Need computer help
 

I am not very computer savvy and am having a problem. I'll be on-line and all of the sudden my modem shows going offline. Then the lights all light up and I'm back on-line. At first it was every once in awhile but now it is happening every 5 minutes or so, sometimes sooner. It is getting quire annoying. I have looked at the connections and everything seems to be working properly, have also run a virus scan with nothing showing up, (Norton).
Can someone explain, (to a 5 year old), how to diagnose the problem? Much thanks as it also affects my Co. laptop as I have a router also.
Thank you in advance

what kind of modem?
regular antique dial-up , broadband dsl or broadband cable?

If you have dsl, your modem sounds sick. It's pretty common. Call your provider & they'll overnite you a fresh one.

It's a Motorola SB4101 cable modem, cable connection

I don't think think it's DSL , isn't that dial up?
Thanks guys for the replies

Sometimes the modems get wonky and need a reset from the cable company too. Part of your call to them will be a reset. You can do their first step, which will be to unplug the cable modem for 20 seconds (count it out slowly) and then plug it back in. That may do the trick too.

+1

Unplug it (Comcast says for 1 minute), then plug it back in. If it continues to happen, call you provider and have them come out. The modems they hand out are cheap junk. They go bad. Also, both cable and DSL connections need a nice clean signal to work. Its possible the feed into your house or your internal wiring has went south.

I had do have the cable into our house replaced to keep our cable running properly.

Cable modems are more reliable. The reset may do it. Do you have a router?

Again thanks guys, I turned everything off last night & unplugged it all, (didn't wait the full 20 seconds though. I'll try that again a bit later. If that doesn't work I'll call then tomorrow. I do have Comcast.

Switched out modem but the problem persisted the first night. The last two evenings have been boot free though. Not your of the gig but thanks guys anyway SmileWavy