Cable internet connection constantly timing out -- Help me!!

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educashun_viktum

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Apr 5, 2006
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I have cable internet through Insight Communications, and after about eight months of good service my internet just started dropping for no reason that I can see. They've sent a tech out, who's read my receive/send signal strengths and my SNR, all of which are in spec. I've replaced my modem twice, reformatted and reinstalled everything. The only thing I can find is in the event log, I'm getting a lot of ranging, a lot of t3 timeouts, a lot of DHCP failures ... all of which correspond to the times I'm experiencing internet issues. I'll post the events. Is this something that's going on because of an issue on my end, or is it a problem with my ISP. I feel like I'm getting the runaround. I'm being constantly told it's my hardware or software, which seems kind of open-ended and ambiguous. Just something they can tell me to take the blame off themselves because they don't really know what's going on. Thnkas for any help you guys can give me, it's been a frustrating couple of months.

Event log:

Wed Apr 05 02:08:17 2006 Critical (3) Started Unicast Maintenance Ranging - No Response received - ...
Wed Apr 05 01:52:20 2006 Error (4) Improper Configuration File CVC Format
Wed Apr 05 01:52:20 2006 Notice (6) TLV-11 - unrecognized OID
Wed Apr 05 01:52:18 2006 Critical (3) DHCP WARNING - Non-critical field invalid in response.
Wed Apr 05 01:52:04 2006 Critical (3) Received Response to Broadcast Maintenance Request, But no Un...
Wed Apr 05 01:51:32 2006 Critical (3) Started Unicast Maintenance Ranging - No Response received - ...
Wed Apr 05 01:48:24 2006 Error (4) Improper Configuration File CVC Format
Wed Apr 05 01:48:24 2006 Critical (3) REG RSP not received
Wed Apr 05 01:48:18 2006 Notice (6) TLV-11 - unrecognized OID
Time Not Established Critical (3) DHCP WARNING - Non-critical field invalid in response.
Time Not Established Critical (3) Started Unicast Maintenance Ranging - No Response received - ...
Time Not Established Critical (3) No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
Tue Apr 04 03:00:11 2006 Critical (3) REG RSP not received
Tue Apr 04 03:00:04 2006 Critical (3) DHCP WARNING - Non-critical field invalid in response.
Tue Apr 04 02:59:49 2006 Critical (3) Received Response to Broadcast Maintenance Request, But no Un...
Tue Apr 04 02:59:16 2006 Critical (3) Started Unicast Maintenance Ranging - No Response received - ...
Time Not Established Critical (3) REG RSP not received
Time Not Established Critical (3) Started Unicast Maintenance Ranging - No Response received - ...
Time Not Established Critical (3) DHCP WARNING - Non-critical field invalid in response.
Time Not Established Critical (3) DHCP FAILED - Request sent, No response
Time Not Established Critical (3) DHCP FAILED - Discover sent, no offer received
Time Not Established Critical (3) Started Unicast Maintenance Ranging - No Response received - ...
Time Not Established Critical (3) DHCP FAILED - Discover sent, no offer received
Time Not Established Critical (3) Started Unicast Maintenance Ranging - No Response received - ...
Time Not Established Critical (3) DHCP FAILED - Discover sent, no offer received
Time Not Established Critical (3) Started Unicast Maintenance Ranging - No Response received - ...
Time Not Established Critical (3) No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
Time Not Established Critical (3) Started Unicast Maintenance Ranging - No Response received - ...
Time Not Established Critical (3) DHCP FAILED - Discover sent, no offer received
Time Not Established Critical (3) Started Unicast Maintenance Ranging - No Response received - ...
Time Not Established Critical (3) DHCP FAILED - Discover sent, no offer received
Time Not Established Critical (3) No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
 
Couple questions...
Do you have a device between their equipment and yours (ie. a linksys or dlink router or something?) If so do a factory reset on it and reconfigure.

Have you done a Tracert on some internet site to see if there is a lag at some hop?

They only thing you can do to prove that you dont have an issues is replace what you can... NIC, cables and try a different slot on the Mobo. Especially since you said that you already did a rebuild.

Good luck!

and ps... its usually the provider...
 
I do have a Motorola WR850G wireless router, however, I still run into the problem when I connect directly through the modem. My nic's integrated directly into the motherboard, so I can't really move it around a whole lot. I do have wireless and I tried changing pci's slots and connecting with it, but still my connection has issues. I also connected through the USB port with the modem, and no change. I've replaced the cables. Replaced the modem twice like I said, and also run into the issue on other computers when directly connected through the modem or the wireless. The ISP still maintains that it's my problem, and simply isn't helping me.

I have done a tracert, and when my connection works I'm not seeing any substantial lag. When I drop, I'm not connected so I can't really do a trace route without a gateway to the internet. Every once in a while I'll see a time out or two on a hop, but like I said nothing major. My sister and her boyfriend both manage and design largescale networks and they've said I've done about everything I can to prove it's not a problem on my end.

From what I can tell from my modem's error log I'm trying to communicate with my ISP and not receiving a response. This causes my modem to resend the information the preset number of times and eventually time out and terminate the connection. I don't know if this is causing me to ghost and appear to still be connected, which is why I can't establish an IP through DHCP at times. I don't even know if that's possible, though it would explain why all they say they're seeing are resets and not me dropping offline. I just want to make sure I have some idea of what I'm talking about before I say hey look this is what's going on and then end up looking like a jackass when I'm wrong.
 
July 10, 2008 UPDATE to Original post below.

After 3 days of perfect performance the problem came right back. Thus a new splitter is not the answer. So I reluctantly called the cable company (Optimum online - Cablevision) and spoke with a tech. She actually seemed pretty competent and she noted (as I knew she would) that there was "no problem on their end." UGH!!! What a shock! However, she did provide some good insight (believe it or not :) ), assuming she was telling the truth. First she noted that the cable modem on my end had been up for 5 days without interruption (even though I had been getting knocked off). In addition, she noted that when you are using a Linksys wireless router (like I am, WRT54G) that when you are looking at 192.168.100.1 you are looking into the router, not the modem. Based on this information I concluded with her on the phone that if I have more of the same problems then I should hardwire via ethernet cable from my PC to the modem and if it is the router that is bad, bypassing it via ethernet cable should resolve the problem. She agreed and said that if it didn't then call back and she would be able to provide additional insight as then she would be looking into me being connected directly to the modem instead of via the router.

In the meantime I have also updated the firmware on my WRT54G to the latest version which I did not have on the router (available at the Linksys website). I don't know that it's helping though as the errors are starting again this AM.

The OTHER factor that I am contending with is that it seems that everytime I trun on a TV in the house the errors start. I have my TV's attached via a amplified splitter and I am begining to suspect that the amp splitter is causing signal noise back though the cable line and that the router is picking it up as it is only a few feet away.

Well just looked at my log and the errors are begining to start again.....the last comment is that I think there may be a time of day network congestion issue as the problems I have are usually 8:30 AM to 6:00PM.

More to report later....I am going to go direct via ethernet now and see of the problems go away.






I have a solution to this problem.

I had exactly the same problem. Just popped up out of the blue a few weeks back -- my internet connection would go down about every 20 minutes, some times more frequently, somethimes less. A sample of my error log is below:

2008-07-02 12:22:45 3-Critical 0x040D9A2C DHCP WARNING - Non-critical field invalid in response.
2008-07-02 12:22:42 3-Critical 0x040D9964 DHCP FAILED - Discover sent, no offer received
2008-07-02 12:22:31 3-Critical 0x04E33948 No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
2008-07-02 12:22:13 3-Critical 0x04E33A10 Received Response to Broadcast Maintenance Request, But no Unicast Maintenance opportunities received - T4 timeout
2008-07-02 12:21:41 3-Critical 0x04E33A74 Started Unicast Maintenance Ranging - No Response received - T3 time-out
2008-07-02 12:18:21 3-Critical 0x040D9A2C DHCP WARNING - Non-critical field invalid in response.
[strike]After much thought I did three things:

[1] I loosened and retightened all my F connectors. At the drop outside and at the two way splitter that takes one leg to the cable modem and the other leg to my 4-way amplified splitter for my TV's.

Result = NG

[2] Next I made up a new RU6 cable to run from the modem to the splitter thinking the old cable might be shot.

Result = NG

[3] I REPLACED THE TWO WAY SPLITTER

Result = NO MORE PROBLEMS

Apparently these little puupies can and do go bad. In addition, I have seen where cable techs recommend not using gold plated splitters -- my old one was gold plated made by GE.

Problem solved and no a single friggin' error in the past 48 hours. Incidentally my modem is a 2002 SB5100 and my service is Optimum Online in Morris County NJ. Also running through an AT&T VOIP ATA and a Linksys wireless router.[/strike]
 
Hi all

I have exactly the same problem!

I am a UK VM BB Customer and have been having exactly the same issues.

This situation was almost unbearable at one stage. I've managed to make some improvements however, by:

Replacing my modem to Ambit 256 model
Replacing my Router (new NETGEAR Router), continue to use wired connection
Use Powepoints from the wall for modem and router (rather than extension cable)
Replace the short coaxle cable formally used for my tv with the longer cable used for my modem

This has reduced the packet loss / drops by about 40%, but the problem remains.

I've noticed from my modems log that everytime i have a problem, it coincides to the exact minute in which I have an attempted UNICAST MAINTENACE which fails everytime

educashun_viktum, have you had any resolution of this annoying (to say the least) problem?!?!?
 
btw! I have also tried running the connection completely bypassing the two-way splitter. Same Problem!
 
I was having similar problems with my Charter cable internet connection. I eventually replaced my Linksys modem with an Motorola Surf Modem, replaced the splitters, had the useless cable tech rep come out and check the line (s). It got a little better.

Then one day during stormy weather, I went out side and visually checked the cable from the pole to the house, etc.

One thing I did was get out my pruning saw on a pole and cut away all the tree limbs that were near or rubbing on the cable. I think that helped a lot.

Charter Cable tech support is useless to worse. So bad they are written up in computer magazines as being at the bottom of the list for tech support. You get somebody in the Phillipines reading from a script or book from which they are incapable of varying from. You're lucky if you can understand their English also.
 
I too am having this problem, I am a former charter service technician, so needless to say this is a very dificult problem to fix. With my problem I have noticed as well with certian times of the day it's worse, say around 8am and around 5pm . I have bought 2 new modems and they both have same issue (Started Unicast Maintenance Ranging - No Response received - T3 time-out) Charter Communications is My ISP so customer sevice is piss poor, I still do have connections with my former managers and I assure you all, I will fix this problem, or be getting internet for free for awhile, anyway, I suspect the problem is in the MAINLine a bad hardline or possible amplifier, I am having a System Tech come over to replace the distribution amp tha feeds my area, However I have a suspicion that the problem could be headend related, I have spoken with motorola to see exactly what this error is but once again they have no freakin clue ,go figure,, ANY way the SAGA continues


PS My downstream and upstream are perfect, no long runs of cable, all brand new cable, regal splitter, so I wouldn't spend a lot of time buying new cable or splitters, unless it's visibly damaged.
 
I am having the same issues with my Linksys WCG200v2 and Cox Communications. Cox is saying that it's the gateway and Linksys is saying that it is Cox and that Cox can push a hot patch to my router to correct the issue.

For me the problem affects my work. I am network technician that works out of my home office. This problem occurs frequently during the course of work causing me to lose connection to my CRM, connection to our messenger system, and connection to telephony software. Not a good thing when you are in the middle of a call.

The gateway was exchanged as defective with like model and the same issue. So I know now it was not the gateway but something with what is being sent to the modem that causes the recycling.

Other facts on this:
1. We have 2 internet connections in the same home using Cox. The primary is using a Scientific Atlantic modem. It's only issue is that the speed is lower than what it is provisioned for. It is provisioned for 20mb/s but gets only 9mb/s. I am provisioned for 10mb/s and get 9.2mb/s.
2. Our cable is buried from the PIP to the box at the house. Part of the cable is no longer buried but exposed on stone covered patio area. The cable company is supposed to install a new feed from the PIP to the house. I will see if that clears this problem and the lower speed of the other internet service as well as issues with the digital TV that becomes pixelated from time to time.

If this was on the router side of the gateway, I'd shut down the router side and add a router for the wireless but I am not thinking that is the issue.
 
**** man i can't a imagin that this many people have the same problem i replace the modem and the router bu the problem continued i'm going to ask the tech who is coming to to replace my two way spilitter and see what happens my hard line was replaced too guys we need to solve this problem .
 
ok, ive had the same error for some time now. The technichian came today and he called the HQ ansking about the T3 timeout error and they told him that its all about the condensed lines. They will be doing some upgrades on the main central for my part of town on this wednesday which should loosen the lines. So if i get no more drops in speed for a week, then this is it. Simple as that. If not, we're screwed.. i'll keep u posted...
 
..so its been 3 days since the network upgrade and i had no drops in speed yet. I still get the T3 errors though, but it doesnt really influence on the net speed.. So it all comes down to your ISP.. and you can only hope that they will do their maintinance on their lines when needed..
 
I have the same problem with intermittent connection issues and same errors in my cable modem log. Connection will stop right in the middle of browsing but cable modem lights still blink normal operation.
Use Comcast cable near Harrisburg, PA. RCA DCM425 cable modem. Belkin F5D7230-4 router. Comcast changed the drop-line from pole to my house, changed splitters, changed internal cable, and exchanged cable modem.
I removed router and directly connected to cable modem with various computer systems. STILL having connection issues.
They’re now trying to check the wires beyond my drop-line. Hope this helps.
I think Comcast support has been fine but if they cannot fix the problem, I’m changing to Verizon fios.
 


Cogent1, please let me know what happens, I too am in Harrisburg, using Comcast, with the exact same problem you're having. I don't have the same modem as you, but I do have the exact same router. Maybe it's something with that. I've tried resetting, updating firmware, etc, but still have the same problem with my connection.

Thank you!
 
believe it or not but it is on the isp side. I have been having the very same types of problems. What the fix is, a very good line person or a tech who will take the time to check all connections down the line till they find the problem. What it is, your modem can not hear the isp send signal from the headend. That is why you are gettingt the T3 timeouts. If the modem can not get or hear the signal it will shutdown cause it thinks there is a problem with the headend. I always switched out modems and routers because I was always told that it was on my end. I asked how many times in a year I am supposed to have new cable and ends replaced before they would finally believe it was on their end. Anyways, I got really mad and contacted a VP in the cable company home office and asked for his help. All I know I got the problem fixed and several techs oin the support center back taking remidial training on how to listion to customers and field techs who finally took the time to look at everything to find the problem. It was a connection 5 blocks from me that was giving trouble.
 
Its True what stubby just said! You need a tech who will take the time OR HAS TIME!!!!!! I was a TECH for charter and were kinda slam for time !!! every one wants there stuff and you better be on time the next person doesnt care what the other has wrong with there cable lines they just what there stuff done!!!!! Sence I cant look at your line and run down the problem here is some things you can look at! 1 do you have a amp on your line you should never have a amp on a Internet or phone line it will mess your signal up! 2 it could be your drop line! the line going to your house !!!! Like stubby said you need a tech who has time to come out!!!!! If I was to do it I would run a new line from your modem to the outside box then check you drop!!! But thats just me! good luck!
 
I have this SAME exact issue. I reset the modem, had them reset it from their end, had a tech out yesterday who replaced the modem with a completely different brand and model. He also did his little testing with some machine in a bag and said that everything with the line seems perfect. I still have the problem.

I just called the tech team at Charter at 888-438-2427. It seems that none of these techs care one iota about the log file on the actual modem. They all chalk it up to the modem rebooting. They're going to send out another tech to trace the lines tomorrow. Lets hope that pans out! This thread has helped quite a bit! Thanks everyone!
 
I think i have the same problem as u guys. I have charter. Up until about a month ago the internet was fine. Suddenly one day i wanted to play xbox live and every single game was lagging bad. I also kept getting server connection errors on game consoles a lot and would take a few tries for stuff to load. I thought it was my xbox or the router but when i connected directly to the modem it stilled lag. when i restarted the modem the gameplay was normal for about 10-25 minutes and then the lag started again. I also noticed quite a few more page load errors when i surfed the web and video sites like hulu took longer to buffer and load, but connection didn't seem any slower surfing regular sites. I did several speed tests and they all came back normal with speeds up/down of 5.00mb/s and 0.5mb/s upload. Ping is near 10ms. I had the tech come to my house twice. First time he told me that the line going outside my house was damaged and he replaced it. Problem still persisted. Second time he came and replaced the modem and said that the problem was underground or somethin and the houses next to me were getting the same errors. I checked the modem's log and the t3 timeout error popped up a few times. The tech said that engineers would have to look underground to see what the problem is and other crap. It's been 3 days since he came and still no fix. Online gaming is now impossible. Nobody seems to know what the hell is wrong with my connection. I would change to another ISP but unfortunately in my neighborhood Charter has the monopoly on broadband. No other broadband isp is available in my area. No verizon dsl or att.
 
Insightbb is my provider in Northern Kentucky. Last night I tried to upload image files to a web host and the host timed out the upload. I can't upload anything larger than an htm file or email. According to insight's own online speed test my download speed in 10.26Mpps and my upload speed is 117.33Kpps...

They say everything is fine... "some packet loss" and are sending a guy out on Monday.

I use a Mac... I don't have any spyware or viruses and I've plugged the RCA DCM425 modem directly into the machine, bypassing the router.

The repair man is going to come out and the only thing he is going to do is replace the modem (that's what I expect will happen).

Sounds like my problem is exactly the same... and it isn't going to be a modem issue...

Any updates on your end? Thanks, Mark
 
Oh, I thought it is only me who is having a terrible time with the Comcast cable, but am glad to see a lot of compadres...
I've been very loyal to the AT&T DSL and had no problem at all for so many years, but I'm trying to switch to the Comcast Cable just for better speed.
I had ordered it 2 nights ago and picked up the RCA modem yesterday, but couldn't install it (Cable connectivity failed) and wasted a half day. The RCA modem diagnostic does not provide the signal information, and I suspected the modem DOA.
I swapped it with the WebStar modem today, and wasted another half day. Sigh~
I noticed that all my signal levels are in the right range, but there are a lot of 'No RANGING Response time-out' error messages in the log.

After reading all your responses, I'm pretty confident that it is a problem between my wall and the ISP. I have an appointment with the technician on Saturday, and I will ask them to send someone who is good at the line troubleshooting.
Also, I will try to connect the cable modem directly to the connector outside of my house, bypassing all the internal wiring.

Btw, I don't want to spend $3.00/month for the modem lease, so I have ordered the Motorola SB5101 Cable Modem, without thorough investigation. Is it good enough (better than RCA or WebStar)?
 
I know how to fix this. DSL. It's not quite as fast but it's damn sure close enough. If I'm tryin to tank a boss on Warcraft or jack off to some nasty porn, or trade a hot stock at a critical moment I know with DSL my signal's not gonna get dropped and botch the whole operation.

This is a problem of laziness, greediness, and lack of commitment to providing quality service beyond the point of sale on the behalf of the major cable companies.

I'm not bundlin ***! They'll be lucky if I don't switch to dish out of spite, although at the very least I can say I'm pleased with cable television. But let these corporate, run around dealin, red tape slingin, buck passin, smug thugs have a monopoly on three of my "critical" entertainment avenues? That'll be a cold day in Hell!
 



+++++++++++++
I have the same problem with Comcast in Auburn GA, I had no issue with my Internet for 3 years and one day out of the blue mayor issue. see below!!

2009-09-13 23:41:20 3-Critical R002.0 No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out (US 1)
2009-09-13 23:41:15 6-Notice M572.0 Max T3 No Rng Rsp Timeouts - Reinitialize MAC...
2009-09-13 23:41:15 3-Critical C206.0 DCC aborted unable to communicate on new upstream channel
2009-09-13 23:41:15 3-Critical R006.0 Unicast Maintenance Ranging attempted - No response - Retries exhausted
2009-09-13 23:41:15 3-Critical R005.0 Started Unicast Maintenance Ranging - No Response received - T3 time-out

This is a True Comcast network problem you do not have to change any cable modems or routers in your house. The issue is outside of your house. What you see in your cable modem is a soft reboot "Max T3 No Rng Rsp Timeouts - Reinitialize MAC..."

I had Comcast out in our Sub Division for days working a this same issue and they resolved for 5 days but now it is back. I have a new work order open.

Keep the pressure on Comcast to fix the issue.

I feel your pain...

Keep us posted.
 


+++++++++++++
I have the same problem with Comcast in Auburn GA, I had no issue with my Internet for 3 years and one day out of the blue mayor issue. see below!!

2009-09-13 23:41:20 3-Critical R002.0 No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out (US 1)
2009-09-13 23:41:15 6-Notice M572.0 Max T3 No Rng Rsp Timeouts - Reinitialize MAC...
2009-09-13 23:41:15 3-Critical C206.0 DCC aborted unable to communicate on new upstream channel
2009-09-13 23:41:15 3-Critical R006.0 Unicast Maintenance Ranging attempted - No response - Retries exhausted
2009-09-13 23:41:15 3-Critical R005.0 Started Unicast Maintenance Ranging - No Response received - T3 time-out

This is a True Comcast network problem you do not have to change any cable modems or routers in your house. The issue is outside of your house. What you see in your cable modem is a soft reboot "Max T3 No Rng Rsp Timeouts - Reinitialize MAC..."

I had Comcast out in our Sub Division for days working a this same issue and they resolved for 5 days but now it is back. I have a new work order open.

Keep the pressure on Comcast to fix the issue.

I feel your pain...

Keep us posted.
 


+++++++++++++
I have the same problem with Comcast in Auburn GA, I had no issue with my Internet for 3 years and one day out of the blue mayor issue. see below!!

2009-09-13 23:41:20 3-Critical R002.0 No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out (US 1)
2009-09-13 23:41:15 6-Notice M572.0 Max T3 No Rng Rsp Timeouts - Reinitialize MAC...
2009-09-13 23:41:15 3-Critical C206.0 DCC aborted unable to communicate on new upstream channel
2009-09-13 23:41:15 3-Critical R006.0 Unicast Maintenance Ranging attempted - No response - Retries exhausted
2009-09-13 23:41:15 3-Critical R005.0 Started Unicast Maintenance Ranging - No Response received - T3 time-out

This is a True Comcast network problem you do not have to change any cable modems or routers in your house. The issue is outside of your house. What you see in your cable modem is a soft reboot "Max T3 No Rng Rsp Timeouts - Reinitialize MAC..."

I had Comcast out in our Sub Division for days working a this same issue and they resolved for 5 days but now it is back. I have a new work order open.

Keep the pressure on Comcast to fix the issue.

I feel your pain...

Keep us posted.
 
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