Intermittent Internet Issues: ISP or Modem?

maximumzero

I've been Bellsouth's (Now AT&T) DSL service for almost 6 years now and it's never given me an issue until now.

To put it simply, it disconnects randomly. I can tell by the connection timer in OS X that there's no rhyme or reason to it, either.

When I got home from work I had been connected for 23 hours, but about a half hour ago it just starts disconnecting at random. I'm trying to get my Haloes on but it never stays connected long enough to even get into a game, much less actually play the damn thing.

Should I get a new DSL modem or is this something on AT&T's end, you guys think?

Ragnar Dragonfyre

Typically, modems have a very specific light pattern on them to show whether or not they are online or offline. Most commonly there is a cable, online or traffic light. If any of these lights are flashing or turning off entirely when your connection drops, it's likely an issue with your ISP. Whether or not it's the modem itself or the service is hard to tell in these situations.

However, if your modem light pattern shows the modem is online and you have a router, you'll want to remove it from the loop and directly connect your DSL modem and see if the problem persists.

Just straight up calling your ISP tech support exactly when the issue is happening is your best bet. They'll be able to tell if it's an issue on their end right away.

maximumzero

Bought a new modem today. Worked for 3 hours and 48 minutes before the connection reset.

Sucks that it reset but it was still better than the 10-15 minutes I was getting last night.