Trouble establishing Internet connectivity after modem power-down

debodun · 07-12-2009, 03:28 AM

During electric storms, I disconnect my modem and computer from the wall power outlets. However, when I re-connect, my modem (RCA model DCM325), I just get one blinking light (Internet) and I can't establish connectivity without making a tech support call to my ISP (Road Runner). One time I had to disconnect the coax cable as well as the power plug, then re-connect them. Another time, I had to press and hold the RESET button in the back for a minute. What could be causing the modem-restart issues? Any further advice about modem use (or not) during lightning storms?

RustyShakelford · 07-13-2009, 04:28 AM

I would call your ISP and get them to send a tech to check your Upstream and Downstream levels and also swap that modem for another. I would also ask them to check the area for noise. You should be able to unplug the power during a storm and simply reconnect it afterwards and you should reconnect with no problem.

RustyShakelford · 07-13-2009, 04:32 AM

I forgot that some modems you can unplug from the wall outlet and also pull the power supply from the back of the modem or router and that will reset it. Some have a power cord with a small box on it that will reset by doing this.

heyimjason · 07-14-2009, 08:09 AM

The first thing I'll point out is that disconnecting the power from your modem won't save you in the event of a lightning strike. Coaxial cable can also conduct electricity (quite well, at that). If you're very paranoid, and you don't have any sort of surge protection, you should disconnect your coax cable as well. Personally, I wouldn't worry about it. I leave my equipment plugged it all the time, and the expensive stuff is on a decent surge protector.

You should call your ISP and ask them what exactly it is that they do each time you call in to get reconnected.
Normally, you plug in a modem, it tries to connect to the ISP, the ISP checks the MAC address to make sure that your modem is provisioned and authorized in their system, and then connectivity is established. On an efficient, working system, this is all done automatically and within 1 minute.

Without knowing what it is they do when you call them (don't be afraid to ask them to give you a very specific answer - tell them a technical friend of yours wants to know), it's sort of hard to determine what's being fixed - and how to prevent it from "breaking" again.

I've heard nothing but complaints about RoadRunner, honestly, so it's possible that they have some lame security (or poor retention) system in place that doesn't "recognize" your modem after X amount of minutes or hours of no connectivity - but that's just a theory.

RustyShakelford · 07-15-2009, 05:07 AM

There is security with Roadrunner that will not recognize your modem after so long. You would have to leave your modem unplugged from coax for over a month for that to happen though. If you are unplugging during a storm and forget to plug back in for a week you are fine. I know the timeframe is about a month or more.

07-12-2009, 03:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
debodun Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 8 OS: Windows 98se	Trouble establishing Internet connectivity after modem power-down During electric storms, I disconnect my modem and computer from the wall power outlets. However, when I re-connect, my modem (RCA model DCM325), I just get one blinking light (Internet) and I can't establish connectivity without making a tech support call to my ISP (Road Runner). One time I had to disconnect the coax cable as well as the power plug, then re-connect them. Another time, I had to press and hold the RESET button in the back for a minute. What could be causing the modem-restart issues? Any further advice about modem use (or not) during lightning storms?

07-13-2009, 04:28 AM	#2 (permalink)
RustyShakelford Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 9 OS: MAC OSX 10.5/XP SP3	Re: Trouble establishing Internet connectivity after modem power-down I would call your ISP and get them to send a tech to check your Upstream and Downstream levels and also swap that modem for another. I would also ask them to check the area for noise. You should be able to unplug the power during a storm and simply reconnect it afterwards and you should reconnect with no problem.

07-13-2009, 04:32 AM	#3 (permalink)
RustyShakelford Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 9 OS: MAC OSX 10.5/XP SP3	Re: Trouble establishing Internet connectivity after modem power-down I forgot that some modems you can unplug from the wall outlet and also pull the power supply from the back of the modem or router and that will reset it. Some have a power cord with a small box on it that will reset by doing this.

07-14-2009, 08:09 AM	#4 (permalink)
heyimjason Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 78 OS: various	Re: Trouble establishing Internet connectivity after modem power-down The first thing I'll point out is that disconnecting the power from your modem won't save you in the event of a lightning strike. Coaxial cable can also conduct electricity (quite well, at that). If you're very paranoid, and you don't have any sort of surge protection, you should disconnect your coax cable as well. Personally, I wouldn't worry about it. I leave my equipment plugged it all the time, and the expensive stuff is on a decent surge protector. You should call your ISP and ask them what exactly it is that they do each time you call in to get reconnected. Normally, you plug in a modem, it tries to connect to the ISP, the ISP checks the MAC address to make sure that your modem is provisioned and authorized in their system, and then connectivity is established. On an efficient, working system, this is all done automatically and within 1 minute. Without knowing what it is they do when you call them (don't be afraid to ask them to give you a very specific answer - tell them a technical friend of yours wants to know), it's sort of hard to determine what's being fixed - and how to prevent it from "breaking" again. I've heard nothing but complaints about RoadRunner, honestly, so it's possible that they have some lame security (or poor retention) system in place that doesn't "recognize" your modem after X amount of minutes or hours of no connectivity - but that's just a theory.

07-15-2009, 05:07 AM	#5 (permalink)
RustyShakelford Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 9 OS: MAC OSX 10.5/XP SP3	Re: Trouble establishing Internet connectivity after modem power-down There is security with Roadrunner that will not recognize your modem after so long. You would have to leave your modem unplugged from coax for over a month for that to happen though. If you are unplugging during a storm and forget to plug back in for a week you are fine. I know the timeframe is about a month or more.