Connection Dropping - Probably Due to SNR

gord · 18 Jun 2006 at 11:53

Lohar people.

Posted here a while ago about my home connection constantly dropping. Its still doing it, and now im coming home from uni need to get it sorted ASAP.

Im with AOL at home, well, i say i, but really its my parents. Anyway, we had their platinum service, and then we were told we couldnt get 2mb because our line couldnt take it, so we downgraded to 1mb. Thats all fine, im paying for 1mb... but heres the problem, im receiving two.

Now if my line didnt support it, why has it been upgraded. My SNR margin seems to vary a lot in the day, and is a lot worse at night. If i keep letting my connection reset, IE, let the DSL refind itself, it will reconnect at 2.2mb. If i remove the usb modem, and let it reset entirely, it will connect at 1mb, however it will still download at 2meg speeds... which is weird i thought.

Is there any way i can get my line properly downgraded back to 1meg. I would much rather have 1meg than unstable 2meg as the constant disconnections are frustrating as hell on xbox live.

Any help would be much appreciated.

gord · 18 Jun 2006 at 14:36

tolien said:
This bit is odd. Unless you've been regraded to Max, if you're on 2Mbps, it'll connect at 2272/288 kbps, or it won't connect. There's no rate adaption involved.
You might find you get better stability from not using a USB modem.

Cheers for your help thus far.

Yes it does say 2272/288 and is always listed as that in the modem properties. However, upon connection with the network connection window, as i said, it can be either 2.2 or 1.0 depending on whether i have removed the usb plug from the modem to reset it or just let it re-find the DSL signal itself.

If it is the modem, how much am i looking at for some hardware to replace it. I only have this one computer and my 360 and dont need wireless, so some recommendations would be appreciated as im not up to scratch on routers etc.

gord · 19 Jun 2006 at 00:13

Small, bed time bump. As far as i know im allowed to do this. Either way, would really like to get this problem sorted.. its ruining my xbox live experience with the ocuk lads!

gord · 19 Jun 2006 at 22:18

tolien said:
~£50 for a new DG834?
It isn't hard to look at the shop for an ADSL router

Im ordering some bits from OcUK tomorrow on the off chance anyway. Should i invest in one of these routers?

I really like to investigate my product purchases fully but obviously dont have the time as i also need to investigate the UPS and backup HD im buying. Should i be considering some form of wireless too? My current demands dont need it so i doubt it as the technology will evolve and i wont be buying into it for a while i think.

<troddles off to ocuk routers bit>

edit: Thinkin about it the difference between wired and wireless isnt exactly much. But overall £50 is quite a bit for a shot in the dark at better stability of SNR isnt it? So im going to ring my ISP tomorrow. If they have absolutely no idea i will buy the router, if they can help i will see that through rather than purchase some new kit unnecessarily.

gord · 19 Jun 2006 at 23:12

Okeydoke, well, youve helped me formulate a plan of action. Much appreciated.

gord · 20 Jun 2006 at 15:20

Well, ive had over 10 SNR all day so far today... Decided not to order a router just yet, been in contact with AOL and weirdly.. the woman kinda understood what i was saying about SNR.. what what? :confused:

Anyway, they are gonna perform some tests later and i get to speak to a senior techy..

gord · 21 Jun 2006 at 13:53

OzZie said:
Ohh.... Got a phone number than doesn't send me to india?

Fraid not mate. Were on AOLs phone plan too so their 0870 support number is free to us, which means i dont care how long they faff around for and ultimately means you get treated better i think.. sorry.

gord · 22 Jun 2006 at 11:01

Well, last night, 10:30ish, SNR dropped as per usual.

How long will it take BT to check the line? Will they have to send someone out?

gord · 26 Jun 2006 at 23:02

Well, it hasnt been a week since i phoned and they said they will get BT to check it out, but im getting impatient.

Not to mention, yesterday my connection was dropping from 6pm onwards, even when i had an SNR of 10+. Well, thats weird... it shouldnt be dropping if it was just SNR... so maybe there is a fault on my line.

Either way, im thinking of upgrading my AOL package to their next level, where i would get a free wireless router. Do you think it is worth upgrading and seeing if this fixes the problem? Would it mean they send out an engineer to look at things anyway? Would he notice any other problems that may be on the line?

Just looking to get this fixed ASAP.