darogl
join:2003-08-28
Columbus, IN
| Just curious - Activity light flashing for unknown reason I've had a DSL connection with a 5100a modem for several years now with no issues in particular. But for the last couple of weeks, I'll sometimes look over and the activity light on the modem will be flashing when nobody's logged on. This isn't the occasional flash like I'm being pinged. It looks more like there is some activity going on. I do have a Linksys W54G router so my first thought was that someone was using my wireless signal. However, even if I unplug the router, the activity light will continue to flash. Any ideas? | |
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nwrickert
sand groper
Premium,MVM
join:2004-09-04
Geneva, IL
 ·AT&T U-Verse
 ·AT&T Midwest
| Re: Just curious - Activity light flashing for unknown reason Here are a few of the possibilities:
Your virus scanner checking for updates.
Your operating system checking for updates.
Your browser prefetching files.
Your mail client checking for POP3 mail.
Firefox checking for updates.
Java checking for updates.
A virus infection on your system, sending out spam.
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Never underestimate the ability of a large organization to screw up | |
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 | darogl
join:2003-08-28
Columbus, IN
| Re: Just curious - Activity light flashing for unknown reason Actually, it can't be related to my computer because when I unplug the router, the modem is no longer connected to it. I can also disconnect the ethernet cable between the modem and the router so the modem is not connected to anything and the activity light will continue to flash for 4 or 5 minutes. It gradually slows down and then stops. I was wondering if there's something going on with the modem. The flashing isn't all the time, just occasionally. | |
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nwrickert
sand groper
Premium,MVM
join:2004-09-04
Geneva, IL
·AT&T U-Verse
·AT&T Midwest
| Re: Just curious - Activity light flashing for unknown reason The you are probably on a dynamic IP, and you acquired that IP recently.
The previous user of that IP was possibly using P2P file transfers, and allowed his system to be used for uploads. Or the previous user was a game player, and listed his system as an online game server. As a result, that IP address is listed as a server of some kind, and this results in various attempts to connect to the IP. That results in packets being sent, and you see the modem activity light flashing.
If you keep the same IP for a while, this activity will die down after a few days.
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Never underestimate the ability of a large organization to screw up | |
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Gib4500
join:2003-12-08
Sardis, OH | i also noticed this on my friends at&t dsl connection. The light on the modem will simply not stop blinking. He is on a wireless connection as well. | |
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| darogl
join:2003-08-28
Columbus, IN | Re: Just curious - Activity light flashing for unknown reason Pardon my ignorance, but where/how do I go into the modem to check and/or delete the log file? Thanks. | |
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| NormanS
Premium,MVM
join:2001-02-14
San Jose, CA
·Pacific Bell - SBC
| said by Old_Grouch  :SWAG from a non-5100 user... If you are running PPPOE on the modem... The OP states in the OP:
quote:
I've had a DSL connection with a 5100a modem...
Now, for the life of me, I can't imagine how to check modem stats, and such, on that ancient four-LED beast.
Unless I missed an update by the OP...
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Norman
~Oh Lord, why have you come
~To Konnyu, with the Lion and the Drum | |
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| | | darogl
join:2003-08-28
Columbus, IN
| Re: Just curious - Activity light flashing for unknown reason Well... after reading the procedure for getting the stats out of this thing, I've decided that, since I'm really not having a problem, this is probably a lot more hassle than it's worth just to satisfy my curiosity. Thanks everyone for the input. Happy New Year! | |
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Dennis
Premium,Mod
join:2001-01-26
Algonquin, IL | Odd's are it's a combination of two things:
1. PPPoe Keep alive
2. Port scanning (as previously said) | |
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