Connection to cable constantly lost

[MCSE]

I would also post your question to 24hoursupportdesk.help Lots of computer geeks over there.

[MCSE]

Sorryy, that's 24hoursupport.helpdesk

[DerbyDad03]

re: Gadget accessories? Unless I miss your meaning, I don't have any

I believe that Mr. Hwang is referring to the surge supressors, UPS, etc. Calling them "gadgets" might be excessive, but a fairly standard troubleshooting technique is to get the "system" (all components from input to output) down to it's simplest configuration and get it working. If the problem goes away, you can start adding "gadgets" back in to see which one is causing the problem.

In your case, you might want to start with just one computer and the cable modem, then add in the LinkSys router, then add other devices to the router, then add in the surge supressors and UPS's, one at a time.

BTW - and don't take this wrong way, I'm only trying to help...

In various posts, you have used both UBS and USB. I believe you mean UPS as follows:

UPS - Uninterruptible Power Supply, essentially your battery backup system. UBS - An investment firm headquartered in Switzerland USB - Universal Serial Bus, the modern day standard for connecting peripherals to a computer.

[MaryL]

Haven't *you* listened? This all started *before* I had the surge suppressors. It continued through one set of surge suppressors, and these two are *new* -- with the same problem. The SuddenLink tech did not suggest that they were at fault. He was responding to one of my own questions and simply said that the cable company prefers that *no* surge suppressors be used. But he is primarily suspicious of the router. Finally, I have swapped all of the cables on directions from their tech support -- disconnecting from the wall, disconnecting from the surge suppressors, bypassing the router, etc. I was worn out from all the connecting and disconnecting because it is extremely difficult to get to the back of my computer. I even labeled each cord simply because it was so difficult to find the various ends. Nothing worked!

MaryL

[MaryL]

I think that's what I am going to have to try, but that does take me back to my original question - setting up security that I had paid for originally. I know one responder said that's "easy," and I will call LinkSys if the manual doesn't help. The "manual" with my current router was simply a leaflet that showed how to connect it, but there was no information on security. Of course, the router is several years old. Ironically, it is the only component that is not new -- so, the "weak link," I suppose.

Thanks, MaryL

[MaryL]

Yes, I have used them in the past. That should probably be my next step.

Thanks, MaryL

[MaryL]

re: Gadget accessories? Unless I miss your meaning, I don't have any

I believe that Mr. Hwang is referring to the surge supressors, UPS, etc. Calling them "gadgets" might be excessive, but a fairly standard troubleshooting technique is to get the "system" (all components from input to output) down to it's simplest configuration and get it working. If the problem goes away, you can start adding "gadgets" back in to see which one is causing the problem.

In your case, you might want to start with just one computer and the cable modem, then add in the LinkSys router, then add other devices to the router, then add in the surge supressors and UPS's, one at a time.

BTW - and don't take this wrong way, I'm only trying to help...

In various posts, you have used both UBS and USB. I believe you mean UPS as follows:

UPS - Uninterruptible Power Supply, essentially your battery backup system. UBS - An investment firm headquartered in Switzerland USB - Universal Serial Bus, the modern day standard for connecting peripherals to a computer.

You're right, I did mean UPS. "Starting with one computer" is easy. I have a laptop with networking capabilities, but it is seldom used. So, this all relates to my desktop computer. It also started with my previous computer (replaced just a few months ago) and continues with the current computer. All peripherals or "gadgets" are new and have been replaced since the problem started *except* the router. We did bypass the router as a "test." That did not have an effect. Following instructions by phone, I also disconnected the surge protector and used the wall plug. Again, no effect. And you can't imagine how difficult it is for me to do that because I have to crawl on the floor under a very heavy desk to get to the outlet, and it is difficult to see the back of the CPU. That's not a problem that anyone on a newsgroup can alleviate, of course, but it does mean that I get very tired of doing the same thing over and over again as each person I contact instructs me to go through the same routine -- and the results by then are predictable. That is, we still have not eliminated the problem.

Thanks, MaryL

[DerbyDad03]

I did not see a response to something I said earlier:

If, as you stated, you are losing your cable connection also, how could it be your LinkSys router?

Your Cable TV does not go through the LinkSys.

[MaryL]

I did not see a response to something I said earlier:

If, as you stated, you are losing your cable connection also, how could it be your LinkSys router?

Your Cable TV does not go through the LinkSys.

Sorry, I did not mean my cable TV. I meant that I lose the Internet and also lose capability to send or receive e-mail. I use Eudora for e-mail, and of course that needs access to the Internet to function -- so I did not describe it correctly. I go directly to Eudora from the desktop, and I didn't think about the fact that it was really "one and the same" when I wrote that statement. The TV continues to function during those periods.

MaryL

[DerbyDad03]

In an earlier post someone suggested "Replace your dodgy router and be done with the problems."

To which you replied: "I think that's what I am going to have to try."

Then in this post you said: "We did bypass the router as a test. That did not have an effect."

To which I reply: Why would you consider replacing the router if you've proven that it's not the problem?

[MaryL]

In an earlier post someone suggested "Replace your dodgy router and be done with the problems."

To which you replied: "I think that's what I am going to have to try."

Then in this post you said: "We did bypass the router as a test. That did not have an effect."

To which I reply: Why would you consider replacing the router if you've proven that it's not the problem?

Because it's the only thing I can think of to do and it is the only component that has not been replaced since all of this started (and the reason I posted my original message). Despite the fact that bypassing the router -- and even the SuddenLink cable guy did that when it finally malfunctioned while he was present -- he still says that he suspects the router. I don't know quite how to describe it, but he talked about being able to ping a router and have it work on some occasions but not on others. Actually, bypassing the router -- and also disconnecting *everything* from the wall -- sometimes works and sometimes has no effect at all. Sometimes, it is a matter of minutes before I regain connectivity and sometimes it is hours. I just can't find a pattern. SuddenLink claims that their tests show that the cable connections are working. Incidentally, the only time when I can *almost* predict that I will lose a connection (that is, it happens frequently but not always) is when I send a large e-mail, which I need to do frequently for a newsletter. That will go slowly and then the problem often occurs. It is not simply a timeout because I lose all access. However, even that is not consistent, and I also will sometimes have the same problem simply by surfing the Internet. I'm even beginning to wonder if I need to consider DSL instead of cable.

MaryL

[DerbyDad03]

.

All I can say is that if you are able to consistantly duplicate the problem with the LinkSys router disconnected, then I don't care if it's a month old or 400 years old - it's not the problem.

Well, OK, I'll say one more thing: If the SuddenLink tech took the router out of the circuit, experienced the problem and then said he still suspects the router, he's a friggin' idiot. Blaming a router that is not connected to anything is akin to blaming the refrigerator, your mini-van or the neighbor's goldfish. You might as well replace them all to see if it helps.

[Norminn]

What make/model are the computer? What version of Windows? Tried changing out antenna?

[MaryL]

I am currently using a Dell Inspiron 530 and Vista Home Premium. Vista is full version, not OEM. HP w2408h widescreen color monitor Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 3200 Laser keyboard and mouse combo

However, the problem started more than a year ago (and has gotten noticeably worse over time). At that time, I was using a Compaq Presario T8000 and Win XP-Home Edition. Corded Microsoft mouse.

I also a HP Pavilion dv6830us notebook computer with Vista Home Premium (OEM). However, this computer is rarely used at home, so it is usually not turned on. It is primarily used for travel.

Connection to the Internet (for several years) is by cable. Origially Cox, now SuddenLink.

What antenna?

MaryL

[Bob F]

I have revived one router by re-flashing its memory as someone else suggested. You will have to re-configure it after this process. There should be clear instructions for each of these processes on the manufacturer's website.

[Bob F]

If you end up buying a new router, again, check the menufacturer's site for instruction for configuring it securely.

[HeyBub]

Forget it. She'll go to hell with a broken back before she'll unplug the surge suppressors.

[MaryL]

Why don't you read some of my messages? THAT HAS BEEN DONE MANY TIMES, AND THE SUPPRESSORS HAVE EVEN BEEN CHANGED FOR NEW ONES (WHICH CERTAINLY REQUIRED "UNPLUGGING"). Just how many times do you think I need to do that? I have to crawl under a large, very heavy desk just to get to the outlet.

Please feel free not to offer any more suggestions.

MaryL

[The Daring Dufas]

We had a problem at the office with our cable Internet. The TV worked but The Internet was fouled up. The cure was to replace about 70' of cable.

TDD

[westom1]

You have an intermittent. Therefore if you bypass the router - connect direct to the cable box - well that intermittent is not causing failure. Therefore the test says nothing useful.

He had baseband numbers. Almost nobody here knows what is being measured - probably not even the technician. Numbers that mean nothing to him (other than they must be so large) or to you, also means that the next reply could be massively informative to the only person here who knows what they mean. If you short your help of information, then you get useless replies based in speculation.

Ok. TV cuts out periodically. You did not list which channel numbers cut out and which do not. So little is learned there.

Only Eudora fails on the internet? You mean another Window on that computer using Internet Explorer still accesses web sites while the first Window with Eudora does not? Yes, have multiple Windows open simultaneously (multitasking) so that both tasks access the internet at the same time. Then we have a serious fact to isolate the intermittent and make a useful reply.

Previous posts suggested using Ping. This is a test that even a 10 year old has performed. Open another Windows using Command Prompt. Enter the ping command as recommended to constantly ping that laptop (obviously laptop also connected to your network). Do same on the laptop to ping the Desktop. Leave those Windows open and pinging constantly. When Eudora does not access the internet, do those two pinging programs see a failure or do they still work constantly.

We must break an intermittent down into what works during failure and what does not. Ping tests when the intermittent is not happening tell us nothing. Everything in this post and in my previous posts is routinely performed by any adult. But some adults have never done it before - therefore assume it is too complex. It is not too complex even for a teenager. No fancy equipment is required. Anybody can do what was posted. But many so love to fear as to fear to even try. Ping comes on all computers. Set it up and do the test. The idea that you cannot only comes from silly fear - the reason why so many cannot learn.

You have right here the best help you could ever want. But you are shorting your help of facts. And leaving your help with gapping holes that result in replies based upon assumptions. If we must add assumptions, then the reply can be completely misguided. If you want to solve this, then every question - especially the ones you fear most

- must be answered.

As posted previously, setup the desktop and laptop to ping each other constantly so they will be pinging (or failing) during the intermittent. List the TV channels that fail and do not fail intermittently - also no tools required. UPS does nothing for this problem. Its only function is to provide power during a blackout as posted previously. UPS and protectors do not solve anything related to your current frustration and, if connected to the cable, may even make problems worse. As posted previously and which is why the cable company so accurately recommends it, remove those protectors.

Never got back under the heavy desk to reconnect them. They do nothing useful. Never again connect them (against advise from every technically knowledgeable poster) only after the problem is solved. They can only make things worse. So once they are disconnected, you never again need to go behind the desk.

Finally, when Eudora does not work, does another Window on the same computer still access a web site? Another important question (and test) so that the best help you could ever ask for can post something helpful. No reason to go anywhere else. The problem is not 'where' you are posting. The problem: you are shorting your help of facts - not answering every question. If you don't answer all those questions, then the only replies will be from others who know only by wild speculation. And if you don't understand the question, then ask. Some recommendations are intentionally posted short so that your help can judge whether or not your really want to solve the problem. You don't ask for clarification, then you only want the wizard of Oz - not a solution.

You have an intermittent. Therefore the easiest recommendation typically solves nothing. That is the nature of intermittents. Your tech even saw the problem - and could not identify it? Well, he did only what techs understand. He did not have someone like me to talk him through the next obvious steps.

BTW, is your cable grounded to the same earthing electrode as the AC electric? Connected where both enter the building. Again, that observation is easily performed by anyone. If not, then that can contribute to your problem AND is a safety code violation. Remember that previously posted expression 'canary in the coalmine'? A human safety problem. Just another concept that cable techs either forget to check or never learned.

You posted:

I keep saying you are shorting your help of facts. You never said that before. Now I must assume you are not sure or ... well look. What exactly was connected to what when the cable guy saw the intermittent happen? Suddenly we discovered the router was not connected when failure happened? If that was true, then the cable guy did not suspect the router. Why did he suspect the router when it was not connected during the failure? You did not say why which means we are all adding assumptions to your posts. Just another reason why useful replies are not forthcoming.

You said you tried everything you could think of. But one who has far more technical knowledge than you, the cable guy, or most other responders said to check the cable and AC electric share a common ground. Why do you ignore that suggestion? Because you 'know' that could not be a problem? Again, stop shorting your help of necessary facts.

Provided again are things that you next post should answer such as the pinging test, never connecting that UPS or protectors until long after the problem is identified (yes identified - because fixing it comes later), and list of TV channels.

Look. You only think the surge protectors are doing anything because they are entitled 'surge protectors'. As posted previously - they do not even claim to provide surge protection. They are only protectors

- not protection. How many people keep posting to remove all those protectors and UPS - and never connect them again until the problem is solved? The problem is not your replies. Problem starts by you making conclusions that only make a solution impossible - such as reconnecting those surge protectors. The fact that you have those surge protectors says you don't have the necessary basic knowledge. Stop shorting your help of facts. Stop making the problem potentially worse and impossible to solve by reconnecting those protectors and UPS.

Earlier in this post are numerous tests, list of numbers, and inspections. All must be done. If you really want to solve the problem, then you never reconnect those protection AND you do what is posted. You do it because it makes no sense to you =96 which means it is probably the best solution you have.