Question for techies: What's wrong with my modem?

Or is it the cable company?

My internet connection will work for a little while, then "freeze up." The cable, PC, and power lights are on, but the data light either goes out or stays on solid. At that point, I unplug it, wait a minute, plug it back in. It'll be good for 30 seconds or 2 hours, no telling how long.

I worked through Toshiba's troubleshooter and it checked out, or so they said -- the problem is "with the cable company."

So I called the cable company that told me to go to Toshiba's website and run the troubleshooter. I said I'd done that, but they wanted me to do it again. What a waste. The guy said when it freezes up, to disconnect the power, wait a whole minute, then reconnect. I'm then supposed to wait until the cable light is solid and the data light blinks before using the internet. And, I'm supposed to shut down unnecessary programs.

I think the cable company gave me a load of crap. Do cable modems wear out? Or should I be talking to the cable company again?

Thanks!

and run a spyware

and I use Spybot. This is so frustrating!

I bet one of them is loose.

I would look at cables first. Also, when I have trouble with my cable modem like what you described, I power down everything from the computer out.
Shut down the PC first, then the router if you have one, then the modem. Be sure to remove power from the modem and the router. Wait about 1-2 minutes then power up in reverse order (from the modem to the PC) Also, some of these modems have a reset on the back. Check for that. I may be a inset button that you have to press with an ink pen or something.

and it took 4 "resettings" to get to this screen to type you a response. Do cable modem's go bad? Should I buy a new one? If so, what brand do you recommend? I have a Toshiba right now.

I forgot to mention that the damn thing whistles -- very high pitched sound.

Thanks again!

and I'm sorry it took so long for me to check back. Yes they can go bad. If you are leasing it from your ISP they will replace it since it is their equipment. Your bill will tell you the answer to that. If you have to buy one I like Linksys. They have good tech support and I've had good luck with their equipment.

I bought it... so I'll be buying a new one. I'll still come out ahead. The whistling is enough to drive me nuts.

:hi:

I had a craving for it. Sigh.