BT FTTC modem

This bit of kit is rubbish.

I had one of the first, and that batch had a fault. Got a second one, and that has started overheating and cutting out (DSL light goes off - nothing showing at ISP's end). So only have 20 secs on and 20 secs off connection at the moment.

Are there any third party VDSL 2 modems available with a Gigabit ethernet port?

The connection only seems to have problems at the weekend.

DrT

if you only have problems at the weekend it is unlikely to be the modem unless it is placed on top of a hot item only used at weekends. Purchasing your own modem wouldnt be wise as these will not be supported even if you get it to work - if it is a line issue and the engineer sees you are using a third party modem then the faulting process wont even begin - a bt modem will be installed and you will be told to see how it goes and stop messing. These are supported by BT and as such you need to get them out to sort it out, it is a pain but at least with this set up whatever the problem it will all be BTs problem to fix.

It is a heat related issue. The modem works okay if placed vertically and fails if horizontal.

The problems, separated by a few weeks only occur on the weekend due to a law named after Mr Sod; aka 'Sod's law'.

Don't be bashful, register.

DrT

I guess I have a good batch - or at least working so far. The openreach modem has been (to my knowledge) 100% reliable and not needed any attention

Same. Ours has been pretty solid since last July

If you do want to change, there are a few modem/routers being duscussed in this thread here. Although it's mostly about combined modem routers, there are a couple of modems only listed.

Mine has been perfect since Feb 18 switch-on. Sits on a desk near a central heating radiator, close to the window with full sunlight on it when we get any as it is a south-facing window.

Tried a trick from my Netgear DG 834 days...stood the modem vertically and the better airflow seems to keep the modem cool enough to hold the connection.

The only reason you guys got good modems was because, as usual, I was getting the duff ones .

DrT

Might be a good idea to think about moving it before the sun gets too high as Spring turns to Summer.

If you think Netgears overheat, try a SpeedTouch 585! Put a griddle plate on top of those and cook your eggs.

Probably will soon, as part of the tidy-up. Still got the ADSL router next to it, but shaded until evening when the heat is out of the sun.

Joking apart, y'all, is there possibly a thermal problem with the BT VDSL modems? Or can they literally only be used in the vertical position? I need to know because the positioning of mine, later on when I sign up for FTTC, will be based on a plan of mine that assumes I use it in a particular place at home and in the horizontal position.

In reply to a post by orly:

Same. Ours has been pretty solid since last July

Mine too, though I have mine vertical, hanging from the 'keyholes' in the bottom of the unit.
Runs very cool, yet a friends one is red hot (his is horz).

The only reason you guys got good modems was because, as usual, I was getting the duff ones .

That can't be right. If any duff gear is available it somehow always ends up on my desk.

In reply to a post by meditator:

Joking apart, y'all, is there possibly a thermal problem with the BT VDSL modems? Or can they literally only be used in the vertical position?

They CAN be used flat. It is just something that I picked up from using a Netgear '834GT. If a bit of kit has ventilation grills around the circumference (none on top or bottom) mounting vertically will improve the cooling sufficiently to diagnose a heat issue.

My problem is recent and I figured it was a heating issue (likely a duff soldered joint as not had it long enough for dust to be the culprit) as disconnecting the power from the unit would give 10-15 mins of good service.

Since standing vertically, with a gap under it, had perfect service.

DrT

Ours sits on a floor next to a radiator. Doesn't seem to effect it.

Why not wall mount it ? 100ml centres 'll do it. I always wall mount mine, unless the punter actually requests not to.

Every single modem I have had to replace, 'cos it's cooked itself, hasn't been wall mounted.

Your post just prompted me to go and wall mount mine. Very easy job even for a someone as bad as me at DIY, and the best thing is I am still connected to the internet

It's even easier when you've got the drilling template that comes in the box !

blu tack?

In reply to a post by orly:

blu tack?

What a cheek

No, 2 metal self drill plasterboard fixings, a ruler, a spirit level and a screwdriver - real DIY !!!