Looking for some help while IDNet support is off for xmas

lov3 · Dec 27, 2006, 21:10:59

Hi all

I joined IDNet on the 21st of this month ... from the start my connection dropped every minute or so like clockwork, spoke with IDNet and they filed a complaint with BT and BT did something to my line. Since then my connection has been better but it still drops every 30 minutes or so now.

I was wondering as we have just moved to this house that I have heard of problems with usb modems not performing with possible high latency so I went and bought a wireless modem router (Linksys), I couldnt the damn thing connected to the internet so I rang their helpline (btw I can recomend their customer services) and the guy went through all the settings with me but still could not connect, he then told me to type in some BT username and pass and it connected so he suggested that here must be a different username format needed other than @uk.idnet.dsl4 to allow me to connect to the internet ..... has any one heard of this ??

anyway sorry for the long first post and thanks in advance

Daryl

DorsetBoy · Dec 27, 2006, 21:38:43

Hi Daryl,

The user/password format will be as stated inthe email you recieved from Idnet when you joined.

username @uk.idnet.dsl4 would be correct.

If you have had line/connection problems and BT have worked on the line/exchange the problem could be that they have left you connected to the BT server that you connected to while talking to Linksys support.

I had this happen 2 years ago,BT had been upgrading the exchange and I could not access the net,my router when I tried to reboot it,kept connecting to a BT test server.I was with Demon then and it took some time to get both parties to sort it out.

Can you still conect with the modem?

lov3 · Dec 27, 2006, 23:26:54

thx for the reply dorsetboy ...

thats the weird thing tbh i can connect woth my normal usb modem no problems but like I said the connection keeps dropping and I think it may have something to do with not getting enough power though the usp port becaue of lattency or something and the fact that I use a laptop with a modem / mouse /headset all plugged in to the usb ports, (im not totally clued up on ADSL) so I bought the modem/router to try and elliminate that problem, but I cant get logged on with the username/password supplied.

I deffinatly could get online using the BT test username/password but couldnt using my IDNet user/pass, I tried for hours making sure I entered al the correct settings posted on IDNet webby, Im really confused now lol

stevelondon · Dec 27, 2006, 23:49:41

Have you made sure all the settings in the router are right Encapsulation=VCMUX VPI=0 VCI=38 Authentication=CHAP Connection=PPPoA or PPPoATM im not familiar with the Linksys router but some you have to specify the settings its worth checking as it seems strange your modem can get a connection and your router cant. good luck.

lov3 · Dec 28, 2006, 09:26:12

cheers Steve

Yeah I have done all that over and over and still no luck .... the amount of hard resets I have done on the router is ridiculous lol

Im gonna give linksys another call today and tell them there is no other username format and see what comes up .... anyone know what pcworlds return policy on opened modem/routers is

?

Nerval · Dec 28, 2006, 09:51:28

Tell em it's faulty.

stevelondon · Dec 28, 2006, 09:58:19

I think Nerval is right it sounds faulty .
My brother tried returning a netgear router to pcworld they wouldnt accept it back because it had been opened but im sure its different if its faulty.

Rik · Dec 28, 2006, 12:50:00

Under the Sale and Supply of Goods Act, as amended, it's up to the retailer to prove that an item is not faulty during the first six months, after which the burden of proof shifts back to the purchaser. It's always worth remembering this, as some retailers try to use the unamended Act, in which it was always down to the purchaser to prove fault.

Nerval · Dec 28, 2006, 13:23:47

Thanks Rik

So as I said, tell em it's faulty.
They won't have the nous to test it anyway.

Also tell them your mate got one just before Xmas and that was faulty, so it might be a faulty batch or something.
So you want a refund - or a different model if you like.
(I've got a speedtouch 585 which is brilliant - tho I don't know if they do them)
You're entitled to a refund anyway with faulty goods.

Rik · Dec 28, 2006, 13:59:05

Tell them anything - PC World are unlikely to understand anything other than the word refund!

lov3 · Dec 29, 2006, 01:44:06

lol cheers guys .... just to keep u updated..
I have been on the phone for an hour and half tonight with linksys for them to finally conclude that the modem router is possibly faulty and they have given my a referrence code to give to PCworld ... Im thinking of gettign different make router tbh given the problems thaqt I have had .... any suggestions ?? Prefferably one easy to set up, I was going to go wireless but after all this I cba now ..

Cheers for the replies anyway guys

DorsetBoy · Dec 29, 2006, 06:58:55

Try this http://www.speedtouchonline.com/546_datasheet.asp?menuCurrPos=2.

This is what I use,they have a wide range of routers and they are very easy to set up.

DorsetBoy · Dec 29, 2006, 08:17:29

Should have said you can also get Thompson routers from IDNET!

http://www.idnet.net/broadband/hardware.jsp

Cost a bit more but they are pre-configured and remotely administered.

stevelondon · Dec 29, 2006, 10:06:45

Hi lov3
Ive used Netgear and currently Speedtouch 585v6 both are good routers i thought the Netgear was easy to set up even easier using the set up wizard but i prefer the speedtouch in general which is mainly available online from the link dorset gave also here they will preconfigure it for you too.

Nerval · Dec 29, 2006, 12:41:01

Yup lov3, they are wise men!
I'd second what Steve and Dorset say - just got a speedtouch 585 myself from Steve's place and well pleased with it. Gives better speeds and stability than other routers I've had.

Incidentally, at the link Steve showed they do set it up for you, but all you need to do in any case is plug it in, put your logon name and password in and it's done.
No need for wizards, CDs or anything else.

jackmalanak · Dec 29, 2006, 16:21:47

Couldn't agree more than to also point you at Speedtouch. I ran a 510v4 for over 3 years without a problem, never switched it off and updated to the 585v5 about a year ago when I needed Wireless. Again not a bad point I can find with it, solid as a solid thing

It also supports a nice little tool called DMT DSL Modem Tool which you can freely download and tweak your connection to maximise or stabilise your line conditions.

jupiter · Dec 30, 2006, 14:15:54

Quote from: jackmalanak on Dec 29, 2006, 16:21:47
Couldn't agree more than to also point you at Speedtouch.

I have compared a Speedtouch 546v6 and a Netgear DG834, both felt to be good on long and/or noisy lines. In my case at least the Speedtouch has been the better performer, reporting a much steadier SNR reading than the Netgear.

Rik · Dec 30, 2006, 14:23:27

My experience has been that the Netgear holds my line better than the Speedtouch. There's been much talk over on ThinkBroadband about matching chipsets to the DSLAM, whether that's the case for me, I don't know. Netgears do have a reputation for a tendency to report the noise margin incorrectly after a period, which can be cured by re-booting.

The only thing which seems certain since the introduction of Max is that all bets are off on naming the 'best' router, it has become much more a case of "what works for you", eg Draytek used to be regarded very highly, but many people have had problems with them since Max.

If possible, therefore, buy from someone who will allow you to swap the router if it doesn't do the job for you.

thetrevone · Dec 30, 2006, 16:27:42

I am using a draytek 2800g on MAX My stats are;
System Uptime:2361:47:24 which shows the time since we had a power cut
WAN 1169:36:31 the last time IDnet took their system down
So I have no complaints, interestingly I am using the original firmware which was updated only a few days after I installed my router but as it required starting from scratch rather than the usual update path I decided not to bother.
Regards
Doug

Rik · Dec 30, 2006, 16:34:42

Which goes to prove my point, there are no definitive answers since Max.

I was using a 2600+ but on Max it didn't hold the line, so I moved to a Speedtouch, but that wasn't too hot either, ended up on a Netgear. It helps that they sponsor the Saints!

jupiter · Dec 30, 2006, 21:47:39

Quote from: rikbean on Dec 30, 2006, 16:34:42
It helps that they sponsor the Saints!

Not sure that is a recommendation at the mo. Just get ahead and then blow it!

Rik · Dec 31, 2006, 12:15:00

True.

maxping · Dec 31, 2006, 19:22:54

I have just bought a Billion BiPAC 5200G 4-Port Wireless ADSL2+ Modem/Router and my speeds have have gone from 5500kbps max to over 6500kbps,may be a coincidence , I'm hoping not

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=NW-005-BI

TimJ · Dec 31, 2006, 19:52:03

Quote from: maxping on Dec 31, 2006, 19:22:54
I have just bought a Billion BiPAC 5200G 4-Port Wireless ADSL2+ Modem/Router and my speeds have have gone from 5500kbps max to over 6500kbps,may be a coincidence , I'm hoping not

Just out of interest

Has your sync speed improved or is it just your download speed?

If the sync speed has improved its probably no co-incidence. If you are still syncing at the same speed it will be interesting to see if your improved download speed stays.

What router has it replaced?

Tim

lov3 · Jan 05, 2007, 12:09:14

sorry guys for the late update but as you can probably imagine setting up a netgear did the job and its been going strong ever since. My speeds still rnt up to much 2.1 DL and 0.4 UL but im guessing thats cos of the distance from the exchange.

The Netgear was pretty easy to set up as well, compared to the linksys lol

Thanks for all your help and all the best for 2007 .....