About every 15 or 20 minutes, my DSL line will drop out for about 15-20 seconds. AIM will still work, but browsing doesn't work, and WS_FTP kicks me out and everything. I can't even ping myself.

I run a small web server on my computer for personal use, and accessing it via 'localhost' while the line is "dropped out" doesn't even work. Traceroute and netstat both don't do anything until after it comes back on.

Does anyone else have (or had at one time) this problem? I've called the phone company and they don't know whats going on as they've said that I have the best line quality in the area and that there doesn't seem to be a degrade in its quality when it drops out.

Maybe the modem?

Its a Efficient 300 external to NIC modem.

Thanks.

Do you have PPPoE? That could be the problem.

Yes, it is PPPoE, but is there a way around that? From what I understand, thats the protocol used for my DSL line and it can't be changed. Can it be changed?

Also, why would PPPoE do this? and if it was known to have problems, why would it be installed with my DSL provider's software?

Thanks.

Whats your distance to the CO? I've heard of this before and it may be distance related.

You may be loosing sync with the DSLAM because you are too far from it and the signal isn't strong enough. Of course, the fine folks over at dslreports.com will be able to troubleshoot this much better than I will.

--Brian

Originally posted by BrianF
Whats your distance to the CO? I've heard of this before and it may be distance related.

Brian, weird thing about it is is that I am the closest DSL customer in my area (around 1,300 ft. [their about 3 blocks from me :D ]).

I MIGHT have found the solution on the Efficient web site under their support stuff, but I haven't tested it long enough to have any problems yet (none so far).

*crosses fingers*

Good luck!

--Brian

Originally posted by BrianF
Of course, the fine folks over at dslreports.com will be able to troubleshoot this much better than I will.

--Brian

Yep...dslreports.com is an awesome resource for testing and troubleshooting your connection. If you fix the problem with your hardware, check out that site and do some line tests. You'll most likely be able to squeeze a bit more speed out :)