• Networking

  • Need expert help with IDM ADSL connection dropping every 20 secs

I have ADSL 2MB at home.. I play a lot of online games. About 3 months ago, I started having a problem with my connection.

Every 20 secs, I lose connectivity for about 3 secs. In my games, I can't move or do anything and can't see others moving for 3 secs. When I ping anything constantly (1sec interval) I get packet loss for about 3 secs.

I don't have problems with downloads (they don't disconnect) and my speeds are good (200-240 Kb/sec)

Funny thing is, sometimes it doesn't happen (usually saturdays or late at night)

I use a bridge connection with a Linksys WRT54G using Tomato firmware.

1. I tried disconnecting all the phones in the house (even if they do have filters)
2. I tried using the IDM modem (thomson TG585 v8) directly
3. I used my old WISE modem too

I contacted IDM more than 30 times in 3 months and they ****ing suck!

Does anyone know what's going on?

I'm thinking about getting an internet line and switching the ADSL on it.
There are several reasons that can cause the connection to drop constantly,

- Are you having issues only when playing online? what about browsing and other stuff?
- Is your modem connected to a UPS or straight through a power socket?
- Did you try other wall phone jacks?
- When you lose your connection, does the DSL's LED blink?
1. I have issues when I play online but I'm pretty sure that it happens when I browse as well but it just goes unnoticed; it just delays the page loading by 3 secs... I know that because I use a program to constantly ping a server and I get full packet loss for 3 secs.

2. My modem and router are connected to a UPS

3. I did not try a different wall jack

4. The DSL LED does not turn off...

Usually if/when my connection drops, it's different; the DSL LED turns off and it takes 1-2 mins for the connection to come back
Try to turn off Upnp on your modem.
UPnP has nothing to do with the connection being constantly down. Try a different wall jack with all the modems you have.

You mean that sometimes your DSL LED indicator goes off? there is a chance that there is electricity running through your phone cable, you must get an electrician for you to test the phone cable and see if there is any electrical interference, even the slightest interference can mess up your phone cable and connection.
That issue is not a problem for me. It barely happens

The main problem is the 3 secs loss every 20 secs


Also, this started to happen 3 months ago.. This was not happening before and it was the same setup
bro, are you using a DESKTOP or a LAPTOP cause if it's a desktop then i'll bet my ass that your are using a USB wireless adapter, which means mate, you and me we are doomed to this spike lag(yes i do have the same problem), i tried with a D-link and a linksys adapter and nothing changes, even if i play in lan i have thoses spike lags, which may come from 2 reasons: 1) the adapter is not fast enough to keep up with the wireless router (or too old and getting tired) 2) the USB input is to slow to keep up, but in this case a 2.0 usb is more than enough for a wireless router
first case scenario get a new/ better adapter, 2nd case scenario, well.... be sure to use a 2.0 usb input

to confirm that your prob is coming from your computer and not IDM nor the router then try to get your hands on a laptop and see if the problem is the same.
It does happen with other laptops.

I use the wired connection to the router

I have tried 2 modems and the problem still happens
If it happens all the time ask them to send you a technician
did you try another computer? resetting the modem? ping?
Take your Modem to IDM, It's a Configuration Problem.

Note: Reset Won't Help.
I tried a different modem with the same configuration (my old wise ADSL modem) and it still has the same issue
mortalcombat wroteI tried a different modem with the same configuration (my old wise ADSL modem) and it still has the same issue
Shouldn't be the same configuration, as i said go to IDM and let them put a new configuration.
Ok so as I said sometimes the connection does not do this..

I just finished 1 game (1AM) and it didn't happen once. I was playing today around (6-7PM) and it was happening every 20 secs...

I have a feeling it has something to do with the line.. Should I still go to IDM for a new config?
There are some steps you can do to pinpoint the origin of the problem...

First get the address of your router - the one that the ISP installed. Normally it's in your connection properties, as "Gateway".
Now open a command prompt (Start > Run > "cmd") and type (replace xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx with the address of your router) 
ping -t xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx
(I'm not sure anymore if it's -t or maybe -i ... I think it's -t though)

What this does is ping the address without stopping (until you press Ctrl-C). Watch the output. As long as you receive replies, then there is a connection between you and the router. When you get timeouts or something then the connection is broken. Watch it for a minute or two. If you see breaks (timeouts or whatever) then the problem is in the connection between you and your router, otherwise if you experience that problem that you described but the ping stays stable, then it's beyond your router, and is the responsibility of the ISP.

Note that almost always, the problem turns out to be from them. So my advice is to save yourself the trouble and frustration and just assume it's their fault :) I don't know how many times I did diagnostics like that and the problem turned out to be from the ISP. It is better not to bother if you want to spare your mental health, I should not even have written this reply!

PS: I'm sorry I did not read the totality of your post. It seems you tried a lot of things and it does look like the problem is from their side. Pinging your router can still be useful to exclude problems from "your side" - although it's hard to be 100% sure.

What you could do is open two command prompt windows and ping at the same time your router, and a point beyond your router in their network - or a web address. If you see breaks in the "external" ping with the pattern that you described, but none in the ping to your router, then you can be sure it's from their network.

But anyway if the problem is not repeating itself anymore then it's gonna be hard to know what happened. It might be a problem with their antenna too, and it might be affected by the weather.

And besides, even if you pinpoint the problem, what's the use if you can't get past a level one support person who keeps telling you to restart your computer or such things... although it helps to be sure, you could then insist about contacting "level 2 support" or try your luck with writing a mail to noc [at] idm.net.lb
mortalcombat, there's a dedicated topic for questions of this type.
There is no reason for you to create a new topic. Please have a look around the forum before posting.