numbers written on it that show how much signal gets fucked.  the cable guy can install an amp (I think, Im a phone guy)  or a lower value splitter.  there also might be something outside killing the signal.  What made me think it was your neighbors downloading is the problems at certain times of day.  probably going to have to call the satans over to your house and fix you up.

<former isp support guy>
If you're going to call me for a problem, why do you question you me when I tell you what you need to do to fix it?  I'm not offended if you don't want my advice, but don't call and ask me for it if you already know better than me anyway.
</fisg>

If they've checked your signals and they're bad enough for a truck roll....go with it.

could be the splitter is bad...  do you have one you can swap out for a while to test?  or remove the splitter and use a coupler to just have the computer connected..    i've found that my modem dropout problems have always been a cabling/connection issue, rather than the modem...

the fwd levels are way high and the reverse is way low.
its not necessarily the problem but its one thing to look at.

that is most definetly the problem.

Soybomb:

Two points....if it's the modem, I'd actually take it in and swap it out myself (and save waiting around), and they called for the truck, but the tech said they couldn't know...and my splitter is a pain in the ass to get to (my wife's got lots and lots of stuff in front of the door to the power box...I have to move it and work through a 12" open door to check the breakers...not something I want to put the service guy through.

Tried the test again...

Same numbers (only slightly off)...but the internet is very quick right now.

AFARR

Just for SnG (Shits n Giggles)...

Here at work (cable modem also):

Receive Power Level
-7.0 dBmV

Transmit Power Level
44.0 dBmV


I take it that's closer to the required figures?

Ideal values for those numbers your modem shows

Cable guys still haven't gotten here yet...

Last night, I burrowed my way back to the power box and put a new splitter (2 prong out)  in place (and only split the signal into the cable and computer...rather than an extra 2 unused cable outlets...4 prong out splitter).

No success.

Stopped by the cable co and swapped the modem today.

New readings:



Upstream Power is better, correct?
Signal to noise (downstream) is where it should be..
Downstream power is still low.