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View Full Version : Electricians/Technical: suggestions on my modem issue


DKPeppard
04-11-08, 12:57 PM
Thank you all for taking the time to read through this. Here is my issue. I switched back to Qwest DSL last November, 2007. Since then, I have noticed my DSL modem (M1000 with the W1000 wireless module) resets about once every few days to several times throughout the day. At first I thought it was something Qwest's Central Office (CO) was doing to the circuits, but after further investigation, it appears it is something going on within our house.

I recently discovered, if my modem encounters any type of power surge or fluctuation, the WAN interface resets, which in turn resets the entire modem. This reset is absolutely annoying because it interrupts my Internet while the modem reboots (around 2 minutes), plus my modem requests a new IP address every time, so I have to go and update my DNS records for the web server I run at home. I have now purchased a static IP from Qwest, but still, this constant rebooting of my modem is annoying and obviously a sign of a problem.

I have the modem on an APC UPS, but that does not seem to help. We have a treadmill that is about 3 years old. I discovered any time we use the tread mill, it resets the modem. I have moved the modem to a totally different wall jack, different floors in the house, different circuits in the house, tried using a different UPS, used a surge protector filter on the phone line itself (where you plug one end of the phone line into the surge protector, then use a second line back out to your modem) and nothing is working.

I have used a plug tester to verify every plug I've tried is wired and grounded properly and they all are. I am so frustrated now because the problem is escalating to the point where the modem resets about every few hours now. Just today (4/11/08) it reset at 3:17a (we were asleep with nothing on in the house), then again at 5:57a (about the time my wife used her hair dryer).

What are your thoughts? I don't have any trouble with any other devices in the house. Lights don't flicker so I think the overall house wiring and grounding is good. The house is a 1984 Poulte. Is it possible I have an actual problem with the modem? I've had DSL in the past, using an Actiontec modem before and never recall any problem like this. I've had cable too and had no problems like this. It started when I switched back to DSL and got this new M1000 modem from Qwest.

I am at my wits end and don't want to just go blatantly throw money around without some direction. If you have fully read this, you can see I've tested many different scenarios and different equipment, except for a new modem. To test a new modem, I'd actually have to go buy it, then get it registered with Qwest. I am open to this, but wanted your opinion before I went any further.

Please let me know what other information I can provide and thank your for your time and expertise.

glennb
04-11-08, 01:28 PM
Get a new modem.

DKPeppard
04-11-08, 01:35 PM
Get a new modem.
Thanks for the reply.

I just called Qwest Tech Support and they too thought it was the modem. In fact, the guy seemed quite adamant about it, even stating he helped another person out with this same issue a couple weeks ago and has probably seen 3 modems do this same thing over his last couple years at Qwest.

He stated the WAN port (phone line port) should not be that sensitive to power fluctuations. He stated the modem should not lose its information when it encounters a power fluctuation and reset itself. This behavior indicated a problem with the modem.

He gave me no hassle in replacing the modem, since it was still within the year warranty. He transferred me (to what seemed to be an over-sees rep) to another department for the actual modem replacement and RMA. The modem is being shipped overnight and they confirmed it would be another M1000.

Once I get the new modem, I'll switch it out and we'll see if it makes a difference or not. Man, I HOPE that is the problem! I'll report back once I switch it out.

AlbertZeroK
04-11-08, 04:17 PM
yeah, I agree. The problem with DSL modems is surges come down the phone line all the time and kill them.

DKPeppard
04-14-08, 08:06 AM
Thank you for the replies.

DKPeppard
04-16-08, 10:42 AM
The new modem arrived yesterday, 4/14/08 and I installed it. Was very simple to setup. So far it is fine and things like the treadmill are not resetting it.

I will watch the WAN session timer and see if it stays up. I now have a static IP, so it will be harder to determine if the WAN link reset or not without looking at the actual session timer. Before I got the static, I would get an email from my DirectUpdate software letting me know I had a new IP since the session reset.

I also bought a new Belkin surge protector and hooked the modem power and phone line to it. I'll let you know how it continues going.

helpdeskguy
04-25-08, 06:27 AM
have you had the phone line checked ? i know with cable modems they have certain upstream and downstream receiving levels if these go above or below the thresh hold they will timeout certain timeouts cause a reset the problem is usually in the cable line itself caused from a poor install or to many splits, sometimes replacing the modem will work for a while but if you start to have the same problems i would guess it to be something with the ph line itself

DKPeppard
04-25-08, 08:00 AM
have you had the phone line checked ? i know with cable modems they have certain upstream and downstream receiving levels if these go above or below the thresh hold they will timeout certain timeouts cause a reset the problem is usually in the cable line itself caused from a poor install or to many splits, sometimes replacing the modem will work for a while but if you start to have the same problems i would guess it to be something with the ph line itself
Actually, it has been 11 days since I've had the new modem and it has not reset once. The interface is nice and solid.

Looks like the problem was with the other modem. :bink: