how-to block ads
|
LPZ
@rcn.com
| [Connectivity] Ongoing problems in the Lehigh Valley After many month of sustained excellent service, I have been experiencing persistent connectivity issues for several weeks. I am posting here in the hope that an RCN engineer will investigate and perhaps offer suggestions. I have called 1-800-RING-RCN several times, and have not been satisfied. The representatives to whom I have spoken have almost immediately suggested that my cable modem is to blame, which seems unlikely to me.
My modem (a Motorola SB 5101 that I own) has been dropping off-line almost daily, sometimes several times per day. Typically the POWER and RECEIVE lights on the modem remain solid green, while the SEND light becomes flashing green or goes off. Almost always a modem reboot temporarily restores service.
Even when I have service, my upload speeds have been variable and often very slow. See below, for example. Download speeds seem fine.
Web page loading has been inconsistent, often with long pauses.
Perhaps someone from RCN will read this and look into this matter, which is becoming quite annoying. Thanks.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Your Modem Mac 00:19:5e:f5:7a:7e Your IP
Forward Frequency 735000000 Return Frequency 24816000
Forward Modulation qam256(4) Modem TX Power 45 dBmV
Foward Signal to Noise 35.4 dB Downstream Ratelimit 11000000
Forward Power Level -7.8 dBmV Upstream Ratelimit 800000
Download #1
------------------------------------------------------------------
File size transferred : 3.02 MB (3167484 bytes)
Total time taken : 2.58 seconds (2581 milliseconds)
Throughput : 1227.0 KB/sec [Kilobyte-per-second]
= 1.23 MB/sec [Megabyte-per-second]
= 9816.0 Kbps [Kilobit-per-second]
= 9.82 Mbps [Megabit-per-second]
Upload #1
------------------------------------------------------------------
File size transferred : 3.02 MB (3167484 bytes)
Total time taken : 66.66 seconds (66658 milliseconds)
Throughput : 47.0 KB/sec [Kilobyte-per-second]
= 0.05 MB/sec [Megabyte-per-second]
= 376.0 Kbps [Kilobit-per-second]
= 0.38 Mbps [Megabit-per-second] | |
|  
shadyman777
High Definition is where it's at.
Premium
join:2009-03-02
Easton, PA
 ·RCN CABLE
| Re: [Connectivity] Ongoing problems in the Lehigh Valley I've noticed the problems are ongoing to. The problem is, whenever a tech takes a look at the modem, the modem is working properly. I don't think it has anything to do directly with the gateway to the internet. Since i've switched my DNS servers to two opendns addresses, the issue has gone away. I was getting VERY long pauses with service. I feel the DNS cache is to high on their DNS servers and they need to be flushed, but hey, what do i know? I only have a degree in Computer Networking. The techs in the NOC don't believe me when I was able to get a hold of them about the issue. So I just switched to an opendns address... and bam, no issues with websites. | |
| |
LPZ
@rcn.com | Re: [Connectivity] Ongoing problems in the Lehigh Valley I have been using OpenDNS for a long time already. The issue I reported seems to have nothing to do with DNSs. | |
| wbertram
join:2005-08-19
Allentown, PA
3 edits | I have had similar problems where the modem stops working; you cannot access it with the browser (192.168.0.1), the 4 green lights are solid green, and the orange light is also solid orange (not blinking, as in normal operation).
The problem started to be seen about the time I reconfigured the equipment closet so that the modem and the wireless router were physically very close together. I had read somewhere that if a modem and router are too close to each other, they may interfere with each other.
Several days ago I moved the two units so that they are a little over a foot apart. I have not had the problem since. Did that solve the problem? Time will tell. But you may want to look into it. | |
| quattrog
join:2009-03-20
Northampton, PA
1 edit | Well, all I can say is that each time I had a similar issue, it really was the modem. My first modem lasted a few years. It was a Toshiba model. When it started to go, it would run very very slow, and drop many times. I would power cycle and it would work for a short time, but then back to the slow behavior. RCN then gave me a used Moto modem. That one was a problem from day one. They then gave me a brand new Scientific Atlantic modem. That's been rock solid since. When the modems go, it's not like they just power off and that's it. If you are renting the modem from RCN, then just request a new, and I mean NEW, modem. | |
| john43
join:2009-05-27
2 edits | Having this problem here in the LV also, gonna go with the suggestion of getting a new modem. My connection is very slow and many pages won't load all the way. It happens periodically- the connection would be fine for 12-24 hours, and then afterwards another 12-24 hours of slowness. No matter how many times I powercycle it, the problem doesn't go away.
I'm currently using the Toshiba PCX2600 supplied by RCN, had it since 2004.
Can I just buy a new modem myself and return my old modem to RCN?
I think I will get the D-Link DCM-202 modem, which was recommended by another post. | |
|
LPZ
@rcn.com
| Well, my problems continue. Modem is dropping offline, maybe twice daily. I suppose I could buy a new modem and see if that resolves the issue, but I'd prefer to know that this isn't an RCN problem before I do that.
Was hoping for some expert help, but I guess the RCN engineers no longer monitor this site. | |
| | | | alanisrox69
join:2005-03-29
LHV, PA | I'm betting 10 to 1 it's your modem.
-Derek- | |
| | |
LPZ
@rcn.com
| Re: [Connectivity] Ongoing problems in the Lehigh Valley said by alanisrox69  :I'm betting 10 to 1 it's your modem. -Derek- I'm not into gambling! 
Can I access the modem online and have it run a self-diagnostic or something? It seems strange to me that a failing modem would behave in this way, but I have no expertise in such matters.
I wish I could rule out RCN-related issues---without buying a new modem and testing. | |
| | | |
LPZ
@rcn.com
| Re: [Connectivity] Ongoing problems in the Lehigh Valley OK, I've discovered how to obtain my modem's log file. Here is the portion that leads up to my having to reboot the modem early this morning. Can anyone explain what it means?
2009-06-28,04:50:52 Unicast Ranging Received Abort Response - Re- initializing MAC
2009-06-28,04:50:55 No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
2009-06-28,04:51:02 last event repeated 7 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,04:51:07 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire QAM/QPSK symbol timing
2009-06-28,04:51:14 last event repeated 17 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,04:51:14 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire FEC framing
2009-06-28,04:51:14 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire QAM/QPSK symbol timing
2009-06-28,04:51:22 last event repeated 22 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,04:51:32 No UCD's Received - Timeout
2009-06-28,04:51:33 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire QAM/QPSK symbol timing
2009-06-28,04:51:40 last event repeated 19 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,04:51:45 No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
2009-06-28,04:51:54 last event repeated 11 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,04:52:02 Started Unicast Maintenance Ranging - No Response received - T3 time-out
2009-06-28,04:52:18 last event repeated 6 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,04:52:19 Unicast Ranging Received Abort Response - Re- initializing MAC
2009-06-28,04:52:22 No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
2009-06-28,04:52:30 last event repeated 7 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,04:52:35 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire QAM/QPSK symbol timing
2009-06-28,04:52:52 last event repeated 45 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,04:52:53 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire FEC framing
2009-06-28,04:52:53 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire QAM/QPSK symbol timing
2009-06-28,04:52:59 last event repeated 15 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,04:53:03 No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
2009-06-28,04:53:05 last event repeated 3 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,04:53:09 Started Unicast Maintenance Ranging - No Response received - T3 time-out
2009-06-28,04:53:27 last event repeated 7 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,04:53:30 Unicast Ranging Received Abort Response - Re- initializing MAC
2009-06-28,04:53:34 No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
2009-06-28,04:53:53 last event repeated 19 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,04:53:57 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire QAM/QPSK symbol timing
2009-06-28,04:53:58 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire FEC framing
2009-06-28,04:54:08 No UCD's Received - Timeout
2009-06-28,04:56:59 last event repeated 16 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,04:57:02 No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
2009-06-28,04:57:05 last event repeated 7 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,04:57:09 Started Unicast Maintenance Ranging - No Response received - T3 time-out
2009-06-28,04:57:29 last event repeated 9 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,04:57:33 Unicast Ranging Received Abort Response - Re- initializing MAC
2009-06-28,04:57:36 No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
2009-06-28,04:57:50 last event repeated 11 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,04:57:54 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire QAM/QPSK symbol timing
2009-06-28,04:57:55 last event repeated 1 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,04:58:05 No UCD's Received - Timeout
2009-06-28,04:58:37 last event repeated 3 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,04:58:38 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire QAM/QPSK symbol timing
2009-06-28,04:58:38 last event repeated 3 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,04:58:38 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire FEC framing
2009-06-28,04:58:42 last event repeated 9 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,04:58:42 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire QAM/QPSK symbol timing
2009-06-28,04:58:43 last event repeated 2 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,04:58:44 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire FEC framing
2009-06-28,04:58:44 last event repeated 1 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,04:58:44 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire QAM/QPSK symbol timing
2009-06-28,04:58:55 No UCD's Received - Timeout
2009-06-28,05:00:09 last event repeated 7 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,05:00:10 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire QAM/QPSK symbol timing
2009-06-28,05:00:11 last event repeated 3 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,05:00:22 No UCD's Received - Timeout
2009-06-28,05:00:32 last event repeated 1 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,05:00:33 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire QAM/QPSK symbol timing
2009-06-28,05:00:43 No UCD's Received - Timeout
2009-06-28,05:00:54 last event repeated 1 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,05:01:00 No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
2009-06-28,05:01:12 last event repeated 11 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,05:01:14 Started Unicast Maintenance Ranging - No Response received - T3 time-out
2009-06-28,05:01:21 last event repeated 3 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,05:01:34 Unicast Ranging Received Abort Response - Re- initializing MAC
2009-06-28,05:01:37 No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
2009-06-28,05:01:49 last event repeated 11 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,05:01:54 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire QAM/QPSK symbol timing
2009-06-28,05:01:54 last event repeated 1 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,05:01:54 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire FEC framing
2009-06-28,05:01:55 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire QAM/QPSK symbol timing
2009-06-28,05:01:58 last event repeated 10 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,05:01:59 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire FEC framing
2009-06-28,05:01:59 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire QAM/QPSK symbol timing
2009-06-28,05:02:02 last event repeated 6 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,05:02:02 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire FEC framing
2009-06-28,05:02:02 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire QAM/QPSK symbol timing
2009-06-28,05:02:03 last event repeated 2 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,05:02:13 No UCD's Received - Timeout
2009-06-28,05:02:14 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire QAM/QPSK symbol timing
2009-06-28,05:02:18 last event repeated 12 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,05:02:29 No UCD's Received - Timeout
2009-06-28,05:03:12 last event repeated 4 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,05:03:13 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire QAM/QPSK symbol timing
2009-06-28,05:03:19 last event repeated 17 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,05:03:23 No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
2009-06-28,05:03:31 last event repeated 5 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,05:03:36 Started Unicast Maintenance Ranging - No Response received - T3 time-out
2009-06-28,05:03:39 last event repeated 2 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,05:03:53 Unicast Ranging Received Abort Response - Re- initializing MAC
2009-06-28,05:03:55 No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
2009-06-28,05:04:03 last event repeated 7 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,05:04:07 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire QAM/QPSK symbol timing
2009-06-28,05:04:29 last event repeated 62 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,05:04:33 No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
2009-06-28,05:04:42 last event repeated 7 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,05:04:43 Started Unicast Maintenance Ranging - No Response received - T3 time-out
2009-06-28,05:05:01 last event repeated 5 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,05:05:05 Unicast Ranging Received Abort Response - Re- initializing MAC
2009-06-28,05:05:09 No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
2009-06-28,05:05:24 last event repeated 16 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,05:05:27 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire QAM/QPSK symbol timing
2009-06-28,05:05:29 last event repeated 5 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,05:05:29 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire FEC framing
2009-06-28,05:05:30 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire QAM/QPSK symbol timing
2009-06-28,05:05:46 last event repeated 42 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,05:05:46 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire FEC framing
2009-06-28,05:05:47 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire QAM/QPSK symbol timing
2009-06-28,05:05:48 last event repeated 3 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,05:05:48 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire FEC framing
2009-06-28,05:05:48 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire QAM/QPSK symbol timing
2009-06-28,05:05:51 last event repeated 6 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,05:05:55 No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
2009-06-28,05:06:03 last event repeated 7 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,05:06:04 Started Unicast Maintenance Ranging - No Response received - T3 time-out
2009-06-28,05:06:15 last event repeated 2 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,05:06:23 Unicast Ranging Received Abort Response - Re- initializing MAC
2009-06-28,05:06:27 No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
2009-06-28,05:06:34 last event repeated 7 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,05:06:39 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire QAM/QPSK symbol timing
2009-06-28,05:06:41 last event repeated 5 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,05:06:41 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire FEC framing
2009-06-28,05:06:48 last event repeated 19 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,05:06:49 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire QAM/QPSK symbol timing
2009-06-28,05:06:49 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire FEC framing
2009-06-28,05:06:50 last event repeated 6 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,05:06:50 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire QAM/QPSK symbol timing
2009-06-28,05:06:51 last event repeated 3 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,05:06:52 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire FEC framing
2009-06-28,05:06:53 last event repeated 5 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,05:06:54 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire QAM/QPSK symbol timing
2009-06-28,05:06:55 last event repeated 3 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,05:06:55 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire FEC framing
2009-06-28,05:06:56 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire QAM/QPSK symbol timing
2009-06-28,05:06:56 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire FEC framing
2009-06-28,05:06:58 last event repeated 6 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,05:06:58 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire QAM/QPSK symbol timing
2009-06-28,05:07:00 last event repeated 3 times, up to this date/time
2009-06-28,05:07:00 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire FEC framing
2009-06-28,05:07:01 last event repeated 1 times, up to this date/time | |
| | | | | alanisrox69
join:2005-03-29
LHV, PA | Re: [Connectivity] Ongoing problems in the Lehigh Valley The tuner on your current modem went. Get new modem and stop whining :P
-Derek-
--
CHECK YOUR FSLC TAXES!!! | |
| | | | | |
LPZ
@rcn.com
| Re: [Connectivity] Ongoing problems in the Lehigh Valley said by alanisrox69 :The tuner on your current modem went. Get new modem and stop whining :P -Derek- I don't believe I'm whining. I'm trying to determine where a problem lies.
Please explain how you reached your conclusion about the tuner. Is that indicated by the log file? Are there other possibilities? Thanks. | |
| | | | | | | daveinpoway
Premium
join:2006-07-03
Poway, CA
| Re: [Connectivity] Ongoing problems in the Lehigh Valley My, what a busy log you have! In contrast, here's the log on my Motorola SB5101 since June 15 (the second line is the final step of the initialization procedure; everything below the second line has been omitted, since it is all initialization reporting):
2009-06-29 03:28:29 6-Notice I401.0 TLV-11 - unrecognized OID
1970-01-01 00:02:44 3-Critical D003.0 DHCP WARNING - Non-critical
field invalid in response. | |
| | | | | | | |
LPZ
@rcn.com
| Re: [Connectivity] Ongoing problems in the Lehigh Valley said by daveinpoway :My, what a busy log you have! Lucky me! Any idea what it means? Thanks.
I've been Googling, but it's hard to process all the random bits of information (and misinformation). It seems that the problem is probably not the modem, but rather a line problem or an RCN issue further upstream. Guess I'll just have to call RCN and have them send someone here. | |
| | | | | | | | | daveinpoway
Premium
join:2006-07-03
Poway, CA | Re: [Connectivity] Ongoing problems in the Lehigh Valley Yes, having a tech (equipped with the proper measuring equipment) come out would be a very good course of action. | |
| | | | 
Coyotered
Rcn Rules
Premium
join:2002-06-02
Prospect Park, PA
1 edit | The modem you have is almost obsolete. RCN should swap it free of charge no questions asked.
You didn't mention what speed plan you have but I know for a fact the PCX2600 does not work on the higher speed plans.
Call and ask if they will swap it out for you.
--
c3-0.rdl-ubr1.trpr-rdl.pa.cable.rcn.com
Sorry meant to reply to the person with the PCX2600 | |
| | | | | alanisrox69
join:2005-03-29
LHV, PA
·RCN CABLE
1 edit | Re: [Connectivity] Ongoing problems in the Lehigh Valley said by Coyotered :The modem you have is almost obsolete. RCN should swap it free of charge no questions asked. You didn't mention what speed plan you have but I know for a fact the PCX2600 does not work on the higher speed plans. Call and ask if they will swap it out for you. He/she said he owns his modem, so RCN will not supply a new one.
I've told him/her multiple times to replace the modem and watch the problem disappear, but alas, he/she won't listen. What more can one do?
-Derek-
--
CHECK YOUR FSLC TAXES!!! | |
| | | | | |
LPZ
@rcn.com
| Re: [Connectivity] Ongoing problems in the Lehigh Valley said by alanisrox69 :I've told him/her multiple times to replace the modem and watch the problem disappear, but alas, he/she won't listen. What more can one do? -Derek- I listened (or, read), but I decided not to act on your opinion, which now appears to have been wrong.
The problem seems to be solved---no lost connections and an empty modem log file for the last twelve hours. Apparently my router was to blame, which still seems strange to me. But after rebooting the router, followed by rebooting the modem, my system seems fine again. Fingers crossed here, and apologies to RCN for suggesting the problem was theirs. | |
| | | | | | | alanisrox69
join:2005-03-29
LHV, PA | Re: [Connectivity] Ongoing problems in the Lehigh Valley Those loss of syncs in the modem log would have nothing to do with your router.
-Derek- | |
| | | | | | | |
LPZ
@rcn.com
| Re: [Connectivity] Ongoing problems in the Lehigh Valley said by alanisrox69 :Those loss of syncs in the modem log would have nothing to do with your router. -Derek- That's what I thought, and I think I may owe you an apology. The situation here is getting stranger and stranger. Here's the latest:
Modem went offline again, so I took the router out of the picture completely. After rebooting the modem, it went out again, and I was not able to get it back on line by rebooting. Called RCN and they're sending a truck on Thursday to check lines and modem.
Here's where it gets weird. After failing to get the modem back online, I decided to try the "broken" SB5120 I have in reserve. This one lost the ability to come online about three years ago, and RCN told me that it was shot. Well, that one came online just fine, and after re-provisioning I'm using it now.
So I either have two broken modems, two working modems, or something in between.
Anyway, apologies. Is it possible that both my modems are fine and that the failures to come online are RCN issues?
I'm totally lost right now. | |
| | | | | | | | | alanisrox69
join:2005-03-29
LHV, PA
·RCN CABLE
| Re: [Connectivity] Ongoing problems in the Lehigh Valley Usually when the tuner goes, it will stop working after it gets really heated up.
So it may have worked for a few hours just fine since it wasn't fully warmed up, but then once you started doing xfers and it was really working hard, then it started cutting out again.
Now, it may be an RCN issue, but if they don't find anything wrong, I think you'll get socked a $50 charge for truck roll fee, a new modem costs less than that.
-Derek-
--
CHECK YOUR FSLC TAXES!!! | |
| | | | | | | | | |
LPZ
@rcn.com
| Re: [Connectivity] Ongoing problems in the Lehigh Valley
While RCN was re-provisioning my resurrected modem (the one they insisted was dead several years ago, and which would not come online then) the representative mentioned that he saw a lot of packet loss, and he said that that issue is usually coming from outside the house.
As I said, I have no idea what the situation is right now. I have two modems, a "dead" SB5120 that is currently working just fine, and an SB5101 which now won't come online (actually the "receive" light comes on solid green, but the "send" light flashes). I'd be willing to think the 5101 is dead, but that's what RCN told me about the 5120.
I wish there were some easy way to determine if a modem is operational, without having to rely on RCN in any way. I really don't want to buy another modem, and it's hard to believe that they die so easily. | |
| | | | | | | | | | 
lilhurricane
iPurple
Premium,Mod
join:2003-01-11
Purple Zone
clubs:  | Re: [Connectivity] Ongoing problems in the Lehigh Valley said by LPZ :
...it's hard to believe that they die so easily.
I agree | |
| | | | | | | | | |
LPZ
@rcn.com
| Re: [Connectivity] Ongoing problems in the Lehigh Valley said by lilhurricane :said by LPZ :
...it's hard to believe that they die so easily.
I agree Well, my SB 5120 that was declared dead by RCN three years ago continues to function, seemingly well. The only data in the modem log is "No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out", although this entry is repeated very often.
I haven't tried to reconnect the SB 5101 that I have been using for several years, which wouldn't come online yesterday and which may or may not be dead.
My download speed dropped to about 2Mbs for a bit last evening, but is back to normal today. I've decided to go ahead with tomorrow's scheduled visit from RCN. Enough has been happening that I suspect there are issues that RCN needs to identify and resolve. | |
| | | | | daveinpoway
Premium
join:2006-07-03
Poway, CA | The Motorola SB5101 (which "LPZ" has) is still a current model, and is hardly obsolete. Perhaps you meant to reply to "john43", who has a Toshiba modem. | |
| | | | | jondar9
join:2002-02-22
Easton, PA
| said by Coyotered : You didn't mention what speed plan you have but I know for a fact the PCX2600 does not work on the higher speed plans. I'm assuming you mean Mach20, since my PCX2600 seems to be working OK on Mach10. although it took them a few tries to get the load to take on Sunday when they converted me from Mach7. | |
| Mongusa
join:2006-05-20
Darby, PA
| I am having the same problem. I am in Delaware County PA. I have a SB5101 and no router. The internet connection just stops working at random intervals during the day. (I can post a log if it would be helpful, I just didn't want to clog up the board if its not needed.) Is there anything I can look for in the logs, or a test I can run that will verify if the modem is failing or not.
Thanks in advance for your help. | |
| | jackal2001
join:2002-10-04
Bethlehem, PA
1 edit | Re: [Connectivity] Ongoing problems in the Lehigh Valley I have an old Linksys cable modem, not sure of the model, maybe the BEFCMU10, and a linksys router. My internet drops as others have stated. I unplug the cable modem and plug it back in and the internet magically works again. I don't touch the router.
So it isn't a motorola issue, since I have the same issues as everyone else.
I was thinking of upgrading to the SB5101 just because my linksys is so old. | |
| alershka
join:2009-09-07
Bethlehem, PA
| I am in the exact same boat. I've spent some cash over the past few weeks trying to remedy this but to no avail.
When I called Tech Support, they told me everything is fine on their end so it must be my router. They told me to hook the cable modem up directly to my PC. Since it is intermittent, I'm not sure what taking the router out of this will show considering I just put in a brand new router last week.
It is very frustrating. I did a few speedtests tonight and I'm hitting between 9.8 and 10.4 MB/s on a Mach10 service, so when the service is up, it is doing well. However, with the service so variable, I can't deal with it, my kids are constantly screaming about getting kicked from games and am looking to switch unless I can get this fixed. I read on the board that FIOS is coming to the Valley. If they hit Bethlehem Township I will switch without looking back.
The average is a drop every three hours but today it seems like it dropped about 5 times since 11am.
Here is the output from pa.speedtest.rcn.net
Forward Modulation qam256(4)
Forward Power Level -7.1 dBmV
Foward Signal to Noise 35.6 dB
Downstream Ratelimit 11000000
Upstream Ratelimit 800000
Modem TX Power 41.7 dBmV
Things I've tried:
Lowered Router MTU to 1380 (helps a bit but doesn't seem to eliminate the drops)
Replace router (Had an older Linksys G router and replaced it with a DLINK N router)
Purchased a new cable modem after I was told that it was my router (a week after I replaced it). I had an old Toshiba PCX2500 and I replaced it with a Zoom I purchased at Staples)
Replaced the CAT5 cable between router and cable modem
Replaced the Coax to the Cable Modem.
Any advice? It's not the cable modem, it's not the router, its not the inhouse cabling, it happens on wireless and direct connected clients, it happens on game systems and PC. In my opinion, it is something outside of my house but I don't know how to convince RCN it's not my router. | |
| quattrog
join:2009-03-20
Northampton, PA
| I'm seeing the same thing lately. I just got upgraded to include VoIP telephone service. It uses a newer modem that has the VoIP built in. I see every few days, where I loose internet. I also have a Linksys WRT54G wireless router. Of couse the Indian help center will right away say it's your router. And to prove it they want you to remove it and all will work fine. But as others have stated, if you go through the power down/up sequence, all will start to work again. I just this morning updated the firmware on the router. So I'm thinking it has something to do with that. But most likely not. In the Lehigh Valley, where the crush will be happening very soon, it might have something to do with this. | |
| | 
DanD
Premium
join:2009-07-17
Needham, MA | Re: [Connectivity] Ongoing problems in the Lehigh Valley Your problem may be a result of the crush coming... we had some issues with various cable stations, and some "flaky" internet in the weeks leading up to it. | |
| | | alershka
join:2009-09-07
Bethlehem, PA
| Re: [Connectivity] Ongoing problems in the Lehigh Valley I spoke to a friend of mine who lives about 10 blocks away. He said not only does he lose internet but he also losses phone. I'm assuming that there is no way I'm going to get this fixed since it appears to be a systemic problem in our area and all of the answers from Tech Support are "everything is fine". | |
| | | negativeduck
Premium,VIP
join:2002-02-14
Centreville, VA
| Re: [Connectivity] Ongoing problems in the Lehigh Valley A thread that's been going on for a while and I know I tend not to actively post around here as often as people would prefer (or as much as I would like to just busy busy busy) we do read them. We need mac address's in the posts so that we can look at things on the back side. The only mac address I've noticed was posted originally which doesn't appear to be tied to an account anymore.
--
Bryan Laird
Director Product and Technology | |
| | | | srr2
join:2001-12-20
Bethlehem, PA
·RCN CABLE
| If I can throw my two cents in... I strongly suggest that those who are reporting intermittent drops monitor their transmit (upstream) power levels. I've had a lot more experience with intermittent connections than I'd like, and have found that the upstream power is the sure-fire indication of a physical connection problem. In my case it was the miserable old connectors on the rigid 1/2" underground coax. They'd open the center conductor intermittently. TV would still work and the downstream carrier for the CM would still work because they were a high enough frequency to couple capacitively across the open (oxidized) connection. The upstream however, running at the relatively low frequency of 24MHz could not couple across so the modem kept cranking up the transmit power until it ran out of range. Then everything would drop. Internet and phone, but not TV. Anything that depends on that upstream carrier. And then, magically, as the temperature changed or the wind blew, it would reconnect and everything would come back online for a while.
I finally twisted their arm to make a service call and replace both of the connectors. The new ones are Amphenol brand of a different design than the old ones. So far they've been bulletproof. | |
| alershka
join:2009-09-07
Bethlehem, PA
| I will post my MAC as soon as I get home.
I did another tear down of the setup yesterday morning and went at least 12 hours without a drop. Saturday, I put out a sheet of paper and had the kids write down every time there was a disconnect from the Internet. It was pretty close to hourly from 7am to 9pm (!!!). It was not synchronized to the hour but it was 14 disconnects over 14 hours. When I woke up Sunday morning, I was on for about 1 hour when I was kicked off the internet, which is why I ripped everything apart.
The one thing I did notice was that the forward power level, which I reported at -7.1 dBmV had improved(?) to -6.1 dBmV since the reconnection of all of the wires in my setup yesterday morning. Both readings are in spec, per pa.speedtest.rcn.net, but, as I said, I didn't have a single drop at all after making that change.
In the mean time, is there anyway to easily monitor my connection? Today, since no one is home, I'm missing out on prime data collection. I searched around for an app that would monitor and log the connection and I couldn't find anything. I also looked at my router logs and my pc system logs to see if the drops were creating any "evidence" but I didn't find anything that sync'd up with my hand written time log.
Thanks. | |
| | alershka
join:2009-09-07
Bethlehem, PA
| Re: [Connectivity] Ongoing problems in the Lehigh Valley Here are my latest stats:
Your Modem Mac 00:1f:c6:98:1c:4d
Modem TX Power 39.2 dBmV
Foward Signal to Noise 35.6 dB
Forward Power Level -6.4 dBmV
So since I first posted, here are the changes
Modem TX Power -2.5 dBmV
Forward Signal to Noise 0 dB
Forward Power Level 0.7 dBmV
So far so good. No drops in last few hours according to the kids. | |
| | | alershka
join:2009-09-07
Bethlehem, PA
1 edit | Re: [Connectivity] Ongoing problems in the Lehigh Valley Yesterday, we were back to hourly drops in connections. The kids noted it when they got home from school and I experienced two drops for the few hours I was on when I got home from work. | |
| | | negativeduck
Premium,VIP
join:2002-02-14
Centreville, VA
| Re: [Connectivity] Ongoing problems in the Lehigh Valley So, fwiw I couldn't find anything overly obvious. I did however notice a slight pattern between the two of you so I sent that over to the local guys. To see if they can dig into this up there. When I hear something I'll let yall know.
Additionally, do know that your levels will change and shift throughout the day. The outside temperature can cause some drastic swings somedays and when it's really cold at night and heats up really fast you notice this. It's not unusual to see 2-3db difference between various times in a day.
--
Bryan Laird
Director Product and Technology | |
| | | negativeduck
Premium,VIP
join:2002-02-14
Centreville, VA
| Re: [Connectivity] Ongoing problems in the Lehigh Valley Oh I forgot to add, is there a specific reason you went with a zoom modem? Was it price or something else? I only ask because there are less than 400 of them on the network so it's not a very common device. I have reached out to zoom though to get information on firmware's because I see 1 device out there is a few revisions newer than all the others.
--
Bryan Laird
Director Product and Technology | |
| | | | alershka
join:2009-09-07
Bethlehem, PA | Re: [Connectivity] Ongoing problems in the Lehigh Valley I went with the Zoom because it was the only one on the shelf at Staples. Normally, I would have went with a Linksys but they were sold out and I didn't want to wait for a shipment from an online retailer.
Thanks. | |
| 
hjdiet
join:2004-02-12
Bethlehem, PA
·RCN CABLE
3 edits | BL,
OK.. everything looked ok until 8:26PM this evening... lost Internet until 8:28...
Did your guys find anything??
here's the latest...
Your Modem Mac 00:15:2f:bf:7e:8e Your IP 207.172.xx.xx
Forward Frequency 735000000 Return Frequency 24816000
Forward Modulation qam256(4) Modem TX Power 31.7 dBmV
Foward Signal to Noise 36 dB Downstream Ratelimit 5300000
Forward Power Level 5.6 dBmV Upstream Ratelimit 400000 | |
| | alershka
join:2009-09-07
Bethlehem, PA | Re: [Connectivity] Ongoing problems in the Lehigh Valley I had multiple outages today as well. Weather related? | |
| | | alershka
join:2009-09-07
Bethlehem, PA | Re: [Connectivity] Ongoing problems in the Lehigh Valley Back to near hourly drops of connection this weekend. | |
| alanisrox69
join:2005-03-29
LHV, PA
·RCN CABLE
| I don't have any net issues, but I noticed HBO-HD was pixelating like mad last night. Every few mins it would stutter and skip a few seconds of video/audio and pixelate.
-Derek-
--
CHECK YOUR FSLC TAXES!!! | |
| |
shadyman777
High Definition is where it's at.
Premium
join:2009-03-02
Easton, PA
·RCN CABLE
| Re: [Connectivity] Ongoing problems in the Lehigh Valley said by alanisrox69 :I don't have any net issues, but I noticed HBO-HD was pixelating like mad last night. Every few mins it would stutter and skip a few seconds of video/audio and pixelate. -Derek- While I can't say anything about HBO-HD since I don't get HBO, I can confirm that internet wise I'm not affected by the crush. I am seeing sound skips as well as picture issues time to time on other HD channels, mainly nat geo and animal planet. | |
| | | negativeduck
Premium,VIP
join:2002-02-14
Centreville, VA | Re: [Connectivity] Ongoing problems in the Lehigh Valley Can't speak to video, but are things seeming better. I'm waiting on an update from the PA guys. But I believe they were out there checking on it.
--
Bryan Laird
Director Product and Technology | |
|
hjdiet
join:2004-02-12
Bethlehem, PA | I'm waiting to hear what they find... I'm still having interruptions every night... | |
| alershka
join:2009-09-07
Bethlehem, PA
| I noticed yesterday that the downtime was much more frequent. It was pretty windy here and I get my cable off of a pole. Is it possible that the drops are related to the line that runs to my house? I'm still experiencing near hourly disconnects from the internet and it has been going on for months. | |
| | alershka
join:2009-09-07
Bethlehem, PA
| Re: [Connectivity] Ongoing problems in the Lehigh Valley Another week goes by and the hourly drops continue. I had my cable cards installed last week and I was hoping that they would find some sort of problem with my line that would explain this. However, they said signal strength was real good (I could run 5 cable cards on my line he said) but I'm still having major issues with my internet connection. I'm holding out hope that when the crush hits, it will fix it but at this point I dont have too much hope and I don't know who to talk to to try to get this remedied. | |
| | |
DanD
Premium
join:2009-07-17
Needham, MA
| Re: [Connectivity] Ongoing problems in the Lehigh Valley This may sound totally insane, but who knows... 
I was reading some other forums earlier today, and one post was mocking Comcast Tech support. One of the items stated was to move the router away from the modem.
Some others in the forum have said that this actually DOES resolve some issues... is your modem right next to, or under/above your router?
»Resolved - Amusing Comcast tech support. | |
| | | | alershka
join:2009-09-07
Bethlehem, PA | Re: [Connectivity] Ongoing problems in the Lehigh Valley They are about a foot away from each other. I've increased the distance to two feet. I'll watch it and see what happens. I'm desperate and I'm willing to try anything. | |
| | | | | alershka
join:2009-09-07
Bethlehem, PA | Re: [Connectivity] Ongoing problems in the Lehigh Valley No dice. Still consistent disconnects from the internet, even with the router and cable modem nearly a yard apart. I can't get them much further apart based on the constraints of my desk. | |
|
hjdiet
join:2004-02-12
Bethlehem, PA
1 edit | I'm still having these same issues as well...
This seems to be localized in our area (Bethlehem Twsp)... | |
| alershka
join:2009-09-07
Bethlehem, PA
| I just wanted to report in. I've given it some time just to make sure things are fixed but it appears that sometime close to the period of our analog crush, the disconnect problem went away. It has been over a week without a dropped connection. I don't have proof positive that the two are related but it seems that this is the case. | |
|
hjdiet
join:2004-02-12
Bethlehem, PA | Me too.... I'm thinking the crush had something to do with the problem 'going away'.... | |
| |
DanD
Premium
join:2009-07-17
Needham, MA
| Re: [Connectivity] Ongoing problems in the Lehigh Valley quote:
Me too.... I'm thinking the crush had something to do with the problem 'going away'....
Wouldn't surprise me...
I don't want to jinx myself, but according to my router, I've had a connection for over 126 days. Prior to that, I had a connection for around 110 days... that is over 226 days. The only reason for the "break" was because of a 30-minute power failure... | |
| | | |
|
