What is a dropped connection?
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What is a dropped connection?
10-09-2007 11:48 AM
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When this happens, (usually when I am in a hurry to find something!!), I have to reboot the computer, and wait (impatiently!) for a new connection to be created.
I had assumed that when people talk of dropped lines they were losing sync with the exchange, and not just losing contact with Plusnet, while maintaining the exchange connection.
Perhaps someone could explain - simply - for me. Thanks!
Re: What is a dropped connection?
10-09-2007 12:03 PM
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Could you possibly try uninstalling and reinstalling your Binatone software? Does it only happen when your screen saver kicks in or something to that extent?
Re: What is a dropped connection?
10-09-2007 12:17 PM
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Quote from: James Does it only happen when your screen saver kicks in or something to that extent?
I don't use a screen saver or anything similar. I'm afraid I don't know WHEN exactly it happens - its just that once disconnected I have to reboot to get it back and that may be hours later before I notice it.
I will try the reinstalling the modem software. I also have a Speedtouch 330 modem I could try.
But I still don't know what a "Disconnection" means in the context of these discussions!
Re: What is a dropped connection?
10-09-2007 12:26 PM
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1) You lose connection with the exchange - loss of sync
2) You lose connection with PlusNet - i.e. PPP connection - but remain in sync with the exchange
3) You lose connection between the PC and your ADSL equipment - i.e. the USB port resets or the USB driver fails / gets confused / gets disabled.
In your case it could be any of the three. Even though you say it is in sync with the exchange, it may have lost sync then gained sync but not fully established the connection afterwards.
When it happens again try just unplugging the modem's USB cable and reconnecting it. That should reset the hardware, reset the connection to your PC and reinitialise the drivers which may work.
USB modems do tend to have problems such as this due to their complex nature and having to use USB drivers. It is much better to use a router and Ethernet connection and I would suggest you look at changing your rather old modem to a router as they can be found for under £20 - linky.
Re: What is a dropped connection?
10-09-2007 12:28 PM
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In the context of these discussions it's usually the latter - in the same way that noises can disrupt a phone conversation, so the ADSL connection is broken by the noise and interference on the line becoming temporarily louder than the ADSL signals themselves. This is the usual cause of an intermittent broadband fault, though the cause of the noise can be many and varied (hence why it can take some time to resolve these issues).
Hope this helps,
Re: What is a dropped connection?
10-09-2007 2:49 PM
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If you should have some money to spare, get a router - more stable + it can block a lot of traffic from the bad people out there! [They can't easily see you if you use NAT]
"In The Beginning Was The Word, And The Word Was Aardvark."
Re: What is a dropped connection?
10-09-2007 3:30 PM
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Re: What is a dropped connection?
12-09-2007 12:06 PM
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If I get a router-modem (for example I am looking at Netgear DG 384), I would presumably replace the crossover with a straight through, and then plug both computers into the router? That would then presumably allow either computer to be on-line, with the other switched off? - instead of one being a slave to the other as at present. If so that would be an extra benefit, apart from the stability issue which people have mentioned
I have also noted in these forums that people with routers seem to have data about the times when disconnections occurred - which would obviously be helpful in looking for causes. Do routers have some sort of log file which one can check on? Can one also distinguish the sync faults from the PPP faults?
I should be grateful for any confirmation that I am on the right track, or any other comments.
Re: What is a dropped connection?
12-09-2007 12:17 PM
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Quote from: daibowls If I get a router-modem (for example I am looking at Netgear DG 384), I would presumably replace the crossover with a straight through, and then plug both computers into the router?
Yup
Quote from: daibowls That would then presumably allow either computer to be on-line, with the other switched off? - instead of one being a slave to the other as at present. If so that would be an extra benefit, apart from the stability issue which people have mentioned
Quite correct. The added bonus is that routers are generally "better" at maintaning sync than USB modems are.
Quote from: daibowls I have also noted in these forums that people with routers seem to have data about the times when disconnections occurred - which would obviously be helpful in looking for causes. Do routers have some sort of log file which one can check on? Can one also distinguish the sync faults from the PPP faults?
Netgear have a built in log, which records PPP disconnections, Sync disconnections and various other partially useful pieces of information.
In addition, the Netgear models are totally compatible with a program called RouterStats - this allows you to monitor, log and graph your Sync, Noise and Attenuation figures from the router. These are the 'hard connection' statistics, and as such log the 'sync' status of your line, not the PPP status;.
B.
Re: What is a dropped connection?
12-09-2007 2:40 PM
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Quote from: daibowls If I get a router-modem (for example I am looking at Netgear DG 384), I would … plug both computers into the router? That would then presumably allow either computer to be on-line, with the other switched off?…
My bold.
I'm not sure if I read more into the bold text than I should but … the modem router you mentioned has 4 Ethernet ports and any 4 devices, computers, game consoles, wireless access points, … can be plugged in and access the Internet *simultaneously* through the single connection, i.e. it's immaterial whether they are turned on or off. Apologies if that point was implicit in your use of the question mark.
Re: What is a dropped connection?
13-09-2007 10:05 AM
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But thanks to everyone for your helpful replies.
Re: What is a dropped connection?
13-09-2007 11:13 AM
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Quote from: spraxyt the modem router you mentioned has 4 Ethernet ports and any 4 devices, computers, game consoles, wireless access points, … can be plugged in and access the Internet *simultaneously* through the single connection
...and should you need more than four items connected simultaneously you can add a switch to increase the number of ethernet ports.
Re: What is a dropped connection?
18-09-2007 5:37 PM
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I had an old post lurking on here for a while which was never resolved, about losing my connection when I had the 105 USB replacement (the free single socket router - 210?)
I'm now trying somebody else's BT 1800HG router and I still get the same.
It's only if I leave it switched on for a while but don't use the computer, and then can't connect to the internet at all. I've discovered the quickest way to get back on line though, is to right click on the 2 small tv screens on the task bar and select repair. It runs through a list of things and then I connect again no problem.
I've asked before but nobody could answer - I remember PlusNet saying they were going to 'switch off' idle connections after a certain period of time (I remember the complaints on the old forum!) but I don't know if they did, or if that's what's causing the problems?
Any thoughts?
Re: What is a dropped connection?
18-09-2007 5:48 PM
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I've had a look at your account and there are no time outs associated with it.
Re: What is a dropped connection?
18-09-2007 5:54 PM
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