Linksys 4 port router

[screwballl]

Originally Posted by Redleg

It's a POS WebStar from Scientific-Atlanta. Hate anything about S-A equipment.

I have the exact same modem and this one works better than any other modem I have ever had..

Based on the info you stated since it does say a good signal, try turning one one or two tvs and change channels to see if it is triggered with a certain channel. Otherwise it would be the splitter or the cable company themselves.

[Reloadron]

Yeah, the power levels look OK. You should be able to click on Signal to get more info. I think we were looking at the General page. I would be curious as to the S/N ratio. Signal to Noise is important and frequently a cause of problems.

DownstreamSNR shows the strength of the signal to your cable modem as compared to the noise on the line (signal/noise). If the noise level increases the SNR value decreases. So, then high levels are good for the SNR. This number should be at 30 or more. If the SNR goes below 30 than you will probably start to experience some problems, such as intermittent connection, packet loss, etc.

UpstreamSNRshows how much signal the head end is getting from your cable modem, compared to the noise level. "Head End" refers to the point of reference that is the central point of the local network of your service provider. Anything above 29 is good. Just like the download SNR if the noise level increases the upstreamSNR decreases.

SpeedGuide.net :: Cable modem signal levels

Also as was mentioned, many cable modems run on the hot side. Heat could be causing a problem also.

Ron

[Redleg]

Sorry about being so late replying on this. Still having some problems, plus my VFW has taken alot of my time lately. it was good for a week or so during Christmas, then started acting up again about 4 days ago. Anyway, Ron, when I try to click on signal, or status, I get a response saying that "this feature not enabled". And today, I got this after clicking on the link. It's hard to see in this pic, but in the original page, that "receive power level" is not a postitive 4, it's a minus 4, as in -4.0dBmV

[screwballl]

then call your cable company and see if -4.0 is a good signal or not... sounds like someone up the street has a bandwidth hogging connection that is draining much of the signal in your area

[Reloadron]

The -4 should not be an issue. Anything between -8 and 8 is considered very good as to downstream signal strength. Worth keeping in mind is the number you see (-4 in this case) is part of a "snapshot" of when you clicked on it. Depending on connections (physical connections including splitters and the like) that number can vary.

The problems you are having are also frequently associated with SN (Signal to Noise) which is a ratio. All signals contain noise. Just like the signal, the noise has a power level. If we amplify a signal we also amplify the associated noise. The trick is to have the signal at a much higher level than the noise.

The strength of the signal to your cable modem as compared to the noise on the line (signal/noise). If the noise level increases the SNR (Signal to Noise) value decreases. So, then high levels are good for the SNR. This number should be at 30 or more. If the SNR goes below 30 than you will probably start to experience some problems, such as intermittent connection, packet loss, etc.

The above paragraph taken from:

SpeedGuide.net :: Cable modem signal levels

So what causes noise? One prime source of noise is poor cable connections such as loose, poor connector crimps and poor grounding. All are worth a lookie but the last is a major offender. CATV cable systems use a 75 Ohm coaxial cable. Newer systems use RG6 while the older favorite was RG 59. The cable has an outer conductor which serves as a shield. It becomes very important that the shield be well grounded to aid in the shielding process. Shielding prevents outside noise from entering the system. Generally at the entry point to a residence (or close to it) there is a feedthrough barrel connector with a ground lug connected to a good ground.

My guess, and without physically looking at things is maybe you have a noise issue. I would crawl along the cable route and check every connection. I would make sure they are tight and there is some good grounding somewhere.

Ron

[Redleg]

Thanks guys, Monday I'll be calling Brighthouse, then climb up in the attic and checking inside the house (actually, I'll do this part over the weekend), and leave the outside to the people that never claim something to be their fault.