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Hello all, I wish to tap the collective!
I have a particularly poor connection with our ADSL and it constantly drops out, sometimes for days at a time. Normally we have a ~2mb connection using a Thomson router, TG585 v7, which was bundled when we first moved in and subscribed to Tiscali (no choice in this). I now wish to upgrade and replace the hardware to try and improve the connection we have, and wonder what modem if any would be preferable for my situation.
Some things I guess you need to know;
I have been given a new and unused Belkin n750 as a router, but no ADSL modem, so don't need a router..
I am about 3 miles from the exchange by Google maps (the exchange mapper on Sam Knows does not accept my address)
I have replaced my house wiring and installed the NTE5 faceplate directly to the router, with no additional extensions anywhere.
As you know TalkTalk have shockingly poor support, and now we are able to finally leave the tw@ts I also intend to switch provider soon. They have been no help at all despite acknowledging there is probably a fault somewhere!
I've seen plenty of modems out there, from the likes of Vigor and T-Link, all of which get good reviews, but I need one that will hold onto a weak connection.
I'm sure you need more info, so please let me know what I've omitted.
Cheers,
Dabooka
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Draytek Vigor 120. Excellent ADSL2+ modem uses the latest Infineon chipset & piece of cake to configure. Have a look at the reviews 
http://www.amazon.co.uk/DrayTek-Vigor-120-external-E...
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Thanks Frogmella, I saw those yesterday but there's no mention in the reviews about being "good" with weak signals so thought I'd check first as it's specifically that attribute I'm after.
Based on the reviews it's certainly in the top three to purchase (plus I have a £10 Amazon voucher to use!).
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In that case just buy it from Amazon and if it turns out to be pants send it back to Amazon for a full refund. Couldn't be easier
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Very true, but my nature leads to me to try and learn from the experiences of others!
It's also dawned on me I have an ancient SMC Barricade modem from my first ADSL connection. Has a usb and 1 ethernet port, I'm sure it topped out a 2mb (as I say it is probably from about 2004 or earleir!). I wonder if that'd be worth digging out.
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Let's see some stats from the 585.
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usually routers based on broadcom or infineon chipsets handle poor lines better. i've had a range of routers on my adsl2+ line: netgear dgn1000, dlink 2640, tp-link 8960n and draytek 2820n. tp-link is based on broadcom (unlike the new tp-link 8968 which is based on trend) and it handles the connection well: http://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-TD-W8960N-300MBPS-Wi... The supposedly newer model tp-link 8961 is not that grate and certainly not the successor. As regards draytek, it copes with my line very well, too, but it's pricy, even though i got mines on gumtree for 50 quid. overall, i recommend both tp-link 8960n and draytek 2820n.
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What sort of things are you after? I'll have to post them later when at home, but will do it asap
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Thanks anon,
So would you suggest just using the TP-Link for the modem and disabling the router element, or just use it over the Belkin?
Cheers,
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unfortunately, i don't know what chipset tp-link 8961 is based on. but go for a broadcom or infineon chipset based router.
do a google search for other broadcom based routers. there's plenty. as regards infineon, i think it's only draytek that use them.
don;'t know what more experienced users will say, but also maybe checking your dslam chipset and matching it with one in the router might help. for example, my exchange uses infineon, and although tp-link 8960n handled it well, i'm now using the draytek (although not long enough to comment).
stay clear of buffalo. they've gone down hill big time with their routers. plus, there's no support whatsoever.
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Thanks anon,
So would you suggest just using the TP-Link for the modem and disabling the router element, or just use it over the Belkin?
Cheers,
tp-link has a built in adsl modem and is an access point at the same time. so, you use it instead of your belkin router. you can get the tp-link from amazon.co.uk (click on 'new') and if it doesn't work as well as you expect it, just return it. and if it does, put belkin on ebay.
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and if you don't want to use the wireless, then you can just switch it off using the web config. i also know and have used the sra function (i think it was that) on my tp-link to help with any impulse noise jumps. but you'd need to telnet to the router. another good option with broadcom is the billion 7800, but its price is high.
here you have various routers' config emulators:
http://www.cormain.com.au/tech/simulator.php
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What sort of things are you after? I'll have to post them later when at home, but will do it asap I recommend posting the stats before buying a new device as that could just be a waste of time and money.
You should find the stats here: http://192.168.1.254/cgi/b/dsl/dt/?ce=1&be=0&l0=1&l1=0
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Uptime: 3 days, 18:40:47
DSL Type: G.992.5 annex A
Maximum Bandwidth (Up/Down) [kbps/kbps]: 1,243 / 9,141
Bandwidth (Up/Down) [kbps/kbps]: 1,217 / 7,483
Data Transferred (Sent/Received) [kB/kB]: 0.00 / 0.00
Output Power (Up/Down) [dBm]: 12.0 / 18.5
Line Attenuation (Up/Down) [dB]: 24.5 / 44.0
SN Margin (Up/Down) [dB]: 6.5 / 6.0
Vendor ID (Local/Remote): TMMB / BDCM
Loss of Framing (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
Loss of Signal (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
Loss of Power (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
Loss of Link (Remote): 0
Error Seconds (Local/Remote): 3 / 0
FEC Errors (Up/Down): 4,141 / 1,611,818
CRC Errors (Up/Down): 4,141 / 1,771
HEC Errors (Up/Down): 397,127 / 1,481
You can probably access these details by clicking here
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Thanks chaps, I'll logon when I get home and post the stats; I know my way around the interface after having to reset it so [censored] often....
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As requested, the stats form the connection as it is right now;
Link Information
Uptime: 0 days, 13:17:22
DSL Type: G.992.3 annex A
Bandwidth (Up/Down) [kbps/kbps]: 757 / 1,536
Data Transferred (Sent/Received) [kB/kB]: 0.00 / 0.00
Output Power (Up/Down) [dBm]: 12.5 / 0.0
Line Attenuation (Up/Down) [dB]: 38.5 / 63.5
SN Margin (Up/Down) [dB]: 6.5 / 9.0
Vendor ID (Local/Remote): TMMB / IFTN
Loss of Framing (Local/Remote): 11 / 0
Loss of Signal (Local/Remote): 5 / 0
Loss of Power (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
Loss of Link (Remote): 0
Error Seconds (Local/Remote): 20 / 0
FEC Errors (Up/Down): 4,294,967,264 / 33,195
CRC Errors (Up/Down): 4,294,967,264 / 3
HEC Errors (Up/Down): 0 / 3
Fire away!
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Those figures are terrible! At 37dB attenuation and 6dB SNR you should be seeing a sync of around 10M. The local LOF/LOS and other errors indicate a line fault which may well be present within your own internal wiring.
If you have an NTE5 socket, remove the lower half and connect the router to the hidden test socket via a short RJ11 and a known good filter. Post your stats from that setup.
Edited by Deadbeat (Wed 08-Aug-12 21:17:37)
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I will do, but I'll not be able to do as requested for a day or so as it's all wired up in a cupboard blocked by a fridge (long story) but I will do it.
Believe it or not when I actually did replace all the wiring between the BT "choc block" (naughty I know) to a new NTE5 box the speed improved; probably a run of no more than 8 metres of wiring, but I did remove all the gash extensions installed by the previous owner.
Incidently if we have bad or prolonged rain, the phone goes crackly and we lose connection. The twunts at TalkTalk don't see any correlation.....
Thanks so much for your collective input and continued advice,
Dabooka
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Just realised I've made a school boy error; it's not an NTE5, I switched it for a new BT socket, the NTE2000(?) with the filter built in.
Sorry for the error, it's been a long week and I forgot I "upgraded" that part too.
All genuine BT stock, no third party unbranded eBay tat!
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Those figures are terrible! At 37dB attenuation [...]
Think you've got that the wrong way around mate...his downstream attenuation is 63 db, whilst his upstream is 37db, so nothing wrong those line stats.
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Might also be worth trying a firmware update to your tg585v7 - 8.2.6.5 generic is pretty good: http://leoforeia.gr/thomson/Thomson_Firmware_Compila...
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Think you've got that the wrong way around mate...his downstream attenuation is 63 db, whilst his upstream is 37db, so nothing wrong those line stats.
Oops. 
Having used the same router myself for years, it's even more embarrasing!
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I will do, but I'll not be able to do as requested for a day or so as it's all wired up in a cupboard blocked by a fridge (long story) but I will do it......
No need to now because of my stupid mistake.
However, being behind a fridge is doing you no favours and I'd put a few bob on that being the cause of your problems.
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Incidently if we have bad or prolonged rain, the phone goes crackly and we lose connection. The twunts at TalkTalk don't see any correlation..... That indicates a line fault, as does the fact you're running ADSL2 not ADSL2+.
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At 63dB attenuation the ADSL2+ frequencies will have been attenuated down into the random noise area. Hence ADSL2 is most likely best modem can manage.
If modem can be forced to ADSL only mode, it is worth a go. On older hardware ADSL2 and ADSL2+ modes were fairly new, and they often were not tested on such long lines.
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The author of the above post is a thinkbroadband staff member. It may not constitute an official statement on behalf of thinkbroadband.
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and the crackling phone when it rains?
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Hi,
If the phone line is crackling during wet weather it could indicate a possible fault.
If you Tweet us @TalkTalkCare or join the TalkTalk Members Forum we can look into this. If line tests are conducted when its dry then these are unlikely to find an issue, we need to look at conducting a line test while the crackle is present.
Regards
Mark
TalkTalk Online Community Department
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Could be a fault, or as simple as drip loop into home missing, and moisture in master socket. So take faceplate off and see if contacts corroded, if they are then testing at master socket test socket may not help, as they may be corrodded too
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The author of the above post is a thinkbroadband staff member. It may not constitute an official statement on behalf of thinkbroadband.
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The master socket is definitely not damp or corroded in anyway, neither was the BT "choc-block" when I had a peek inside.
Regarding the fridge it isn't behind the fridge, it's just the new kitchen layout blocks access to the under-stairs cupboard (until I knock a new access into the living room!) but it has only been there for about three months, this fault is years old.
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I'll pass on your very kind and generous offer to join the utterly pointless forums (past experience) or embrace Twitter. As your incredibly inept contact centre representatives have already acknowledged there is a line fault, but then instantly ruled it out as a problem as I was talking on the phone line at the time (despite having no ADSL connection).
Sorry for my annoyance, but I have wasted too much energy and life on the phone to people who insist on going through the [censored] script and checking I am plugged into the phone line etc. Or have things changed considerably over the last 6-7 months?
Cheers for going to the trouble to respond though.
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If modem can be forced to ADSL only mode, it is worth a go. On older hardware ADSL2 and ADSL2+ modes were fairly new, and they often were not tested on such long lines.
telneting: xdsl debug multimode config=t1.413issue2+g992.1_annex_a
and: saveall
Might work for the OP's tg585v7 ?
If not: xdsl debug multimode config=t1.413issue2+g992.1_annex_a+g992.3_annex_a+g992.3_annex_l+g9
92.3_annex_m+g992.5_annex_a+g992.5_annex_m
and: saveall
Will return it to defaults.
These commands will cause resyncs if the router accepts them.
Edited by 4M2 (Thu 09-Aug-12 14:43:42)
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ADSL1:
xdsl debug multimode config=g992.1_annex_a
saveall
ADSL2:
xdsl debug multimode config=g992.3_annex_a
saveall
ADSL2+:
xdsl debug multimode config=g992.5_annex_a
saveall
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Thanks for those links and the code chaps, it's a little beyond me (the Telnet part) but I have a friend who's handy in these matters, I'll set him to it!
Also, I didn't know there was a firmware update for the router, I assumed Thomson went under and took everything with it!
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Thomson are fine, they changed their name to Technicolor.
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Also, I didn't know there was a firmware update for the router!
I would be wary about installing firmware from random Greek websites.
Oliver.
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TBH I've never had any complaints but the lack of support isn't very good in this day and age.
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Also, I didn't know there was a firmware update for the router!
I would be wary about installing firmware from random Greek websites.
I probably wouldn't bother as the router doesn't appear faulty; I'll try the Telnetting and see where that gets me. I'll probably get a new modem soon enough anyway
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I would be wary about installing firmware from random Greek websites.
http://forums.modem-help.co.uk/viewtopic.php?p=8359 - variant AA seems OK, I've been using it for more than a year without any problems
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http://forums.modem-help.co.uk/viewtopic.php?p=8359 - variant AA seems OK, I've been using it for more than a year without any problems
Fair enough. Personally, I'd only download firmware from manufacturers or ISPs websites, but then I'm suspicious like that 
Oliver.
Edited by Oliver341 (Thu 09-Aug-12 22:54:43)
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I downloaded some from O2help. It worked
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I'll pass on your very kind and generous offer .... ?
I think it might be a good idea to backtrack on that and see if he can help.
It doesn't matter how good the modem if there really is a line fault - probably a joint getting damp.
My broadband basic info/help site - www.robertos.me.uk
My domains,website and mail hosting - Tsohost. Internet connection - Plusnet Value Fibre FTTC 80/20 trial.
"Where talent is a dwarf, self-esteem is a giant." - Jean-Antoine Petit-Senn.
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Hi chaps,
Thought I'd log back on and update on my TalkTalk woes from beforehand, when I had an intermittent ~2mb connection that went off when wet outside (i.e raining or very misty) which suggested a line fault.
Following some advice on here, and after way too much time with Support, we eventually convinced TalkTalk that there could be a fault. An Engineer was despatched who has upgraded the modem / router to the D-Link DSL-2780. Since then I'm pleased to say we appear to have a steady connection!
What's the catch you ask? Oh, nothing really, apart from it's not actually been wet since he came on Tuesday morning AND MORE SIGNIFICANTLY IT'S ~800kbps!!
Yes, that's right 800kbps down and 300kbps up. Apparently there was "never a line fault it was the router", despite the fact I'd tested it with alternatives, and best of all "the distance from the exchange is the problem". My two neighbours can manage the ~2mb speed wihtout any problems, one with Sky and one with TalkTalk.
I give up.
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