cjbrown
join:2006-10-09
Placentia, CA
| 5360 falls off
I've had this modem for 2-3 years without any issues. In the last 3 months it randomly would fall off the dsl connection, a reset would reconnect it.
Lately it's off more than on, sometimes it will not connect at all, regardless of how many times it is reset. At times, the DSL light will not even blink, like it can't send a signal or find a signal on the line. The problem seems to be worse earlier in the day. Sometimes it will stay connected for several hours, sometimes just a short time.
I called Pacific Bell (now AT&T) and requested a states-side tech, they suggested replacing the modem (offered to sell me a new one).
Is it possible to have intermittent dsl signal? I would think either it works or it doesn't, the wires are either connected to the CO or not.
Is it possible that the modem is malfunctioning?
And if so, why would it work well for several hours and then fail? Since the problem has gotten progressivly worse over the last few months, does that indicate failed components inside the modem?
If I replace it, do you suggest the same or a different modem? Or go with a cable modem??????
Thanks and regards,
Chris Brown |
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Doctor Olds
I Need A Remedy For What's Ailing Me.
Premium,VIP
join:2001-04-19
1970 442 W30
clubs:
| Just because the wires are connected at your residence does not mean there is not a problem at the ISP/Telco side. The line cards do go bad, the wiring can have bad insulation anywhere along the path it takes. Outside sources of RFI and EMI can knock out the DSL signal while there is nothing wrong with the wires or the modem. Bad streets lights that flicker at night can kill DSL as well as old or cheap Dimmer Switches can completely knock out the entire DSL signal. Most DSL modems fail at one time and never work again. It is pretty rare to see one slowly go bad. I'd say you have other problems.
»DSL FAQ »I keep losing sync. How can i stop this?
»DSL FAQ »How do I know if my DSL problems come from my house or my telco?
»DSL FAQ »I lose line Sync regularly
»DSL FAQ »What can I do to ensure clean lines for my dsl connection?
»Ameritech - SBC FAQ »My DSL loses sync regularly. How can I detect interference with an AM Radio?
»SBC DSL FAQ »RF Interference troubleshooting
Also here is the general checklist of items that can interfere.
Filters need to be installed on all phone jacks that are not connected to the DSL modem. Unfiltered Analog devices such as telephones, dial-up modems, and fax machines may cause interference unless there is a filter on its line. Not all filters are bi-directional, meaning there is a certain way that they need to be installed. Ensure that all of your phone filters plug directly into the phone outlet, then the analog device plugs into the filter (not the other way around).
The best way to rule out a problem with a bad filter or phone is by unplugging every analog device in your home, then test the connection to see if your speed tests improve.
Ensure that there is no device between the DSL modem's phone cord and the wall outlet. This includes any splitters, phone line surge protectors, filters, etc.
Try a different phone outlet. Also try using a different phone cord ensuring that the phone cord is under 10 feet (6 feet would be better).
The next step is to rule out EMI.
Make sure your DSL device is not near any of the following as they can cause interference...
•Halogen lamps
•Fluorescent lights
•900 MHz cordless phones
•Cell Phones
•Ham radios
•AM radios
•Electrical interference (don't put the modem near a UPS or motor driven device)
•Modem, fax, or other device on the same phone line
•Microwave oven
•Shoddy phone cord
•Home security/Alarm system (You may want to disconnect it for testing purposes)
•Any satellite receivers
Sometimes the phone connection that Direct TV satellite services utilize can cause problems. Temporarily disconnect the receiver if you are using one.
It is rare, but sometimes other devices near the computer(ie. scanners) can also cause a problem.
Make sure there is not a filter connected to the DSL modem.
Make sure that the DSL device is well ventilated to avoid overheating.
These suggestions may seem very simplistic, but these are common causes for problems with this type of technology. I have seen moving the DSL modem a few feet from its current location or power cycling the hardware resolve many connection issues.
If you have tried everything else, and you do not notice any improvements, the next step is to completely rule out an inside wiring problem by testing at the NID.
ADSL Interferers
Regards,
Doctor Olds
--
What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time? |
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cjbrown
join:2006-10-09
Placentia, CA
| Thank you, that helps a lot. At least I have something to go on now.
It worked fine all evening, then at 11pm it quit and will still not sync. I think its the CO card or lines. Nothing has changed at the house. I was starting to suspect a pool pump as the wires are underground and they are old, and they are near the phone line equipment in our backyard. We have a phone board for the neighborhood back there. But running it last night had zero affect on my dsl sync, it kept working fine.
Best,
--Chris |
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alessar
join:2003-06-15
Ann Arbor, MI
| reply to cjbrown
I'm having exactly the same problem, and my woes just started today. Tech support thought it MIGHT be the modem as they said that 3 year old modems of this model can start to go bad... but some are great much longer. For a while I would be up an hour, off 20 minutes, back up... then I was off for several hours and then BLING! back up.
I really wish there was something diagnostic I could do to my modem.  I'm a little comforted by Doc saying that modems usually tanked all at once and didn't slowly die. I guess... I'll have to see how long it stays up this time and if there's any pattern to it. I really don't want to go buy a new modem and find out I still have to have a tech visit to scope out my wiring. |
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Doctor Olds
I Need A Remedy For What's Ailing Me.
Premium,VIP
join:2001-04-19
1970 442 W30
clubs:
1 edit | If the DSL LED goes out that means the DSL signal is gone (loss of sync) and then it may start blinking looking for the signal. If a reboot of the modem only does not get sync back on solid then try testing at the NID with just the modem and power with a phone cord to attach the modem to the test jack.
If you still have no sync, it is the ISP or the line back to the CO or in the CO. If you do get sync and it is solid, then it may be telling you something in the residence or it's internal wiring is killing the DSL.
Also, Ask the ISP to give you your line stats (Downstream is the most important) and I bet they are marginal.
EnterNet 300 doesn't have the stats, but it will confirm sync and errors plus it will report the actual sync rates for you in case it is syncing at lower than normal rates. It has a limitation of liking only PCI Ethernet cards and having problems with onboard Ethernet sometimes.
»Efficient Networks Forum FAQ »EnterNet 300 does not show the DSL Modem tab for my 5260 or 5360?
Regards,
Doctor Olds
--
What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time? |
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cjbrown
join:2006-10-09
Placentia, CA
| Thanks Doc,
Good info there, especially for testing. I need to see if there's a test port at the box where the wires enter the house.
Because you said modems rarely fail partially, I called PacBell back and gave them what-for about my signal. They suggested the DSL filter was bad, and I had a new one on hand so I put it on the line and the modem syncronized and stayed on for about 3 days. Now it's off again as of yesterday and cannot find a signal again. What a giant PITA. And tech support at the phone company is virtually non-existant. They said if the signal shows normal from their end and they send a tech out it's chargeable time. Gee, isnt that nice, their service doesn't work and they want me to pay to have it fixed.
I'll try and test the modem at the junction box.
--Chris |
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alessar
join:2003-06-15
Ann Arbor, MI
| AT&T had me swap my filter Sunday night but it remained dead. Two hours later, the DSL came back up and it hasn't blinked for a moment since.
My suspicion is that they had a network problem Sunday night that didn't get reported correctly and got fixed. :/ |
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cjbrown
join:2006-10-09
Placentia, CA
| reply to cjbrown
I have now figured out that my dsl connection goes out about 11pm every night and remains out for about 12 hours. I suspect a neighbor is turning something on, or we have a street light that's going out, or some other source of interference.
This morning I took the modem outside and connected it directly to the wires coming in from the CO. Of course, no dsl sync. So PacBell is finally going to troubleshoot the line, they can now actually see that there is no signal to my phone number. Gee, after calling them for months, they are now going to do something about it.
My local electronics store had a neat gadget I picked up yesterday, it's a phone line tester with a couple of aligator clips with a jack on the other end, and a little indicator light that shows green for good, red for reverse polarity, and if no lights, no dial tone. It also allowed me to connect my modem outside to the terminal box where there was no test jack. This way we can be sure there's no problem with the wiring in the house. It gave me enough amunition to get the phone company to do something about their service.
Oh, and I had already bought all new filters and installed them on all the phones in the house, so we knew that wasn't the issue. Frankly, I don't think they wear out either.
Thanks again for all the help here. Doc Olds is a terrific resource.
--Chris Brown |
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Doctor Olds
I Need A Remedy For What's Ailing Me.
Premium,VIP
join:2001-04-19
1970 442 W30
clubs:
| There you go!! Great job. You have gotten the ammunition to get the Telco/ISP to look at the line, line card, and CO connections since at your end of their line there is no sync signal. By testing at your 4 post protector, that eliminated all inside wiring from the picture and placed the trouble right back into their laps. They have to get the signal to your 4 post at a minimum. If you can, you should get them to update that to a regular NID so that can have the latest and greatest.
Regards,
Doctor Olds
--
What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time? |
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cjbrown
join:2006-10-09
Placentia, CA | reply to cjbrown
Uh, what's a NID?? |
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Doctor Olds
I Need A Remedy For What's Ailing Me.
Premium,VIP
join:2001-04-19
1970 442 W30
clubs:
| said by cjbrown  :Uh, what's a NID?? 
said by »AT&T Southeast Forum FAQ »NID (Network Interface Device)? :
Since a NID is where the phone company's network stops and the home owner's network begins, it's a great place to isolate problems.
They are supposed to be on all residences and are part of the lines cost as reported to the government so you cannot be charged for one since it is factored into the cost to deliver services.
If you have only a 4 port protector, a simple request to the telco is usually it takes to get one installed to replace the old 4 post protector.
This below is for the Bellsouth service area, but the information is good for the US in general.
A good page to read:
»web.archive.org/web/199910131441···nid.html
Regards,
Doctor Olds
--
What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time? |
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