Boradband connection dropping -can you help?

rennysnell

After years of trouble-free broadband connection (ISP: OneTel, operating on a BT line), I've recently experienced a problem with my connection breaking, with a redial required to set it up again.

I have a SpeedTouch ADSL modem, originally provided by OneTel. This is represented on-screen with an icon in the toolbar; this icon is in the shape of a square, which itself is divided into 4 sub-squares. When satisfactorily connected, the lower right hand of these 4 is coloured red, the other three green. When the connection drops, these three turn to brown, and the 'ADSL' indicator light on the modem, normally constant green, starts blinking green. After a while, without my doing anything, the 3 brown sub-squares turn back to green, and the ADSL light on the modem goes back to constant green. From that condition, I can redial and the connection is remade.

I can't find any diagnostic instructions for the modem, so I wonder if anyone can help me with this? Is this a problem with the BT line? - the modem? - my ISP service? - or something else.

I'd be most grateful for any pointers.

Thanks.

DatabaseError

either line or modem...I didn't think anyone still used the little usb ones (which I think you have)
Phone CS and explain the issue, if they offer to send you a new modem/router make sure they aren't tying you to a new contract at the same time (unless you are happy with that). Consider buying a modem/router yourself, ebay from £5+. This is not a suggestion that your modem may be the issue, just that it may be.

espresso

rennysnell wrote: »

I have a SpeedTouch ADSL modem............

See if you can read the modem line stats see here you probable have a speedtouch 330 frog modem.

rennysnell

DatabaseError wrote: »

...I didn't think anyone still used the little usb ones (which I think you have)

Gulp. This rather ages me. I've had the modem for about 3 years, I guess, with no problems, as I say. But.....can a (solid state) modem really develop an intermittent fault after years of satisfactory performance? In a way, I'm hoping it is the modem, because that can be replaced whereas, if it's my BT line, I can forsee months of frustration ahead, as BT tell me there's nothing wrong on their side, it must be something else.

This problem will probably prompt me to go out and get a new modem/router. From what you say, I'd better move into the 21st century, anyway.

espresso

Boradband connection dropping -can you help?

I'd be most grateful for any pointers.

Obviously not!

:rolleyes:

madforIT

Try updating the modem drivers,at speedtouch website.
I had same problem many moons ago when i had the same modem.

rennysnell

espresso wrote: »

Obviously not!

Oops, point taken. I'll try to be more careful. It was a genuine attempt to try to narrow the options...

espresso

rennysnell wrote: »

Oops, point taken. I'll try to be more careful. It was a genuine attempt to try to narrow the options...

So what are your line stats?

rennysnell

espresso wrote: »

So what are your line stats?

I read the link you kindly mentioned, but the described process is a bit beyond me, I fear. (You're right that I do have a Speedtouch 330, but I don't have - and don't think I ever had - an accompanying CD to access any diagnostic tool that may include). Speedtouch site doesn't seem to support 330 anymore but, even if it did, I'm not sure I'd be confident in downloading a new driver for it.

In essence, if there's a reasonable likelihood that the symptoms I've described point to the modem, then I'll go for a replacement - pushes me into getting a modem/router, anyway. I'll be narked if, with a new modem, the problem continues, though...

espresso

rennysnell wrote: »

I read the link you kindly mentioned, but the described process is a bit beyond me, I fear. (You're right that I do have a Speedtouch 330, but I don't have - and don't think I ever had - an accompanying CD to access any diagnostic tool that may include). Speedtouch site doesn't seem to support 330 anymore but, even if it did, I'm not sure I'd be confident in downloading a new driver for it.

In essence, if there's a reasonable likelihood that the symptoms I've described point to the modem, then I'll go for a replacement - pushes me into getting a modem/router, anyway. I'll be narked if, with a new modem, the problem continues, though...

So you didn't read that you can download Dr SpeedTouch here then! The stats should confirm where the problem actually is.

DatabaseError

the problem is
1. the modem is borked. or
2. the line (your side) is borked...have you tried the modem in the test socket, ensure you aren't using any extensions!? or
3. the line is borked (bt side, they say no)

Change your microfilter, you'll probably have a spare, though I don't think this is the problem.

" I'll be narked if, with a new modem, the problem continues, though..."

would you be more narked if openreach turned up and said the problem is your side, leaving you with a £180+ bill rather than the £20 or so for a modem which will be better than you have anyway, even if it isn't the solution?