Cable modem acting up

[Matteo]

I'm not sure if this is the correct place to post this, but I am having an annoying problem with my cable modem. Simply stated, it randomly loses connection. One would think maybe I have a bad modem, but when I connect to my other computer downstairs, it works perfectly. This is what I have tried so far to remedy this.

1. Switch all the connection plugs (Power outlet, cable outlet)
2. New cables for all the connections
3. Ran Antivirus (thought maybe some kind of virus)
4. Ran Spybot

The only thing I can think of is that there is something actually wrong inside my computer that is causing this mishap. Any ideas welcome !!!

~Thanks,
Matteo

 

[bcastner]

Matteo,

Many cable systems use at least the physical ID (also know as the MAC address) for authentication.

Nearly all home class routers (Linksys, D-Link, SMC, Netgear, etc) allow you to "clone" a single MAC address to avoid this authentication recycling.

But a broadband router.
Clone a MAC address.

 

[bcastner]

I apologize for a spelling error above:

Buy a broadband router.
Clone a MAC address.

Best,
Bill

 

[Matteo]

I actually just found out something worse. I was shuting down program in my taskmanager only to find that good ol' MSBLAST pop up box shutting down my computer. I searched in my computer for the .exe file but I cant find. Going to try and get the tool now to delete. I will post back if that works.

 

[Matteo]

I used a program called Fixblast.exe and DL'd Microsofts upgrade but my modem still seems to be having these random connection losses. Any ideas?

~Matteo

 

[bcastner]

Ignore the on/off switch for the modem. Unlpug from the mains power. Turn off your PC as well.

Wait one minute.

Power the modem.
Power the PC.

 

[cdogg]

When it loses the connection, have you tried pinging from a command prompt to be sure that the connection is no longer there?

If it only happens on one PC and not the other, and the ping test fails, then one of the following is likely your problem:

1) OS or software issue (try and see if you can find a difference between the two PC's)
2) cable outlet - try the same PC at a different outlet if you haven't already done so
3) Spyware, Virus, and/or Trojan infection - this site can help:

http://www.geocities.com/cc210026/spywareinfo.html

Other than that, you might want to try investing in a $40-50 standalone router that can manage the connection for you as bcastner suggested.


~cdogg
[tab]"All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind";
[tab][tab]- Aristotle
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[Matteo]

I've tried that. What confuses me is the inconsistency of the internet loss. It worked perfect for me from 11:00pm-5am. When I woke up this morning around 9:00am, it was down, and every 30min or so the problem starts happening again. Sounds fishey to me. ::shrug::


~Matteo

 

[Matteo]

I ran memtest only to find that one of my sticks of memory was corrupt. It has been running pretty smooth since then. Is it possible that faulty ram could cause my modem to be acting up??

~Matteo

 

[Matteo]

Went out again....HEEEELLLLPP

~Matteo

 

[mfrosolone]

Have you tried updating your NIC driver as a first step or secondly replacing your NIC if that did not work.

 

[Matteo]

I figured it out....I should learn to check the hardware first before the software. It ended up that my Nvidia onboard LAN got messed up somehow. I installed an old Lynksys ethernet card and everything is working great. I still got that msblast.exe error where "you computer will shut down in 30seconds" when I was closing stuff in taskmanager, but I haven't seen it since. Thanks for everyones suggestions.

~Matteo