cable modem expiration?

[Presto]

Do cable modems wear out? Mine is about three or four years old. The last two days my connection to the internet is all screwed up. If I go away from the computer for a few hours, when I come back my connection is down. I have called the cable company numerous times and they can see on their end that the modem is not connected. They say there are no known outages in my area. After I cycle (unplug and plug back in) the modem, it starts working about 15 minutes later.

My modem is a motorola sb4220.

Any help or advice appreciated.

 

[suncom33]

Presto,
Go to your cable company and get a new modem. If that does not fix the problem call their call center and ask for a supervisor. Tell the supervisor what you have been through and request a trouble ticket. They will send someone out to measure the internet speed. If their is a problem they can tell by the speed. The call center has so many people working there if people in your node are calling with the same problem, they could be blowing all of you off. This is what I do for a living and I see it all the time. If your modem is working then it should not be dropping your connection, but they will not take you serious until you swap out your modem. Who is your cable provider?

 

[TwoCard]

My cable modem is about 6 years old.
No problems - got ot free with the installation.

 

[TTinCO]

Quite possible-I've had a couple of them flake out on me over time. Just take it in & get a new one. Shouldn't cost you anything(at least it doesn't with Comcast).

 

[Presto]

Guys, thanks for the suggestions.

After waiting until just before 5pm for my 2-4pm cable appointment, the cable guy from Comcast showed up. First, he spent about 5 minutes checking all my connections inside, then he spent about 5 minutes doing something (ie nothing) outside. He came back in and ran some sort of test accoding the reciept he left me. He said everything checked out and he didn't offer a reason for why my service has been spotty.
I own my modem, so if I choose to get a new one it will come out of my pocket.

Re-cap: Thursday evening service was off and on all evening. Friday was spotty for the day. Saturday not one problem. Sunday morning as I go to place a couple of last minute wagers for the 1pm games, yep no connection. The rest of Sunday has been fine.

Something positive did come of this. I called Comcast Friday afternoon to give them a piece. Eventually I got connected (read disconnected during transfer) to a CS specialist. I told customer no-service that their service blows and I wanted to terminate them as my provider. Then I told them they can go ahead and cancel my cable TV while they are at it. Long story short- I have the next 6 months with about a 25% discount. I was shooting for more, but that's all I could get.

I want to encourage anyone that is not 100% satisfied with their cable ISP to call up your provider and get yourself a discount. Tell them you have an offer from DSL and it's too good to pass up. You have to be willing to go to the wall and set a date for termination. Tell them you want your service to end in a month. If they don't offer you a good deal, you will have a month to call them up and say you changed your mind.

 

[1cheater]

Guys, thanks for the suggestions.

After waiting until just before 5pm for my 2-4pm cable appointment, the cable guy from Comcast showed up. First, he spent about 5 minutes checking all my connections inside, then he spent about 5 minutes doing something (ie nothing) outside. He came back in and ran some sort of test accoding the reciept he left me. He said everything checked out and he didn't offer a reason for why my service has been spotty.
I own my modem, so if I choose to get a new one it will come out of my pocket.

Re-cap: Thursday evening service was off and on all evening. Friday was spotty for the day. Saturday not one problem. Sunday morning as I go to place a couple of last minute wagers for the 1pm games, yep no connection. The rest of Sunday has been fine.

Something positive did come of this. I called Comcast Friday afternoon to give them a piece. Eventually I got connected (read disconnected during transfer) to a CS specialist. I told customer no-service that their service blows and I wanted to terminate them as my provider. Then I told them they can go ahead and cancel my cable TV while they are at it. Long story short- I have the next 6 months with about a 25% discount. I was shooting for more, but that's all I could get.

I want to encourage anyone that is not 100% satisfied with their cable ISP to call up your provider and get yourself a discount. Tell them you have an offer from DSL and it's too good to pass up. You have to be willing to go to the wall and set a date for termination. Tell them you want your service to end in a month. If they don't offer you a good deal, you will have a month to call them up and say you changed your mind.

Very good advice :toast: