Broadband receiving constant errors - HELP!!!

matthewjkelly

If you remove the front plate, you can test the master socket but you will need to use a microfilter,

If you plug just a phone into that socket with out a microfilter some times you can hear a digital clicking....

also you ISP should be able to check is the authenication service is reciveing the PPP request if not this is normally a modem / line provisioning issues if they get a PPP request then it's a modem / account issue


get a router, modems are so 2001

regards

matthewjkelly

i would also call BT for a line noise test, and a fault test..

If the fault clears.. it could be a earthing issue on the line

timmmers

x_Wilco_x wrote: »

The errors are not consistent. Sometimes none for hours then all of a sudden will get slow connection and error count going up and up into the hundreds until connection just receives errors until re-start. Sometimes will get a few errors, then none for a while, then a few more. When the errors are coming through the connection slows and when they aint the connection is good...

Connection never drops, just doesnt work when receiving errors. Also, as I said before, bad in evening but fine in morning. Another thing is that the sync speed is slower in the evening and gets slower after each re-start. Usually starts above 6mbps and can drop to as low as 4.5mbps..



Oh, cable - no using shielded cable, but have tried a few different ones to eliminate that.

You wireless? If so, you may not be the only one sharing your connection...hence the drop off when you boot up and get online.

Try changing you logon and encryption. Especially if you have students living close.

It's common, mabe worth looking outside for chalk markings or similar telling passers by that you have a free and open network for them to use. Like these :-
http://www.webword.com/moving/warchalking.html

It's dying in that mode but piggybacking is common with foreign workers wishing to contact home yet unable to prove ID etc enough to get decent BB.

t

timmmers

matthewjkelly wrote: »

get a router, modems are so 2001

regards

I'd like to see him get anything without a modem. All of us reading here have a modem.
Routers don't modulate or demodulate. Routers forward and direct data over networks.

The term for domestic hardware is "gateway", which is both a router and an integral modem...so 2009

t

GunJack

Wilko, I'm even more convinced you have a line fault after reading back through the thread....bite the bullet and call it in to Pipex

mr_flibble

Just reading through this thread and I have to agree you should try a router.

As for the silly suggestion of using filters in the test socket, ignore them there is no need. The modem plugs into the unfiltered socket of a filter. It's the voice side that's filtered.

I think you are experiencing the normal night time noise that affects most phone lines and as a result your connection appears slower as the usb modem is working hard to correct all the errors the noise has created. As a USB modem uses some cpu cycles to do it's job you'll also see a performance hit if you have an older computer. Some times the noise can be worse which is why it's not every night. I certainly experience that but I do have a long line with 59dB attenuation, longer lines can be more susceptible to noise. Winter is especially bad with long nights and therefore more hours of noise.

Routers with built in modems generally do a better job of this error correction which is why so many here are suggesting them. Plus they are independent of your computer hardware and most have pretty good firewalls built into them too.

Try to borrow a router or keep a look out on freecycle for an old one.

If you still have problems after you try a modem/router you can ask your isp to cap your line to a slightly lower speed which will help make it more robust. If after all that you still have problems then it will be time to start investigating line faults with your ISP.

Good luck.

Kelvin.

x_Wilco_x

mr_flibble wrote: »

I think you are experiencing the normal night time noise that affects most phone lines and as a result your connection appears slower as the usb modem is working hard to correct all the errors the noise has created. As a USB modem uses some cpu cycles to do it's job you'll also see a performance hit if you have an older computer.

Some times the noise can be worse which is why it's not every night. Winter is especially bad with long nights and therefore more hours of noise.

Routers with built in modems generally do a better job of this error correction which is why so many here are suggesting them. Plus they are independent of your computer hardware and most have pretty good firewalls built into them too.

mr fibble - many thanks... sounds like you may be on the right track. Somebody else (external of this thread) mentioned noise on the line as a probable cause. My computer is knocking on a bit now (last time I upgraded CPU and Mobo was about 3 years ago now and other parts are much older), it also seems to be a bigger problem now we are moving into winter.

I will get a router (it's been on my to do list for a while as I said earlier in the thread) and see if that helps.

Just a couple of questions, just cos I am one of those people who has to know why!!! - Why does a PC re boot help (if only temporarily) and why is noise on the line worse at night?

Thanks again

mr_flibble

Hi Wilco,

a reboot probably helps as when you power cycle the PC you also cycle the attached usb modem. It's quite likely that each time you do this the modem syncs a little slower and the line becomes stable again for a while.

The interference comes as the frequencies used in adsl are close to those used in am radio transmission. The atmospheric conditions favours these frequencies at night so the impact on adsl signals is greater.

There's lots of info in the think broadband forums if you want to dig deeper.

Just google thinkbroadband and look in the technical issues forum.

Kelvin.

x_Wilco_x

mr_flibble wrote: »

Just reading through this thread and I have to agree you should try a router.

Routers with built in modems generally do a better job of this error correction which is why so many here are suggesting them. Plus they are independent of your computer hardware and most have pretty good firewalls built into them too.

Ok, so I purchased a modem/router and have been running it for a week with the same irratic drops in line quality and in speed - particularily in the evening! :mad:

mr_flibble wrote: »

If you still have problems after you try a modem/router you can ask your isp to cap your line to a slightly lower speed which will help make it more robust. If after all that you still have problems then it will be time to start investigating line faults with your ISP.

So now the fun and games begin with Pipex! - I phone them, explain issues and what tests I have run and... to my surprise... the woman said that I seemed to know more than her (thanks guys!!!) and had done all the required tests to eliminate my home wiring. She ran a test on my line and said it was 'very unstable' and would escalate to second level - expect a call in 24-48 hours. She said they may have to re-build my profile or send an engineer etc etc.

Anyway, so I get a call tonight from second level support to tell me that the speed my broadband is leaving the exchange is 7Mbps and asking me what speed I was getting now. I explained that the issue is a stability issue rather than a basic speed issue... so... (and guess what he says) - 'I need to check my filters'!!! Arghhhh...

This is why I can't deal with these people!

Anyway, gave him a full run down... again... and he has passed it back to engineer. The soap opera continues... Gotta go, gotta reboot!!!

JDPower

x_Wilco_x wrote: »

Anyway, so I get a call tonight from second level support to tell me that the speed my broadband is leaving the exchange is 7Mbps and asking me what speed I was getting now. I explained that the issue is a stability issue rather than a basic speed issue... so... (and guess what he says) - 'I need to check my filters'!!! Arghhhh...

This is why I can't deal with these people!

Having been there myself you have my sympathy