What is a historical connection?

What is wrong with my internet connection?

• The problem with my connection is that it will randomly drop with no warning. My ping remains the same at ~32ms, I have no packet info loss, and my upload speed remains at ~1.5 mbps, but my download speed will drop from 10 mbps to less than 0.5 mbps. I've gone through 3 cable modems (which links directly to my PC--no wireless router) within the past 2 months. The 1st was replaced after my ISP (Mediacom, which doesn't have the best reputation where I live) had a repairman come and check my connection--he checked every connection and wire, inside and out of my apartment, and then switched out my old modem for one of theirs, since he claimed that was the source of the problems; the connection drops continued after a few days. I then picked up another modem after 2 weeks of that and everything was fine for a few more days before the dropping started up again. I can get my connection back up to speed by "Resetting the network adapter", as suggested by the Windows Local Area Connection "Diagnose" option, but occasionally, the option suggests I restart my modem or that I should "Automatically get IP settings for the network adapter". Or if worse comes to worse, I have to completely disable my ethernet driver along with my modem before restarting both. I would really like to know WTH is going with my connection...is something wrong with my ethernet card? Or is my ISP maintaining is dubious connection quality? Is there a stupid ant in Inner Mongolia that needs to stop farting, since I am unable to determine any other possible source of the interruptions? Any answers that will get a laugh outta me or, better yet, make my connection stop being a little you-know-what will be much appreciated!

• Answer:

  I think it's more than likely a problem with your ISP.