Frequent short disconnects from internet Thread

Hi,

I really don't know if anyone can help me with this, but I have some sort of connection problem.
The first time I noticed was when I tried to download the UDK.
It just stopped downloading, and trying another mirror didn't change a thing.
Other large downloads from other sites stopped after some time as well.. the DL speed went down from 1.2 MB/s to 700 kB/s and eventually to 0 b/s.

And when playing games online I frequently get disconnected.

I downloaded the UDK with the PC of my parents, so I think it is a PC-problem, not a real connection problem.
I can't think of any changes I made lately that could have caused all this.
Does anyone know what it might be? (and perhaps wants to help me out?)

EDIT: I forgot to mention: When browsing the internet I don't have any problems, so it probably are less-than-one-second disconnects.

Edited by: SIGILL

update/grade anything lately?

"I can't think of any changes I made lately that could have caused all this.", so.. nope
Oh wait, my video driver, but I don't see how that could possibly have an effect on my connection.

Do you have a wired or wireless connection to your modem/router?

doesn't matter what you think, something is causing this. I upgraded from single to duel core & that gave me the exact same symptoms you're describing. Everything matters with a computer now a days.

For testing, try a copy of linux (bootable off DVD/CD if you need to) & see if that has the same problems. If you're having download issues it's also affecting your browsing, you just don't notice because the page keep retrying. Most downloads now a days are http just like pages.

TheHappyFriar wrote: If you're having download issues it's also affecting your browsing, you just don't notice because the page keep retrying. Most downloads now a days are http just like pages.

I figured.. and I'll try Linux then..

[SCΛRECROW wrote: ]Do you have a wired or wireless connection to your modem/router?

Wired (of course! *wired connections fanboy*)

I've always had wireless connections with no issues. Old wives tale!

Well, that's got me stumped. Might as well try to update the NIC drivers.

Well, I'm sorry for 'reviving' this thread, but I'm.. desperate. Really desperate I can only hope that there is someone on this forums with a lot of experience with (internet)connections who can help me.. please :/
I've reinstalled Windows and all drivers, but it didn't change anything. In the first post I said it's probably a PC problem, but it isn't. All our PC's have the problem, and when downloading large files (300MB+) there is a huge chance the connection will slowly drop to 0.
I've tried another cable between my PC and the modem, I've reseted(?) the modem to default settings, I tried everything I could think of and it didn't work.
So I called the technical support department of our internet provider. They say it's definitely a 'server-sided' problem, because there's nothing wrong with my connection (they have modem-information from the past month) and downloading their 100MB test-file worked perfectly fine. (Well, duh, 100MB < 300MB)
I'm almost 100% sure it's not server-sided, because the problem occurs with every 300MB+ file, no matter where I'm downloading it from.

Is there some kind of connection-expert here that may know what the problem is? Because this stuff is driving me crazy.

Edited by: SIGILL

It sounds like you have some kind of capping or throttling set on your router/modem or something.
Since this only occurs when you download a large file over a certain size from any PC connected to this router/modem.
Makes me think its some kind of cache that is filling up and then dropping your connection or something.
Are you using a modem that then plugs into a router and then runs wired connections to your PCs?
Or are you running wired connections right from your modem?
Also what are the models of router/modems you are using?
Let me know

Some testing (if possible and let me know if you need assistance with any of these):
1. Try connecting a PC directly to your modem (take the router out of the equation).
If this stops the issue then your router is the issue.

2. Try taking your PC to another connection that you know works and download one of the files that usually fails.
If this works then it isn't a PC issue and is probably a router/modem issue.

3. Try taking another PC from another location that works and bring it home to test from your connection.
If this doesn't work then it is really leaning towards a router/modem issue

I am not sure if your Internet provider supplies you with the modem as they do in the states.
They usually give out old and refurbished junk first until you complain so you can ask them to bring you a new modem.
We had to do that once since our old one just started going crazy on us.
Let me know

Hey DOLBYdigital, thanks for your reply, I can use every help I can get, because there is still no solution for this after 3 months o__0
Yeah the guy over at technical support said I could be something with a cache, so I had to reset the modem, which didn't help. But if it's a cache-problem, why does it only occur after 6 months, that doesn't make sense, does it? :/ Also, why are Xfire, Skype and MSN getting disconnects and a game like CoD: MW2 not? I'd say games are up- and downloading a lot more data?

I'm running a wired connection to my own PC right from the modem, there is another cable to a switch, but the problem still occurs after I disconnect the switch. The modem is a Davolink DV-2020.

1. The PC is already directly connected to the modem, like I just said, so it isn't the switch.

2. Well, one of the PC's is a laptop which is used at the office everyday, where it's working fine with large files. Also, the problem occurs on all 5 PC's in the house, so I don't think it's a PC problem.. It would be really odd if they are all suddenly malfunctioning, right?

3. Well, kinda same story as 2 I guess..

Yes, the provider supplied us with the modem. But they said it isn't a modem problem, so they won't send us a new modem..

Sorry for the delayed response....
Ok so now we have some new details that weren't mentioned before so please pardon these questions for more clarity:
1 Could you explain the 6 months? Do you mean it will work fine for 6 months and then break or something different?
2 So programs with constant connections like xfire, skype, and msn are disconnecting. How frequent does this happen?
3 I'm assuming xfire, skype, and msn work at the office normally
4 How did they suggest to reset the cache?
5 Silly question but have to ask: have you run malware and anti virus scans on all pcs in safe mode? it could be a trojan but i doubt it

Sorry for the questions but its hard for me to diagnose the issue without being there or knowing some info

This all sounds like cache issues or a dying modem to me to be honest. You don't have this issue at work with the same laptop and the issue is occurring on every PC using that connection. So its either your actual internet connection or the hardware in between. I think you've known that but its good to try all the basic stuff just to be sure its not, otherwise you are shooting yourself in the foot

So now the only other test we could do would be to try another modem, maybe one at work or a friends when he goes on vacation?
Any way you can find a similar or really any kind of modem and do some extensive tests with all your PCs in the house. If none of your PCs show any of those issues with the trial modem then its obviously the old modem. I would tell your provider the tests and conclusion and demand a new modem or you will go to a competitor.... its worth a shot

If your PCs still show the issues with the test modem then its a very strong chance that your internet connection is the issue. At that point I would put together a little step by step demo to show the techs how it drops connection or issues with downloads on multiple PCs.

Let me know

Edited by: DOLBYdigital

I don't mind the questions (if that's the right expression ), I can't expect someone to help me without the right information!

1. Ehm, I mean I'm with this provider, and having this modem, for a almost a year now and I didn't have any problems in the first 6 - 7 months. The connection just suddenly went crazy without an obvious reason.
2. That is correct, but they don't disconnect all at the same time. I'll take xfire here as the example: sometimes it disconnects 10 times an hour, sometimes it's only 1 or 2 disconnects in 3 hours. (same with msn and skype) It's really random, and xfire seems to disconnect less when I'm playing a game.
3. You assumed right
4. They suggested reseting the cache by pressing the reset button on the modem.
5. No I haven't run scans on all PC's, but I did run it on this one with Norman anti virus (and ad-aware, I think that's a malware scanner?). Not in safe mode though. I've also reformatted this PC and right after that I tested the connection without having the other PC's connected to the network, so if it's a trojan it should be on the modem? :/ I've never heard of that being possible.

Well then, I'll just try to find a trial modem somewhere, or buy a new one if it's really necessary. I'll post back when I've got the results Thanks again!

(Hmm I hope I didn't mess up this post with 'bad English' too much, I'm especially having trouble with prepositions )

Oh no, your English is just fine and better than most Americans

Yeah it definitely sounds like the modem but some tests with another modem would prove it.
Ask anyone if you can just borrow theirs for a couple hours to do some tests.
This will pinpoint the source of the issue, hopefully