[MatttStubbs]

Hi guys,

Been a while since I was here. Moved around a bit, I see the site has change a little bit. Nice. Anyway, I am in a somewhat rural area and for the most part they only have DSL internet available here. My friend has a really old DSL modem that seems to go on and offline more than enough to be annoying, every so often is not so bad, but it's really bad. If you were online for 30 minutes, you can expect for it to fail at least 5-10 times min. Sometimes more but that's about average.

I have done just about everything that I can think of, software wise - Updated the firmware, check the line, installed some third part tweaks to test out some things...nothing. Called the company and they want 100$ to replace the modem, which I don't agree with because my friend has been a subscriber for about 10 years.

The connection comes back really quick, usually about 30 seconds to a minute, but when it does it 4 or 10 damn times back to back it blows.

A guy I know had some problems at the pole level outside when they built more homes around him. One of the transformers was messing with it suddenly. A guy came out three different times before they finally figured it out.

Short of having them come out and or replacing the modem, do you guys think that filtering my connection through a router that I have would help the problem at all? Like buffer it or anything? I read that the older modems are unable to deal with the new technology traffic and it overwhelms it at times...I have one handy that I carry with me so I was thinking to give it a try.

DSL MODEM: Speedstream 5100 by Efficient Networks.

Router: Verizon Wireless/Wired - Model 7501.

Everything is running Ethernet to the machine.

There are several phones in the home...about 3 I think and only one is on a filter. Could this be a problem? With the others not all being filtered like that? I don't seem to notice a problem if any calls or anything.

Anyway. Any ideas or suggestion would be great.

Thanks Guys.

-m.

[smax013]

MatttStubbs, on 17 December 2011 - 10:55 AM, said:

Hi guys,

Been a while since I was here. Moved around a bit, I see the site has change a little bit. Nice. Anyway, I am in a somewhat rural area and for the most part they only have DSL internet available here. My friend has a really old DSL modem that seems to go on and offline more than enough to be annoying, every so often is not so bad, but it's really bad. If you were online for 30 minutes, you can expect for it to fail at least 5-10 times min. Sometimes more but that's about average.

I have done just about everything that I can think of, software wise - Updated the firmware, check the line, installed some third part tweaks to test out some things...nothing. Called the company and they want 100$ to replace the modem, which I don't agree with because my friend has been a subscriber for about 10 years.

The connection comes back really quick, usually about 30 seconds to a minute, but when it does it 4 or 10 damn times back to back it blows.

A guy I know had some problems at the pole level outside when they built more homes around him. One of the transformers was messing with it suddenly. A guy came out three different times before they finally figured it out.

Short of having them come out and or replacing the modem, do you guys think that filtering my connection through a router that I have would help the problem at all? Like buffer it or anything? I read that the older modems are unable to deal with the new technology traffic and it overwhelms it at times...I have one handy that I carry with me so I was thinking to give it a try.

DSL MODEM: Speedstream 5100 by Efficient Networks.

Router: Verizon Wireless/Wired - Model 7501.

Everything is running Ethernet to the machine.

There are several phones in the home...about 3 I think and only one is on a filter. Could this be a problem? With the others not all being filtered like that? I don't seem to notice a problem if any calls or anything.

Anyway. Any ideas or suggestion would be great.

Thanks Guys.

-m.

As I understand it, you should have a filter on ALL phones...unless the line that goes to the DSL modem is split separately from the line that serves all the phones. So, I would try that and see if it helps.

Otherwise, it either might be time for a new modem or at least have the DSL company come check the line.

[LiveBrianD]

I used to have DSL, and we previously put a filter on all the phones, and later simply put a filter on the incoming phone line outside, having all of the jacks on the 'phone' side of it, and routing a separate cable to the DSL modem in the office from the 'DSL' part of the filter.

[Tunz]

It is quite common for those old Speedstream modems to fail. I would just replace it with another DSL modem like a GT701D for $40 or so. I have found them to be reliable. Hang on to the old Speedstream because the ISP is going to want it back someday if you terminate or change your service.

[gmnelson2009]

A point to remember if you are going to change out the modem, you will need to go into the admin console of your old modem/router and note all line parameters to set up the new one, especially the WAN username and password (your ISP account), if it doesn't show the password (dotted out), see if there is an option to backup the configuration, do it then open the file in notepad and look carefully to find them otherwise you will have to get your ISP to tell you what they are so the new modem can be properly set up to connect to your line.