maybe a wiring issue when using the cable modem.
might be an mtu issue when using the new DSL
Turned out the problem on DSL was a firmware problem on the modem side.
also don't flip random options that you find …. thats a pointless waste of time
Even if you disagree. Those options actually make sense to try
advise:
reset to factory defaults, leave everything as default except the PPPoE bit, then try changing(lowering) the MTU to the correct value
As i mentioned at "Here are some details for the Pfsense " section, the firewall was already "stripped" from the more "exotic" configurations.
Anyway thanks a lot for giving a thought to my issue and for the advice.
George