AT&T DSL Modem Issues

I have AT&T DSL with filters on all jacks with the modem/router connected to my Office PC and then the 4 Ethernet outputs run throughout the house. I have 10 devices connected to the router some via Ethernet and some via Wi-Fi but maybe only 5 devices are used at a time.

I’ve gone through for 4 or 5 of their Netgear 7550 and Pace 4111N model/routers but nothing fixes the problem. I’ve also had them run a dedicated line to my office where the modem/router is connected but that didn’t help either. I've called AT&T so many times their help is useless and they've even been out to my house saying everything checks out on our end.

This is the problem:
When using the Netgear 7550 I constantly have a hard time loading web pages on my Office PC but the signal going to my other devices (Ethernet & Wireless) seem to work fine (seldom drops signal). Rarely does the connection icon on my PC ever show disconnected and never on the modem which seems strange. I can load pages on the Office PC but sometimes it takes 30 -60 seconds or so.

Now if I switch to the Pace 4111N modem my Office PC loads web pages fine but it drops the signal to my other devices several times a day. It drops the signal so much that to keep everyone happy in my family (except me) I have to use the Netgear 7550.

What could be going on here with the interaction between my Office PC and the Netgear? I think the Pace may just be a lousy modem so I would like to fix the Netgear issue.

 

Test a different Ethernet cable between your office computer and the modem and disconnect all devices apart from the modem (as in all phones, fax machines etc - everything that might cause problems). Also see what happens if you replace or at least shuffle filters (especially the one on your office phone jack)

 

Downloads I've already tried those things.

There's just something to do with the interaction of my Office PC and the Netgear modem/router since the Pace doesn't have that problem. Of course it has it's own issues.

It's a night and day difference with how I'm able to load web pages on the Office PC depending on whether the Negear or Pace is hooked up. The Netgear struggles and the Pace loads them quickly.

 

Interesting story.

I'd try using Pace as a bridge, and hook-up another wireless router to see what happens then, most of them will allow you to feed wired connections as well...

 

Well that's a thought I wish I had a router laying around. I think to do that I would need to have AT&T tech put the Pace in bridge mode but could I still use the Netgear as a router?

 

I'm pretty sure that you can put it in the bridge mode yourself...not familiar with Pace, but don't see why it would be any different from the rest of the junk that big ILECs dump on their customers...

Good luck.

 

@ajkula66

Agreed. ADSL combos can be set as a bridge by the end-user (at least vast majority of them). Still a spare router is needed for testing.

 

Fair enough. Time for a trip to local Worst Buy or whatever OP has in the area...

 

...or to a friend's house. Someone is bound to be sitting on an old device they upgraded from.

 

I don't actually know anyone that has a router laying around but I could probably buy one with the option to send back. I live in a rural area so I would need to order online from Amazon or maybe Best Buy.

Since I could end up keeping any router I buy what would be a good one... maybe up to $130 if needed?

I've heard rumors that at some point within the next year my town could be getting AT&T U-verse fiber optic would I still be able to use this router?

Bridging the Pace is probably over my head unless there is a step by step tutorial how to do this? If not I'm sure I could get AT&T tech to do it.

 

Router yes, current modem obviously not.

They might charge you for coming out on such a call. Google is your friend on this one.

Good luck.

 

Rural area? Fiber? LOL LOL LOL Surely, you jest! :rolleyes2:

I just went through the hell they call U-Burst.

You HAVE TO check out these forums for the reality check:

AT&T U-verse Community - AT&T Community

AT&T U-verse forum | DSLReports, ISP Information

 

Are you still recommending the Asus RT-N66U as the best value in mid to high end routers, or going with a 802.11ac router?