internet drops off

Peter2

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Hello
I have been losing internet occasionally with Comcast. I have called and they have done all they can except come to the house, which I will do.
However, I was reading their forum and someone said that turning on "clone mac address" has solve this problem.
I am not techy and am asking if this is recommended.
Thank you
Peter
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro x 64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8300, Dell Inspiron 15 R N5010
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a MAC address is a unique number/address assign to all devices, computers, phones exc. to identify them on a network. There shouldn't be two devices with the same MAC (think of the MAC address like your house address)
im not sure why someone would want to clone a MAC address other then hacking. How is your Network set-up? ---> Cable modem--->Wireless router----WiFi--- Laptop??
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro, RT, 7, To Go
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
The ISP cable goes from the wall to the modem. A Ethernet cable goes from the modem to the router. One Ethernet cable goes from the router to the printer and one to the router.
Comcast(ISP)) has been here to test signal strength etc. and found no issues.
Still, at least once a day, I lose internet.
I have changed channels to no avail. I ping Google and 8.8.8.8 and all is well.
I am trying some of these steps as I read them on the web being careful not to click the wrong button as in this instance.

I am going to get a new modem and if that does not work, I will change my ISP, unless you have another suggestion.

When in MA and DE for a week in each, I had no trouble but was not on the internet all day as I am at home.

Btw, I have been reading that this problem is widespread with Comcast. One explanation is that they have strained their resources going to VOIP which is part of the triple play and which I have. That could be a rumor as a company that big would've attended to it by now, I think.
Thank you for replying.
Peter
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro x 64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8300, Dell Inspiron 15 R N5010
    Memory
    6 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GE force 420
    Hard Drives
    1TB
    Browser
    Edge, Chrome
    Antivirus
    Defender, MBAM, Router
I'm having the same problem though I'm with cable vision. Is there a free app. I can install on the laptop that will monitor / log if and or when the wireless connection is lost?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Wn 8
a MAC address is a unique number/address assign to all devices, computers, phones exc. to identify them on a network. There shouldn't be two devices with the same MAC (think of the MAC address like your house address)
im not sure why someone would want to clone a MAC address other then hacking. How is your Network set-up? ---> Cable modem--->Wireless router----WiFi--- Laptop??

Because certain modem's require that you use the MAC address of the machine that was originally assigned to it from the ISP.

By using the clone MAC setting on the router you can get around this problem, although if the Op was having this problem there would be no connection at all.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro WMC
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    Q9650 @ 4.05 GHz
    Motherboard
    Gforce 780i SLI FTW
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    8GB Gskill DDR2 1200Mhz
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    9 fans air cooled
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    Mouse
    G9 logitech
    Internet Speed
    50mbps
I just wanted those who helped to know that when I saw the modem lights for the phone and PC flicker erratically I wiggled it and it settled them down whereby internet and phone worked. I therefore have a tech coming over to see If I am correct with instructions to bring a new up to date modem and to fix the Ethernet plug that enters the modem from the wall.
I will let you know as I started the thread.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro x 64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8300, Dell Inspiron 15 R N5010
    Memory
    6 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GE force 420
    Hard Drives
    1TB
    Browser
    Edge, Chrome
    Antivirus
    Defender, MBAM, Router
I stared the thread so wanted to let you know the results.

I just wanted you to know the issue was resolved but the cause is unknown as a few things were done. The tech replaced the Ethernet plug from the wall and commented that it was shoddy. He replaced the modem with a gateway so I have no need of my router, I guess.
My router light still acted funny so a couple of things could have been wrong. All works well.
Would you add a router to the gateway which is already a combo of modem and router(WPA2, TKIP, AES ?
Thank you for your help?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro x 64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8300, Dell Inspiron 15 R N5010
    Memory
    6 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GE force 420
    Hard Drives
    1TB
    Browser
    Edge, Chrome
    Antivirus
    Defender, MBAM, Router
I stared the thread so wanted to let you know the results.

I just wanted you to know the issue was resolved but the cause is unknown as a few things were done. The tech replaced the Ethernet plug from the wall and commented that it was shoddy. He replaced the modem with a gateway so I have no need of my router, I guess.
My router light still acted funny so a couple of things could have been wrong. All works well.
Would you add a router to the gateway which is already a combo of modem and router(WPA2, TKIP, AES ?
Thank you for your help?

Yes you can use your old router as a wireless access point although you will need to first get into the old router's firmware settings and turn off DHCP so that the first router or gateway is the only one handing out IP's. You would also plug into the LAN port of the secondary router, LAN port to LAN port, so you don't use the WAN port on the old router.

Some routers even have a switch for this on the side of the router for A/P mode or bridge mode, although sometimes they have a setting for this in the firmware, depends on the router. In either case you must turn off DHCP on the old or secondary router. :geek:

With DHCP off the first router will assign the secondary router an IP probably in the 192.168.x.x range, this IP will show up on the DHCP list of the first router or gateway. After that you will be able to access the secondary router through it's newly assigned IP, then you can set up the SSID, Security key, encryption etc. on the secondary router. You can use the same SSID etc. for seamless roaming around the house or set up a different SSID to create a separate access point, what ever works for you.

Ideally you would place the secondary router or access point in a location where you need to have a better wireless connection, although you need to run a cable there to set it up as an A/P.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro WMC
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    Q9650 @ 4.05 GHz
    Motherboard
    Gforce 780i SLI FTW
    Memory
    8GB Gskill DDR2 1200Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX-480
    Sound Card
    Asus D2 Xonar
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HannsG
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Gskill 120GB SSD
    PSU
    Thermal Take 1000watts
    Case
    Thermal Take Xtreme
    Cooling
    9 fans air cooled
    Keyboard
    G15 logitech
    Mouse
    G9 logitech
    Internet Speed
    50mbps
I appreciate your suggestion but due to my limited skills I will use the gateway only.
I have made note of the procedure you outlined for future use.
Thank you all for your help.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro x 64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8300, Dell Inspiron 15 R N5010
    Memory
    6 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GE force 420
    Hard Drives
    1TB
    Browser
    Edge, Chrome
    Antivirus
    Defender, MBAM, Router
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