said by dsmdiscer :

Unfortunately I'm not very tech savy when it comes to internet service/networking stuff, but I'm in Des Moines and experiencing the same issues as amgqmp1. My connection keeps dropping then returning, but it seems to be getting worse. I have been experiencing this since this weekend, and Mediacom is just telling me there is an outage in my area, but are not very specific. They also said I should not be getting cable tv either, but my cable tv is coming in just fine. They suggested I remove my splitter and run the modem directly to the wall mount, which at first seemed to work, but the connectivity drops quickly returned. I have tried to get an extra modem to work, and no luck with that either. I have a service call scheduled for Tuesday. I would consider pm'ing BAINCH, but the only "reliable" internet connection I have at the time being is at work. I know I didn't offer any solutions, but just wanted to post b/c I'm having the same troubles.

said by amgqmp1 :

I have no way of knowing the state of Mediacom's equipment, nor if anything upstream was damaged as a result of my neighbors tree being struck by lightning. I think it's more than a bit germane to point out that I've been experiencing these connection drops before the event. I've replaced the only splitter that exists in the wiring in my config. I have no reason to suspect that coax to have been affected, nor do I have any evidence of wiring damage.

As I indicated earlier in this thread, I've experienced both sync loss (as observed through the modem status lights), and loss of connectivity without sync loss. Packet loss jumps to 100%. Web pages don't load, any file transfers I have in progress cease, and I can't get packets beyond my router for trace routes. After a random amount of time, connectivity is restored and things keep going again. Identical behavior to what I was experiencing at my office.

What would cause signal levels to go to trash in a matter of seconds?

As for contacting BAINCH...no, I'm really not interested at this point. It's not in my interest to pay for an unreliable service, then have to play games by seeking out a potentially moody (as you indicate, I don't know him) employee from the company, through non-standard channels.

This isn't my only issue I've had with quality of service issues. I had the same problems with a business account. I began complaining on this forum about performance problems late last year. They were finally solved, and things were well for many months. Then the drops started at work, and now home. Seriously, I'm done...that's my story.

said by Turbocpe :

I have a few questions. You said your RCA 425 got smoked during an lightning strike. Are you sure it didn't cause damage beyond your modem, like Mediacom's plant? Maybe that explains why your signal levels are out of range, although Anonymous is probably right that it's due to an outdated modem.

My other question is, what are you using to determine there are interruptions? Are you seeing the modem lights show sync loss? Are you getting disconnected from active connections/streams (AIM, video, audio streams, etc.), or are you seeing connection issues when access websites?

Your RCA 425 shown great signal levels. Either it goes to trash in a matter of seconds (I know this is possible), or it could be as simple as a DNS issue?

Have you tried contacting BAINCH ? If he's not in a mood, he should be able to run some checks to see the issue. I don't think anyone here would deny that regular support has known, and can, fail, which is why contacting BAINCH may be in your interest.

said by amgqmp1 :

I still experienced connection drops last weekend with a known good D-Link modem. I also put in a different router.
I don't doubt that the outdated POS modem I've been provided with is giving incorrect readings, and cannot maintain desirable power levels.

FWIW, that's $200.90/month of revenue they've lost due to these connection drops (I dropped my Business HSI account @ the office due to the same unresolvable issue).

Thanks to you all, and good luck...I'm done with Mediacom.

said by daveinpoway :

If your Ambit is big, it must be an old model. I saw a recent-model Ambit at a swapmeet last year- tiny little thing, considerably smaller than a Motorola Surfboard.