Troubleshooting DSL Connection

Mr. Fed · 09-28-2002, 01:40 PM

This forum looks great! Glad I found it.

I'm hoping someone might have words of advice about a DSL connection problem. I have a Dell computer running Win XP, connected through an ethernet card to a SpeedStream 5260 ADSL Lan Modem to Earthlink DSL. For about 2-3 years this setup gave me no trouble whatsover, even when I upgraded to XP.

Earlier this year, though, I bought my wife an iMac and hooked it to the same modem. I jerry-rigged it at first -- put a splitter on the back of the modem and fed the lines from both computers into it -- and it worked fine for a while. Dumb, I know. But maybe four months ago, we began having increasingly persistent problems and outages. The DSL works fine for a while -- like today -- but then hangs; the DSL light on the front of the modem blinks red, and the connection works haltingly if at all. Often it works on and off for about 30 seconds at a time for long periods.

I got marginally smarter and had a router installed by a pro (which I am not, as if you hadn't guessed already) and had him configure the computers. Everything was fine for a few days, then back to the same. Now the connection is again failing frequently, with the red DSL light blinking on the modem. I notice that it does this even when I'm not using the connection, and even when I'm not using the computer. It may be my imagination, but it seems to happen less often when I'm not on the Dell but my wife is on the iMac.

Any words of advice about troubleshooting or where to start looking before I haul a professional in to do it? Novice-level advice would be appreciated -- I knew everything there was to know about the Commodore 2000 and even the Apple IIe, but I've fallen behind since.

Thanks.

johnwill · 09-29-2002, 12:28 PM

First off, I'd call the service provider, since it sounds like you have an issue with your DSL service. I suspect this is something you may not be able to fix on your own...

**Drupy** · 09-29-2002, 06:48 PM

I would call the company that installed the router. Tell them whats happening then let them decide if it's on their end or not. It could very well be on the DSL end however if it's by some chance on your end I'd be looking for someone to warranty their work.

**gotissues68** · 09-29-2002, 07:33 PM

I would contact Earthlink or the telco providing the service. Working for a DSL ISP and working with the telco's it sounds like your physical ADSL connection is dropping, which is either an equipment issue with the speedstream and it needs to be RMA'd or your physical connection (premise to DSLAM) is having quality issues. I'm not sure if either Netopia (I think they do the speedstream) ships any diagnostic software, but you could certainly check with earthlink to see if they see any errors passing on the line. I hope this helps.

09-28-2002, 01:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
Mr. Fed Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 2 OS: Win XP	Troubleshooting DSL Connection This forum looks great! Glad I found it. I'm hoping someone might have words of advice about a DSL connection problem. I have a Dell computer running Win XP, connected through an ethernet card to a SpeedStream 5260 ADSL Lan Modem to Earthlink DSL. For about 2-3 years this setup gave me no trouble whatsover, even when I upgraded to XP. Earlier this year, though, I bought my wife an iMac and hooked it to the same modem. I jerry-rigged it at first -- put a splitter on the back of the modem and fed the lines from both computers into it -- and it worked fine for a while. Dumb, I know. But maybe four months ago, we began having increasingly persistent problems and outages. The DSL works fine for a while -- like today -- but then hangs; the DSL light on the front of the modem blinks red, and the connection works haltingly if at all. Often it works on and off for about 30 seconds at a time for long periods. I got marginally smarter and had a router installed by a pro (which I am not, as if you hadn't guessed already) and had him configure the computers. Everything was fine for a few days, then back to the same. Now the connection is again failing frequently, with the red DSL light blinking on the modem. I notice that it does this even when I'm not using the connection, and even when I'm not using the computer. It may be my imagination, but it seems to happen less often when I'm not on the Dell but my wife is on the iMac. Any words of advice about troubleshooting or where to start looking before I haul a professional in to do it? Novice-level advice would be appreciated -- I knew everything there was to know about the Commodore 2000 and even the Apple IIe, but I've fallen behind since. Thanks.

09-29-2002, 06:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
Drupy Stuck in a treestand.... Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Lancaster SC Posts: 928 OS: Win 2003 Server on my Apple IIe	I would call the company that installed the router. Tell them whats happening then let them decide if it's on their end or not. It could very well be on the DSL end however if it's by some chance on your end I'd be looking for someone to warranty their work. __________________ BJH Trust me I think I know what I'm talking about! If not I can BS my way through it. A+, NET+, MCP,MCSA,CCNA,BS+ (OK for everyone not knowing! BS+ = Bull S#@ter +)

09-29-2002, 12:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 28,057 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	First off, I'd call the service provider, since it sounds like you have an issue with your DSL service. I suspect this is something you may not be able to fix on your own...

09-29-2002, 07:33 PM	#4 (permalink)
gotissues68 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vancouver Washington, Mountain View CA and Atlanta GA you pick the week! Posts: 716 OS: Linux/FreeBSD	I would contact Earthlink or the telco providing the service. Working for a DSL ISP and working with the telco's it sounds like your physical ADSL connection is dropping, which is either an equipment issue with the speedstream and it needs to be RMA'd or your physical connection (premise to DSLAM) is having quality issues. I'm not sure if either Netopia (I think they do the speedstream) ships any diagnostic software, but you could certainly check with earthlink to see if they see any errors passing on the line. I hope this helps.