Can't you just ping my modem?

[Raerlynn]

Actually, depending on your level of admin access, it is possible to ping a modem. My ISP grants that level of access to the majority of its techs, which is a surefire test as to where a problem lies. If I ping the modem, I know everything up to that modem is golden. If the ping fails, then check the status lights. No sync means more troubleshooting, and a solid sync light means repair department FUBARed the provisioning.

For the technically inclined, this ping is not an ip based one, but an ATM cell based ping; it requires admin rights to run.

[Geek King]

The quote is "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."

Arthur C. Clarke

Only if you're quoting Clarke.

Also, if you have physical access to the machine, and it is an internal network card, you can check 127.0.0.1 for activity. If that doesn't come back, the card is fragged.

[Cyphr]

run him through ping loopback 80 times to prove a ping is useless

[Anriana]

The quote is "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."

Arthur C. Clarke

Ooh I like that quote.