SG Broadband Community

my cable modem has stopped working after a lightning struck my area. the power is on and everything, but my pc light isn't on. i'm running an xp. there is an error message saying that a network cable is unplugged. i don't know which one is fried, my computer or my cable modem. my computer is running fine right now, it's just not able to connect to the cable modem. the cable light and power lights are on. i've pinged my modem and yes, it pinged to it with no trouble. can anyone tell me what i need to do to fix this?

Check the ethernet wire between your pc and your cable modem.

Generally when your power surges and blows things out, nothing works...at all, and usually it affects many thigns.

It sounds like you suffered very little if any damage actually.

how would i check the ethernet wire? i don't have an extra one. is there some sort of test i could do?

i was able to ping my modem from my computer, you sure it could be the ethernet wire?

Might be a good idea to call your ISP and see if the problem isn't at their end. You can also get them to ping your modem from there end. I'm guessing your NIC card is OK but the cable modem may be fried on the cable side. You may get lucky and find out the INTERNET is down in your area. Does your cable TV work?

it isn't on their end. i already called them.

ehh what a new cable modem.... 60 bucks... why not go buy one. Even if it didn't get hit it still isn't wroking. Also try to blaim it on your ISP and see if they replace it.

i don't know if blaming it on them will work since i did buy my own cable modem and am not renting it from them.

so could it just be the ethernet wire? or is it more likely to be the nic card or modem.

Originally posted by aks216
it isn't on their end. i already called them.

Did they give you any info? Could they ping your cable modem?
The cheapest thing to try first is the Network cable from the NIC to the modem. Next up is the NIC card. Most expensive is to replace the cable modem. From what you have said I think it is the cable modem that is us. Still I would try a few things like ipconfig /all, release and renew. Then go from there. I am not really up to speed on cable modems. Since I rent mine from my ISP and have no documentation for it I tend to leave well enough alone.

With the PC off...

If you unplug the modem for say two minutes or so and plug it back in does it sync back up?

Well are you SURE you're really pinging your cable modem?

You could just be pinging your NIC or something, if you don't have an ethernet connection to the modem you can't ping the modem.

Also, if your cable system to a hit by lighting and it fried your cable modem, usually it would fry your PC too sincee your modem is connected to your PC by a reasonable sized conductor...

yes, they could ping my modem from their end.

yes, i unplugged cable modem power and plugged it back in waiting about a minute and it was able to sync up(with the pc off).

all the lights are on except for the pc light(with the computer on and off). i'm pretty sure the problem doesn't lie on the cable companie's end.

is there ANY way of finding out the REAL problem? i don't want to go to the store, and buy another cable modem for nothing. i want to be sure of the exact problem. but i will do what i must do.

Originally posted by JeffL
Well are you SURE you're really pinging your cable modem?

You could just be pinging your NIC or something, if you don't have an ethernet connection to the modem you can't ping the modem.

Also, if your cable system to a hit by lighting and it fried your cable modem, usually it would fry your PC too sincee your modem is connected to your PC by a reasonable sized conductor...

well, i'm not sure. i called the cable company and they told me to try to ping 127.0.0.1 i think. and everything checked out with that.

If they can ping the modem then I would think the modem is ok. If the modem lights are all on Except the PC light then the problem appears to be the connection from your computer to the modem.

I would replace the cable from the modem to the NIC first to see if that was the problem. If that doesn't solve it then it could be the NIC itself.

Originally posted by earthmofo
If they can ping the modem then I would think the modem is ok. If the modem lights are all on Except the PC light then the problem appears to be the connection from your computer to the modem.

Not necessarily, I have had tech support people swear to me that it was not the modem because they could ping it and it was the modem as I told them. I bet it's the modem because your coax cable goes directly into the modem and that would be the first thing fried. Buy a new one and possibly a new NIC and see, if it isn't either you can always return them. Also buy a good surge protector with coax protection, my coax protection just got fried on my Panamax surge protector in a storm but it saved my modem and everything else.

The cable side of your modem is ok.
The ethernet side of your modem is bad due to:
1. Bad ethernet cable
2. Bad NIC
3. Bad ethernet port on the modem.

Solutions:
1. Try another ethernet cable
2. Try another NIC
3. If the modem had a USB port try that, if not try another modem.

The modem can be pinged but that would not rule out a bad ethernet port!

where can i get another ethernet cable at? would radio shack have them? and how much would they cost?

Originally posted by aks216


well, i'm not sure. i called the cable company and they told me to try to ping 127.0.0.1 i think. and everything checked out with that.

That is not your modem! You are pinging your PC....

Your modem is usually 192.168.100.1 usually.

Originally posted by aks216
where can i get another ethernet cable at? would radio shack have them? and how much would they cost?

You can buy CAT5 or CAT3 cable at most hardware stores and audio stores. Or you can get "network patch cable" which is CAT5 at BBuy or CCity or RShack.

Let me guess, you live in Grosse Pointe, have an old Motorola CyberSurfr modem?

to update you guys on what is happening right now.

i called toshiba technical support. i told them there was an electrical storm in my area not too long ago and he knew exactly what happened to my modem without me even explaining what was wrong with it. he described my situation perfectly. he said it's pretty standard when there's a surge on the modem. he asked me if the pc light of off. i said yes. i can't quite remember what he said, but he said something about that part of the modem using the most electricity so when there's a surge, that usually gets hit first. somethin like that.

i sent them my modem to get it replaced. i just had to pay for shipping.

charter couldn't help me when i called them because it wasn't a problem on their end.

so if anyone ever has a problem like this. just call your cable modem company, not cable provider, and ask for tech support, they will give you the rundown on what the procedures are. pretty easy.

Just another reason to buy a Panamax surge protector. Thanks for the update.