Modem swap

I'm on Sky ADSL, and yes I do plan to do something about that later this year, but I've got some major building work to get done first, before new BB rises to the top of the list.

I'm using the O2 Wireless Box II aka Thomson TG585 I originally had before Sky bought O2.

I'm finding wifi performance poor, so I thought I'd swap it out for a BT Home Hub 4 which I happen to have to see if it works better.

I assume (yesno??) I'll need to extract my ADSL username & password from my existing modem & use it for the BT one?

Username is no problem - that's shown in clear, but the password is not - any ideas on how to extract it?

Oh - and apologies if this info is somewhere on this forum - I failed to find it by searching, so if it's here feel free to mock me and point me at it.

I don�t know the answer (I have a vague recollection that the Sky stuff authenticates using the MAC address. But I suspect I�m wrong)

But what I do know, is that the wifi from a hub 4 ain�t all that ... a 5 is better, a 6 better still.

It might be quicker, easier, cheaper and better to plug a WAP into the TG585 on a reasonable length of ethernet cable and find out where it works best for everywhere you need wifi.

As you used to be with O2, then you can try these settings. Might not work for other Sky users on ADSL. (Certanily doesn't work for FTTC / VDSL).

Encapsulation: PPPoA
Username: [email protected]
Password: install
VPI: 0
VCI: 38
Multiplexing: VC-BASED
MTU: 1500

I also recommend buying a better WiFi solution and plugging into the router, such as the BT WholeHome discs, which are on Amazon and Argos and give amazing coverage.

All your suggestions have merit, and a permanent solution to poor wi-fi coverage and carp BB performance will be implemented later this year.

But right now I have the zero-cost Home Hub, and it surely can't be any worse than the TG585, so gotta be worth a try.

In reply to a post by jchamier:

As you used to be with O2, then you can try these settings. Might not work for other Sky users on ADSL. (Certanily doesn't work for FTTC / VDSL).

Encapsulation: PPPoA
Username: [email protected]
Password: install
VPI: 0
VCI: 38
Multiplexing: VC-BASED
MTU: 1500

Thanks.

Actually, I've seen that here: https://forums.digitalspy.com/discussion/2033907/man...

Not tried it ( but hey - why not - nothing to lose).

Username in the O2 modem is <6 digits>@o2broadband.co.uk

If you had a Sky router, you can use this link, but as you have an old O2 thomson router, then you are better off using the previous instructions.

http://www.skyuser.co.uk/forum/extracting-sky-router...

If you can get your HH4 to work you might consider a HH6, plenty on Gumtree for £10 to £40, some still in unopened boxes. My HH6 wifi is about 20% better than the Plusnet Hub One which I understand is a rebadged HH5. I haggled and got a new HH6 for £10.

Some of the later HH's are locked to BT networks (e.g. BT retail, Plusnet, EE broadband).

And mine is indeed locked.

Oh well.