Losing sync a lot

[klipp]

My sync rate has taken a battering as a result.  Was 4096kbps, now 2300kbps.  It seems to lose sync when someone phones in.  Does that sound like a dodgey microfilter?

[Ray]

Quite likely, Klipp, have you got a different filter you can try?

[klipp]

Just bought one from Comet for my telephone extension, so if that was the faulty one I should be sorted.  The trouble is, my router is connected to a different extension with a face plate with an integrated filter.  If that filter's had it then I guess I'll need to replace the face plate... hassle!!

[Ray]

 

You'd better hope that 'Sods law' doesn't apply in this case. 

[Rik]

Faceplates, like all filters, certainly can fail, Klipp, so 

[klipp]

Sod's law applied.

I've replaced the filtered faceplate with a standard faceplate this time, with a trailing filter.  I really hope this works as my sync rates continue to suffer!!

I was reading on google about people with similar problems.  One article said the modem could be on it's way out.  Would you guys give much credence to this?  I have Netgear DG834G v.4.  This is actually my second one.  The first died after some 3 years of use, but such was the reliablity and ease of use of the router I went for a like-for-like replacement.

[Rik]

It's always possible. Routers do fail, more often their power supplies fail, which is why we often ask people if they have an alternative router they can test with.

[klipp]

Gahh!! Another drop!!  That's £30 in filters and faceplates for nothing lol.

[Rik]

Against, potentially, £169 for a BT call out. 

[klipp]

That could still be on the cards Rik.  I gotta get this sorted, my download sync is now down to 1700kbps.

[Rik]

Whereabouts are you, can you borrow an alternative router to try?

[klipp]

I'm in Boston, Lincolnshire.  I don't have an alternative router but if this continues I might just go ahead and buy a new one anyway.  At least then if I have to contact support or BT I can say with certainty that it's not the filters or the router.

[klipp]

Just happened again, this time I grabbed the phone real quick and discovered there was no dialling tone.  The plot thickens lol.

[Rik]

Support have run a copper line test, which is fine. You're not in sync right now. (well, when I started typing anyway!)

Before calling out an engineer, some things for you to try...

1) Move router to test socket if you have one
2) Try a different phone
3) Try a different router
4) Try only having the router connected
5) Make sure you have no ring wires connected
6) If you have one, de-tune a MW battery powered radio, so you only have white noise, then follow the path of the phone line from when it enters your home right up to the router, check also the power supply on the latter and, if it's near the monitor or cpu, check them for noise too

If, after that, you still have problems, let support know and they can arrange an engineer visit.

It might help narrow things down if you could let us have your router stats.

A lack of dial tone does point towards a BT fault, but you will need to be able to replicate it and demonstrate it to an engineer. I'm beginning to think you might have a line break, which will stop the phone dead but allow ADSL to work at slower speeds.

[klipp]

As you say, it happened again.  This time I picked up the phone and could hear very faintly "please replace your handset and try again" automated voice, as if I'd attempted to call out a number. :-/

[Bill]

You don't say whether it's an "ordinary" phone or a DECT one. It shouldn't really matter, but there's a lot more ways that a DECT phone can cause problems!

I tend to get a few upstream errors when my DECT phone rings, but it doesn't lose sync so I ignore it.

[Rik]

As you say, it happened again.  This time I picked up the phone and could hear very faintly "please replace your handset and try again" automated voice, as if I'd attempted to call out a number. :-/

Broken joint is nosing ahead here.

[klipp]

I have two DECT phones and one wired.

[Rik]

Try powering down the DECTs and disconnecting them. Do you have two DECT base units or one base and two handsets.

[Bill]

That's what I was just about to say!

[klipp]

Yeh It's two handsets wirelessly connected to a single base and they are now both disconnected leaving just the wired phone connected.  I've tried a few tests, picking up the receiver and hitting the reset button a few times.  So far so good.

[Rik]

That's what I was just about to say!

Like minds, Bill.

[Rik]

Yeh It's two handsets wirelessly connected to a single base and they are now both disconnected leaving just the wired phone connected.  I've tried a few tests, picking up the receiver and hitting the reset button a few times.  So far so good.

Could well be a noisy base unit then.

[klipp]

OK.  I'm off to the shop after dinner to buy some new phones.  Unfortunately I do need to use DECT but what I could do is Have the base upstairs (far away from the router).

[klipp]

By the way, thank you for your help so far Rik (and Bill).  It is appreciated.