Something wrong with my line?

Rapier Racer · Jun 17, 2009, 17:47:14

I've been on the up to 8 meg max DSL product for a long time now first with BT then IDNET. I've always consistently synced at 8128 and saw files downloads in excess of 850kb/s plus.

Now from time to time over the last few months my connection goes through incredibly unstable patches totally disconnecting and re-syncing 3 or 4 times in 10 minutes. It can be fine for 2 weeks then bang off it goes. I've seen a decrease in speed an increase in latency and BT being the good people that they are have not done my online gaming any good by changing my line from Fast to Interleave, pings have went from around 23-25 to 80 and 90.

I've changed the micro filters since the last time this happened but obviously that action was in vain.

Help! lol

Rik · Jun 17, 2009, 17:50:28

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Do you have an NTE5 master socket, the type where the bottom part of the faceplate can be removed? D you have a number of hard-wired extensions, and if so, what's connected to them. What sort of cable runs between the phone socket and your router, round or flat, and how long is it? What make and model is your router? Finally, could you post your downstream line state, sync speed, noise margin and attenuation?

Sorry for so many questions.

Rapier Racer · Jun 17, 2009, 18:07:59

No need to apologize, I appreciate the quick response!

Yes I believe I do have one of those.

As for hard wired extensions, there appear to be 2, one box downstairs with the phone connected and one coming upstairs into the room next door which I use for my internet. I have one of those wind up extension cords running from the box next door to my router, the cable itself is round, I can't recall if its 10 or 15 meters, most of it still inside the case.

Router is a Belkin (ADSL Modem with High Speed Mode Wireless-G Router) Model: F5D7633-4

Line Stats

Sync: 6592
Noise margin 14.6
Attenuation 12.5

According to the BT Speed tester currently line profile is 5500kbps actual throughput 5026

Rik · Jun 17, 2009, 18:14:09

Tht noise margin is what's causing the loss of speed, it's been set to 15db rather than the normal 6db. That's about 2000k of sync speed gone, hence you're not seeing 8128 anymore. NM is increased by BT to stabilise a line, so it suggests a lot of re-syncs triggered either by errors or noise pickup. I'd guess that your extension is not helping, can you try a shorter lead? Ideally, take the router to the master socket, remove the face plate and connect it to the test socket which will be revealed. That way, you are directly connected to the exchange pair, with nothing in the house able to interfere. If the sync speed improves, then your internal wiring needs to be looked at. One of the most common causes of noise pickup, and the easiest to cure, is the ring wire being connected on terminal 3 at all sockets. If you see it (on the back of the faceplate) just remove it, and repeat the exercise at the other two sockets, it can be miraculous in its effects.

Rapier Racer · Jun 17, 2009, 18:19:26

Thank you I'll try the things you suggested and see if it help, a few questions tho, how long can I leave it connected to the master socket? Do I need to use a micro filter? and what about the other stuff connected via the extensions will it be effected? I'm also guessing I'll have to use a wireless dongle to connect my PC to the net as the master socket is downstairs behind the tv. and is there any particular reason why the extension wire would suddenly start to kick up hell?

Rik · Jun 17, 2009, 18:24:57

a) As long as you like, but you probably won't find it very convenient. You'll know if it helps almost immediately.
b) Yes and no. The ADSL side is actually unfiltered, but the RJ11 socket on a filter makes life easier than finding a BT to RJ11 lead.
c) Anything connected to the extensions will actually be disconnected during the test
d) A long ethernet cable might give a better result (they're quite handy to have and can be up to 100m in length). Aim for Cat5e or Cat6.

It's also worth mentioning that behind the TV is probably a den of electrical noise. If you have a MW, battery powered radio, de-tune it so you're only getting white noise, then place it down by the master socket and see if the noise increases (with the TV on and off). If it does, that noise is affecting your ADSL.

Sebby · Jun 17, 2009, 19:50:14

I don't think I can really add to what Rik's said. Let us know how you get on.

Simon · Jun 17, 2009, 21:50:33

Best of luck!

Ray · Jun 17, 2009, 22:47:19

Hope you soon get your problem sorted.

and

Rapier Racer · Jun 24, 2009, 15:13:53

Sorry for not replying on this for a while I've so busy and not had the time to try the tests, you know how life is lol. Now Ive disconnected everything from the line and taken the router down to the master, removed the plate and plugged it in it the sync did not improve it actually went down by about 400k.

Is it now worth going around and removing the ring wire? I'm starting to think that's not the problem.

I'd like to further add that I've just attempted to disconnect the ring wire from the master socket, it appeared to kill the extension sockets.

Sebby · Jun 24, 2009, 20:23:33

So you connected it behind the plate on the master socket? Sync should certainly not go down, unless your SNRM was under 6dB and thus re-sync'ing just caused the rate to drop in order to achieve the 6dB target.