Cable modem and Firewall? Yes or no?

[Invero]

Okay, so here's my situation... I have Road Runner on my computer for almost 3 years now... Never really had any problems whatsoever.

Recently, Time Warner Cable became BrightHouse Networks... and suddenly, I have intermittant connection problems. What happens is my connection will die out anywhere from 30 seconds - 15 minutes... it happens sporatically.

I've called RoadRunner many times... they've sent a tech out to my apt to inspect the lines. They say my lines are fine. I've replaced my 3Com cable modem with a Toshiba cable modem. Still having issues.

The bigger problem that I am having is that the RR techs tell me that my Firewall is the problem. I use Zone Alarm as my firewall, and have had it for years with NO problems. (Note: XP firewall was disabled)... now all of a sudden they tell me that Zone Alarm is the source of my issues. So, I disabled it for a day. Still had connection issues. (they still told me that my Firewall was to blame, even though I unistalled it.) I was still having issues, and got tired of those damn Messenger Pop Ups... so I re-installed Zone Alarm. (BTW: I also supposedly disabled the popups, yet they still came through)

Now, some RR techs tell me "Nope, you don't need a firewall, your computer is completly safe from hackers. And if they REALLY wanted to get in, a firewall wouldn't stop them."

Others tell me "YES! You really do need a firewall, and it shouldn't impact your connection at all."

So can anyone tell me whats REALLY going on here??

 

[CmdrTostada]

Have you checked your ethernet card? I have what seems to be the same setup, a Toshiba modem, Road Runner, and Zonealarm, and my connection still works perfectly. So all I can think of is the ethernet card.

 

[no2apprentice]

I have a Netgear wireless router that is hardwired into desktop, and use the laptop off the wireless. On top of the hardware firewall that the router uses, I also have used Zone Alarm. When I went to XP, it didn't like when users were switched. When I did an upgrade (two versions ago) of Zone Alarm, I REALLY started to have problems. I finally uninstalled Zone Alarm, and everything has been fine.

If I were having the problems you were having, I would try the following:
1. Completely uninstall Zone Alarm.
2. If still problems, check Microsoft website for all updates for OS and IE.
3. If still problems, reinstall software and setup for cable modem.
4. If still problems, either take it to shop or try replacing the ethernet card yourself.

If all that doesn't work, there's the possibilty you have some I/O problems on your motherboard, and it will need to be replaced.

Be aware, I am by no means a computer geek. There could be lots of other things that could be causing your problems - I just don't have a clue what they might be! Good luck.

 

[monorailmike]

For what it is worth, I say with a cable modem you should have some firewall running. Be it software or hardware based. I have a sonicwall firewall and you would not believe how many different attacks it reports. As for connectivity issues, I am a little out of ideas. As much as they deny it, the problem usually is on their end. My mom was having similar problems and they said something must be wrong with windows. My butt! I had just did a clean install with the bare minimum of programs she needed 2 months before. I guess you could try uninstalling zone alarm completely and see if that changes anything. Good luck, and make sure to keep running some firewall (except XPs built in one).

 

[Bagheera]

I've disabled XP firewall. I'm running Zone Alarm and a Netgear Router, and I'm connected through RoadRunner. No problems here.

 

[Invero]

Just an update... I completely uninstalled Zone Alarm a few weeks ago... still had problems. In my mind, that ruled out Zone Alarm as the culprit. I also completely re-installed Windows XP... fresh start on a brand new hard drive...

By the way... a side note... one time when I called RoadRunner tech support, I got this one guy... and I had called him just after I got disconnected for a second... he did some research, and told me "Ahh yes.. it would appear as if our servers lost connection with your modem 20 mins ago" (about the time it happened)... I asked him to clarify... was this problem with my computer, or with road runner... he assured me my computer was fine, the firewall was fine, and that it was Road Runner somewhere. So he connected me with RoadRunner "Local"... the guy immedietly said "its your firewall, our networks are FINE"

UGGGGHHHH

 

[Monorail Lime]

If the cable modem loses sync the problem is almost never in your computer and is most likely caused by a weak digital signal. It can be a bad coaxial cable (try swapping them out), a bad modem (doubtful since you got a new one), an amplifier acting up somewhere (not much you can do but encourage RR to check them), or too many splitters. Check your cable modem next time your connection goes out and see what the lights do.

There's also the possibility of someone packeting your IP address but if that were the case it would probably go out a lot more often.

 

[NowInc]

I do have to agree with what the tech said about the firewall's usefullness...

The way you gotta look at it...

IF someone is knoledgable enough to know how to get into your comptuer in the FIRST PLACE...they know how to get past a firewall..trust me

 

[NowInc]

And to actually be of some help in this thread::

How long is your cable? If its longer than 15 feet..it WILL cause sync errors.

I know this makes no sence especially since it worked fine BEFORE.

My suggestion? get earthlink/mindspring

 

[Invero]

Originally posted by NowInc
And to actually be of some help in this thread::

How long is your cable? If its longer than 15 feet..it WILL cause sync errors.

I know this makes no sence especially since it worked fine BEFORE.

My suggestion? get earthlink/mindspring

I've had the guy come out and check my cable... it's only a few feet, it's dedicated, and it has one splitter... something he put on. Actually, I think it's a dampener or something, to lower my levels which were too high. (?)

By the way... isn't Earthlink now part of TWC/Brighthouse?


So as an update... my cable connections slowed to a dialup CRAWL last night... so I spent almost 2 hours on the phone with them... and *FINALLY* they conceeded that hey, maybe there is a problem on thier end... and just maybe my computer is fine!

*sigh*