Damaged Modem

Recently went "wireless" with my DSL ATT/Yahoo internet service using AT&T's 2Wire card in my laptop computer. Could not maintain a reliable connection (repeatedly connected/disconnected) so they sent me a new modem, saying they could see it was getting a lot of errors. New modem acted same way and now they are saying I actually damaged both modems by getting the modem too close to my computer or some other electronic device like my wireless phone. Nowhere did I see that written in set-up instructions, nor have I ever heard that warning. Has anyone else ever heard of the possibility of permanent damage occurring to a modem in this way?

 

I've never heard of permanant damage this way. However, if you have a 2.4ghz phone, it can cause interfereance and the problems you mention. That's why I only use 900mhz or 5.8ghz phones when I'm using my wireless on my laptop.

 

That story is really difficult to believe ... I'd much sooner believe that ignorant tech support made up a story based on the little bit of knowledge that such devices can cause interference.

Assuming you are seeing interference, it's nothing permanent: just try separating the pieces, or turning them off one at a time to see if everything else works. You may have to turn down the transmitter on your wireless cards and router or separate them a bit.

I did run into that once: with the laptop right next to the wireless router I'd see a lot of errors unless I turned down the power on the transmitters.