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Broadband Modem
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Zebra
Posts: 6,702 Forumite
in Techie Stuff
Hi
I am currently having problems with my broadband connection, intermittently it keeps disconnecting.
I think it may be the modem, because if I keep unpluging it and then pluging it back in, eventually it will reconnect.
I am with Talktalk broadband, and the modem (a Sagem F@st 800 E3) was one they supplied free about 12 months ago, so presumably it is not a very good one anyway.
Is there anyway that I can check that the problem is with the modem before I buy another?
And could anybody point me in the right direction about wireless modems, as I know nothing about them, but would consider getting one.
Thanks in advance.
I am currently having problems with my broadband connection, intermittently it keeps disconnecting.
I think it may be the modem, because if I keep unpluging it and then pluging it back in, eventually it will reconnect.
I am with Talktalk broadband, and the modem (a Sagem F@st 800 E3) was one they supplied free about 12 months ago, so presumably it is not a very good one anyway.
Is there anyway that I can check that the problem is with the modem before I buy another?
And could anybody point me in the right direction about wireless modems, as I know nothing about them, but would consider getting one.
Thanks in advance.
0
Comments
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get them to check the line, can be line problems, not the modem
also make sure you have a splitter in EVERY socket where there is a phone,skybox or burglar alarm etc plugged in, this will cut off the connection as wellEx forum ambassador
Long term forum member0 -
If it was previously working fine then it's quite possibly your modem. But as Browntoa says, get the line checked (if you can get through to TalkTalk support!) as they've had a real increase in user numbers recently so you may be sharing bandwidth & all sorts of new problems.
The talktalk setup disk helpfully gives you the option to use other modems (as you say, the one supplied is a cheap & cheerful one) and wireless ones are not much harder to set up, though it's best to do the initial setting up using an ethernet cable first, then set up the wireless side, using the modem instructions - most brands use easy walkthroughs to assist you.0 -
Thanks Guys!
As Browntoa and Tallymanjohn suggest, I'll get the line checked by Talktalk.
I too wondered if it was anything to do with the recent increase in users, but once connected it's fine, but when it disconnects it takes 4 or 5 attempts to reconnect it, and the problem seems to be happening more and more frequently.
Alex, my PC is actually a laptop, so if I'm going to have to spend about £60 on a new modem anyway, I'll probably go down the wireless/router route!
Are there any particular things that I should look out for, or avoid when making my purchase, and do you know of some sort of guide that will help to explain the terminology.
Thanks again!0 -
alexjohnson wrote:In which case don;t buy the USB thing, buy the PC Card version (you know, the credit-card sized metal expansion cards); it's about the same price. If you really search you can often find them bundled together.
I see that the Netgear one from Amazon has a connection for a printer, does that mean you can print wireless from a laptop.0 -
Zebra wrote:Thanks Alex, please excuse my ignorance but I'm afraid I don't know what the PC card version is.
I see that the Netgear one from Amazon has a connection for a printer, does that mean you can print wireless from a laptop.
Bundled packages come with either a PCMIA card (preferable) or a USB dongle (avoid) with the router to plug into a laptop.
The printer port will allow wireless printing.
HTH
:cool::doh: Blue text on this forum usually signifies hyperlinks, so click on them!..:wall:0 -
Thank you!
I've just remembered that my laptop already has a built-in wireless connection!
So all I will need is a router?
I've had a look in Staples and the same Netgear one as Amazon is £90, so Amazon seems a good bargain. However Staples also sell a Belkin 128mps router (but without the firewall) for £80, but I understand from Alex's post above that 128mps is unobtainable anyway.
I haven't been able to get through to Talktalk yet about the line, but just want to try and understand my options if the line iturns out to be ok.0 -
Belkin one in PCworld for £60
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0557890413.1153756732@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccfaddighhkfhgcflgceggdhhmdgmj.0&page=Product&fm=14&sm=1&tm=0&sku=587353&category_oid=-28359- Belkin Lifetime Warranty
- 24hr Free Technical Support Line
Ex forum ambassador
Long term forum member0 -
Zebra wrote:Alex, my PC is actually a laptop, so if I'm going to have to spend about £60 on a new modem anyway, I'll probably go down the wireless/router route!
There are problems with some laptops and that Sagem modem.
I looked at one recently for someone on TalkTalk and the resource consumption of the USB modem caused it to disconnect frequently.
I tried a BT Voyager 105 USB Modem and it worked perfectly well.
So, my informed guess would be that it's the Sagem and your laptop that are not getting on. However, you should still get the line checked to be sure. Then you can look at the modem routers that others have suggested to replace the Sagem.0 -
Thanks for everyone's advice.
I went for the Netgear DG834G which I got today.
I'm a bit confused about the set-up, I've got to the following screen and am not sure which option I need :
" Use a Wired Network Adaptor.
This computer has more than one network adaptor.
The Smart Wizard Installation Assistant requires a wired Ethernet network adaptor to guide you through the router setup.
You cannot use a wireless network adaptor with the Installation assistant.
Click the wired adaptor you will use to connect to the router.
Device:
- 1394 Net Adaptor
- Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network Connection
- Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet"0 -
Thanks again Alex - you're a star!
I have the ethernet cable connected (although I didn't originally!)
Just wasn't sure which option I needed and didn't want to go any further until I'd checked it out.0
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