frequent DSL disconnects

Not sure whether this should go under hardware or Internet because I don't know what is causing the problem.

Over the past month, I have begun experiencing frequent, but intermittent, "disconnects" in my DSL service. I will be on the Internet and suddenly I get "page not found." When that happens, I look at my DSL modem and the Ethernet light is out. There is no particular pattern to when the disconnects occur. I may have been on the Internet for a couple of hours with no problem or I may have been on for 5 or 10 minutes. The DSL may go off and on or it may just stay off. The disconnects may be a few seconds in duration or much longer. I have tried clicking again, closing and reopening browser, rebooting, and unplugging/plugging DSL modem. Sometimes Internet access returns, but did any of these actions cause it to happen?

My Westell 2110 Dual Connect DSL modem has 3 lights: power, ready, and Ethernet. First two remain steadily lit (unless the modem is unplugged); Ethernet light remains steadily lit for awhile, but also blinks frequently even when a browser is not open. It will also go out completely for periods of time, on or off Internet.

My computer runs Windows XP, has up-to-date virus protection and a firewall. I have called tech support at my DSL provider and my computer manufacturer multiple times. Each time there is a different theory, but all agree on one thing: it’s not their fault.

The theories:
1. My network card is malfunctioning.
2. When the Ethernet light blinks even when not on Internet, it means that a "Trojan virus" that’s going around has infected my computer and has corrupted my files. Will see no evidence of it, but it affects DSL.
3. When the Ethernet light blinks even when not on Internet, it means that there’s something wrong with a cable or my computer.
4. There’s a problem with the ISP.

What I have tried:
1. Removed modem plug from surge protector and plugged directly into outlet.
2. Replaced Ethernet cable from modem to computer. This is the first thing I tried, before calling any tech support.
3. From command prompt, pinged, released and renewed, flushed dns "“ many many times.
4. In the Local Area Connection in My Network Places, clicked repair IP address.
5. Uninstalled and reinstalled Ethernet/network card "“ twice.
6. Reinstalled Windows.
7. Run my antivirus program multiple times over the past few weeks and found no evidence of any virus.
8. Connected to a different DSL provider through someone else’s modem. Had no problem while connected.

Could it be the modem that the ISP provided? I asked tech support, but they said no . . .

Help???!

 

IMO It's either the modem or your ISP. I'd ask for another modem. if that didn't take care of it, i'd be looking for another provider. Their tech support must be pretty good to say no without checking out the modem. I think I must be on my 4th cable modem in the last 6 yrs.

 

You don't give a location. You don't give a provider name. It could be your modem. But most likely it's in the provider/telephone compoany loop. If the provider isn't your telephone company, then it's leasing lines. You'll probably not get a straight answer from either of them.

 

The DSL and telephone service provider is Verizon. The one thing that they didn't blame was the telephone line.

 

Hi,

If you can set it up on another computer, preferably with a different ethernet card, it would rule out your computer, a virus, Windows, etc. It would then point to the modem, the phone line or the ISP.

Matt

 

lee2000
I have dialup dsl and get disconnected for inactivity if I forget to start norton's "keepalive" which pings their page periodically. There are free web pages that do the same

 

Hi lee2000

I have the same setup as sparrow...dialup DSL, but instead of the supplied "Connect Software ", I use a Linksys Router (BEFSR41). It also has a "Keep Alive" feature...I very rarely get disconnected.

 

DSL is designed to be always on. But it has its downtimes for various reasons. Stragely enough, when my service goes down one of the best ways for me to reconnect with DSL is to log on with dialup. I don't have to surf. Just log on. After the dialup connection is made, I log off. I then launch the DSL and I'm connected again!

 

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My Westell 2110 Dual Connect DSL modem has 3 lights: power, ready, and Ethernet. First two remain steadily lit (unless the modem is unplugged); Ethernet light remains steadily lit for awhile, but also blinks frequently even when a browser is not open. It will also go out completely for periods of time, on or off Internet.


At times, the DSL modem might be bad while the three lights shows as usual. My opinion is, do try another DSL Modem. I think it is a hardware problem....

 

That may be so but with our ISP, they supply their customers with the EnterNet 300 software package that needs to be installed first to connect to the Internet and the Efficent Networks SpeedStream 5260 DSL modem. Users then can connect or disconnect as they choose. I don't use the supplied software anymore as I use my router.