Network Internet Problems
So, my internet connection keeps dropping. Our modem has been giving us trouble every so often since we had a power surge a few years back, but it was never consistent. Apparently it rarely happened while I lived on campus for the last 9 months. But now since I've been home again our connection drops out regularly. Weird thing is, it only happens when I try to do browse the web. It's happened when I connect from either of my computers and when running various operating systems (*nix and windows). For the life of me I can't figure out what could possibly be causing this specific of an issue. I've tried searching but I'm not exactly sure how to word this. I have Charter as my ISP, and I would call their tech support if my name was on the contract, but it's my dad's and he refuses. So, if anyone can help me shed light on this situation I would be very grateful. ^^
Just tell your Dad what is going on, that the router is not working as it should and he is paying a rental fee to the ISP for equipment that is not up to par. There isn't even an argument to be made here, if the router is damaged it needs to be replaced. When your Dad is on the phone he has to know to NOT SPECULATE WHEN OR HOW THE DAMAGE MAY HAVE OCCURED, it doesn't matter to you WHEN or HOW the damage happend, what matters right now is that the ISP's equipment is not functioning at an exceptable level. If you mention anything regarding when it may have happend then they may think they don't need to send someone out because you've put up with it for this long anyway. If you mention how it may have happend they may tell you that your warrenty is void because of x, y and z. Your best option is to not play their guessing game because in the end it's irrelevant. All your Dad has to do is start the conversation and then let the operator know that you will be the one taking over, if the telephone tech has the audacity to ask him why then your Dad should respond "Because I said so". I doubt your Dad wants to be tied up on the phone and if you're willing to put up with the ISP's crap then there is no reason that he should be.
You should be diligent about this first, make sure that it is not due to some equipment failure inbetween your PC and the router. You can do this easiest by plugging directly into the router and running it for a day or two (if you can), if the problem persists let your Dad know that the ISP needs to replace their router. Remember to replace the Cat 5 cable if you have a spare, test with other wireless devices like a smart phone etc. etc. etc. The cable company will want to get you off the phone as often as possible to "Go try this, then call us back" or my personal favorite "You should have your PC checked out by a proffesional, then if nothing is wrong call us back." so just get them out of the way now and save some time.
You should be diligent about this first, make sure that it is not due to some equipment failure inbetween your PC and the router. You can do this easiest by plugging directly into the router and running it for a day or two (if you can), if the problem persists let your Dad know that the ISP needs to replace their router. Remember to replace the Cat 5 cable if you have a spare, test with other wireless devices like a smart phone etc. etc. etc. The cable company will want to get you off the phone as often as possible to "Go try this, then call us back" or my personal favorite "You should have your PC checked out by a proffesional, then if nothing is wrong call us back." so just get them out of the way now and save some time.
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Is your router in an awkward location such as on top of a high shelf? Your connection strength maybe be weak. Try positioning your router closer to your PC/laptop/iMac and see it the connection strength increases. Another potential problem may be with your ISP. Since you specified a power surge, your router may have damaged components, which you cannot fix, so you'll have to obtain another router.
Never call customer services. They all follow scripts which contain solutions to common problems, but not all of them. You may need a new router. Don't forget! If your new router and/or modem supports a CAT6 cable, get one. CAT6's bandwidth is 200MHz whereas CAT5's bandwidth is only 100MHz.
Wazzak
Never call customer services. They all follow scripts which contain solutions to common problems, but not all of them. You may need a new router. Don't forget! If your new router and/or modem supports a CAT6 cable, get one. CAT6's bandwidth is 200MHz whereas CAT5's bandwidth is only 100MHz.
Wazzak
Thanks for the input guys! My dad has been well aware that the modem isn't working right but decided to put off calling for a replacement, but now that we have been having issues with our phones as well (we have both through charter) he's decided it's time to give them a call. He hasn't yet but I hope he does soon.
By the way, I feel inclined to note that my dad is anything but technologically inept. He went to school initially for computer science and knows his his stuff (though since he's been out of the field for almost 30 years he's far behind on the finer details of modern technology).
Thanks again for the input, hopefully we'll get this stuff fixed soon so I can stop stroking out every 15 minutes or so when trying to do anything net related. :P
By the way, I feel inclined to note that my dad is anything but technologically inept. He went to school initially for computer science and knows his his stuff (though since he's been out of the field for almost 30 years he's far behind on the finer details of modern technology).
Thanks again for the input, hopefully we'll get this stuff fixed soon so I can stop stroking out every 15 minutes or so when trying to do anything net related. :P
I used to work construction and signal issues could have come from an external issue as opposed to the actual router/modem itself. Best thing the cable company can do is come out an test voltage on you line. If the signal is weak they can trace it back to the box to see if it is on your end or the cable main end. A lot of times, when excavation occurs, the outside black coating on the cable gets torn off and people either 1.) put vinyl tape on it or 2.) cover it back up. First time it rains, you start to get interference and the signal strength drops. When this occurs, the internet is usually the first thing to go and then two way mode switching for renting movies also won't work.
To verify this, plug your laptop/computer directly into the modem through a cat5. If it works, it is a wireless signal issue. If it doesn't it is a cabling issue. Usually the modem will "flicker" when it is going bad and all the lights will flicker at the same type.
To verify this, plug your laptop/computer directly into the modem through a cat5. If it works, it is a wireless signal issue. If it doesn't it is a cabling issue. Usually the modem will "flicker" when it is going bad and all the lights will flicker at the same type.
@mcrist: We verified it wasn't an issue with the wireless a while back. Sorry, I should have mentioned that.
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