Internet Issues

I was referred here from the malware removal forum after they said I appear to have no malware infection. I'm having issues with my internet cutting out randomly. Sometimes the modem resets itself but most of the time it does not. I suspect a problem with my ISP but I want to eliminate my computer as a possible cause before I call them back out here.

A couple of things to note:

1. I recently moved and I was having issues connecting to the internet a few days before I moved. My computer was saying there was no ethernet cable plugged in but I assumed the cable had become damaged since it was run under the carpet in a heavy traffic area. My computer no longer says there's no ethernet cable connected but I found it strange I'd have internet problems in two separate places.

2. I've been having these issues off and on for over a month but recently, when i try to repair my connection, it tells me "The Diagnostic Policy Service is not running" and when I try to launch it manually, it closes immediately.

Thank you for your time.

 

Intermittent problems can sometimes be difficult to troubleshoot. I doubt if it is the computer itself. Often, the only way to find the fault is by substitution of components.

It could be the Ethernet cable. It that plugged directly into the modem? The cable would be the first thing I would try replacing.

Do you own the modem or is it supplied by your ISP? If the cable is good, then the modem is the next most likely.

If both of those are good, then it could be the data line between your modem and the ISP's modem.

The modem at the ISP could also be at fault.

On my WIN 7 machine, I can open the Network and Sharing Center and look at the errors that have occurred since I made the connection. For example, right now, it is showing over 148 MB downloaded with one error. I seen to get that every time I connect, so that error is expected.

There may be software available that looks at the type of error as well as providing a history. That would help in diagnosis of the problem.


I don't know if there is software that can look at your bit error rates.

 

You said the cable was in a high traffic area,,is there any way the cable could have had tension on it where it connects into the computer or the modem???? Maybe those ports are now loose or not making good contact with the cable.

 

I purposely had a few feet of extra slack on each end of the ethernet cable to keep tension from causing a problem. Also, the light is on. I'm no longer using the same ethernet cable so I'm doubting it's the problem.

I do seem to have internet access most of the time right now. I changed the coaxial cable from the wall to the modem since it was the only thing the installer had to give me aside from the modem. The only problem is that the issues I have are so sporadic I can go days at a time with no issue.

Also, I've changed the modem out since i moved. both times it was a brand new modem sealed in the box.

My prime suspect right now is the cable tap my house is connected to. I'm on a two port tap at the end of the line on the cable system. The last technician that was out here made enough comments to make me believe the tap could be the issue and unfortunately it seems the cable company may just blame me to keep from having to repair it.

Also, does anyone know anything about the Diagnostic Policy Service issue?

 

Since the errors appear to have lessened some it could be because you're at the end of the cable connection. Which means that everyone ahead of you on the cable system is, basically, using the same connection as you. If someone is doing an inordinate amount of downloading or watching videos (or, it could just be the cable companies limitations) your connection could be getting sucked dry, so to speak.