Cable Modem Woes...

[grandslammer]

I have a cable modem. COM21. It has 5 lights on the friont. first is pwr - power, second is RF, third is TD (transmit data?), fourth is RD (recieve data), and fifth is LNK - ?.

Okay sometimes when I'm surfing, the second light RF goes to amber (from green.) This is really annoying, as it breaks my connection and usually, I have to shut down and re start to get it to go back to green and work...

So, what's causing this, and more importantly, what can I do to prevent it?

I have used Dan's instructions from tweak3d to tweak my registry settings. I ping my isp to find the mtu. then go mtu-40, and multiply by whole numbers to get my max rec window. I have better download speeds than I have been (by maybe 10 - 12%)

Is this an initialization string problem - do cable modems even use initiallization string? DUH! I'm not very well versed in the cable modem field (obviously!) But, I need to take care of this. It always picks the worst possible time to "burp" Like right after completing a huge posting (DOH!) but not clicking on post..

Thanks for any help on this one...

Mike P.
http://crazydude.com/MikePrettyman

[800XL]

I'd guess that light indicates something along the lines of Radio Frequency perhaps? The symptoms and the light seems to be telling me it is a line problem on your cable. The LNK light is most likely the connection to your computer. Unplug the thing from your PC and you should see that light do something. The RF light is likely about the same thing only on the cable provider's side. I'd get on the phone to them and start complaining. It really sounds to me like you are losing signal from the cable line.

Also, most every cable modem I have seen uses no init strings like a conventional modem. If they have any configuration, it is done through a terminal session via telnet or perhaps a direct serial link. Either way, that part is best left to the cable guy. From my experience, they try to keep that locked down from you tampering with it anyway.

[OuTpaTienT]

My best guess would be to say that 800xl is right. Sounds like you're losing your signal from the ISP. Or signal is catching interference or maybe is dropping in signal strength.

Get someone out to test the lines. The cable coming into your house, where does it split and go to your computer? Is there multiple splitters?

I'm lucky, my cable modem's lights are labelled in english: power, cable, pc, test, RD, TD. Most likely your lights are the same with just different labels.

power - power on indicator for modem
cable - indicates a signal from cable co.
pc - indicates signal from my pc (goes off then pc is turned off)
test - ?
RD - receive data
TD - transmit data

[grandslammer]

Cool, thanks guys. I appreciate the input.

Have a greqat holiday

Mike P.

[jad1097]

Have you tried to push the reset button on the back instead of restarting?

[seti]

.....and if it doesn't have a reset button (who knows) you can unplug it (power brick), and when you plug it in again it re-aquires the ISP. Atleast that how it works with my setup, though I have a reset button.

[grandslammer]

Hey, do you think it might be the drivers/software for my NIC? Hmm.. never thought of that. I'm going to try to update my driver for the NIC, and see if that helps.

C 'ya

Mike

[BBA]

I have a different kind of cable modem, but the same operation applies. One light is for signal strength/lock.

Mine used to go in and out a lot...turns out it's due to line noise. I found some bad cabling from a construction crews digging up a new ditch and also found a house where someone had removed their noise filters (they must not know which filter gives them HBO, aparently!)

I had the cable company come out and replace fileter and havent lost signal yet...

You should make an appointment for the cable companies RF technicians to come out and replace/repair the cabling to your house and the surrounding houses.

[grandslammer]

no reset button, and if you unplug it and replug it in,well it just doesn't reset. Thanks for your input.
Merry Christmas

Mike P.