Dropped Internet Connections

[sdculp]

I have Windows XP Home, Sp.3 with all updates.

My modem is a Linksys Model No. BEFCMU10. The router is a Linksys Model No. BEFSX41. All connections are Ethernet.

This combination of modem and router has been used successfully for about 10 years.

Most of the time the internet connection will be fine for months or even a year. Then, over the last week or so, the connection has been lost several times, usually twice a day. Strangely, this most often happens at 10 AM and 3 PM. I have tried various ways to reestablish the connection. Here is one which works best for me:

Turn the computer off.
Connect the router directly to the computer.
Cycle the power on both the router and modem.
Turn the computer on and verify internet connection.
Turn the computer off.
Reconnect the modem and router.
Turn the computer on.

Sometimes I have had to go through the procedure a couple of times, but 99 percent of the time it works fine. I talked to the cable company and they ran tests, including pinging, but could find nothing wrong. They suggested I change the password on the router which I did, but it didn’t make any difference. I have run Spybot, AdAware, Malwarebytes and use Avast. I know the 10 AM and 3 PM sounds strange, but I can’t think of a reason. Neither did tech support. Can anyone suggest a solution?

Thanks.

 

[daswilhelm]

when you lose connection, do the lights on the front of your modem change?

 

[sdculp]

Thanks for the idea about the lights. Next time it happens I will check and let you know.

 

[daswilhelm]

ok, if you see the power and cable light on solid, that should mean you have a connection. if the cable light is not solid, that indicates you have lost your connection to your isp.

if both those lights are solid, it is most likely a router issue. you can try to update the firmware of your router, if there is an update available.

if no firmware is available, it might just be time for a new router, as they usually dont last 10 years.

anyway, let me know what you find with the lights.

 

[sdculp]

This AM the connection broke at 8 AM. The power and cable lights on the modem were both lit. After my conversation with Time Warner tech support I had changed the router password. I went through my repair routine and everything is back up and operating normally. By the way, the router is a BEFSR41 instead of the BEFSX41. There are no firmware updates.

My wife is out this AM so I am going to run the system on modem only just to see how things go.

 

[daswilhelm]

if you lose connection, and the power and cable lights are solid, its most likely your router cutting out. i would replace it.

 

[sdculp]

when you lose connection, do the lights on the front of your modem change?

The last time the connection dropped, the cable light on the modem was on. Last night I disconnected the router and ran the system with the modem only, determined to see how long it would run that way. After about 5 hours the connection dropped. Does this pretty much point the finger at the modem?

 

[daswilhelm]

its possible, is that your modem? or did your isp provide it to you?

if they provided it, they should replace it. call your isp and let them know, that when directly connected to the modem, you still drop connection, they should be able to troubleshoot that for you.

 

[sdculp]

its possible, is that your modem? or did your isp provide it to you?

if they provided it, they should replace it. call your isp and let them know, that when directly connected to the modem, you still drop connection, they should be able to troubleshoot that for you.

I finally arrived at a solution to the dropped connection problem. After exhausting all my knowledge and ideas I called Time Warner tech support. They had a record of my dropped connections. They also did as much pinging and signal level examination as they could from that end and scheduled a visit by a technician. This would be at no cost to me.

The technician was here for over 2 hours and checked every cable, connection and signal level all the way from the outside connection to the individual equipment. He also checked for external signal radiation. Nothing unusual was found.

His recommendation, and also the one which I had arrived at, was that my equipment which was 10 or more years old was not always compatible with signals.

When I compared the cost of replacing my equipment with the rental cost of the TW box I decided to succumb to the forces of the evil empire and rent. For me, the charge of $5 per month compared with the rest of my TW charges is quite nominal. From now on, everything is their responsibility.

 

[daswilhelm]

ok well good to hear everything is working.

also, time warner is docsis 3.0 by now, if your modem was 10 years old, they should have provided you a replacement by now, as 10 years ago was docsis 1.0 at best. try asking them why they didnt, maybe they will waive the $5 fee.