Connection keeps dropping and Modem eractic!!!HELP!

pop80_uk · 11-09-2004, 20:42

Hi Guys,

Another problem!

My NTL connection for the last few weeks has been useless, it connects, it disconnects then it disconnects again and carries this on and on until eventually it works!

Modem shows:

Ready light is ON

Sync light is off

D/s light is flashing

Ethernet light is ON

Then

Ready light flashes

Sync light goes ON

D/S light flashes

Ethernet light is ON

Then

Only D/S is flashing

Ethernet light is ON

Then after 5 – 10 mins it resets itself

It never used to do this when I was running my old PC set up, basically ive just upgraded. I have a P4 1Ghz Pentium 512MB RAM running the same Ethernet card as before a Realtek one, I have also installed Windows 2000. I followed the instructions on here to connect the silver modem box back up and it worked 100% first time and performed fine for two weeks. But now this problem.

Im also running Zonealarm Pro, I was using this before the update with no problems though. Although this time it does ask if I accept the new IP address now and again, I just select yes.

Im based in Stafford if that helps find the problem

Ive called NTL techy people who said it was something to do with optical refraction !??!

and it was bad at the moment. They said it should fix itself. But its been weeks now and its still doing it. I was going to upgrade to 750K but this has put me off!!

So have you guys got any ideas:

How to fix the problems?
What the problem is ?
How to stop it happening again?

I can only get on the net for 5 –10mins at a time because of this problem, so any help you have to fix this I would really appreciate it! It took 40mins to get through to NTL before and I know you guys are good at all this.

Thanks, please help its driving me mad!

Tuftus · 11-09-2004, 20:45

Optical Refraction????

Next they will say it is due to Sunspots or Solar Flares!!!

LOL!!!

Been having lots of this in Northants (NN10) at the mo and trying to get to the bottom of it!!!

All the best

Andy

pop80_uk · 11-09-2004, 20:56

Ive been told by one person who knows about these things that the reason is the recent upgrade and that the silver modems dont support some of the info sent to them and it has damaged them all

But he also said that all NTL supplied modems had a build in self destruct mode that NTL could trigger at anytime, but its a bit James Bond for me.

I have no idea, but at the moment Ive paying for a poor service, dare I say it...worse than "Dial up!"

Thanks again for any help

BBKing · 12-09-2004, 01:09

Quote:

Ive been told by one person who knows about these things that the reason is the recent upgrade and that the silver modems dont support some of the info sent to them and it has damaged them all

Provably ******** - here's the logic:

1) modems are fine at a speed of 1Mb, since that was what they were doing pre-upgrade
2) majority of modems, even after the upgrade, are doing < 1Mb, since the majority are on 300k or 750k.

Therefore given that post-upgrade the majority of modems are not being stressed as much as a previous known good level, how can the upgrade affect them?

I'd love a remote self-destruct feature, or at least an STB setting that tuned into donkey porn on demand.

Anyway, be that as it may, it doesn't get us much further. This problem sounds very much like poor HFC condition (like most of the others I've looked at recently, he mutters under his breath).

pop80_uk · 12-09-2004, 11:23

Whats a HFC condition? sounds serious.

Gaz22 · 12-09-2004, 16:27

I had a similar problem. An engineer came out and replaced my modem. I haven't had any problems since.

DbzDP · 13-09-2004, 00:23

Have you tried using another NTL Proxy?

I am in London, and the NTL proxy my modem connects to has some problems because if I disable the custom NTL Proxy I added in IE, my max download speed is 40kb, but with the custom NTL Proxy its over 170kb.
Try this one
Proxy: 80.3.96.40
Port:8080

13-09-2004, 00:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by DbzDP

Have you tried using another NTL Proxy?

I am in London, and the NTL proxy my modem connects to has some problems because if I disable the custom NTL Proxy I added in IE, my max download speed is 40kb, but with the custom NTL Proxy its over 170kb.
Try this one
Proxy: 80.3.96.40
Port:8080

I dont think that will make any difference m8 ! The problem is with the cable modem signal and has nothing to do with the computer. I think an NTL engineer will need to look at this one.

pop80_uk · 13-09-2004, 10:20

Would a new modem help?? If so Ive seen some on sale on e-bay, but there are three different options modem 100, 120 or 200. Whats the difference? And would it sort my problem?

Neil · 13-09-2004, 10:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by pop80_uk

Hi Guys,

Ive called NTL techy people who said it was something to do with optical refraction !??!

and it was bad at the moment. They said it should fix itself. But its been weeks now and its still doing it. I was going to upgrade to 750K but this has put me off!!

Get back on to ntl "Tech Support" & tell them that you will not accept any more BS ("Optical Refraction"

) & ask to speak to a supervisor.

Did you get the person's name who fed you this line? (always get names when dealing with ntl)

If you don't get any joy there, try here: http://www.cableforum.co.uk/kb/19/wh...rge-of-ntlhome

Good luck.

**Matt D** · 13-09-2004, 20:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by pop80_uk

Would a new modem help?? If so Ive seen some on sale on e-bay, but there are three different options modem 100, 120 or 200. Whats the difference? And would it sort my problem?

Any ntl modem bought off ebay (or similar sites) *will not work*.

Also, the modems are the property of ntl. If you see any ntl modems (or Set Top Boxes) on ebay etc you should report them to ebay, as they are being illegally sold.

If you need a new modem, you will have to get one from ntl (which will be free).

As Neil said above, get back to ntl Tech Support. They should be able to help you.

Also, what are your signal levels like?

Go to http://192.168.100.1/, & use "root" for both the userid & password, then post the results back here.

A read of this may also be helpful: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/robin.d...ps/signal.html

pop80_uk · 13-09-2004, 23:36

Hi

Thanks for the link to that site, heres my info:

Cable Modem Configuration

Type : Ambit ETH/USB Combo Cable ModemCable modem : Ambit Cable ModemDownstream Receive Power Level : 2.55 dBmvDownstream SNR : 33.68 dBUpstream Transmit Power Level : 61.00 dBmv
Network Access : EnabledMaximum Downstream Data Rate : 300000 bpsMaximum Upstream Data Rate : 64000 bpsMaximum Number of CPEs : 1Software Upgrade File Name : C2223215.cprSoftware Upgrade AdminStatus : allowProvisioningUpgradeSoftware Upgrade OperStatus : completeFromProvisioning

Any info you can give based on this would be much appreciated.
Thank you.

**Matt D** · 13-09-2004, 23:44

OK, based on this: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/robin.d....html#goodlevs

Downstream Power: 2.55 dBmV - fine

SNR: 33.68 dB - fine

Upstream Power: 61.00 dBmV - not fine!!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robin Walker[/quote

Upstream Transmit Power: the cable modem's Upstream Transmit Power (or return power) is set by commands from the UBR so that the UBR hears the same signal level from all cable modems on that upstream channel. Because of different cable losses for each cable modem in the area, each cable modem will tend to settle onto a different upstream transmit power level. The better the return path is, the lower the upstream transmit power will be.

The upstream transmit power will lie within the range +8 to +58 dBmV, with many ISPs specifying a target commissioning level below +55 dBmV. Values in the forties are the most common. Many cable modems are unable to transmit any more powerfully than +58 dBmV. One cannot tell how far this is below the figure that the UBR would need to see a strong enough signal at its end to maintain satisfactory performance, so a figure as high as +58 dBmV is normally a sign of an unacceptable return path. If other problem symptoms are also present, an upstream transmit power of +58 dBmV would constitute valid supporting evidence for requesting technical support from a cable ISP.

I think you really need to get back onto ntl Tech Support...

DeadKenny · 13-09-2004, 23:50

One day, someone will invent a broadband system that actually works

pop80_uk · 14-09-2004, 08:30

So how do I solve this??:

Upstream Power: 61.00 dBmV - not fine!!!!