Basic Internet Connectivity And Modem Help

[emhill57]

My internet connection will just drop.  This happens on average about 3 to 4 times within a 3 hour period.  I have a Belkin F5D8236 wireless router.

Tracert info:

Tracing route to a1526.g.akamai.net [24.143.193.11]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

  1    <1 ms    <1 ms    <1 ms  . [192.168.2.1]
  2    10 ms     8 ms    10 ms  73.28.152.1
  3     9 ms     7 ms    10 ms  ge-1-38-sr01.florence.al.hunts.comcast.net [68.8
5.227.177]
  4    22 ms     8 ms    11 ms  te-8-2-ar01.huntsville.al.hunts.comcast.net [68.
85.227.205]
  5    22 ms    18 ms    18 ms  te-9-4-ar01.nashville.tn.nash.comcast.net [68.85
.232.109]
  6    36 ms    25 ms    31 ms  pos-0-6-0-0-cr01.chicago.il.ibone.comcast.net [6
8.86.90.69]
  7    29 ms    31 ms    31 ms  pos-0-3-0-0-pe01.350ecermak.il.ibone.comcast.net
 [68.86.86.158]
  8   107 ms    32 ms    30 ms  75.149.230.202
  9    51 ms    35 ms    29 ms  ae-1-0.cr0.chi30.tbone.rr.com [66.109.6.154]
 10    57 ms    71 ms    47 ms  ae-2-0.cr0.dfw10.tbone.rr.com [66.109.6.22]
 11    47 ms    49 ms    75 ms  ae-1-0.cr0.atl20.tbone.rr.com [66.109.6.37]
 12    48 ms    43 ms    43 ms  ae-0-0.pr0.atl20.tbone.rr.com [66.109.6.171]
 13    44 ms    48 ms    44 ms  24.143.193.11

Trace complete.

Ping data:

Pinging a1526.g.akamai.net [208.51.221.50] with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 208.51.221.50: bytes=32 time=60ms TTL=54
Reply from 208.51.221.50: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54
Reply from 208.51.221.50: bytes=32 time=60ms TTL=54
Reply from 208.51.221.50: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=54
Reply from 208.51.221.50: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54
Reply from 208.51.221.50: bytes=32 time=60ms TTL=54
Reply from 208.51.221.50: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54
Reply from 208.51.221.50: bytes=32 time=60ms TTL=54
Reply from 208.51.221.50: bytes=32 time=59ms TTL=54
Reply from 208.51.221.50: bytes=32 time=60ms TTL=54
Reply from 208.51.221.50: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54
Reply from 208.51.221.50: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54
Reply from 208.51.221.50: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54
Reply from 208.51.221.50: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54
Reply from 208.51.221.50: bytes=32 time=60ms TTL=54
Reply from 208.51.221.50: bytes=32 time=61ms TTL=54
Reply from 208.51.221.50: bytes=32 time=60ms TTL=54
Reply from 208.51.221.50: bytes=32 time=65ms TTL=54
Reply from 208.51.221.50: bytes=32 time=60ms TTL=54
Reply from 208.51.221.50: bytes=32 time=62ms TTL=54
Reply from 208.51.221.50: bytes=32 time=64ms TTL=54

Ping statistics for 208.51.221.50:
    Packets: Sent = 21, Received = 21, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
    Minimum = 59ms, Maximum = 65ms, Average = 61ms

I will be working and the internet connection light on my router will go out and then turn to blinking yellow (which denotes no internet connection).  After anywhere from 1 to 15 minutes it will reconnect.  Sometimes I will just power the router off and back on to reset it.

Is there a setting in my router that needs to be changed or removed?  I read on another site something concerning DNS relay but I could not find that setting anywhere on this routher.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[EG]

What are the modem's indicator lights doing when this happens ? Can you also please post the modem's signal stat figures as requested in the sticky troubleshooting topics at the top of the forum page.

[citrus]

Also can be a router firmware  problem in not handling its buffer/cache correctly.

I have a dlink dir628 & had thought that the problem was the modem; but tried just to reboot the router works in clearing the router's cache & no disconnects for a couple of days until a reboot is needed.  The router reboot (unplug/plug) let me continue on with my browsing at the same webpage.

The dlink problem was know for several months, but supposedly the "latest" firmware that I updated last night is the fix for the router problem; will find out with lots of surfing the nest few days to see if I still need to power-out the router every couple of days.

I used to have a netgear fv114 that had the same "internet" disconnect & netgear didn't fix the problem as it was at the "end-of-life".  Have read about other routers having the modem/router disconnects which, I think, happens with too much "surfing"/browsing with lots of websites for info.

[EG]

N.M. Withdrawn.

Message Edited by EG on 02-17-2010 01:40 PM

[emhill57]

RF Parameters
Downstream
Frequency	117 MHz	Power	3 dBmV
Signal to Noise Ratio	37 dB	Modulation	QAM256
Upstream
Frequency	30 MHz	Power	47 dBmV
Upstream Data Rate	2560 Ksym/sec	Modulation	QAM16

Status
System uptime	0 days 01h:28m:50s
Computers detected	1
CM Status	Operational
WAN Isolation	OFF
Time and Date	Wed Feb 17 18:51:56 2010

Interface Parameters
Interface Name : LANCABLEMTA
Provisioned	Enabled	State	Up
Speed	100 Mbps	MAC address	00-10-95-ff-ff-fe

[EG]

RF signal stats are o/k. What about the indicator lights ? What do they do ? Can you please also post the entries from the modem's error log. They may provide additional clues.

[emhill57]

 I have yet to be in my computer room when the internet is down since starting this thread.  Will try to get that ASAP.

Thanks for all the help!

Error log:

Date/Time	Event ID	Event Level	Description
02/18/2010 00.10	69010200	06	SW Download INIT - Via Config file d11_v_dhg536_speedtier_c02.cm
02/17/2010 17.23	69010200	06	SW Download INIT - Via Config file d11_v_dhg536_speedtier_c02.cm
02/16/2010 23.26	69010200	06	SW Download INIT - Via Config file d11_v_dhg536_speedtier_c02.cm
02/16/2010 19.52	69010200	06	SW Download INIT - Via Config file d11_v_dhg536_speedtier_c02.cm
02/16/2010 17.39	69010200	06	SW Download INIT - Via Config file d11_v_dhg536_speedtier_c02.cm
02/15/2010 23.27	69010200	06	SW Download INIT - Via Config file d11_v_dhg536_speedtier_c02.cm
02/15/2010 14.13	69010200	06	SW Download INIT - Via Config file d11_v_dhg536_speedtier_c02.cm
02/15/2010 11.13	69010200	06	SW Download INIT - Via Config file d11_v_dhg536_speedtier_c02.cm
02/15/2010 02.28	69010200	06	SW Download INIT - Via Config file d11_v_dhg536_speedtier_c02.cm
02/14/2010 23.48	69010200	06	SW Download INIT - Via Config file d11_v_dhg536_speedtier_c02.cm
02/14/2010 21.05	69010200	06	SW Download INIT - Via Config file d11_v_dhg536_speedtier_c02.cm
02/14/2010 18.03	69010200	06	SW Download INIT - Via Config file d11_v_dhg536_speedtier_c02.cm
02/14/2010 13.13	69010200	06	SW Download INIT - Via Config file d11_v_dhg536_speedtier_c02.cm
01/01/1970 00.01	84000100	03	SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire QAM/QPSK symbol timing
01/01/1970 00.00	82000400	03	Received Response to Broadcast Maintenance Request, But no Unicast Maintenance opportunities received - T4 timeout
01/01/1970 00.00	82000400	03	Received Response to Broadcast Maintenance Request, But no Unicast Maintenance opportunities received - T4 timeout
01/01/1970 00.00	82000400	03	Received Response to Broadcast Maintenance Request, But no Unicast Maintenance opportunities received - T4 timeout
01/01/1970 00.00	82000400	03	Received Response to Broadcast Maintenance Request, But no Unicast Maintenance opportunities received - T4 timeout
01/01/1970 00.00	82000400	03	Received Response to Broadcast Maintenance Request, But no Unicast Maintenance opportunities received - T4 timeout
01/01/1970 00.00	82000200	03	No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
01/01/1970 00.00	82000200	03	No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
01/01/1970 00.00	82000200	03	No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
01/01/1970 00.00	82000200	03	No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
01/01/1970 00.00	82000200	03	No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
01/01/1970 00.00	82000200	03	No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
01/01/1970 00.00	82000200	03	No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
01/01/1970 00.00	82000200	03	No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
01/01/1970 00.00	82000200	03	No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
01/01/1970 00.00	82000200	03	No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
01/01/1970 00.00	82000200	03	No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
01/01/1970 00.00	82000200	03	No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
01/01/1970 00.00	82000200	03	No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out

[EG]

Is the modem make and model indeed a Thomson/RCA DHG536 eMTA ? All of these entries that show firmware downloads on different days at different times should not be happening so often:

>>"SW Download INIT - Via Config file d11_v_dhg536_speedtier_c02.cm"

These really shouldn't but can cause short lapses of connectivity. Maybe you need to get the device swapped for something else. You really should rule out the router as being the cause of the issue by temporarily connecting a machine directly to the eMTA (you need to use the reset button on the rear of it each time that you change devices that are being directly connected to it), and if it still happens, you'll know it's not the router.

[emhill57]

The modem is an RCA DHG536C.  I was here when it went down.  The lights on the modem stayed consistent but the router internet connectivity light went out.  After the light came back on I looked at the event log and sure enough there was the software download again right when the internet dropped.

Should I call COMCAST?  If so, what number would I call?  800-COMCAST?

Thanks for all the help!!!!!

[EG]

Try posting this issue at the Comcast Direct Forum over at The DSLR/BBR forums and asking ComcastSteve or ComcastGeorge for help:

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/comcastdirect

Message Edited by EG on 02-18-2010 11:20 PM

[lunski]

hill,

i am not seeing any issues.

is this still occuring?

[emhill57]

Yes...happened last night.  The connection dropped and right after I checked the modem's event log and the software update entry was there at exactly the time the connection dropped:

SW Download INIT - Via Config file d11_v_dhg536_speedtier_c02.cm  

Could this be the cause?  It happens 2-3 times in a 4 hour period.  Is there something I can do on my end?

Thanks!!!

Message Edited by emhill57 on 02-19-2010 11:43 AM

[emhill57 · Accepted solution]

It is not happening quite as often now.  It was happening every few hours.  Now looks like about 12 hours between software update attempt.  That it acceptable, I guess.  Still don't know what it is attempting to update.

02/20/2010 23.57	69010200	06	SW Download INIT - Via Config file d11_v_dhg536_speedtier_c02.cm
02/20/2010 19.18	69010200	06	SW Download INIT - Via Config file d11_v_dhg536_speedtier_c02.cm
02/20/2010 12.37	69010200	06	SW Download INIT - Via Config file d11_v_dhg536_speedtier_c02.cm
02/19/2010 23.35	69010200	06	SW Download INIT - Via Config file d11_v_dhg536_speedtier_c02.cm
02/19/2010 13.30	82000500	03	Started Unicast Maintenance Ranging - No Response received - T3 time-out
02/19/2010 11.17	69010200	06	SW Download INIT - Via Config file d11_v_dhg536_speedtier_c02.cm
02/19/2010 03.41	69010200	06	SW Download INIT - Via Config file d11_v_dhg536_speedtier_c02.cm
02/18/2010 20.29	69010200	06	SW Download INIT - Via Config file d11_v_dhg536_speedtier_c02.cm
02/18/2010 16.35	69010200	06	SW Download INIT - Via Config file d11_v_dhg536_speedtier_c02.cm
02/18/2010 12.32	69010200	06	SW Download INIT - Via Config file d11_v_dhg536_speedtier_c02.cm
02/18/2010 00.10	69010200	06	SW Download INIT - Via Config file d11_v_dhg536_speedtier_c02.cm
02/17/2010 17.23	69010200	06	SW Download INIT - Via Config file d11_v_dhg536_speedtier_c02.cm
02/16/2010 23.26	69010200	06	SW Download INIT - Via Config file d11_v_dhg536_speedtier_c02.cm
02/16/2010 19.52	69010200	06	SW Download INIT - Via Config file d11_v_dhg536_speedtier_c02.cm
01/01/1970 00.01	84000200	03	SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire FEC framing
01/01/1970 00.00	82000200	03	No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
01/01/1970 00.00	82000200	03	No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
01/01/1970 00.00	82000400	03	Received Response to Broadcast Maintenance Request, But no Unicast Maintenance opportunities received - T4 timeout
01/01/1970 00.00	82000400	03	Received Response to Broadcast Maintenance Request, But no Unicast Maintenance opportunities received - T4 timeout
01/01/1970 00.00	82000400	03	Received Response to Broadcast Maintenance Request, But no Unicast Maintenance opportunities received - T4 timeout
01/01/1970 00.00	82000400	03	Received Response to Broadcast Maintenance Request, But no Unicast Maintenance opportunities received - T4 timeout
01/01/1970 00.00	82000400	03	Received Response to Broadcast Maintenance Request, But no Unicast Maintenance opportunities received - T4 timeout
01/01/1970 00.00	82000400	03	Received Response to Broadcast Maintenance Request, But no Unicast Maintenance opportunities received - T4 timeout
01/01/1970 00.00	82000200	03	No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
01/01/1970 00.00	82000200	03	No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
01/01/1970 00.00	82000200	03	No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
01/01/1970 00.00	82000200	03	No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
01/01/1970 00.00	82000200	03	No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
01/01/1970 00.00	82000200	03	No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
01/01/1970 00.00	82000200	03	No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
01/01/1970 00.00	82000200	03	No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
01/01/1970 00.00	82000200	03	No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out