[SGVLUG] My RoadRunner Cable Connection = kaput!

[Claude Felizardo]

On Jan 31, 2008 3:28 PM, Sean O'Donnell <sean at seanodonnell.com> wrote:
> I've been using Time Warner/Roadrunner cable as my ISP since 2004 now,
> and I've never really had any complaints, up until about 5-6 months ago.
> Now, I can't even stay connected long enough to write an email to their
> customer service because I'm constantly getting dropped anywhere from
> 2-8 minutes at a time, about 2-4x an hour (on some occasions).
>
> It doesn't drop every hour, but when it does, my connection drops
> randomly, and it's just become very annoying. Especially when I'm in the
> middle of doing something online, such as work, sending an email,
> searching google, chatting on IRC, or playing online/multiplayer video
> games. If you're in #sgvlug or #lalugs on freenode, then you may have
> noticed x0d coming and going quite often, dropping like a fly.
>
> The only alternative I have in my neighborhood is AT&T's DSL service,
> which from my experience at my grandparents house (albeit in another
> neighborhood), is no different than what I experience w/ cable.
>
> Anyone else having shitty connectivity issus w/ AT&T or
> TimeWarner/Roadrunner Cable?
>
> I've tried replacing my cable modem, using different Gateway Routers, 3
> different (individual) PCs plugged directly to the modem even, and
> nothing seems to solve the problem.
>
> I'm convinced that it is either the cable line itself, or perhaps the
> dhcp service provided by my ISP.
>
> All of the lights on the modem seem to be on (as normal) when the
> connection goes down, but there is no way to renew a DHCP lease during
> such downtime, despite the fact that the modem says it's still connected
> as intended. This happened with all my different routers/PCs, and even
> just plugging an XBOX 360 directly to the modem. Very frustrating.
>
> I'm going to give DSL a try and see if that helps, but wondered if
> anyone else in the area (South Pasadena, Pasadena, etc.) has shared
> similar headaches (or not), or knows of a 3rd-party 'broadband' ISP that
> I can look into for this area???
>
> Thanks,
> Sean

I've had DSL with Pacbell, then SBC, now AT&T, since like 99.  It's
been very reliable.  I'm in Monrovia but the CO is less than 4 blocks
away in Arcadia.  I was going to recommend that you check out
dslreports.com and look up your estimated line distance from the CO
since distance is a big factor but apparently they no longer offer
that service.  something about not wanting to help the telco spam
people.  maybe you can find another way to check your distance.

anyway, check out their line quality test.
http://www.dslreports.com/linequality

btw, there's a space station pass tonight.  From the Pasadena area,
assuming the skies clear up enough, its starts about 5:49 WSW, max alt
of 47 at 5:51 NW and enters shadow at 17:55 NE.  Not sure if it will
be dark enough when it starts, but it should be visible by then end of
the pass.

http://www.heavens-above.com/PassSummary.aspx?satid=25544&lat=34.148&lng=-118.144&loc=Pasadena&alt=245&tz=PST