lord_slappy
join:2006-10-03
| Motorola SB5120 Flaky?
I recently received a SB5120 free with my activation of Charter Internet. I keep getting a very strange error, and I'm unsure of where the problem is originating. The modem will work fine for a while--good speed, stable connection. Then, without warning (and usually when I'm away from the computer) I'll return to find the modem with all of its lights off. Hitting the "Standby" button does nothing. Trying to access a webpage or anything else online does nothing. I have to unplug the modem and repower it for it to come back online. I've also tried putting it into "Standby" mode, and it will still turn off.
I started to believe this was due to some sort of inactivity, maybe a kind of auto-poweroff? But I was online playing a game when it kicked off right in the middle of it. All of the green lights except the top (power light I believe) went off, then it began to look like it was re-acquiring the signal. Then, boom, no lights.
So the question is, is this a modem quality issue that's fixed by a simple exchange, or am I potentially dealing with a greater issue? It's connected to a D-Link DI-614+ router, but that has nothing to do with it as I've tried connecting it directly to the computer and found the same results. I've also connected it to a different power outlet and faced the same problem.
Thank you for any help you might have. |
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cork1958
Cork
join:2000-02-26
Fruitport, MI
 ·Charter Pipeline
edit:
October 3rd, @09:19AM
| Well, if you are reasonably certain it's nothing on your end and you are leasing the modem, it can't hurt to exchange it. If nothing else, it will rule out the modem.
--
Spread Zenwalk Linux 3.0 |
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stivvy
Technonerd
join:2002-05-08 | reply to lord_slappy
Sounds flaky to me. I'd swap/ exchange it. |
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Fatality
join:2003-09-22
Glendale, CA
| I'm getting the same modem from Circuit City...it comes out to about $6 after rebates, so I don't have to pay monthly fees for the modem.
Since you're leasing, just take the modem to your local Charter office and tell them to exchange it for you...or if you don't have time, set up an appointment and tell them to bring you a new modem. |
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taar
join:2000-11-21 | reply to lord_slappy
What version firmware do you have on the 5120? |
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Fatality
join:2003-09-22
Glendale, CA | reply to lord_slappy
I found a similar problem via google, check this thread out:
»forums.thatcomputerguy.us/index.···ic=18125 |
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Snavvie
join:2006-09-28
Louisville, KY | Terayon and Toshiba modems are worse than surfboards. |
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lord_slappy
join:2006-10-03
| reply to lord_slappy
I got my modem from Circuit City, so I can't return it to Charter. I did return it to CC, though, and the new one has the same problem. What I've found is that the lights aren't going out completely. What I mean is that the modem isn't completely dying. It's just dropping all of the lights/connection. In the dark, there's still a very dim lighting on them. It's still unresponsive, though, until I power-cycle it. Could something in the cable line cause this?
I have an email into their support area, and I'll probably call them again, too.
So, quick review:
- Not modem b/c a new one does the same thing
- Not router b/c I've tried it with and without the router
- Not the power outlet b/c I've tried a separate outlet
What's left? Just the line and/or Charter service? I did ask the guy to run it under the siding on my house. He said that sometimes that can pinch the cable, but he did it for me anyway. I also requested a little bit bigger service loop underneath so I could run it back through the wall myself later (saves me a $50 charge). Could either of these requests have put me in this situation?
Thanks for your help everyone. |
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jmcgeejr
join:2000-05-15
Kirkland, WA | There is a chance that the signal level is too strong to the modem and its getting "fried".... |
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Fatality
join:2003-09-22
Glendale, CA
edit:
October 6th, @03:23PM
| reply to lord_slappy
I have this modem and it's been in use for the past 4 days...bought it from CC aswell, and it hasn't given me any problems. Call charter internet support and tell them you want to revision your modem again...they can delete the modem and you have to give them the Mac adress again. |
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stivvy
Technonerd
join:2002-05-08
| reply to lord_slappy
said by lord_slappy  :I did ask the guy to run it under the siding on my house. He said that sometimes that can pinch the cable, but he did it for me anyway. I also requested a little bit bigger service loop underneath so I could run it back through the wall myself later (saves me a $50 charge). Could either of these requests have put me in this situation? Thanks for your help everyone. Short answer is yes, either one of those could have put you in that situation. It sounds like the modem is dropping synch but is able to reset itself and regain it. It may also be an issue with the actual electric power getting to the modem. Just for grins to see if that is the issue, try plugging your modem direct into a wall outlet instead of a power sttrip for a while and see if that changes the results.
Otherwise I would schedule a time for a tech to check out your lines. |
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Fatality
join:2003-09-22
Glendale, CA | reply to lord_slappy
He already mentioned that he tried different outlets... |
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lord_slappy
join:2006-10-03
| reply to lord_slappy
Charter's heading out on Tuesday of this week. The term thrown around was that it was an RF issue. I emailed them some of my cable modem's log file where it was showing a critical error. On the phone with a tech, he found that my connection was just on the brink of failing all the time. Had to do with the range, and I was at the bare minimum. So, they're going to head out on Tuesday to try to fix it.
I appreciate all of the help. Thank you to all for your suggestions and feedback. |
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neofate
Caveat Depascor
Premium
join:2003-11-11
Birmingham, AL
 ·AT&T DSL Service
·Charter Pipeline
| reply to lord_slappy
Slappy,
The tech will get you taken care of -- My first instinct from this type of problem would have been to ask you of your RF levels (Everyone knows that too lol) -- But no point in it now, as the Tech will arrive tomorrow, and should be able to swap out a splitter, or reconfigure the line a bit to get your RF back in spec.
If you'd like to monitor what the heck is going on --
Go to 192.168.100.1
Check your Downstream Power Level , as it should be somewhere between -13, and +13dBmV. Also check your Upstream power level, it should be in the range of 30-55dBmV. I'm purely guessing, but I bet your upstream is high, and they will need to get it down , (which is routine), in the service call. Anyhow, monitor your signals how they currently exist, and then after the tech does what he does, log back into those signal levels real quick before he leaves. See if he pulled it down properly, or just "barely". If you know what I mean.
Did he or she really fix the problem or just put a little bandaid on it.
Though, often times just a 3db move on the spectrum is all it takes to go from instability (intermittent) to stability.
You learn something new everyday, and you are getting a little education in CM's and their RF function with this new activation. 
--
Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced. |
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