Broadband problems

yummy_mummy_2

I am now with Talk Talk originally a Tiscali customer the last few days or so I have been getting intermittent broadband connection it usually disconnects after 15 Min's or so or if I leave it idle for a while when I return it has disconnected and my router shows a red light (on line) and I have to switch router off and one again so it can reconnect I am on unlimited and have never had this problem before .

I contacted Talk Talk customer services and they told me to check my settings because explorer disconnects after a certain time of being idle for security purposes but I have checked that and it is unchecked in my settings.

it has done it a few times while I am actually on the web so computer is not idle at the time!!

Any one have any suggestions as to what I might try

Thanks

Mr_Oink

First I'd check the router/modem and make sure any check the setting on any box saying 'stay connected' (when present this is usually on the same screen where you put in your dsl username/password).

Although all was fine with Tiscali (suggesting your line is OK), shifting you physically off Tiscali equipment and onto TalkTalk/Opal gear requires manual work in your telephone exchange. Lots of terminations in the exchange and punch down type connections and they don't always 'make' as well as they could, so if you are hearing crackles on your line on ordinary calls this may have an impact on unexplained disconnections.

There is also a period of training on a DSL line in the first ten or so days whilst your line is profiled, basically, to see what speed it can support.

TalkTalk should really have checked these things with you.

John_Gray

Presumably you have been given a new router and new microfilters? Which one is it, and are you using the old microfilters or the new ones?

Do you use a phone connection, and have you had any problems with it?

Are you using Internet Explorer or Firefox or Chrome or Safari or... as your browser?

[Questions, questions...!]

littlepanther

You might want to change your microfilter and any on other extensions. Also is the modem connected to the main socket or an extension. After upgrades extensions become less reliable.

I have not heard great things about talk talk.

John_Gray

littlepanther wrote: »

After upgrades extensions become less reliable.

Why do you say that?

Mr_Oink

I'm not quite sure just where 'littlepanther' is coming from but the information posted is not correct (as John points out)
1. Customer has not claimed to have upgraded, just moved providers on a similar/like for like DSL product
2. I'm not sure who told you that extensions become 'less reliable' after an 'upgrade' but I think you've had your chain yanked
3. 'Not hearing' great things about TalkTalk is much like me saying 'some random people don't like the colour green'.

TalkTalk are certainly *no worse* than any of the main stream providers. Yes they have had some past issues, most of which stemmed from their success and sheer demand for their services. As far as a broadband product goes it's fine and don't let anyone scare you. Support is equally as good as anyone else.

Here Yummy Mummy has a simple issue going on that needs help in diagnosis, and 'witchcraft' type of speculative answers and opinions don't offer any value or help ;-)

littlepanther

Where am I coming from?

1. When upgraded she may have gone to adsl2+ without knowing it. On a number of occasions where a modem has been connected to an extension rather than master socket it has dropped out a lot. If it is connected to an extension it is worth trying to connect to the master socket to see if it improves. If it is already on the master socket it it worth unplugging other phones and if any faxes to see if it helps.

Talk Talk has a terrible reputation as does Orange, both for dropping out in some areas at peak times but that does not sound like the problem. None are perfect but some worse that others. There are many sites that rate broadband providers check them out for reliability.

littlepanther

Oh yeah, who told me about the extension problem. A senior engineer at BT. A well installed extension is not a problem but if not then that extra noise on the line throws out the faster connections.

spud17

littlepanther wrote: »

Where am I coming from?
Talk Talk has a terrible reputation as does Orange, both for dropping out in some areas at peak times but that does not sound like the problem. None are perfect but some worse that others. There are many sites that rate broadband providers check them out for reliability.

http://www.dslzoneuk.net/isp_ratings.php

TT down there with Orange? :think:

Mr_Oink

Littlepanther, IIRC Tiscali were, in fact, bought by TalkTalk a while ago. Tiscali had much of their own LLU kit in exchanges (as do TalkTalk). So I would be surprised if this was a fixed rate Broadband upgrade to rate adaptive DSL. I would have expected it to already been using this infrastructure.

The story of poor extension wiring applies pretty equally to all ADSL lines regardless - so much so BT redesigned the NTE5 master socket to incorporate a bell wire filter (the main culprit in induced noise into a dsl line locally). Given rate adaptive DSL is more flexible in line conditions its pretty arguable that adsl+ is any more susceptible to dropping a link than the earlier fixed DSL speeds, in fact it *should* adapt to the poor noise characteristics and stay up, dropping the speed.

I'd take anything anyone from Openreach (that is the part of BT who have looked after the local loop for the last 4 years) said about DSL with a pinch of salt. Whilst there are some really good 'linesmen' out there, the number of actual ADSL engineers in an area that have a clue about it normally runs to about 2 per team of 30. The remaining 28 can best be described as having some understanding of ADSL, but not much beyond the 'it's your filter / it's your extension / it's your wiring / it's you equipment' type answers. Even those who have 10,15 and 20 years plus service.

Spud 17 has posted a great link there showing a fair appraisal of broadband suppliers in the UK. You'll note that TalkTalk actually does considerably better than the big names like Virgin & BT (another good reason not to put too much weight on anything told to you by 'BT').

I'm sure your intentions are good and it is fair to say testing DSL at the master socket with all the extension wiring dissed off is one of the primary troubleshooting steps. However, in this case I'd look at any new hardware first for a quick fix, given that the OP was probably at least on the same back end DSLAM type (if not multiplexer) prior to the provider juggle. I'd pay extra attention to the settings on any Modem/routers of the 'El Huawei' breed.

Rather than rely on 'old wives tales' and 'dsl witchcraft stories' I prefer to work with what TalkTalk give customers.
If the OP has one of the Huawei products look for 'nailed up connection' being selected (rather than 'connect on demand'). This is covered in this picture based FAQ:
http://www.talktalk.co.uk/help/broadband/setting-up-your-huawei-echolife-hg520b-s.html

TalkTalk specifically instruct customers to change the MTU down to 1432 from the usual 1500 and it's covered by this FAQ:
http://www.talktalk.co.uk/help/broadband/i-keep-getting-disconnected-from-the-internet-what-should-i-do.html
and it applies equally to Their supplied hardware *or* customers coming in with their own hardware.

Really, until the OP gives some more details and feedback nothing can be ruled in or out. I'm happy for it to be a line issue, but before getting on hands and knees disconnecting stuff I'd check the hardware and config first given what their FAQ's say, and considering the customers previous DSL supplier amounting to being the same company.

Inactive

Mr_Oink wrote: »

TalkTalk are certainly *no worse* than any of the main stream providers. Yes they have had some past issues, most of which stemmed from their success and sheer demand for their services. As far as a broadband product goes it's fine and don't let anyone scare you. Support is equally as good as anyone else.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Best laugh of the week.