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Loss of internet

petlew
Pro
Posts: 7,416
Thanks: 110
Fixes: 2
Registered: ‎30-08-2007

Loss of internet

This is possibly in the wrong forum, but is a general comment so may be Ok.
First, this has nothing to do with a recent problem I was having with one of my computers and internet connection (that has been resolved)#
Periodically, my router throws a wobbly. I lose internet connection, the "internet" led on the router turns red from its usual green (Its a Netgear router if that is significant) I usually use the time honoured reset of unplugging from the power source for twenty seconds.
Then led's on the router (wireless, dsl and internet) go through much flashing for several minutes or more, before settling with green wireless and dsl the internet led returns to red. I assume much of this is self interrogation of the system.
Oddly it seems to happen when it does at the same time each day but not every day (starting approx between 5 and 6 in the evening) the condition lasts for several hours, eventually resetting itself to normal internet connected connection.
Three guesses, a) neighbours.are using the internet heavily at that time or b) BT Open Reach are working nearby (do they start work at that time of day?) c) the router has a fault.
Any ideas?
Experience; is something you gain, just after you needed it most.

When faced with two choices, simply toss a coin. It works not because it settles the question for you. But because in that brief moment while the coin is in the air. You suddenly know what you are hoping for.
17 REPLIES 17
Oldjim
Resting Legend
Posts: 38,460
Thanks: 787
Fixes: 63
Registered: ‎15-06-2007

Re: Loss of internet

It is so I have moved it
petlew
Pro
Posts: 7,416
Thanks: 110
Fixes: 2
Registered: ‎30-08-2007

Re: Loss of internet

Ok Jim, I suspected you might.
Experience; is something you gain, just after you needed it most.

When faced with two choices, simply toss a coin. It works not because it settles the question for you. But because in that brief moment while the coin is in the air. You suddenly know what you are hoping for.
jelv
Seasoned Hero
Posts: 26,785
Thanks: 971
Fixes: 10
Registered: ‎10-04-2007

Re: Loss of internet

Have you picked up the phone to see if there is extra noise on the line when you are having problems (dial 17070 - option 2 for the quiet line test)?
jelv (a.k.a Spoon Whittler)
   Why I have left Plusnet (warning: long post!)   
Broadband: Andrews & Arnold Home::1 (FTTC 80/20)
Line rental: Pulse 8 Home Line Rental (£14.40/month)
Mobile: iD mobile (£4/month)
petlew
Pro
Posts: 7,416
Thanks: 110
Fixes: 2
Registered: ‎30-08-2007

Re: Loss of internet

No I haven't jelv, but will do next times it happens.
This indicates what please?
Experience; is something you gain, just after you needed it most.

When faced with two choices, simply toss a coin. It works not because it settles the question for you. But because in that brief moment while the coin is in the air. You suddenly know what you are hoping for.
nadger
Rising Star
Posts: 4,498
Thanks: 46
Registered: ‎13-04-2007

Re: Loss of internet

The fact that it happens at a similar time of day suggests some form of outside interference and not a router fault.
Do you have some equipment that switches on at that time ( eg hot water) or do neighbours come home and turn on something.
petlew
Pro
Posts: 7,416
Thanks: 110
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Registered: ‎30-08-2007

Re: Loss of internet

Proximity wise we are not within a hundred yards of our nearest neighbour. Nothing extra is switched on in home that wasn't already on before the condition starts.
Two additional info's there has been a whole fleet of BT vans operating in this area for quite a while now (it is very residential with no industrial nearby with the exception of a timber yard, but that is closed for the day by then) b) the router seems fairly hot, but then it usually is pretty warm.
Maybe the clue is residential, with many neighbours arriving home from work and school.
Experience; is something you gain, just after you needed it most.

When faced with two choices, simply toss a coin. It works not because it settles the question for you. But because in that brief moment while the coin is in the air. You suddenly know what you are hoping for.
Gus
Aspiring Pro
Posts: 3,236
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Registered: ‎31-07-2007

Re: Loss of internet

Noise on your phone line will drop your connection, if I disconnect my first check is always my phone.  If I get any crackling/white noise I dial 17070/option 2 and give it a minute or two.
Also 1471 and see if you had a call at the same time as the disconnection, possible faulty filter/phone etc.
One thing I have noticed recently is DNS issues, the sys tray icon for your connection to your router be it wired or wireless, does it have the limited connection yellow flag on it when it happens?  I have been having issues with PN's dns servers lately and making opendns servers primary fixed that.
FTTP 500 regrade from Tues 28th November
petlew
Pro
Posts: 7,416
Thanks: 110
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Registered: ‎30-08-2007

Re: Loss of internet

Thanks Gus, I will check next time it happens. The limited connection flag does appear.
I have had on going issues with PN opening very slowly at browser opening for a while. Once the browser (FF) has been open for a while its fine (or at least a lot quicker) it doesn't matter how long I leave the PC on for before opening FF be it as soon as the desk-top appears or an hour later the first opening of FF is always slow. Suggestion have been the cache etc. may be slowing things down, but a) they're set for auto-clear at shut down and b) I do them manually as well occasionally. Defrag has mode no difference.
All three of my PC's show this problem including an almost new one, which to me doesn't indicate a Windows or PC problem, but I'm quite willing to be told I'm wrong. It also affects the resident but unused (and unwanted) and stripped to the bare minimum MS IE9.
Experience; is something you gain, just after you needed it most.

When faced with two choices, simply toss a coin. It works not because it settles the question for you. But because in that brief moment while the coin is in the air. You suddenly know what you are hoping for.
chrispurvey
Plusnet Alumni (retired)
Plusnet Alumni (retired)
Posts: 5,369
Fixes: 1
Registered: ‎13-07-2012

Re: Loss of internet

The first thing is certainly to check if there is any noise on your line.
Below is a log of your connection.
<img src="http://ccgi.psmith12.plus.com/visradius/generated/image13470255624354.png" />
There is a few drops that are appearing, let us know how it goes with the quiet line test.
Chris
petlew
Pro
Posts: 7,416
Thanks: 110
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Registered: ‎30-08-2007

Re: Loss of internet

Thanks for that Chris (and the others that responded) I will let you know.
Having just logged on at 07:05 this morning, I found that response on the browser was much faster than it has been for a while, but then it is early Saturday morning.
However, there was the usual stall in opening the browser albeit less than has been. I have on FF their progress "meter" (status-4-Evar) add-on  that runs the whole length of the url bar, showing what is happening along the way. At the stall point it reports "waiting for Plusnet server" where it can wait for anything for up to a minute or so, Ok its a bit like watching a kettle boil its probably shorter than it seems, but can seem a long time. That message is followed by "transferring data" which is at normal speed.
Which kind of indicates that it er! waiting for PN rather than slowed down by my PC.
Experience; is something you gain, just after you needed it most.

When faced with two choices, simply toss a coin. It works not because it settles the question for you. But because in that brief moment while the coin is in the air. You suddenly know what you are hoping for.
chrispurvey
Plusnet Alumni (retired)
Plusnet Alumni (retired)
Posts: 5,369
Fixes: 1
Registered: ‎13-07-2012

Re: Loss of internet

It still appears that your connection is dropping out, I would suggest raising a fault at http://faults.plus.net.
If you complete the initial diagnostic questions, this will help rule everything out internally and formally raise the fault to us so we can investigate.
Let me know if you need any further help.
Chris
petlew
Pro
Posts: 7,416
Thanks: 110
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Registered: ‎30-08-2007

Re: Loss of internet

Thanks Chris, yes I noticed!!. A noisy line was evident during this lengthy drop. The 17070 quiet line test suggested by jelv proved to be Ok, so I started looking around the house, starting by replacing the (2) adsl filters with new, one of which was quite corroded inside for the plug connections. an old phone on the same filter as the router that is hardly used was disconnected, this seemed to have an immediate improvement on the situation as the router internet indicator led went green and has stayed that way. I have also disconnected the Sky+ phone connection.
At this time it seems to be Ok, but it is a time of day when I didn't usually have any problems.
Experience; is something you gain, just after you needed it most.

When faced with two choices, simply toss a coin. It works not because it settles the question for you. But because in that brief moment while the coin is in the air. You suddenly know what you are hoping for.
chrispurvey
Plusnet Alumni (retired)
Plusnet Alumni (retired)
Posts: 5,369
Fixes: 1
Registered: ‎13-07-2012

Re: Loss of internet

The best thing to do is monitor it and if you have no joy then we can investigate this further.
Chris
petlew
Pro
Posts: 7,416
Thanks: 110
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Registered: ‎30-08-2007

Re: Loss of internet

One point I have forgotten to mention; we have an "Age Concern" alarm on the system for my disabled wife. If I was being really objective I might suggest my problems have been around since near the time this device was installed. The alarm utilises a neck-worn pendant alarm press button which presumably is a wireless operated device.
Is it worth contacting Age Concern C/s to see if they have any issues of this sort?
Experience; is something you gain, just after you needed it most.

When faced with two choices, simply toss a coin. It works not because it settles the question for you. But because in that brief moment while the coin is in the air. You suddenly know what you are hoping for.