stats

[Rik]

ADSL Link    Downstream    Upstream
Connection Speed    3023 kbps    762 kbps
Line Attenuation    36.5 db    18.0 db
Noise Margin    27.4 db    5.1 db

Noise margin is, effectively, the amount of ADSL signal that reaches the router, Tina, above the amount of noise. In theory, a router needs some margin in order to differentiate the signal from the background, but I've seen routers still working at -2db, ie when the noise is 2b higher than the signal. Almost certainly, this is mis-reporting by the router.

The nominal 'target' NM s 6db, and BTwill try to run your line at this level. If it can't manage to do so stably, it then increases the target NM in steps of 3db, each one of which costs you 5-700kbps of sync speed. The highest official target with BT is 15db, though, so your 27.4 suggests to me that the router resynced at a noisy time, and as the noise level has dropped, the NM has increased. The only time you can get a real idea of the target is immediately after a resync, so you might want to try this some time.

[Tina]

is a resync the same as a reboot through the router? sorry I'm thick

[Rik]

A resync can be caused by external noise, or manually triggered by re-booting the router, Tina.

[Tina]

Had this from support

The speed has been reduced to stabilise the connection as it has been dropping out. Please try connecting your router and filter to the test socket behind the faceplate of the master BT socket and monitor the connection for stability from this point.

This should reduce any interference caused by internal extensin wiring so if the line is ok from this point you may need to investigate the issue with your wiring. If the connection is still unstable from this point, please try testing with a different filter and if possible a different router connected to the line or try updating the firmware for your router and monitoring the connection.

Once the connection is stable for a period of around 48 - 72 hours then the speed should start to increase again automatically

I can't take plates off - wouldn't know how and have no tools lol. I don't have another router. Could try a different filter and update my router

[Rik]

Worth a crack Tina, as those are the first things support will ask you to do.

[Tina]

I can't upgrade my router as it won't reconise  the .chk extension on my Mac

[Rik]

Ah. Not come across that before. Anyone else with a Netgear/Mac combination?

[Steve]

Didn't think it would matter as you're just using the browser to upload the file to the router



PS we've also seen these high downstream margins on adsl2+ before usually associated with a banded profile

[Tina]

says invalid file name

[Steve]

I think Tina I'm not on the same track as I thought a router firmware file was .img

[Tina]

it says it sould be.. but it's dowloaded it as a .chk

[Steve]

I think the .chk is the firmware file for the v5? I can download it with the correct file name using opera but I think I would use firefox to upload. I'll try to find out more.

[pctech]

Rename the file with the .img extension and you should be ok.

[Steve]

That was my first thoughts Mitch,then I found .chk files mentioned on the netgear forum. What is the v5 firmware update file extension using windows?

[pctech]

Dont know I'll just try and download it.

[pctech]

yep, its a .chk

They must have changed it for the v5 to try to prevent you accidentally loading v4 firmware.

[Tina]

I changed the extension and got this

Upgrade file is not the correct type or version for this device.

Upgrade failed.

Please obtain the correct file and try again.

my head is banging so off to eat will be back

[Steve]

I think Tina I wouldn't risk it on the Mac, It's possibly not a router issue you've got either

[Tina]

well I've changed the filter, but dunno what else to do ;(

[pctech]

Sorry Tina it should indeed be a .chk file.

[Steve]

well I've changed the filter, but dunno what else to do ;(

Wait to  see what support say!