DIY: When Broadband Modem is faulty . . .

The general indications for a faulty broadband modem are
No internet access.
Broadband Modem : No LED display for DSL and Internet.

A note on abbreviations and term:
LED - Light Emission Diode (the green lights as shown below)
ADSL - Asymmetric Digital Subscriber line or DSL in short
NIC - Network Interface Card or Network card
LAN - Local Area Network (or simply network)
ISP - Internet Service Provider
Broadband Modem usually comes with Router/Switch, all-in-one

Based on my own experience, the faulty modem (other than manufacture's defect) is due to surge from lightning even though it may have struck hundreds of meters away from your modem's location especially when it is located near to the open window during the thunderstorm.

Shown below are pix of the Broadband Modem's LED display
[When modem is in order]

Broadband Modem LED display
1st LED - Power- On (left side)
2nd LED - Port#1 - Off (not in use)
3rd LED - Port#2 - Off (not in use)
4th LED - Port#3 - Off (not in use)
5th LED - Port#4 - ON
6th LED - ADSL - ON
7th LED - Internet - ON (right side)

[When modem is faulty]

Broadband Modem LED display
1st LED - Power- ON
2nd LED - Port#1 - OFF(not in use)
3rd LED - Port#2 - OFF(not in use)
4th LED - Port#3 - OFF(not in use)
5th LED - Port#4 - ON
6th LED - ADSL - OFF
7th LED - Internet - OFF

(Port #1, #2, #3 and #4 are where network cables are connected (at the back) which allows you to share broadband connections with multiple PCs using a single modem/router/switch)

Modem's Configuration:
The other is getting the details of modem's configuration. You need to enter these configurations when a new modem is replaced. Get it written down when the modem is in working order. Don't know how? Then do this accordingly.

- open a browser (IE, Firefox, etc); key in " 192.168.1.1" without the quote, at the address bar and hit enter. Refer to your modem's user manual as sometimes they used a different URL. Upon successful login, note and copy the details, such as
- USER- ID (for Streamyx a/c, the format is "username@streamyx"
- Password (if not visible or u have forgotten it,then u have to refer to your ISP)

Network Card:
More often than not, the surge from lightning may also damage the network card too.

Indications for damage of the Network Card (NIC):

# LAN icon at PC's system tray with a red "X" or yellow "!" point. This is located at the bottom right corner next to the clock display.


# LED of port# (one that connects to the network card) would not be lighting-up

This mean a replacement of NIC is required but this can also mean the PC is not connected to internet.

A pix of the NIC, cost about $18 is shown below.

For replacement, there is a need to open the CPU cover and replace it accordingly. If the network card replaced is a different brand, then it is necessary to install the driver, which is usually provided together with the NIC. Shown below is where the network cable is connected between here (NIC) and the modem's. If you are not familiar, it's better that you check with someone who knows or refer to the user manual.

A new NIC require configuration too. While still in working order, it is wise to take a note of the settings.

How to configure the LAN:

Click at the network(LAN) icon, select properties but i would not be going into details as different OS (XP, Vista, etc) has different configurations. The basic is to get the properties correct for the Internet Protocol for its TCP/IP.
See details below. This may be different from your NIC settings.


Precaution:
Taking precaution is the best defence. These are the steps taken whenever there is a thunderstorm and when lightning is heard. On the other hand, if it is raining but there aren't any lightning struck, then i would say it's quite safe surfing the net. If it does, don't blame me ;-)

1. Turn off the switch that connects to the CPU; and pulling out the plug away from the wall socket;
2. Disconnect the phone cable (RJ-11).
There is a couple of ways. It's a matter of preference or a matter of convenience.
#- pull the phone cable from the telephone switch box or wall socket.

[After]

OR
#-pull the phone cable from the back of the modem/router.
[Before]

Note the two network cables (light and dark blue}indicating that the cables are being connected to 2 PCs.
[After]

3. Don't forget to close the window when the modem is located near the windows.

Summary:
1. Assumed cause of the the modem's fault is due to lightning;
2. Check the Modem's LED - DSL and Internet -their lights should not be working
3. Make available modem's configuration such as user-ID and password;
4. Log in to the modem's URL (192.168.1.1) and input the setting as in (3).
5. Check the LAN icon (system tray) to determine whether the network card is damaged
6. Make available LAN's configuration settings.

Cheers!