Cable modem restarting itself

[AmdEmAll]

Its an Arris TM502G and for a few months now I loose internet connection for a few seconds while the modem resets itself. It seems random. Notice mostly while in games. Connection problem for 5 seconds and then when it comes back im usually dead...

I have wide open west cable. They have come out once and replaced the modem and boosted the signal to the house. Now they say the signal is higher than normal but fine. What the heck is causing this? Could it be my router or anything on my end?

 

[tasmanian]

I have had problems with my cable modem like that. I never really fixed it, but I noticed that when it was really hot it would restart, so I pointed a fan on it and it restarted a little less.

 

[NesuD]

I would like to see the cable modem that can restart and go through it's POST in 5 seconds. Are you sure it isn't a router causing it. I had a router that would do that. Fixed it with a firmware update.

 

[AmdEmAll]

I would like to see the cable modem that can restart and go through it's POST in 5 seconds. Are you sure it isn't a router causing it. I had a router that would do that. Fixed it with a firmware update.

I didn't know a router could cause the cable modem to cycle itself. I don't know exactly what the modem is doing but the connection drops and I look at the modem and all the lights are off except the top one which is blinking and then the other lights start coming on. 8 lights total. Connection lost for about 5 seconds.

Heat doesn't appear to be the issue. Both are luke warm.

EDIT: Just updated the firmware to 1.9 from 1.8. Odd 1.8 wasn't even on D-links website... hopefully that is the issue but im doubting it.

 

[RebateMonger]

You can rule out any router issues by directly connecting a PC to the cable modem. Be sure Windows is fully updated and that Windows has a firewall turned on and AV AutoProtect is enabled. I wouldn't make this permanent. Leave it connected until you've determined whether the problem has/hasn't gone away.

And, no, I doubt it's your router. It sounds more like an overheating of the modem or its power supply. If something's overheating, you'd expect it to reboot frequently after the modem has been running a while, and to not have problems right after he modem has been turned off for a while.

 

[AmdEmAll]

Im starting to think its my overclocking that is causing it. Had my E8500 3.16 @ 4.2ghz and it could be possible that the nb is getting to hot or some other issue? Doesn't seem to reset when I lower to stock speeds. I disabled gigabit lan and installed an Intel nic and it still resets.

Overclock causing instability on the pci-e bus causing the reset?

 

[James Bond]

It is not your overclocking. If you see all lights off on the modem, then the modem is at fault.

Easiest way to prove this is to have a steady ping going to your modem. Then, when you're on the phone with your ISP and they try to blame your router, you can show them your timeouts.

When does this happen most often? When you're playing games? Downloading?

 

[NesuD]

I didn't know a router could cause the cable modem to cycle itself. I don't know exactly what the modem is doing but the connection drops and I look at the modem and all the lights are off except the top one which is blinking and then the other lights start coming on. 8 lights total. Connection lost for about 5 seconds.

Heat doesn't appear to be the issue. Both are luke warm.

EDIT: Just updated the firmware to 1.9 from 1.8. Odd 1.8 wasn't even on D-links website... hopefully that is the issue but im doubting it.

I equate a reset to a full reboot which should take about 30 seconds. You did not mention that the lights were indicating the connection was lost. considering your updated description I would say the problem needs to be worked out by your ISP. If signaling levels are out of wack from your provider the modem will lose connection just like you are describing. Call your cable company support number and describe the problem to them and they will be able to run some diagnostics from their end to determine if there is a signalling issue.

 

[john3850]

(EDIT: Just updated the firmware to 1.9 from 1.8. Odd 1.8 wasn't even on D-links website... hopefully that is the issue but im doubting it.)
The firmware issue wont help you.
If you read posts at D-links forms it tells you to use firmware 1.7 .
They had to many problems with firmware 1.9.
Firm 1.8 may have been for Europe only and not to be used on us model.

 

[AmdEmAll]

Had my ISP come out today. They claimed that there were 2 cards that were causing issues in a node for my city and a few others causing certain modems to drop connections. I didn't really believe that this could be causing it for the last 3-4 months...

They looked at the connections on the back of the house and the line for the cable modem was in the middle of a 3 way adapter. They said it should be the first one, the way its hooked up would cause a ton of interference. All signals are perfect now.

Now to play a game and see if it drops again...