Drop Out Problems

[MrMikeh]

Ok, First of all, If this is the wrong area I am sorry! Long time reader first time poster here!

Ok, So basically over the past few weeks I've noticed that all of a sudden my connection will drop. I have to unplug the cable modem (Old Grey NTL Box) and unplug my Linksys WRTG54 wireless router and then reconnect them to get the signal back. I have phoned Virgin Media Tech Support and the bloke said that it was my wireless router. He didnt test the modem as he said that all the lights that I told him were on were fine and that it was not the modems fault.

Now it seems to keep happening every so often.

I was wondering if anyone knew what this could possibly be?

I refuse to believe its my wireless router and I have had my modem now for a good five years.

I'm on the 10mb line, with both PC's running Vista if it helps!

Thanks in advance!

[moaningmags]

Firstly I'd recommend connecting one comp straight to the modem and test.
If still having the drop outs phone back in.
Yes it's a pain removing the router, but then it can't be blamed for what could be a modem problem.

[EvilRoySlade]

I've got the same router and the exact same problem. Summary? That Linksys is a POS!

[whydoIneedatech]

Ok, First of all, If this is the wrong area I am sorry! Long time reader first time poster here!

Ok, So basically over the past few weeks I've noticed that all of a sudden my connection will drop. I have to unplug the cable modem (Old Grey NTL Box) and unplug my Linksys WRTG54 wireless router and then reconnect them to get the signal back. I have phoned Virgin Media Tech Support and the bloke said that it was my wireless router. He didnt test the modem as he said that all the lights that I told him were on were fine and that it was not the modems fault.

Now it seems to keep happening every so often.

I was wondering if anyone knew what this could possibly be?

I refuse to believe its my wireless router and I have had my modem now for a good five years.

I'm on the 10mb line, with both PC's running Vista if it helps!

Thanks in advance!

Post what modem you have and your power levels from your config pages of your modem.

Open a browser and in the address bar put> 192.168.100.1 password and username are both root if required.

DO NOT POST YOUR MAC ADDRESS OR SERIAL NUMBER

[AbyssUnderground]

I've got the same router and the exact same problem. Summary? That Linksys is a POS!

The Linksys WRT54G is the most recommended router you can buy for Virgin Media. Yours probably doesn't work because you might have bad firmware or a problem with your connection. I have a WRT54G and I have had it over 1 year and not had one problem, up until recently when my connection start dropping due to bad signal levels. I suggest you check you check your signal levels.

[GrahamP]

See below my friend. Exactly the same problem. It's not your router. It's your CMTS, and the bios setting on your modem which is probably set to:

max_dload_tries = related to firmware upgrades -> maximum is 255.

Your CMTS will probably be trying to upgrade your firmware about 255 times per day which will coincide with your constant drops. Everytime it tries to do this, your AMBIT modem will reset itself. Happy Surfing!

The Problem

My modem constantly resets itself
Trying to MMO or Work from home is practically impossible
I'm losing the will to live

What I've done to try and resolve the problem / ruled out

Bought a brand new Router
Contacted Virgin Technical Support at least 10 times
Had Virgin fit a brand new 256 Modem
Had a dimmer fitted
Tried a direct connection from modem to PC
Tried 3 different PCs
Used my PC on 3 different networks
Tried using a direct coaxle connection from wall to Modem
Used different combinations of cable lengths, splitters and dimmers to try the modem with the following Download Power levels:
+2-5
+4-7
+9-13
+13-15

I have tried all of these things. But the reason in my opinion is:
My CMTS trying to upgrade my modem!

The following log appears in my modem log at intervals of as short as every 7 minutes every single day:

Mon Jul 14 19:12:33 2008 Critical (3) Started Unicast Maintenance Ranging - No Response received - ...
Mon Jul 14 19:03:55 2008 Information (7) CableModem software upgrade failed
Mon Jul 14 19:03:55 2008 Error (4) SW upgrade Failed after download - Incompatible SW file
Mon Jul 14 19:03:55 2008 Information (7) SW dload: Invalid image signature!
Mon Jul 14 19:03:53 2008 Notice (6) SW Download INIT - Via Config file cmreg-ntlhm250-mid.cm
Mon Jul 14 19:03:53 2008 Information (7) CableModem software download started
Mon Jul 14 19:03:53 2008 Information (7) Software upgrade has started.
Mon Jul 14 19:03:52 2008 Information (7) A software upgrade filename was specified in the config file.
Mon Jul 14 19:03:52 2008 Information (7) Authorized
Mon Jul 14 19:03:51 2008 Information (7) Registration complete!
Mon Jul 14 19:03:51 2008 Information (7) We registered with a DOCSIS 1.0 config file!
Mon Jul 14 19:03:51 2008 Information (7) Received a REG-RSP message from the CMTS...
Mon Jul 14 19:03:51 2008 Information (7) Sending a REG-REQ to the CMTS...
Mon Jul 14 19:03:51 2008 Information (7) CableModem SNMP configure complete
Mon Jul 14 19:03:49 2008 Information (7) IP init completed ok
Mon Jul 14 19:03:49 2008 Information (7) CableModem TFTP init ok
Mon Jul 14 19:03:49 2008 Information (7) CableModem DHCP client init ok
Mon Jul 14 19:03:49 2008 Critical (3) DHCP WARNING - Non-critical field invalid in response.
Mon Jul 14 19:03:37 2008 Information (7) MAP w/initial maintenance region received
Mon Jul 14 19:03:37 2008 Information (7) Downstream sync ok
Mon Jul 14 19:03:37 2008 Information (7) Beginning initial ranging...
Mon Jul 14 19:03:37 2008 Information (7) downstream time sync acquired...
Mon Jul 14 19:03:37 2008 Information (7) Downstream sync ok
Mon Jul 14 19:03:36 2008 Information (7) starting ds time sync acquisition...
Mon Jul 14 19:03:33 2008 Information (7) Locked on the downstream. Waiting for UCDs...
Mon Jul 14 19:03:33 2008 Information (7) Downstream lock ok
Mon Jul 14 19:03:32 2008 Information (7) Sync Start
Mon Jul 14 19:03:30 2008 Critical (3) Received Response to Broadcast Maintenance Request, But no Un...
Mon Jul 14 19:03:30 2008 Information (7) Reset downstream scanning state!
Mon Jul 14 19:02:58 2008 Critical (3) Started Unicast Maintenance Ranging - No Response received - ...

My friend has a virgin broadband connection 6 miles away with no problems what so ever. I looked at his log and the last time he had this message was over 2 years ago! I could live with that no problem!

I have an engineer coming to look tomorrow. What do I tell him!!!!!

please please help (I'm even writing this in notepad in case my connection goes again!!)

FYI. It is no coincidence that every single time I lose my connection, the UNICAST maintenance has started which I can see in my event log (down to the very second!) including this second in fact. It's doing it again as we speak!

[eth01]

dimmer? i don't see any light...

:LOL:

[MrMikeh]

Not entirely sure what GrahamP was on about... Can't see anything like that in the config status.

But this is what I have.....

Type : Ambit ETH/USB Combo Cable Modem
Cable modem : Ambit Cable Modem
Downstream Receive Power Level : 5.33 dBmv
Downstream SNR : 27.22 dB
Upstream Transmit Power Level : 50.00 dBmv

[Zhadnost]

I've got the same router and the exact same problem. Summary? That Linksys is a POS!

Aww, I like the WRT54G, I've got one at a customers house acting a a VPN router as we type.

Now if I could only get a DP-10L working with it.

[Axegrinder]

Not entirely sure what GrahamP was on about... Can't see anything like that in the config status.

But this is what I have.....

Type : Ambit ETH/USB Combo Cable Modem
Cable modem : Ambit Cable Modem
Downstream Receive Power Level : 5.33 dBmv
Downstream SNR : 27.22 dB
Upstream Transmit Power Level : 50.00 dBmv

They look ok, might want to watch the D/S SNR doesnt drop much lower than that though.

[Nedkelly]

What did the tech do or say ? has it got any better has the snr improved ? :)

[MrMikeh]

SNR? D/S SNR What? lol

I've borrowed a mates spare router to try that out. So If that gives me any problems, Virgin will feel my wrath, as then I know its them and not me.

[ceedee]

Not entirely sure what GrahamP was on about... Can't see anything like that in the config status.

But this is what I have.....

Type : Ambit ETH/USB Combo Cable Modem
Cable modem : Ambit Cable Modem
Downstream Receive Power Level : 5.33 dBmv
Downstream SNR : 27.22 dB
Upstream Transmit Power Level : 50.00 dBmv

Have you tried bypassing your (normally reliable) router by connecting directly to the cable modem, as suggested five days ago by MoaningMags?
(Remember that you need to power down everything, and then power up your modem waiting until all the leds settle before booting your pc.)

That's the only way to prove the problem lies with either your modem or your connection and not your router.

Good luck.

[n1ck]

I'm having similar problems - the modem requires rebooting at least 5 - 10 times per day.

This started after the modem was replaced with a new ambit due to poor speeds. The engineer at the time said the signal levels are perfect...


Cable Modem Upstream
Upstream Lock : Locked
Upstream Channel ID : 6
Upstream Frequency : 22000000 Hz
Upstream Modulation : QPSK
Upstream Symbol Rate : 2560 Ksym/sec
Upstream transmit Power Level : 45.5 dBmV
Upstream Mini-Slot Size : 2

Cable Modem Downstream
Downstream Lock : Locked
Downstream Channel Id : 4
Downstream Frequency : 402750000 Hz
Downstream Modulation : QAM256
Downstream Symbol Rate : 5360.537 Ksym/sec
Downstream Interleave Depth : taps32Increment4
Downstream Receive Power Level : 6.1 dBmV
Downstream SNR : 41.2 dB

Cable Modem Status
Item Status Comments
Acquire a Downstream Channel 402750000 Hz Locked
Connectivity State OK Operational
Boot State OK Operational

First TimeLast TimePriorityDescription
Sun Jul 20 11:21:50 2008 Sun Jul 20 11:21:50 2008 Information (7)CableModem software upgrade failed
Sun Jul 20 11:21:50 2008 Sun Jul 20 11:21:50 2008 Error (4)SW upgrade Failed after download - Incompatible SW file
Sun Jul 20 11:21:50 2008 Sun Jul 20 11:21:50 2008 Information (7)SW dload: Invalid image signature!
Sun Jul 20 11:21:49 2008 Sun Jul 20 11:21:49 2008 Notice (6)SW Download INIT - Via Config file cmreg-ntlhm250-bund03.cm
Sun Jul 20 11:21:49 2008 Sun Jul 20 11:21:49 2008 Information (7)CableModem software download started
Sun Jul 20 11:21:49 2008 Sun Jul 20 11:21:49 2008 Information (7)Software upgrade has started.
Sun Jul 20 11:21:48 2008 Sun Jul 20 11:21:48 2008 Information (7)A software upgrade filename was specified in the config file.
Sun Jul 20 11:21:48 2008 Sun Jul 20 11:21:48 2008 Information (7)Authorized
Sun Jul 20 11:21:47 2008 Sun Jul 20 11:21:47 2008 Information (7)Registration complete!
Sun Jul 20 11:21:47 2008 Sun Jul 20 11:21:47 2008 Information (7)We registered with a DOCSIS 1.0 config file!
Sun Jul 20 11:21:47 2008 Sun Jul 20 11:21:47 2008 Information (7)Received a REG-RSP message from the CMTS...
Sun Jul 20 11:21:47 2008 Sun Jul 20 11:21:47 2008 Information (7)Sending a REG-REQ to the CMTS...
Sun Jul 20 11:21:47 2008 Sun Jul 20 11:21:47 2008 Information (7)CableModem SNMP configure complete
Sun Jul 20 11:21:45 2008 Sun Jul 20 11:21:45 2008 Information (7)IP init completed ok
Sun Jul 20 11:21:45 2008 Sun Jul 20 11:21:45 2008 Information (7)CableModem TFTP init ok
Sun Jul 20 11:21:45 2008 Sun Jul 20 11:21:45 2008 Information (7)CableModem DHCP client init ok
Sun Jul 20 11:21:45 2008 Sun Jul 20 11:21:45 2008 Critical (3)DHCP WARNING - Non-critical field invalid in response.
Time Not EstablishedTime Not EstablishedInformation (7)MAP w/initial maintenance region received
Time Not EstablishedTime Not EstablishedInformation (7)Downstream sync ok
Time Not EstablishedTime Not EstablishedInformation (7)Beginning initial ranging...
Time Not EstablishedTime Not EstablishedInformation (7)downstream time sync acquired...
Time Not EstablishedTime Not EstablishedInformation (7)Downstream sync ok
Time Not EstablishedTime Not EstablishedInformation (7)starting ds time sync acquisition...
Time Not EstablishedTime Not EstablishedInformation (7)Locked on the downstream. Waiting for UCDs...
Time Not EstablishedTime Not EstablishedInformation (7)Downstream lock ok
Time Not EstablishedTime Not EstablishedInformation (7)Sync Start
Sun Jul 20 06:57:37 2008 Sun Jul 20 06:57:37 2008 Critical (3)DHCP WARNING - Non-critical field invalid in response.
Sun Jul 20 06:57:26 2008 Sun Jul 20 06:57:26 2008 Critical (3)Started Unicast Maintenance Ranging - No Response received - ...
Sun Jul 20 06:57:25 2008 Sun Jul 20 06:57:25 2008 Critical (3)No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
Sun Jul 20 06:57:25 2008 Sun Jul 20 06:57:25 2008 Critical (3)No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
Sun Jul 20 06:57:25 2008 Sun Jul 20 06:57:25 2008 Critical (3)No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
Sun Jul 20 06:57:24 2008 Sun Jul 20 06:57:24 2008 Critical (3)No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out



Anyone any suggestions?

I will call them in the week but they are so determined to stick to their script and not book an engineer that it can be very frustrating...

(When I called about the speed issues they told me to take a speed test which said my modem was running at 100Mb/s which was therefore faster than 20Mb hence there was no fault... :dunce: )

[r00t]

Power levels & SNR are fine, the logs mean nothing.

[whydoIneedatech]

I'm having similar problems - the modem requires rebooting at least 5 - 10 times per day.

This started after the modem was replaced with a new ambit due to poor speeds. The engineer at the time said the signal levels are perfect...


Cable Modem Upstream
Upstream Lock : Locked
Upstream Channel ID : 6
Upstream Frequency : 22000000 Hz
Upstream Modulation : QPSK
Upstream Symbol Rate : 2560 Ksym/sec
Upstream transmit Power Level : 45.5 dBmV
Upstream Mini-Slot Size : 2

Cable Modem Downstream
Downstream Lock : Locked
Downstream Channel Id : 4
Downstream Frequency : 402750000 Hz
Downstream Modulation : QAM256
Downstream Symbol Rate : 5360.537 Ksym/sec
Downstream Interleave Depth : taps32Increment4
Downstream Receive Power Level : 6.1 dBmV
Downstream SNR : 41.2 dB

Cable Modem Status
Item Status Comments
Acquire a Downstream Channel 402750000 Hz Locked
Connectivity State OK Operational
Boot State OK Operational

First TimeLast TimePriorityDescription
Sun Jul 20 11:21:50 2008 Sun Jul 20 11:21:50 2008 Information (7)CableModem software upgrade failed
Sun Jul 20 11:21:50 2008 Sun Jul 20 11:21:50 2008 Error (4)SW upgrade Failed after download - Incompatible SW file
Sun Jul 20 11:21:50 2008 Sun Jul 20 11:21:50 2008 Information (7)SW dload: Invalid image signature!
Sun Jul 20 11:21:49 2008 Sun Jul 20 11:21:49 2008 Notice (6)SW Download INIT - Via Config file cmreg-ntlhm250-bund03.cm
Sun Jul 20 11:21:49 2008 Sun Jul 20 11:21:49 2008 Information (7)CableModem software download started
Sun Jul 20 11:21:49 2008 Sun Jul 20 11:21:49 2008 Information (7)Software upgrade has started.
Sun Jul 20 11:21:48 2008 Sun Jul 20 11:21:48 2008 Information (7)A software upgrade filename was specified in the config file.
Sun Jul 20 11:21:48 2008 Sun Jul 20 11:21:48 2008 Information (7)Authorized
Sun Jul 20 11:21:47 2008 Sun Jul 20 11:21:47 2008 Information (7)Registration complete!
Sun Jul 20 11:21:47 2008 Sun Jul 20 11:21:47 2008 Information (7)We registered with a DOCSIS 1.0 config file!
Sun Jul 20 11:21:47 2008 Sun Jul 20 11:21:47 2008 Information (7)Received a REG-RSP message from the CMTS...
Sun Jul 20 11:21:47 2008 Sun Jul 20 11:21:47 2008 Information (7)Sending a REG-REQ to the CMTS...
Sun Jul 20 11:21:47 2008 Sun Jul 20 11:21:47 2008 Information (7)CableModem SNMP configure complete
Sun Jul 20 11:21:45 2008 Sun Jul 20 11:21:45 2008 Information (7)IP init completed ok
Sun Jul 20 11:21:45 2008 Sun Jul 20 11:21:45 2008 Information (7)CableModem TFTP init ok
Sun Jul 20 11:21:45 2008 Sun Jul 20 11:21:45 2008 Information (7)CableModem DHCP client init ok
Sun Jul 20 11:21:45 2008 Sun Jul 20 11:21:45 2008 Critical (3)DHCP WARNING - Non-critical field invalid in response.
Time Not EstablishedTime Not EstablishedInformation (7)MAP w/initial maintenance region received
Time Not EstablishedTime Not EstablishedInformation (7)Downstream sync ok
Time Not EstablishedTime Not EstablishedInformation (7)Beginning initial ranging...
Time Not EstablishedTime Not EstablishedInformation (7)downstream time sync acquired...
Time Not EstablishedTime Not EstablishedInformation (7)Downstream sync ok
Time Not EstablishedTime Not EstablishedInformation (7)starting ds time sync acquisition...
Time Not EstablishedTime Not EstablishedInformation (7)Locked on the downstream. Waiting for UCDs...
Time Not EstablishedTime Not EstablishedInformation (7)Downstream lock ok
Time Not EstablishedTime Not EstablishedInformation (7)Sync Start
Sun Jul 20 06:57:37 2008 Sun Jul 20 06:57:37 2008 Critical (3)DHCP WARNING - Non-critical field invalid in response.
Sun Jul 20 06:57:26 2008 Sun Jul 20 06:57:26 2008 Critical (3)Started Unicast Maintenance Ranging - No Response received - ...
Sun Jul 20 06:57:25 2008 Sun Jul 20 06:57:25 2008 Critical (3)No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
Sun Jul 20 06:57:25 2008 Sun Jul 20 06:57:25 2008 Critical (3)No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
Sun Jul 20 06:57:25 2008 Sun Jul 20 06:57:25 2008 Critical (3)No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out
Sun Jul 20 06:57:24 2008 Sun Jul 20 06:57:24 2008 Critical (3)No Ranging Response received - T3 time-out



Anyone any suggestions?

I will call them in the week but they are so determined to stick to their script and not book an engineer that it can be very frustrating...

(When I called about the speed issues they told me to take a speed test which said my modem was running at 100Mb/s which was therefore faster than 20Mb hence there was no fault... :dunce: )

If you are a Virgin Media customer then the best speedtest is from the link below which is from a dedicated server within the Virgin Media network, hence the is no www. before the address.

Have you tried going to this link to check your speeds http://gamefiles.virginmedia.com/

click on blueyondergames>demos>then click on at least 2 large files and save them to your desktop wait a couple of minutes then write down the transfer rates on the files that are running> times them by 8 and you will get a truer download speed.

[n1ck]

r00t - thanks, any suggestions as to what it could be?

whydoIneedatech - thanks, speeds are normal!!



Edit - also when the connection drops the modem pages can't be accessed - not sure if that makes a difference or is usual?

[Axegrinder]

If you cant access the modem when the connection drops that means the modems faulty.

[n1ck]

If you cant access the modem when the connection drops that means the modems faulty.

ah, ok I'll try and get a new modem outof them then.

[Horace]

Seems to be a theme running at the moment. Did VM upload new firmware recently? A friend who's happily been with VM/NTL for a few years has just this week started having drop-outs too.