ADSL 2+ Drops out in the wind and rain

[101RRS]

My ADSL 2+ connection drops out in bad weather. I have contacted my ISP and the have said there is high capacitance (whatever that means) on the line. They have suggested removing all other phones etc on the line and try - the problem still exists. All my other phones have filters. The ISP provider also said to change the modulation of the modem to G.dmt ????? no idea.

The ISP seems to be concentrating on issues inside the house - where I feel it is most likely a telstra issue as the problem only arises in wet and windy weather. There will be no point getting telstra to check the line as they always find them OK - it does work with the phone.

When I reset the Dynalink modem it always reconnects so I suspect I also have a dodgy modem that does not automatically connect when there is a signal through to the exchange.

So firstly - any thoughts on the problem. I think I am going to have to live with the dropouts but it would be good if the modem re-connected automatically without me having to re-set it (two stories down from the lounge room). So a new modem might be the go - any suggestions on what to get - one that will auto reset?

Thanks

Garry

[abaddonxi]

Yep, I've also noticed some loss in quality in wind and rain.

As it was explained to me, ADSL2+ is very susceptible to any line quality issues.

I found significant quality improvment after removing all telephone wiring in the house other than the line that runs to the first plug in the house. It's not the filtering, I think it's the resistence and joins in the in line.

Usually extension wiring is wired double-up so it's easy to run a test and just unhook the extension wiring temporarily.

Auto reconnect is usually an option in the modem/router setup page.

[101RRS]

Thanks for that - but not feasible to remove other telephone wiring. The technology should be able to cope with telephone extensions as they are a fact of life.

I will check the settings on the modem to see if I can set it up to auto reconnect.

I am getting fit running up and down the stairs resetting the modem every few minutes.

Cheers

Garry

[abaddonxi]

I think the extensions vs speed thing is not far off hotting up the car. It'll go with them there, but if you're trying to squeeze the last drop of speed out of it...

You should be able to log into the modem/router remotely and reset it from your computer - the address should be in the manual, or if you check your network settings it's the gateway address - 192.168.0.1/10.0.0.1, or similarly formatted address, copy it into the address bar of your browser, and the menu page should come up.

[waynep]

The ADSL still operates over the years old copper wire system. It really is pushing the copper lines to the limit and they need to be in perfect condition for it to work properly.
Sometimes there'll be a break in the insulation of the wires and when they get wet there will be a short to ground. This can be heard on the phone ( if you still have it connected ) by static and crackling.
If this is the case they need to isolate and fix the fault with the copper. They probably not picking up the fualt because they don't check it during wet weather.

[rick130]

The water in the joint thing could be a problem too.
There will be multiple pits and/or pillars between you and the exchange, depending on how far away you are, and every joint is a potential problem.

I stopped to have a chat to a local tech the other day (and bludge a new wall plate :D) and he was a fixing a pit of dodgy connections, one of them mine !
He told me that he'd found the pit at the river crossing several hundred metres away was full of water too and contractors were supposed to turn up this week to replace the entire pit and all connections.
This was just two pits within 250m of each other, 1km from my house and 7km from the exchange. I can't remember how many pits and junctions are between there and the exchange, but it's a few.

[101RRS]

It has started raining again and the dropouts have increased.

I am going to move the modem/wireless router to the main line and buy a usb wifi dongle so my PC can still be connected to the router. Not an issue for the laptop.

If the problem continues - I will start hassling Telstra about the line but I guess I know what the outcome will be as they have no customer focus at all.

If it wasn't so expensive I would just change to a mobile net work based system and bypass the copper cable all together.

[abaddonxi]

For the past six months I've been using an ISP that resells Telstra ADSL2+, shocking poor connection, and I know how bad it is, I'm the same distance from the exchange as last place, modem tells me it's connecting at 19Mbps, same as last house, but what I get is about four, on a good day.

Two visits from Telstra techs, I was threatened with a hundred dollar plus charge if the fault was anything after the wall socket.

Nothing wrong with the line or my gear, the ISP is doing something sneaky.

I keep planning to churn to something better but the close to double difference a month for the same Telstra wholesale is yet to convince me.

If you want to find the right ISP, go to the Telecommunication Industry Ombudsman website and find the report they publish on ISP complaints - Telstra and Optus in the tens of thousands. Find the one that is of a decent size but has small complaints.

[Tombie]

1. Different routers suffer differently.... Billion are very good, netgear nearly so.. Other brands can have poor stability etc..

2. Extensions are a fact of life.. YES...
BUT... A correct install will have a dedicated splitter/distribution box where the line enters the building. This greatly improves stability and line speed.

3. Odd, but assuming u have a line entering at roof level, check the covers still on it where it meets the house, and that a spider hasnt taken up residence.

4. Change line mode to Hi Reliability...

[chunk]

If you have an alarm system fitted to the house that uses the phone line it will also need to have a filter fitted to it.

[HangOver]

4. Change line mode to Hi Reliability...

what he said ^^^^

plus everything connected to you telephone line must have a filter, inc, fax, modems etc

if you have more than 3 telephones (inc modems, fax's or whatever) you will get issues

check your telephones REN value, most lines are capable of running 3 phones that have a value of 1, eg 1.5 if thats the case only 2 phone will work properly.

although its a PITA un-plug all telephone appliances for say 1 day to see if you get drop outs.

try (if you can) to ensure your modem runs for the first socket in you house, most sockets are connected in series you want the first one for best connection, if that makes sence?

ensure the cable from socket to modem/router is as short as possible and if need be new, only cost a few bucks

if you get drop out every few mins turn off your fire walls for a little while just to make sure, dont for get your router might have one built in too.

do you use Naked DSL (ie phone & internet on one line) ?

have you checked your connection has not been capped and your trying to dl too much stuff at once?

have you tried a different browser eg firefox?

Not an issue for the laptop. did your mean your laptop does NOT drop connection vut your desktop does?

one last thing its quite common for DSL connections to be disrupted during storms, not rain really but storms with lightning, its usually recommended to turn your computer and DSL equipment off during storms to prevent damage so disruptions is quite likely and to be expected

hope some of this helps

[Andrewpv01]

As has already been said you should have your router at the first point. This will make sure you get the best signal possible to the router and should stop interference from other handsets.

You will also be better off with a central filter - this way only the router (when set up correctly) has the ADSL signal and the rest of the extensions are already filtered so no need for extra in-line filters.

Andrew

[101RRS]

what he said ^^^^

plus everything connected to you telephone line must have a filter, inc, fax, modems etc (phones only - all filtered)

if you have more than 3 telephones (inc modems, fax's or whatever) you will get issues (3 phones and the ADSL2+ modem)

check your telephones REN value, most lines are capable of running 3 phones that have a value of 1, eg 1.5 if thats the case only 2 phone will work properly. (no idea what this is)

although its a PITA un-plug all telephone appliances for say 1 day to see if you get drop outs. (did this and the problem continues)

try (if you can) to ensure your modem runs for the first socket in you house, most sockets are connected in series you want the first one for best connection, if that makes sence? (not possible to move the PC but will get a WIFI card or USB and move the modem to the first socket which is in the kitchen - closer to reset when needed)

ensure the cable from socket to modem/router is as short as possible and if need be new, only cost a few bucks (is only 1m long)

if you get drop out every few mins turn off your fire walls for a little while just to make sure, dont for get your router might have one built in too. (will try that)

do you use Naked DSL (ie phone & internet on one line) ? (?? there is a filtered phone on the ASDL line - but was disconnected during the test and the line still played up)

have you checked your connection has not been capped and your trying to dl too much stuff at once? (not an issue)

have you tried a different browser eg firefox? (I use firefox - sometimes IE doesn't seem to be an issue)

Not an issue for the laptop. did your mean your laptop does NOT drop connection vut your desktop does? (the PC is currently connected to the modem via ethernet cable but the laptop is via wireless to the router - when I move the modem I will set the PC up wireless as well)

one last thing its quite common for DSL connections to be disrupted during storms, not rain really but storms with lightning, its usually recommended to turn your computer and DSL equipment off during storms to prevent damage so disruptions is quite likely and to be expected (wind and rain is the culprit - ADSL2+ drops out but not the phone)

hope some of this helps (yes - great stuff thanks)

I do not believe the problems are anything inside the house (will still check everything though) as the setup has been in place for a while and been on ADSL2+ for about 2 years. There are no problems in good weather - problem only arises in rain and for the following few days - I suspect there are some telsra pits between me and the exchange that fill with water. However voice on the line when ADSL has dropped out is OK - no crackles.

Thanks for the help

Cheers

Garry

[waynep]

you may need to go back to ADSL 1 and try that - yes it's slower but it;s better than no connection at all.

[101RRS]

Moved the modem to the primary line and keeps on dropping out.

I do not know how to change the modulation to G.dmt and am waiting for advice from the modem manufacturer.

Guess it is something I have to put up with:(.

Garry

[HangOver]

you could ask Telstra to check your line outside?

If it has a fault they will fix it free but if there is no fault found you will have to pay a fee. Not sure how much it is though; around $100 if I remember rightly.

[101RRS]

The problem is they rarely find anything wrong with the line where the phone still works and you are not with their Bigpond ISP.

Garry

[rick130]

<snip>
Find the one that is of a decent size but has small complaints.

Internode ?? :whistling:

[abaddonxi]

Internode ?? :whistling:

Yup.:D

[101RRS]

All fixed - I hope.

I do have crappy lines that work OK for the phone but when it rains the noise pushes it outside the limits for ADSL2+ modulation.

Today I managed to change the modulation from ADSL2+ to G.dmt and is now fixed - no dropouts since the change.

I have no idea how this works but it seems to have done so.

Thanks to everyone for your comments.

Garry