Modem Problem?

I need a bit of help.

I put this here because it does involve hardware. But if it should be somewhere else just move it.

I have three machines and a Printer plugged into a Linksys Switch. Switch goes to a Linksys Router. Then of course the Router goes to a a Linksys Cable Modem.

As I mentioned in another thread I have been having an occasional This page can not be displayed message. Even this site and my Home page of msn.com. I retry a few times and it will go. And once I get on it seems to stay OK.

Now. I just noticed a little while ago that the ACTIVITY & TETHERNET lights on the modem are blinking constantly. Mostly the ACTIVITY light.

I also just see that the INTERNET light on the Router is also blinking in unison.

Now my question is. Do I have a Modem going bad or it there some thing about the OS ?

I am leaning away from a machine problem as the lights still continue to blink will ALL machines off.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

BillyBob

 

I believe that I have narrowed it down to the Modem or a bad cable/connection. ( I could be wrong though )

I just notiiced that the Internet light on the Router is blinking also. It corresponds with the Ethernet light on the Modem.

I unplugged the cable from the Router to the Modem which means all machines are disconnected. Lights still blink.

With further checking last evening I found that I have some sort of a device inbetween the actual cable and the Modem.

I actuall disconnect the cable and the light goes out. This I believe tells me that I may have a flucuating signal.

Also last evening when I checked my E-Mail I got and error message which said something about the Pop server.

Coffee is ready. Will be back later.

BillyBob

 

My DSL (Activity) light usually blinks even when the PC is off. The only lights that shouldn't blink are the Power and Ethernet. The Activity light should blink due to DHCP and ARP protocols continually being broadcast even when the computer is turned off. As long as the light is green that is fine. If your Power or Ethernet lights are flashing then a problem lies in that area. If any of the lights are orange or red then there is definitely a problem. Check your connections including the line coming into the modem. Check the Ethernet card/port if that light is flashing.

 

I agree that the lights should blink.

BUT ! I do not belive they should actually go off. Which my activity light does do. Just like it did when I unpluged the actual Internet cable.

"If your Power or Ethernet lights are flashing then a problem lies in that area. "

My Ethernet light does blink.

Also. I mentioned previously that I get and error message from my E-Mail that says something like " No POP Server. " Also why would E-Mail be OK now but 10 minutes later be useless ?

Also I spoke to a party that lives about a block from me and he is getting completely disconnected several times a day.

But AS USUALL when I call the Cable CO. all is OK. Just like when your car has a problem but is just fine when you take it for service. BTW. THE Cable Tech argeed 100% with that.

Gotta go pick up my Wife. Be back later.

BillyBob

 

I have learned never to believe any tech support at an ISP. Most of them are script readers.

 

Bad & unworthy script.

Back here in India, I have also the same problem. I have a DSL connection and whenever I call the tech support, they take me through the same steps even though I have already done them before calling them. They just don't seem to listen. Anything out of ordinary and you are just left holding the phone for good 15-20 minutes

Seems like an endemic problem to me.

 

Earlier to dau I check E-Mail and got 3/4 messages.

Now I just tried again and got this.

Session encountered errors

Account Bob
Session Details
Session 2/25/06
Started 12:34:35 PM
Finished 12:34:35 PM
Errormessage = " No such host. Ensure that the POP3 server is correct. "

Now. If it was not correct why would it work earlier ? And it worked just fine again. ( 1 more message )

I was talking with a young Gentleman that lives just a block or two from me who is also having problems with gettting knocked off line. HE said he would stop by and check to see if maybe I have missed something.

BillyBob

 

Suggest checking at the ISP website for any particular settings they may recommend. It seems to be having problems connecting or communicating with the ISP's servers.

Since it works "most of the time ", I doubt it will be an actual hardware problem, maybe drivers though (and not very likely, but a cabling problem).

If you have any setup/driver CDs for the internet connection, I would rerun them.

Matt

 

Good COLD morning to all.

We are have a morning temp of 10 degrees like I was used to years back when it was like this for DAYS on end and we dressed for it. And back in those days we would also have snow at least knee deep.

But anyway I can't control that but my PC I should be able to.

Now, about that problem that started this post.

I am WONDERING if it may well be caused by something that Yours Truely ( alias BillyBob ) is doing.

#1-Trying to go from one IE connection to the other too quickly.

#2-Is it possible that I have a connection that does not close down as quickly or cleanly and just will not allow another ? ( hope you understand that. I don't. LOL. )

#3-I ask about the above because when I could not connect with this machine another one would. I THINK, that sort of leaves the cable or Modem out.

I am leaning toward the fact that I may have to pay more attention and slowdown a bit. Or to what sites ( or sequence of ) I go to because once I do get online I can stay for hours.

BillyBob

PS.
If this might be better in another section, please feel free to move it.
BB

 

Something that I just found which may or may not go along with my previous reply.

I was having no problems or error messages until I tried to check my E-Mail with a program named MailWasher.

I immediately got an error message about no POP3 server. Tired again and got the same error.

It had been set to "Assume that I was online." I changed that setting to " Dial up to the Internet." and then it went OK.

Could my problem ( or at least some of it ) be due to using older software with a newer Internet ?

BillyBob

 

I hope I am not just taking up space here. But I feel that in order for other folks to help they need to know these things that I have found. And I do not feel that starting a separate thread would be good either as things do need to be kept together.

As I mentioned in my previous reply I made a setting change in MailWasher. I was just checking things again and I find that when I select Mail Program, which opens Eudora it goes much quicker and smoother.

Also when I think back I may have been checking the mail when I had the problems before.

BillyBob

 

If it works fine on one computer and not the other (Edit: thought you mentioned this), I think I would try removing the email account and remaking it using the same settings as on the good computer. Then, for good measure, uninstall and reinstall any related programs like the mailwasher.

I might not doubt that it may relate to a firewall or antivirus (if it is set to scan email activity). Try disabling the different related programs.

I would tend to agree that seems to be a software related problem.

Matt

 

First and most important. I say Thank You for any and all help.

I did mention that and it is just what made me dig DEEPER into software. Just had to try to figure out which piece of Software might be causing the problem. And as this moment it appears as though it was Mailwasher.

The Activity light on my Modem has calmed down tremendously.

The Ethernet light on the Modem and the Internet light on the Router do blink constantly which I believe they should do. But they are not blinking as fast as they were. And they are also blinking at a steader and smoother rate.

The overall Internet and Mail are working MUCH smoother.

So overall ( at this time anyway ) it looks like I can go back to enjoying this PC instead of fighting with it. Or it fighting with me. Your call.

So in the end I am glad that I did not go out and spend $$$ on something that would not have solved a thing.

BillyBob