Computer (modem) issue.....advice please?

[rdcl]

I've been having a strange issue lately. When I get home from work......or after my computer sits un-used for a while, I will lose my internet access.
When I try to get online a banner box will show up saying: "Additional log-on information may be required" I click........THEN a page will pop on asking me to type in my modem access code number.....found on the bottom of my modem......after I do this.....another page pops on saying: "Success! You are now connected"

....Then everything is fine, that is until after my computer sits unused for several hours.....then I must do it again.

(The page by the way is from Motorola, the company that makes my modem)

This has been going on for a few days now. Why all of a sudden am I being asked to log-in my modem access code to gain internet access?


Strange, huh? Anyone else ever experience this?


Appreciate any advice/comments,
Russ

 

[ericdarden]

Modems get flaky after a while. Try to unplugged your modem for 1 minute, then plugg back in. If problem continues you may need a new modem

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[Onomea]

By the way, I don't think you want to stay connected to the Internet all the time. This is because there are bad folks out there with programs roaming the Internet, looking for computers they can infect so that, if not steal your data, take over you computer and spam everybody in your address book using your computer unbeknownst to you.

My understanding is that it is better to turn off/disconnect Internet when not using.

 

[wyo-man]

Two possibilities:
1) Your computer goes into sleep mode with no activity; the modem connection is disabled to conserve power. When you access your computer again, the modem wakes up but you need to re-establish your connection. On some operating system there is a checkbox in the modem or LAN connection to allow a connection to sleep to conserve power (especially on laptops).

2) Your Internet provider sees no activity (traffic) on that line and "disconnects" it until your computer shows activity on that line.

wyo-man

PS. I would certainly reboot the modem at some point, too.

 

[Kanewpadle]

By the way, I don't think you want to stay connected to the Internet all the time. This is because there are bad folks out there with programs roaming the Internet, looking for computers they can infect so that, if not steal your data, take over you computer and spam everybody in your address book using your computer unbeknownst to you.

My understanding is that it is better to turn off/disconnect Internet when not using.

Turning your computer on and off all the time can wear it out faster. Ask me how I know.

It should be left on all the time so updates can be installed while you sleep. Firewalls and anti virus programs are there to protect you.

 

[rdcl]

Thanks everyone for the replies. Will re-boot my modem tonight, and see what happens tomorrow.....

Gotta get to bed for now, 5 am gonna get here fast!


Russ

 

[rdcl]

Update.......


Re-booting the modem seems to have worked.

Last night I shut the computer down and not only that.....this time I shut off the power to the modem as well (something I usually never do)........because I'd thought previously that the modem was being re-booted just by shutting down the computer....not so it seems. ( I'm computer stupid).......anyway, I just got home from work minutes ago.......... powered everything up.......and good-to-go!


Back to normal (so far)


Again guys......thanks for the advice.

Russ

 

[LVSteve]

I think sometimes modems get choked with data in some odd corners of their memory or the software gets corrupted by brown-outs. They just need to cycled down to restore order. Seems to be the way with most electronics these days. Even my flat screen TV has needed it on occasion.

 

[LouisianaJoe]

Check your power options. I have Vista. for that Click Control Panel then power options. Click "Change Plan Settings" under the selected plan. I have my display and "put Computer to sleep" set to never.

Click "Change Advanced Power Settings". If you have a wireless adapter you may want to change the setting for that. I have mine set for "Maximum performance" If it is not on that, your wireless may be set to go to sleep to save power.

My PC is plugged in and not on a battery so I do not have to worry about the battery running down.