A Chronicle of My Migration and Problems
BT have finally agreed to investigate the noisy line - engineer due to visit Tuesday 21st April.
Noise Margin has been all over the place recently - up to 30db and down to -2db.
Line speed has been responding accordingly and is currently only 3069.
Speeds are appalling:
Yes, that does say 16kbs upload speed
Noise Margin has been all over the place recently - up to 30db and down to -2db.
Line speed has been responding accordingly and is currently only 3069.
Speeds are appalling:
Yes, that does say 16kbs upload speed
If it's any comfort I expect the speeds would be equally appalling on maxDSL. 
I hope the BT engineer does actually find a problem. He'll probably undo the existing old-style master socket for checks so it's definitely worth trying to get him to replace it with an NTE5 one.
David
I hope the BT engineer does actually find a problem. He'll probably undo the existing old-style master socket for checks so it's definitely worth trying to get him to replace it with an NTE5 one.
David
Well, the BT engineer arrived, and thankfully the line misbehaved whilst he was here.
He confirmed that the problem was outside of the house and went away.
He was supposed to give me a call and let me know that it was fixed - he didn't.
Just been on to the BT fault tracker and seen that the fault was "completed" at 14.42 on 21/4/09.
But I've no idea what he found.
At the moment, down sync speed is only 3069 and the IP profile has crept up to 1750. Up rate is 883.
Downstream margin is now slowly creeping back down towards the magical 12 (15 at present) from the horrendous 30.
I'm reluctant to reboot the router as I don't want this to reset the IP profile just now, and I'm hoping that the BT DSLAM will reduce the noise margin too (soon)
Attenuation remains at 30db down and 15db up.
The error rate is showing as 105 FEC errors in 47461 seconds, which is about 13 hours (and a bit) - odd, as I didn't reset the router 13 hours ago.
On the plus side - that very very nice man from BT fitted a shiny new NTE5 master socket when I asked him. This replaces a 20 year old (approx) 7" brand (BT's logo before "BT" - often known as the seven inch club ;D) master socket.
Now I can get myself an ADSL faceplate, which is supposed to improve things too.
Graham
He confirmed that the problem was outside of the house and went away.
He was supposed to give me a call and let me know that it was fixed - he didn't.
Just been on to the BT fault tracker and seen that the fault was "completed" at 14.42 on 21/4/09.
But I've no idea what he found.
At the moment, down sync speed is only 3069 and the IP profile has crept up to 1750. Up rate is 883.
Downstream margin is now slowly creeping back down towards the magical 12 (15 at present) from the horrendous 30.
I'm reluctant to reboot the router as I don't want this to reset the IP profile just now, and I'm hoping that the BT DSLAM will reduce the noise margin too (soon)
Attenuation remains at 30db down and 15db up.
The error rate is showing as 105 FEC errors in 47461 seconds, which is about 13 hours (and a bit) - odd, as I didn't reset the router 13 hours ago.
On the plus side - that very very nice man from BT fitted a shiny new NTE5 master socket when I asked him. This replaces a 20 year old (approx) 7" brand (BT's logo before "BT" - often known as the seven inch club ;D) master socket.
Now I can get myself an ADSL faceplate, which is supposed to improve things too.
Graham
Hi spraxyt,
Yes, I know what you mean.........
The master socket was not the cause of the problem, I just thought that while I had an engineer on site I'd ask for one. - then I can get an ADSL faceplate
He didn't reconnect the extensions, so there is still no bell wire to worry about, as I have not reconnected them yet either.
But you are definitely on the same wavelength as me - if the fault had been "fixed" I would have expected much better figures than those I am getting. The noise problem on the line usually became audible in the afternoons (don't know why) and as I am at work then for now, I won't be able to check again until Saturday afternoon.
Sadly, the D-Link router was a borrowed one and I have returned it from whence it came - I guess I could always borrow it back, although to be honest I am thinking of writing this router off and spending some more cash, maybe on a Netgear DG834UK if that sounds OK to you "pros" out there. (Any advice on router models appreciated)
I still have the original PCI Dynamode ADSL card (as supplied by FOL) installed in the PC so I guess as a last resort I could downgrade to that
Graham
Yes, I know what you mean.........
The master socket was not the cause of the problem, I just thought that while I had an engineer on site I'd ask for one. - then I can get an ADSL faceplate
He didn't reconnect the extensions, so there is still no bell wire to worry about, as I have not reconnected them yet either.
But you are definitely on the same wavelength as me - if the fault had been "fixed" I would have expected much better figures than those I am getting. The noise problem on the line usually became audible in the afternoons (don't know why) and as I am at work then for now, I won't be able to check again until Saturday afternoon.
Sadly, the D-Link router was a borrowed one and I have returned it from whence it came - I guess I could always borrow it back, although to be honest I am thinking of writing this router off and spending some more cash, maybe on a Netgear DG834UK if that sounds OK to you "pros" out there. (Any advice on router models appreciated)
I still have the original PCI Dynamode ADSL card (as supplied by FOL) installed in the PC so I guess as a last resort I could downgrade to that
Graham
Things seem to be stuck at BT........
When the router connects (after a POR or reboot) it tries for a 6db noise margin for a few seconds (15-ish), but then it shoots up to 29 db and stays there for a while, although during this evening it has managed to creep down to 13db now, but it has taken 4 hours to do so.
What is more worrying is the sync speed. This has been stuck at 3069 for 3 days now. Not above and not below - exactly at 3069 every time the router is reset. It appears as if BT have hard wired this at their end.
Can this be reset, along with the noise margin?
Upload sync is currently at 1002 kbps.
Upload margin is 9db.
DSL Status: Up
DSL Modulation Mode: ADSL2+
DSL Path Mode: INTERLEAVED
Downstream Rate: 3069 Kbps
Upstream Rate: 1002 Kbps
Downstream Margin: 16 db
Upstream Margin: 9 db
Downstream Line Attenuation: 30
Upstream Line Attenuation: 15
Downstream Transmit Power: 0
Upstream Transmit Power: 0
Item Value
ADSL Line Type ADSL2+
ADSL Line CodingADSL Line Coding INTERLEAVED
Line Attenuation (Down):30 (Up):15
Noise Margin (Down):15 (Up):9
Total Output Power (Down):0 (Up):0
Current State DownStr: 3069(K) UpStr: 1002(K)
undefined UP
FEC(FAST) (Near):0 (Far):0
FEC(INTERL) (Near):0 (Far):75
CRC(FAST) (Near):0 (Far):0
undefined (Near):0 (Far):0
HEC(FAST) (Near):0 (Far):0
HEC(FAST) (Near):0 (Far):0
Showtime last(sec) 1240693044
ADSL FW Version 0.54
ADSL Board Type Annex A
I think the 1240693044 is completely wrong - an occasional odd report from the router for some reason
Graham
When the router connects (after a POR or reboot) it tries for a 6db noise margin for a few seconds (15-ish), but then it shoots up to 29 db and stays there for a while, although during this evening it has managed to creep down to 13db now, but it has taken 4 hours to do so.
What is more worrying is the sync speed. This has been stuck at 3069 for 3 days now. Not above and not below - exactly at 3069 every time the router is reset. It appears as if BT have hard wired this at their end.
Can this be reset, along with the noise margin?
Upload sync is currently at 1002 kbps.
Upload margin is 9db.
DSL Status: Up
DSL Modulation Mode: ADSL2+
DSL Path Mode: INTERLEAVED
Downstream Rate: 3069 Kbps
Upstream Rate: 1002 Kbps
Downstream Margin: 16 db
Upstream Margin: 9 db
Downstream Line Attenuation: 30
Upstream Line Attenuation: 15
Downstream Transmit Power: 0
Upstream Transmit Power: 0
Item Value
ADSL Line Type ADSL2+
ADSL Line CodingADSL Line Coding INTERLEAVED
Line Attenuation (Down):30 (Up):15
Noise Margin (Down):15 (Up):9
Total Output Power (Down):0 (Up):0
Current State DownStr: 3069(K) UpStr: 1002(K)
undefined UP
FEC(FAST) (Near):0 (Far):0
FEC(INTERL) (Near):0 (Far):75
CRC(FAST) (Near):0 (Far):0
undefined (Near):0 (Far):0
HEC(FAST) (Near):0 (Far):0
HEC(FAST) (Near):0 (Far):0
Showtime last(sec) 1240693044
ADSL FW Version 0.54
ADSL Board Type Annex A
I think the 1240693044 is completely wrong - an occasional odd report from the router for some reason
Graham
Well, here's the next page in the saga........
I thought that as ADSL2+ was not behaving I'd downgrade to ADSL2.
I got exactly the same 3066 sync with NM of ~28 to 29 db
So I went one further and downgarded to ADSL.
I got sync of 3072 and NM of 25db and it says my upstream sync is 896
So something is amiss somewhere, isn't it 
I thought that as ADSL2+ was not behaving I'd downgrade to ADSL2.
I got exactly the same 3066 sync with NM of ~28 to 29 db
So I went one further and downgarded to ADSL.
I got sync of 3072 and NM of 25db and it says my upstream sync is 896
So something is amiss somewhere, isn't it
Something definitely is amiss.
A dodgy line card at the exchange is favourite, however I feel it is essential to eliminate a faulty router first. If you are inclined to replace your present one I like the Netgear DG834G. I have the V4 with broadcom chipset though I think the current model is the V5 with a different chipset. Other users mention the DG834GT. I would suggest avoiding any Belkin models even though PC World might be pushing them as flavour of the month.
David
A dodgy line card at the exchange is favourite, however I feel it is essential to eliminate a faulty router first. If you are inclined to replace your present one I like the Netgear DG834G. I have the V4 with broadcom chipset though I think the current model is the V5 with a different chipset. Other users mention the DG834GT. I would suggest avoiding any Belkin models even though PC World might be pushing them as flavour of the month.
David
Things have moved on a little since I raised a ticket anout the low speeds after the BT chap had been round...........
Since then I had been stuck with the noise margin hovering between 29 and about 20 in the evenings, but fairly steady at about 26 during the day.
Howver, today someone has definitely done something.............
Between about 11.40 and 12.15, the line dropped twice and then finally picked up at a noise margin of 12db. Sync speed is now 9725.
Since then the down NM has been relatively steady at 11-12 until about 20.30 tonight when it has started to fluctuate between 12 and 8.
Oddly, though, the upstream NM which was about 5-6 last night is now 23 ! which is screwing the upstream sync speed down to 445.
Data transfer rates are currently 2282 down and 282 up
As I write this, the down noise margin is 7db and the up NM is 23.
Attenuation remains at 30db down and 15db up as it has since the start (almost since the start- it was only 29 down a few weeks ago)
I have no idea what PN techies/BTw have been up to, but could I have my up nm of 5 to 6 back please, and keep the down nm of 9 ????
Graham
Since then I had been stuck with the noise margin hovering between 29 and about 20 in the evenings, but fairly steady at about 26 during the day.
Howver, today someone has definitely done something.............
Between about 11.40 and 12.15, the line dropped twice and then finally picked up at a noise margin of 12db. Sync speed is now 9725.
Since then the down NM has been relatively steady at 11-12 until about 20.30 tonight when it has started to fluctuate between 12 and 8.
Oddly, though, the upstream NM which was about 5-6 last night is now 23 !
which is screwing the upstream sync speed down to 445.Data transfer rates are currently 2282 down and 282 up
As I write this, the down noise margin is 7db and the up NM is 23.
Attenuation remains at 30db down and 15db up as it has since the start (almost since the start- it was only 29 down a few weeks ago)
I have no idea what PN techies/BTw have been up to, but could I have my up nm of 5 to 6 back please, and keep the down nm of 9 ????
Graham
Did you manage to obtain another router to try? It would be a bit embarrassing if any of today's confusing happenings are down to the Linksys not feeling well.
David
David
Sadly, no.
I'm reluctant to lash out £50+ on another router if I don't have to.
I did drop a hint that perhaps I could borrow one from PN but nobody responded to that one
At the mo, (well, last night when I checked) PN have my profile at 2500, so that explains the poor transfer speed downstream.
But looking at the NM rates, it looks almost as if the down and up parts of the equipment at the exchange have been swapped round, giving me the 23 db up and 12 down, instead of the "23" (26 really) down and 12 up that was there before.
Here are the figures at 23.47 on 2/5/09:
Item Value
ADSL Line Type ADSL2+
ADSL Line CodingADSL Line Coding INTERLEAVED
Line Attenuation (Down):29 (Up):15
Noise Margin (Down):10 (Up):23
Total Output Power (Down):0 (Up):0
Current State DownStr: 9725(K) UpStr: 445(K)
undefined UP
FEC(FAST) (Near):0 (Far):0
FEC(INTERL) (Near):0 (Far):90794
CRC(FAST) (Near):0 (Far):0
undefined (Near):0 (Far):81
HEC(FAST) (Near):0 (Far):0
HEC(FAST) (Near):0 (Far):0
Showtime last(sec) 1241307920
ADSL FW Version 0.54
ADSL Board Type Annex A
Once again, the router is reporting an anomalous "uptime".
Graham
I'm reluctant to lash out £50+ on another router if I don't have to.
I did drop a hint that perhaps I could borrow one from PN but nobody responded to that one
At the mo, (well, last night when I checked) PN have my profile at 2500, so that explains the poor transfer speed downstream.
But looking at the NM rates, it looks almost as if the down and up parts of the equipment at the exchange have been swapped round, giving me the 23 db up and 12 down, instead of the "23" (26 really) down and 12 up that was there before.
Here are the figures at 23.47 on 2/5/09:
Item Value
ADSL Line Type ADSL2+
ADSL Line CodingADSL Line Coding INTERLEAVED
Line Attenuation (Down):29 (Up):15
Noise Margin (Down):10 (Up):23
Total Output Power (Down):0 (Up):0
Current State DownStr: 9725(K) UpStr: 445(K)
undefined UP
FEC(FAST) (Near):0 (Far):0
FEC(INTERL) (Near):0 (Far):90794
CRC(FAST) (Near):0 (Far):0
undefined (Near):0 (Far):81
HEC(FAST) (Near):0 (Far):0
HEC(FAST) (Near):0 (Far):0
Showtime last(sec) 1241307920
ADSL FW Version 0.54
ADSL Board Type Annex A
Once again, the router is reporting an anomalous "uptime".
Graham