Expert: Pat Dunlap - 3/15/2009

Question
QUESTION: I have At&t service provider for DSL and the small motorola modem. When I shutdown my computer for the night all lights on Modem go off after about 20 minutes except the Power and DSL light. I have noticed a few times several hours later that the INTERNET light was back on and the activity light flickering. The only light still off was the ethernet. Of course after a while the lights went back off except for the Power and DSL which is always on.
I was wondering if it is normal if your computer is shut down for this to happen?

ANSWER: Steve, your set up is similar to mine with DSL.  Why aren't you powering down the modem?  Doesn't it have a switch in the back for on/off?  Of course, the ethernet light would go out when you turn the computer off, but with the modem still powered on it's still on the DSL connect.  If you don't have a switch on the modem then unplug it or get a power strip with an on/off button.  Pat


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your response. I don't have a switch in the back of the modem but I do have a surge protector with an on/off button. I never knew about powering down the modem because the guy that installed it said to never turn it off. I guess it will be safe to do that? Thanks again.

Answer
Not a problem and glad to help.  I shut my modem off every night.  My routine is turn off printer, then the router, then the modem, then the computer.  It goes pop when the computer is ready to go off, then I turn the monitor off.  In the morning I turn on by doing the eact opposite, except computer goes power on when all three lights on the modem are steady.  I don't know why the installer told you not to turn off the modem.  Pat