AT&T Northeast → [help] Losing connection weekly, could it be the modem?

Hi all. At my fathers business he has a dsl modem attached to one of his phone lines, the line is just for dsl and for a fax machine. There are only two runs coming from the demarc, one run for the fax which has a dsl filter at the end of it, and the other run to the network closet patch panel to connect to the dsl modem. The dsl works fine when connected but about once a week the modem loses sync, i thought it might be the router and swapped it out with another one but it is still doing the same thing. They are still using their original modem, i dont know the model type exactly but here is a link to one that looks just like it. »www.pcliquidations.com/i ··· p?id=802
Is there anything I can do to try to fix this or should I just get a new modem? Do they give out new modems to use if I call and tell them that mine is not working properly, or will I have to buy a new one. I saw this modem on the sbc store but it says that it only works with one computer, is it possible to hook this modem up to a router? See the screenshot for the modem i am talking about.

Let me know the best route to take. Thanks

There might be a firmware update for the modem. Check this thread. »Speedstream 5100b firmware upgrade - speed increase?

I saw that thread but the modem my father has doesnt resemble the two shown on the website when you go to download the firmware. I dont think it is a 5100b. Its the one shown in the link in my post.

Have him look on the modem. That's one way to be sure.

Does anyone know what model is shown in the screenshot in my first post from the sbc website? Is it the 5100? If so does anyone have it and have you had good success with it? Thanks

the one in the photo, I believe, is the 4100 but they are currently offering the 5100 to the best of my knowledge..

Or vice-versa (I think the one shown is the 5100b). This page has it right »subscriber.communication ··· re.shtml

New users are being sent 4100s. Well at least that what my neighbor received about a month ago.

could be

Yes they are... I signed up in late January and I was sent a 4100.

So have any of you had good luck with the 4100 or 5100 series? It says on the website that it can only be used with one computer and that it has built in pppoe. If it has built in pppoe will my router still get a public ip address? Will they give me a new modem if i resign my contract for another year? THanks for all the help.

Could i purchase the following off ebay and be able to use it immediately, would I have to call sbc to register the new modem like you have to do with cable modems, or will it just work when I replace it. Here is the link to the one i found. »cgi.ebay.com/SBC-Yahoo-D ··· ViewItem
Thanks

Your authentication is done through PPPoE.

This FAQ should help you ID the modem:
»AT&T Midwest/Ameritech FAQ »AT&T HSI / Ameritech Modem Museum