Cable Modem and Router Connection Drops...puzzling... HELP!

BarryM · Joined: Jan 27, 2009 Posts: 2

I am with Rogers Cable Internet in Ottawa (several years now). I had a US Robotics 5461 router (working well for several years), and it started losing connection with the cable modem. Resetting (powering down) the router and modem fixed the problem for a while.

The router light indicating internet connection goes off.
The modem lights stay on as usual, except that the light indicating that a computer is connected to the router sometimes goes off.

It got more frequent, so I did the following with no success:

Tried about 5 different cables between the cable modem and the router.
Replaced the router with a brand new Belkin N Wireless Router
Got a new cable modem from Rogers...tried it with the old and the new routers.

No success, BUT...

When I plug the cable modem directly into the ethernet port of my laptop (IBM T-40) the connection works and is stable. I'm using Windows XP Service Pack 3 on the laptop.

Rogers support says to call them when the modem is connected directly to a computer, and the modem connection has failed. Hasn't happened yet.

What can I do to fix the router problem? I really need it for our home network.

Thanks,
Barry

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 1546 Location: Central FL, USA

As someone who has worked with problems like that before, my first guess would be "Signal Level" coming into the house and to the Cable Modem.

Most routers will 'drop out' when the signal level drops to a specific LOW level.
Phone modems will do that too.

In my most extreme example the cable company had to replace both wires and amplifiers outside the home to fix the problem. They even replaced a splitter in the attic. But the entire problem was on the cable company, not the subscriber.

You need to get a Cable Company technician out there to check signal levels, etc.
And, stay on them till they get it fixed.

Good Luck Mate!

The Doctor Cool

zlim · Joined: Mar 11, 2005 Posts: 2636

It sounds like the new modem is working properly but the connection between the modem and the router is the problem.
Does Rogers recommend any brand routers to work with the cable modem? Not all combos work well together. It sounds like your first router died and your second router an N, might not be working properly. Is there a way to set up the router to just work in b/g mode?

As DrWho mentioned, when my modem kept "losing" the connection, I bought a new modem and the same thing happened so I called tech support and the next day Comcast sent someone to my home. He checked the signal strength and decided to add a powered amplifier to the line inside. He also was kind enough to look at the four tvs and made screw on cables to replace the snap in ones we were using for the modem and tvs. Those cables and the amplifier improved the signal and helped with a clearer tv picture.

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 1546 Location: Central FL, USA

I worked on an inside connection problem one day, where the cable modem kept dropping out.
I checked the cable that was connected to the cable modem, and I found seven connectors, in the house, between the modem and the outside cable termination.
A Tech was called in and he ran a brand new cable, all the way from the modem to the outside connection. The problem was solved.

Every connector adds a little resistance to the line. Finally, after going thru enough connectors, there's very little signal left and a modem will just drop out.

Back to tech support!

Doc Cool

goretsky · Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 10:40 pm Post subject:

Hello,

Perhaps knowing more about the network environment will help.

What equipment (brand and model) are you currently using for your cable modem, which model of Belkin N Wireless Router residential gateway are you using, and model of network interface chip does your IBM ThinkPad T40 running Microsoft Windows XP SP3 have?

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

BarryM · Joined: Jan 27, 2009 Posts: 2

Hi:

Thanks for all responses. Quite a while ago we had the cables re-done and a powered amplifier installed by the cable company. That was many months before this stuff happened.

Sometimes you have to solve a problem the easy way. After MUCH grief, I found out that Rogers will rent me a modem/wireless router combination device for $1.50 per month. A negligible amount.

I replaced my router and modem setup (returning the modem to Rogers) and it's worked perfectly since. I bought a Netgear print server and it seems to work OK.

Anyhow if the connection drops, it's Rogers problem and I will call them to fix it. So far so good.

Again, thanks to all of the replies. You folks prove the great value of the Internet.

Barry