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[Redo40]

Originally Posted by redvette Hi Yes I did, the keep the connection alive is checked all right. And the lights on the modem were on steady, the power, ready, and the link, and the activity light was not doing any thing either, to the best of my recollection. Does the fact that the connection said disconnected in the router, when I checked when the connection was dropped yesterday morning. tell you anything.? I guess there is no clear cut reason for this. I will double check on what is checked and not checked in the router, but I think it is set right, and I have not changed anything. Thanks and take care...........Gunny

Ok, question here. How is it the modem is showing steady lights as if connected when the router is showing disconnected? Tell me more about your setup, I don't deal with sbc much around here. When you replace the modem, did you go back with one from sbc? I am under the impression that the modem doesn't have a built in router and that your router is doing PPPOE, is this correct? How many phones in the house? Can you unplug all but one to see if you have a bad filter?

[redvette]

Hi redo40

To answer your question, I started out using Yahoo's modem (speedstream 1000) they sent me when I started with their DSL connection, (pre router) I was having problems then being dropped, went through all the crap with them, did not correct it. So through some suggestions I installed a router, helped some. After getting frustrated at this dropping again I came to PCmech, was told to drop all my Yahoo connection managers crap, this also helped some.

I have tried several different modems, (now have a good Westell wirespeed) different routers, (now have a Linksys WRT54G). I have tried filters on all the phones, and a common filter at the house connection. Also tried having the phones disconnected for periods of time, never acted up at that time but does not prove anything, cause it can go several days with out being dropped, then I can be dropped several times in one day. I am PPPoE connected.

I have two phone lines in the house, I use one phone line for my phone and computer, and my wifes computer. There is another different phone # for my wifes phone. My wifes operates off my router through a wireless connection. When I included my wifes computer to the router did not change the dropping, one way or another. So I never looked this direction for the problem. I hope this is not too long, and it explains my situation some. I know this is hard trying to solve a problem through a posting. At times it works perfectly. And I test the speed at times, thinking the problem might show up here, but it is good. Do you have the thought that a router/modem would be better.? Rather then separate units.?

Thanks and take care..........Gunny

[Redo40]

What model is the westell wirespeed? What I want to know is does the modem have a built-in router?

No, I don't think it's better to have a modem/router combo, just want to make sure the modem you have isn't one. When you setup the new modem did you have to put an login and password?

[redvette]

Hi Redo40

The modem is a Westell Wirespeed, B90-36R516 Rev E. As I recollect I did not have to use a login or password. Just plug and play as I recollect. My router is a Linksys WRT54G

Thanks............Gunny

[Redo40]

Gunny, I think your trouble is on yahoo's end. I would suggest you try another router, but since this was going on before the router entered the picture, we know that's not whole problem. I know it's a pain, but you may have to bite the bullet and take the router out of the picture so they will troubleshoot the problem. Everything seems to point to line, isp or filter problems and you have already tried the filters. Maybe glc or one of the others will have more suggestions. This is one of those problems that can drive someone crazy, I know I couldn't tolerate being dropped all the time either. Sorry I couldn't be more help.

[redvette]

Redo40

Hey no apology needed, I appreciate the help. I know this is difficult at its best. Trying to figure out some one else's problems, is tough, when the person right there cannot figure them out either. I just hope I explained the problem, and what I have and don't have well enough to all of you that are trying to help me.

I sort of feel it is on the Yahoo's side too, they are having a problem right now as a matter of fact, with their e-mail. I have talked to them a couple of times about it, and all they can tell me it is Yahoo's problem, and they are working on it. At least we are at the point they are admitting it is their problem.

Yes GLC did mention a few posts back to let him know if it said connected or not in the router, maybe he has an idea.

Thanks and take care...........Gunny

[redvette]

Hi Gang..........

Well I was just about to shut off the computer last night, and thought I would check my e-mail one more time. I went to do that and I knew right away I had been dropped. So I went into the router, and seen it said disconnected, so I clicked on the connect and it started trying to connect, but no results. I looked at the modem and all the lights were on and steady, no activity light. leaving the router info on the screen, I rebooted the modem and pretty soon the connecting info in the router said connected, after the modem stopped its resetting flashing lights. And I was good to go.

As usual this told me what it took to get connected again, but not why I was dropped or what did it. I am hoping if I give you people enough info sooner or later some thing will fall into place, and click, as to what is going on.

So I hope this tells you some thing and what ever GLC was thinking of, I hope this tells him some thing too.

Thanks and take care..........Gunny

[redvette]

Hi gang

I guess every one is taking the day off, no replies.

One minor question here---I am paying $27 a month for Yahoo DSL, and the speeds on it are like 1.2 MBPS and 328 KBPS. They are offering a special for $18 am month and the speeds they say on it are 1.5 to 3.0 MBPS, and 384 to 512 KBPS. So the question is will I need to use their bad bad install info/connection managers, to get this. Do I go and install it and then go back and delete all the crap like I had to do with the original DSL from them.

I am thinking of doing this upgrade, its cheaper and faster, looks like a no brainier.

Take care and thanks............Gunny

[Panama Red]

I've been waiting for glc to get back to offer further advice to his previous question. He's sure to have an idea but he's been away for a few days. Probably be back on tomorrow.

You should be able to get the upgrade without any change in equipment or the addition of any software. I've had 3 changes in speed on my Comcast broadband and all I ever had to do was power cycle the modem. Heck, give em a call. Sounds like a good deal.

[redvette]

Hi Panama

Ok no problem on waiting for GLC to get back.

They are offering this as a package deal, they send you a disc, modem, etc. This might be a stupid question here, but I have asked these kind of questions before. So how is the speed changed.? I assume it is by the signal they send out some how, right.? A little more speed for less money, who would refuse that...... I wish I could do it that cheap and fast for my car.

Thanks.............Gunny

[Redo40]

I am also waiting on george to get back to see what he thinks. I still think it's a line or isp problem.

[redvette]

Hi Gang

What about my question about the speed change, does any one know the answer.?

Thanks............Gunny

[Redo40]

They increase your bandwith on their end, I'm not sure if it's done with programming or hardware. I would think programming.

[redvette]

Hi gang

That is interesting, I have never thought about how they really do that. So I guess what you are saying is they do it on their end, and all the disc does that they send you is drop the connection stuff on your computer, registration, password, etc.

There is a up front fee they charge you, and the shipping. So I think after the rebates and shipping and all it will cost me $30/$40 then the monthly fee naturally.

So probably I would have to disconnect all my stuff, router, modem, etc, and go through the install, with their stuff, and then once I am connected ok, go back and remove all their connection manager stuff, and reinstall my stuff, router, modem, etc. Maybe there is a shortcut here too.

The more I mess with this computer stuff, the more it makes me think about how things work, just like so many things we take for granted, and really don't know how they do what they do.

Thanks and take care.............Gunny.........

[glc]

When I got my last speed increase, all I had to do was power cycle the modem to resync it.

Well, your problem is one of 3 things - and we haven't nailed it down yet. It's either SBC, the modem, or the router. I doubt it's the modem - if sync is steady it's probably fine, and the 36R516 is a simple bridge modem which is one of the most reliable on the planet. If the router has been updated with the latest firmware, hard reset, and reconfigured, it's probably okay - but this doesn't explain the disconnects without auto reconnects (keepalive).

To nail this down, you would probably have to have some kind of monitoring software that will give you a readout of your signal to noise ratio, but if it's too low, the modem should still hold a connection till it finally desyncs. The indication of that will be the Ready light flashing. When it resyncs, the keepalive in the router *should* automatically reconnect it.

Here's an idea - if you go for the speed increase, ask for the 2Wire home networking kit and use that instead of the Westell and the Linksys. The 2Wire has one Ethernet port and a wireless section so it will work with your setup. It's a combo modem and wireless router. You don't need any client wireless cards - the one you have now is compatible with the 2Wire router. The BIG advantage of going this way is SBC *will* support it and the software does NOT have to be installed - all you AND they need can be accessed through the router configuration.

[redvette]

Hi GLC.....Welcome back into the fold.

So you are saying this networking kit, modem/router unit, will work with my wifes computer being connected too. I wonder if they will do this, being it comes as a package deal. I will find out, I know the package they have with this does come with a 2wire unit. It sounds like even if they would want to charge more for the kit, it would be worth it.

I agree with you it does have to be one of the three causing this problem. I guess there is no way to pinpoint which one, just like so many other computer problems. Every thing is depending on so many things to work right and do its job. It could be even 2 of the three things causing it or all of them.

And I gather from what you said, the disc they send you has nothing to do with making the higher speed connection, it has to be set up back at their site, the connection they set up.

So I will do some research on this and get back as soon as I learn some thing.

Thanks and take care...........Gunny

[glc]

Right, the higher speed is simply something they do with their equipment. If the 2Wire is the wireless capable router/modem, it will work with *any* 802.11b/g wireless client card. It also has one Ethernet jack for a wired computer and a USB port for a wired computer (let's not go there). The standard modem they offer now is a tri-mode Speedstream which is not wireless, it's a simple single local IP router with a single Ethernet jack. The 2Wire may carry a premium price, I don't know what kind of deal they are offering right now.

The disk they send you is simply to install all their CRAP and assist you in setting up your account. Being that you already HAVE an account, you don't need it. The 2Wire can be surfed into, just like your Linksys.

[redvette]

Hi GLC

I e-mailed them about this and asked them some questions. I will let you all know what they say.

I read some where that the package contains a 2Wire, now I don't know if it is a combination or just a modem.

They call it a AT&T wireless Gateway. They say you can share up to 10 capable computers.

I sure want to thank you all for hanging in there with me on this. I know this takes up your time you could be helping people with real problems.

Thanks and take care.........Gunny

[Redo40]

That's a combination modem/router like glc was talking about.

[glc]

If it's the same wireless gateway they offered when they were SBC, it's a 2Wire.

http://www.sbc.com/gen/press-room?pid=6002

[redvette]

Hi Gang

I have gotten a couple of replies back from them, and it appears what you are saying is right. But I am going to call them and see if I can nail them down to exactly when you get, when you go for the pro package.

Only thing I am not exactly clear on is the point that when I get the new router/modem, I just set it up like I did the router. In other words, a ID, password, etc. Plug and play sort of.

Thanks and take care..........Gunny

[Redo40]

Yep, you can connect the wired computer to the router/modem and it will have an ip address (the installation instructions should tell you what it is) just like the router you have now, you surf into it and setup your login and password

[redvette]

Hi Gang

Well I just ordered it, said 7 to 10 days till I get it. I confirmed that it was a wireless 2Wire combination router/modem, like you all said.

One thing this might do is shed some lite on this dropping problem, when I get it all hooked up. Taking a vote, who thinks it will stop my dropping problems, and who thinks it will not change a thing.?

Thanks and take care...........Gunny

[glc]

If it doesn't change a thing, then you definitely have a problem with your line, not your hardware, and the ball will be in AT&T's court.

[redvette]

Hi Gang

Just think if it fixes it, you will not have to bother with me any more, or at least until the next problem, I cant fix.

Just think about that will you, now that is something to really be worried about. What would you guys do with out my problems.? ha ha ha ha

I know what you are thinking, you don't need to put into words. ha ha

Thanks and take care.............Gunny

[Redo40]

Good luck with it Gunny! That's why we are all here, to help each other with these crazy computers.

[redvette]

Hi gang

Thank you for the good luck wish, I have faith, I think it will work like a charm. I mean really with all the brain power you all produce, and me taking your instructions, what can go wrong.? Oh to be as smart as the people on here. What am I saying, my plan is to as smart as you all are, of course it may take more years then I have left.

Again I thank you all for you efforts and time. I will be back when I get it hooked up.

Thanks and take care..........Gunny

[redvette]

Hi gang

I know I am going to be using a different router/modem as soon as they send it to me, but I am still very curious about the problem I continue to have. Some thing new popped up. I was checking out some thing on Craigslist, and I went to click on something, and nothing was happening. It would not open so I figured I was dropped, and sure enough I was. No activity lights at all, from the modem or the router, every thing steady.

I went into the router and it said I was connected, so I clicked on the disconnect to see what would happen, it was acting like it was trying to connect, but could not, soon after a little box came on saying, "cannot get a IP address from PPPoE server. So I tried several times to connect and disconnect, it would not connect. So I booted the modem, while watching the router info, and after the modem was done doing its thing, I clicked on the disconnect and connect in the router one more time and it connected.

When I went into the router the first time there was no addresses for any of them, the IP, the Subnet mask, the Default gateway, the DNS1 or the DNS2.

Now I hope with all that info it tells you some thing more potent. I can remember when stumped with a problem with a car, it would drive me crazy till I figured it out. Now this computer is doing the same thing.

I know I know I said I was done with this, well I lied. ha ha ha ha

Thanks and take care............Gunny..I be back.

[glc]

That could still be any of the 3 things mentioned. Just for grins, do you still have your old Speedstream to test with or is it shot?

[redvette]

Hi GLC

Yes I still have it. Came close to throwing it out, but some thing told me to keep it. Are you saying I should hook it up and see what happens.?

Thanks.............Gunny