US Telco Support → CenturyLink > Constant modem restarts, esp with games/skype!

Constant modem restarts, esp with games/skype!

I have been dealing with this issue for months now and have already learned a lot about how modems and networks function just due to the fact that I can't seem to get anyone over here from CenturyLink that isn't just a phone tech! Here is the issue:

The modem restarts. It isn't just the internet going out, the entire thing restarts. This happens ONLY when I am actually using the internet. If I'm not actively doing anything, even if I have a game or pages open the net tends to stay on, but as soon as I get on a game (Aion, Cubeworld), Skype, Vent, and actually do something/talk, it is only a matter of time before the modem reboots. This also happens during specific times of the morning without fail. 2 AM it starts, often, and continues until about 4:30am where it goes into spazz mode and reboots over and over until about 4:50am.

I have looked very extensively online for a fix, most of them saying it is the modem. I originally had a Westell 7500; it got changed to a Zytel pk5001z, then got another one because they thought it might be faulty, and then an Actiontec pk5001a, and then back to a Westell 7500. All do the same thing, so it isn't the modem. The last tech that was here changed the wiring just outside of the house and created a new line, which helped the speed a lot (which was the initial problem, no DCs, that started with the Zytel).

The only things I can see pattern-wise is that there are always initial far-end CRC errors. Always. At least 150, but that's on the low end. I have brought that up to techs but they say they've checked the lines and it's all good (though my neighbour says he's having similar issues, don't think as bad as mine though). Otherwise all of the other stuff like power, attenuation and the like are very healthy. I have tried updating with an OpenDNS, tried moving my PC outside of DMZ, (I am wired by the way, and there is another wired computer connected which I don't believe is the problem since it goes out when mine is the only one using those programs). I have tried so many things, have spent hours and hours on the phone with Centurylink, had many tech visits, and have just about gone insane.

What causes modems to reboot entirely? How can I figure out if it's some kind of incompatibility. Explain like I'm a newb, too, because I am. Pls respond. 3

Can you get into your MODEM's stat pages and post what you see there?
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"You can observe a lot by watching". Yogi Berra

I kinda wish I had one of the new modems hooked up for this now, their stat pages are a lot cleaner. Were there specific stats you were looking for? I have to go to specific tabs, the summary page is not really helpful.

Also I was checking the logs:

Sep 26 05:44:18 Severity: local0.info Process: udhcpc[1292]
Message: Lease of 71.48.105.16 obtained,lease time 3600

Sep 26 05:44:17 Severity: local0.debug Process: udhcpc[1292]
Message: Sending renew...

Sep 26 05:43:17 Severity: user.warn Process: kernel
Message: setitimer:nas (pid = 1261) provided invalid timeval it_value:tv_sec = 0 tv_usec = 1000000

Sep 26 05:43:17 Severity: user.warn Process: kernel
Message: setitimer:nas (pid = 1261) provided invalid timeval it_value:tv_sec = 0 tv_usec = 1000000

Sep 26 05:37:04 Severity: daemon.info Process: dnsmasq[1414]
Message: TR-111:Done with ACK packet

The point between 5:37 and 5:43 I dc'd, I don't know if there's anything useful there.

I lost track of what MODEM you are using now. Stats something like this.

»/speak/slidesh···JlYm9vdA
--
"You can observe a lot by watching". Yogi Berra

• Those stats look very good.

• Check every connection from the NID to the MODEM. Fix/replace anything that does not look right.

• Do you have a whole house filter or filters on every phone jack in use?

• Do you have noise on your phone?

• What do the MODEM's light do when you try to use the Internet?

• Are you connect wired or wireless?

• Any other boxes on the line at the same time?

--
"You can observe a lot by watching". Yogi Berra

Thanks for the reply!

All of the connections have been checked many times, wires replaced which improved speed but the reboots remain constant.

The house has no phone service and all of the jacks minus the one in use have been 'turned off'. I have no put any filters on the line mainly because every time I call customer service they have told me not to have one on. Should I put one on?

The modem internet light blinks, and so do the wired connection lights. There are 2 computers connected through wires, have multiple wireless devices (smartphone, PSvita, tablet).

Not sure what you mean by 'boxes' but there is nothing else connected anywhere else in the house.

Do not put a filter on the DSL jack. Any others with a device attached to it should have a filter on it.

Under Accessing Internet Access Control Screens >> Internet Access >>> Are You Blocking any essential Ports or Services?

DC all other devices connected to the MODEM. With just the one box connected, try accessing the Internet. Is there anything different?

Have you tried testing at the NID?
--
"You can observe a lot by watching". Yogi Berra

Are you in Bridge Mode?

Since all three MODEMs/routers produce the same symptoms, it is time to look elsewhere.

Do any of the devices have an issue like this?

I asked above "DC all other devices connected to the MODEM. With just the one box connected, try accessing the Internet. Is there anything different? Did you do that?
--
"You can observe a lot by watching". Yogi Berra

It seems to only happen when upload is being stressed (If I am playing a game and just standing there, nothing happens. If I begin to interact with the game at all like type or attack it will eventually reboot). If I have skype or vent open nothing happens. If I have skype or vent open and I type and/or talk to somebody on it I will eventually reboot.

I made it so that my computer was the only one connected and turned off the wireless and the problem still happened. My computer is the only one used for higher-stress things so I am not sure I'd be able to properly test the other devices and get them to reboot the modem the same way. I read something about barrels and uploads but I'm not quite sure, I have been looking at the system logs trying to figure out if it gives any clues.

if you know your PPoE username/password, try putting the modem in bridge mode, and using your PC to make a PPoE connection, then the modem just becomes a dumb dsl to Ethernet bridge, and it will not interact with anything IP related, as your PC will be doing all of the TCP/IP work.

See if the issues occurs then, and if it does not then you simply just need to get a good router with DD-WRT or Tomato and go that route.

Since it is time related and your neighbor has like issues, I would look elsewhere. I would start looking at the CO/DSLAM.

Ask CL if they can move you to another port. It could be hardware related.

You need to get CL on board and have them run some diagnostics on your connection. Since you can predict the time that this happens, ask them to monitor your line starting one hour before and one hour after the time window.
--
"You can observe a lot by watching". Yogi Berra

EDIT: disregard. Might have been a jank wire after rechecking.