On 1/15/2020 11:11 AM, Arlen Holder wrote:
Is there freeware that tests a cable modem functionality?

Grandkid living a few states away calls me up this morning.
Comcast says they'll charge her if the problem is on her side.

Internet keeps going out and coming back and going out again.
Comcast says they can't see the cable modem from their side.

Cable modem was a gift from me of a Costco one (years ago).
(So that the kids could save the $10 per month modem-rental fee.)

I don't have the modem model but it's definitely NOT Wi-Fi.

She can WiFi from her Windows 10 Home laptop into the router.
The router has a gateway, which is, I think, the cable modem.
Laptop Gateway = 192.168.0.1 (as I recall)
Router Gateway = 192.168.100.1 (as I recall)

I had her ping and tracert where we can't get past the modem.

Is there any way to get a DIRECT connection from the Windows 10 laptop to
the cable modem given that there is no RJ45 port on the laptop?

In addition, do you suggest any iron-clad go/no-go test of a modem?

Do they have two units, both a router and a modem?

Most ISP now use a combined Router/Modem.

Most router and modems I am familiar with you can access the internal
menu by entering the address in to the address part of their browser.
the same as you would add www.google.com.

If they have two units one a modem and the other a router, to see the
modem they may have to connect the modem directly to the computer.
Years ago I had a two unit system and the modem would disappear if you
tried to access it from the computer side of the modem.

As I understand she can connect to and see the router's internal menu.
To me that would indicate the WIFI LAN is working.

If they have the two unit system they can check the modem by
disconnecting the cable from the modem to the router from the router and
connecting it directly into the computer. If it is working the directly
connect computer should be able to access the internet as it is suppose
to. If it does not work make sure the ISP address information is in the
modem.

If both the directly connected modem works, and the WIFI connection to
the Router works, I would check the router addresses in the modem

If the modem is old there is the possibility that the modem has failed.
They do with time. If so I would replace it with a Combination/Modem unit.

You said the modem was old, so I assume they do not have voice of
internet for their phone service.