Should a DSL Modem Buzz?

DexterDexter Vancouver, BC Canada
edited September 2004 in Science & Tech
I'm working on a customer's connection, which as been sporadic for the last couple of days. We thought it was a heat issue, so have moved the modem and router away from the computer & monitor, and put them down on low shelf on the desk by themselves.

However, the modem has a loud, persistent low frequency buzzing to it, almost a crackly kind of a buzz. The unit is a DLink DSL 300I. I am not familiar with this particualr model, so don't have a benchmark to make an positive diagnosis, but any other DSL Modem I have worked with has not buzzed at all, which leads me to suspect that the unit is on it's way to an untimely death (only 1.5 years old.)

Opinons? Should this sucker be buzzing at all? Could it be a bad capacitor? Should it be replaced?

Dexter...

Comments

  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited September 2004
    My Alcatel ADSL1000 modem buzzed faintly, and it worked for 5 years until I manually decomissioned it.
  • mcwcmcwc Vancouver, BC Member
    edited September 2004
    I'm using the same modem that came with my QuickConnect kit. I've had it for over 2 years, placed on top of my SMC router near my monitor. My modem doesn't buzz at all. You should talk to Telus about getting a replacement modem.
  • DexterDexter Vancouver, BC Canada
    edited September 2004
    Thanks mcwc, that's good to know.

    I did talk to Telus, and seemed to be cursed with the least-experienced tech guy on duty:

    Me: "so basically, the internet has been cutting out sporadically and randomly the last few days, I know it's not the router because that is brand new and all computers on the network maintain their "connected" status, it's proably not heat releated but we've moved it away from all heat sources and put it near the floor, and there have not been any service outages on your end for the last few days. So, basically my question is, should a DSL 300I be buzzing loud enough to be heard from a couple of feet away?"

    tech-wannabe guy: "Can you explain what you mean by buzzing?"

    Me: "Ummmm, buzzing. You know what a buzz sounds like, right? I don't know how to explain it any better than that. Would you like me to imitate the noise for you?"

    tech-wannbe guy: "Ummmmmmmmmmmm........."

    Me: "BZZZzzzzzzzzZtztztztTCRKCKRKCzzzzzzZZZZZZRTZTZTZTTCRCRCzzzzzzzz"

    tech-wannbe guy: "Ummmmmmmmmmmm........."

    Me: "So, in your experience, should these things be buzzing loud enough to be heard from a few feet away??"

    tech-wannbe guy: "Ummmmmmmmmmmm.........let me check with some people here......"

    (insert hold music)

    tech-wannbe guy: "Do you know if they have line filters installed on the other phones in the house...?"

    /me realizes that they looked up "buzzing" in their tech database, and could only find "phone line buzzing = no DSL filter"....
    Me: "Uhhh, how would that make the actual DSL Modem buzz?"

    tech-wannbe guy: "Well, the uhhhh, filter, ummmmmm, needs to be......on any ummmmm, phone in the house, and....."

    Me: "yeah, to filter out the DSL high-frequencies from the phone line, blah blah blah. Ya, I know that. Dude, how would not having those make the actual physical unit of the DSL modem buzz???? Not the phone line, but the actual physical modem itself...?"

    tech-wannbe guy: "Ummmmmmmm....I don't know if it would or not, but that's what my supervisor said is the best thing to check, and then see if it works better when they have the filters on."

    Me: "So the filters are going to stop this unit from sounding like it has a frying insect inside of it, huh?"

    tech-wannbe guy: "Ummmmmmmmmm....."

    Me: "Never mind. So, you have absolutely no idea if the modems you sell to your customers should be buzzing loud enough to be heard from a few feet away, do you?"

    tech-wannbe guy: "Well, ummmmmm, it might work better with the filters on and...."

    Me: "Ok, thanks for your time, I'll try and get some better information somewhere else."

    tech-wannbe guy: "Do you want a trouble ticket number in case the filters don't work?"

    Me: "Oh, yeah, just in case they don't do the trick and I have to call back, ya, give me that ticket number please." :banghead:

    For the record, the modem shares a line with the fax, which was not filtered (who talks on their fax machine, really?) We put on a filter just because it should have one anyways, to protect the fax data integrity if nothing else.

    It did not stop the modem from buzzing, in case anyone was confused about a possible correlation....

    Dude at the local computer store had a better answer in about 30 seconds: "Nope, sounds like it's going bad, we've exchanged out a lot of those models for that problem. See if it's under warranty with Telus, otherwise we have them in stock for $69.99."

    Going to wait a couple of days to test tech-wannbe guy's theory....well, more to see if moving the unit away from the heat sources helps, hopefully save my customer $70. She needs to find out if her modem was bought or is rented, and if it is under warranty, she's not sure and her husband is out of town.

    Thanks for the feedback guys.

    Dexter...
  • mcwcmcwc Vancouver, BC Member
    edited September 2004
    I'd say listen to the guy at the local computer store. If the modem is rented, then ask (or bitch) to Telus replace it. If your client bought the modem like me, then I don't know. I can't find out how long the warranty is from the manual.

    Let me know of the result so I know what to do if my modem decides to quit.
  • maxanonmaxanon Montreal
    edited September 2004
    D-Links are known for this (modems and routers/hubs). They either emit a buzzing or a high-pitched whine (depends on the model). The room has to be quiet (or you need to be close to hear it). They have this mysterious "will be fixed in the next bios update" credo.
    If its annoying, then replace it or if not, forget about it. I've installed D-Link and many other brands and I've had no problems with D-Link.
  • GHoosdumGHoosdum Icrontian
    edited September 2004
    Dexter, your story of the conversation is hilarious! ;D
  • TroganTrogan London, UK
    edited September 2004
    Hi Dexter, you may not want to do this but I suggst that you phone the people again, with some luck you won't get an in-experienced advisor :) .

    Please don't take this the wrong way but when your speaking to them just say that the modem is buzzing, is that correct? Don't give them your theory, your way to advanced for them :thumbsup::clap:
  • GobblesGobbles Ventura California
    edited September 2004
    filters and line noise wont cause the hardware to make noice anyway.. it will cause the system to drop connection however. Easy way to test that is the dial the number while monitoring a lag meter of some type. when the phone rings you will get large lag spikes.

    g
  • rykoryko new york
    edited September 2004
    what about carefully taking the dsl modem apart? at least remove the cover, and then plug it back in so you can identify what is actually making the noise. Is this not an option? I am curious to what is making that thing buzz so loudly....might want to wear some safety googles just in case it decides to explode.
  • DexterDexter Vancouver, BC Canada
    edited September 2004
    Not an easy option ryko...no screws. Snaps together somehow. I think they make them that way on purpose, because believe me my first instinct is ALWAYS to take a look inside ;)

    I'm pretty sure it is a bad capacitor. Resistors nad IC's don't usually make noise when they are dying. The power transformer is external, so that's not a problem. Doesn't leave much else that could squeal or buzz when it is dying.

    Dexter...
  • mcwcmcwc Vancouver, BC Member
    edited September 2004
    There are screws! They are under the four rubber feet. Don't worry about removing the rubber feet as the feet came on little sheet for the owner to stick on.
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