DSL help needed

[ayrton]

For the past couple weeks my internet service has gotten slower and slower and at times stops completely and the red light on the modem comes on. I've talked to my provider and they walked me though some steps with no success. They say they are looking into the problem...yeah right. Could I have a virus or something? Nothing has been picked up by Microsoft Security Essentials, or Spybot or Malwarebytes. Most other programs run OK. Any suggestions?

 

[Nasty_Deeds]

For the past couple weeks my internet service has gotten slower and slower and at times stops completely and the red light on the modem comes on. I've talked to my provider and they walked me though some steps with no success. They say they are looking into the problem...yeah right. Could I have a virus or something? Nothing has been picked up by Microsoft Security Essentials, or Spybot or Malwarebytes. Most other programs run OK. Any suggestions?

If the red lights are on, it is more likely your internet provider, or on the wire somewhere going to your provider. Or it could be the modem its self, but you provider should have detected that when you called them. It will probably come back on soon.

 

[ayrton]

I wasn't clear. The red light eventually goes off and I have service again...just very slow. We unplugged the modem and rebooted everything but today is just as slow as before.

 

[OzoneRed]

Does your modem have more than one light? And do the lights have labels?
Do you have a manual for your modem? Or, did a help file come with the DSL software?
Is there a diagnostic program associated with the DSL software?

There's a known problem with my DSL software and WindowsXP, a storage leak. I have to re-boot the computer every week or so, or everything slows way down.

 

[silverwhisper]

ayrton, is there any chance your modem needs a firmware update?

ozonered quoth:
i have to re-boot the computer every week or so, or everything slows way down.

dude, are you sure that's your modem causing the drop in performance? cuz i thought windows gets crotchety if left up for days on end.

ed

 

[ayrton]

My modem has 5 lights...power, ethernet, USB, DSL, and Internet. The internet light is the one that turns red.

 

[Nasty_Deeds]

My modem has 5 lights...power, ethernet, USB, DSL, and Internet. The internet light is the one that turns red.

Still sounds like a provider problem. I can't think of anything that your computer can do that would affect your modem as you describe.

 

[ShyGuy68]

To me it also sounds like your provider have a problem, or the modem is in need of an replacement. Did your ISP ask you to try to disconnect and reconnect it to the power?

You can also try to do a search on-line for the modems manufacture and it's type, and find a manual for it, in it you should be able to read what the red light means.

 

[NippleMuncher]

We're about as far from a hub as you can get and still get service, and periodically our speed goes into the toilet as well. Sometimes unplugging the phone line coming into the house seems to fix the problem. For whatever reason, rain will trigger slower service until the line is unplugged and reset.

If that doesn't take care of the problem, it's usually on the provider side because they are forever fucking with the connections and cables out at the street. All it takes is one technician to fuck things up, then a dozen others follow behind and compound the problem.

Sometimes the provider gets a bug up their ass to crimp the throttle on your service. It could be an error, it could be that a limited time offer has expired, who knows.

If none of that works, you need a bigger fucking hammer!

 

[The Gimp]

About a year ago I switched from DSL to cable because I was having the exact same problem. Technicians came out to the house a half dozen times before the last guy admitted that my house was too far from the home station to maintain a reliable signal. If you have repeated problems with the lights on the modem, then there is a 99% chance that it is an external problem.

Make it clear to your ISP that if they can't give you reliable service right now, that you will take your business elsewhere.

 

[ayrton]

I got a phone call from my ISP saying they located the problem. Seems to be running much better now. Hope it continues. Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[silverwhisper]

ayrton, did you ever learn what the issue was from our ISP?

ed

 

[ayrton]

No I didn't. What I received was like an automated courtesy call saying my issues should be resolved.

 

[Bottomlover]

I had a similar problem several years ago, and the provider told me it was caused by squirrels. They fixed it quickly.

 

[ayrton]

Well, I spoke too soon. The problem came back last night. Service slowed to a stop and the red light came on again. I'll have to call the provider again, but don't have much faith in their ability to help. What's weird is that is happens at almost the same time of day everytime. Between 7 and 8 PM Central time.

 

[silverwhisper]

your ISP's got serious transparency issues, ayrton. sorry to hear it's recurred. i wonder if maybe you don't have a neighbor or 3 who are getting home around that time and chewing up all the bandwidth.

ed