Phyl mentioned it. Once the connection has been made, it's not going to spend 5 minutes timing out a modem that isn't even connected.

I've had Comcast for years. I'm on my 4th modem with them. This latest one has actually been going strong for well over a year (knock on wood). Fortunately, when my modems konked out (usually after about a year, although the very first one was no good at all) Comcast sent someone out to bring a new one. I think asking Comcast for a different modem would be worth a try.

I'm curious for those of you on Comcast can you list the make and model number of your Comcast supplied modem? In the back of my mind I thinking that it's my actual modem causing my iChat AV connection issues. I hear that there is a particular cable modem that has an issue when connected to Macs (runs slower, drops packets, etc.)

I'll grab the make and model of mine when I go downstairs.

Mine is an RCA Model DCM245

Mine is the Motorola SURFboard SB5120

Mike I had the RCA and it was the most problem free for me. I only switched it out when I thought there was a problem and it ended up being a problem with the line. I wish I had that RCA one back.

Terry, I noticed yoour speeds are 50% faster than mine. Does Comcast have different speeds in different areas?

Back up my hard drive? How do I put it in reverse?

This is the issue that I remember reading about.

My first one from Comcast was a MOTOROLA — I could't get rid of it fast enough!



And then there are people who never change the cute sayings at the bottom of their emails (G)

They offer a faster plan for $10/month more which I pay for. It basically doubles the upload speed and offers 8MB down instead of 6MB down. Also with their speed boost thingy on their networks I typically get 15-16MB down (speeds similar to what Nina got).

quote:

Originally posted by DigiMike:
Terry, I noticed yoour speeds are 50% faster than mine. Does Comcast have different speeds in different areas?

Back up my hard drive? How do I put it in reverse?

Speaking of Comcast, I'm on my 5th DVR from them. It has been here only two weeks and IT is acting up already!



One should never generalize.

today's results

Here's mine...almost identical to my other one.



No one ever says "It's only a game" when their team is winning.

So far I haven't had to swap out a DVR in the last few months. So I must be due!

quote:

Originally posted by DigiMike:
Speaking of Comcast, I'm on my 5th DVR from them. It has been here only two weeks and IT is acting up already!



One should never generalize.

I have a COM21 - Model DOXport111. Generic sounding but it's worked great for over 4 years now. Went through 3 other modems (might have been Motorola, they looked like a dolphin fin) before this one.

Download Speed: 4029 kbps (503.6 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 351 kbps (43.9 KB/sec transfer rate)

I have a Motorolla SurfBoaord SB4100. I used to have a COM21, but Comcast changed something on the local network and it showed many of the symptoms Rick reported - incredibly slow speeds mainly, which was due to a packet loss rate in the 90% range. Turns out the COM21 wasn't compatible with whatever it was they changed.

Of course I was renting it from them - why the heck didn't they look that up in their records when I first called about the problem? It took 3 trips and 3 techs to figure out I needed a new modem. Then the second one (some other brand) didn't work either, and then they finally gave me this SurfBoard, which is working well.

Terry, the problem with Macs and some modems only occurs if the Mac is directly connected to the modem. Having a router takes care of it, and I know you have one in place. SO I don't think that's your issue.

FYI I'm on Comcast (Detroit) with a self-purchased Motorola SB5100 modem. No problems with it, just an occasional signal level problem on the line.

A useful troubleshooting step is to go to the modem's info/diagnostic page. For most modems it's gotten to by entering http://192.168.100.1 in browser. Note readings shown on main page or on tabbed pages, especially "Signal" levels.
This info might be useful to a service tech (if he knows what they mean!). For reliable service, Downstream Receive Power: avg -15 to +15 (a Plus or very small minus value preferred)
Upstream Transmit Power: -8 to +58 (+25 to +55 preferred-lower is better)
SNR: 30 to 37 (greater than 35 preferred)

I have a Scientific Atlanta DPC2100 modem supplied by Comcast. I have their standard internet package, but appear to be getting very good download speeds with their basic service.

I've never had a problem with speed. But I also have never been connected directly to their modem. I have either had a linksys router in between or an Airport. I am now using an Airport Extreme and everything is wireless. I also have iPv6 turned off.

This discussion has dealt with Comcast, since that service was the question that started it. Just out of curiosity, anyone had experience with WoWWay? What areas does it cover? A friend of mine in Troy has it.

Hey Hey I am chimming in here....

56K Modem --- dial up

40,000 down

??????? up

Wooo Hoo!