Sporadic internet connectivity

[PhoenixofMT]

Ok,
the internet works most of the time but, seemingly at random, it will just drop out. I'll spend an afternoon browsing, for instance, eBay, with no problems whatsoever only to have the connection fail as I'm trying to bid in the last 30 seconds. Nothing will connect. Google is unreachable. You have to refresh the page several times before anything comes back. I've put together a batch file that pings Google repeatedly so I can watch for the link to come up again. Here's a sample:

Quote:

C:\Documents and Settings\phoenix>ping -t 208.67.219.230

Pinging 208.67.219.230 with 32 bytes of data:

Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Reply from [ISP address]: Destination host unreachable.
Request timed out.
Reply from [ISP address]: Destination host unreachable.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Reply from 208.67.219.230: bytes=32 time=1871ms TTL=51
Reply from 208.67.219.230: bytes=32 time=90ms TTL=51
Reply from 208.67.219.230: bytes=32 time=-1703ms TTL=51
Reply from 208.67.219.230: bytes=32 time=-1704ms TTL=51
Reply from 208.67.219.230: bytes=32 time=82ms TTL=51
Reply from 208.67.219.230: bytes=32 time=-1679ms TTL=51
Reply from 208.67.219.230: bytes=32 time=-1703ms TTL=51
Reply from 208.67.219.230: bytes=32 time=84ms TTL=51

Ping statistics for 208.67.219.230:
Packets: Sent = 16, Received = 10, Lost = 6 (37% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 82ms, Maximum = -1679ms, Average = 429496263ms
Control-C
^C
C:\Documents and Settings\phoenix>

I once accidentally let this run for a long time. It sent 3500 packets with 69% loss!

I've been thinking it may be the modem, except for the 'host unreachable' replies from the ISP.

It doesn't seem to effect streaming that much. People are watching online movies and TV shows all the time around here and the computer hardware is probably having a more detrimental effect than the network. In fact, streaming seems to help.
<analogy> It's like the stream is keeping ISP on the line and if it stops, the ISP hangs up to do something else. Then you have to ring back the ISP for about a minute to get them to pick up again. </analogy>

The tech support guy had us power-cycle the modem and router and I couldn't reproduce the problem while I was on the line. Later he had us try (unsuccessfully) to connect a computer directly to the modem. I later tried the same thing with my PC but it didn't work there either. He's also recommended scanning for viruses, but all the PCs have virus scanners installed and updated.

Our service is 1.5Mb/512kb and has been verified by many speed tests, this one while someone else was streaming video.
.

Here's a rundown of the hardware, this is my parents stuff but I will be as thorough as I can:

We have a Best Data AR520 DSL modem provided by the local telco. (I'm not sure if it still belongs to the telco or was part of the installation fee.)
The gateway is a US Robotics USR5461 router w/ hi-gain antenna, located in the basement, hosting a laser printer.
Connected to this is:
Wired:
Mom's PC running XP Home

Linksys BEFW11S4 router (used as a switch only, no wireless) which connects:
My PC running XP Pro
XBox 360 (which hasn't actually used the internet yet.)

Linksys WRT54G router used as an access point on the ground floor, connecting:
Another PC (wireless), running Win2k, along with a MacBook Pro that visits sometimes.

Wireless:
Dad's PC (on the second floor w/ hi-gain antenna) running XP Pro
Nintendo Wii

I use a static IP and OpenDNS on my machine, everyone else uses a mix of static and assigned IPs and the ISP's DNS.

We've also tried replacing the USR router with the the Linksys BEF as the gateway (so no printing for a few days) but it had no effect.

If anyone can shine some light on this I will be most grateful.

[nemowolf]

Well first off your in Montana. You JUST received standardized FedEx shipping to your STATE two years ago. Packages are still picked up at the post office because knowing which log cabin is yours is next to impossible. LOL! Just kidding ... mostly.

Seriously, i dont doubt your having a problem but i would start with calling your ISP during one of these outages and have them verify they are able to reach your modem. It could be the cold weather is causing problems with your connection, DSL or cable are nothing more then copper and it can still freeze and cause problems.

[PhoenixofMT]

Don't get me started on trying to have a package delivered to my door when I am forced to use a PO Box! (Maybe that hour commute from the big city wasn't so bad....)

I'm pretty sure the modem is reachable as among the "Host unreachable" ping responses I get a reply from an ISP address telling me it can't find whom I'm trying to ping.

As for calling during an outage, they only last about a minute (seems longer but time is hard to judge when you are anxiously waiting). I would probably be back on line by the time I got a hold of tech support. Then, I would have no problems as long as I was talking to him.

And what should I say when I call up? I don't want to get the "Power cycle the modem and router..." run around again and I don't think it gets through to these guys just exactly what my problem is, as happens so often when I ask for help. They start taking me though all this crap making sure my end is set up right and completely miss that I've told them that my end works fine until their end drops the ball. (See my previous post for details.)

Any further insight (or secret hell desk code words) is much appreciated.