The physical cable is probably ok its just wired up in a bit of a bodge fassion, so at best they will probably just diconnect the extension wiring (if that is what you want).
If you want new cabling then that will probably be chargeable (time related charges). They wont lift floor boards.
If all you want left is a single master socket then there is littlre point fitting an XTE2005 other than aesthetics.

Edited by deleted (Wed 07-Apr-10 20:50:01)

Hi thanks for your response. It seems really informative, but I had a little trouble understanding a couple of your points.

Firstly, you say that BT have reverted to this cable style (i assume you mean the brown, orange, green, blue one that goes to my master socket) - but you say that it works for telephone but isn't great for ADSL. Why would BT revert to it then? Or do you mean the way in which the wires are connected is not effective for ADSL?

Thanks for your suggestion on how to rewire, although I had difficulty understanding point 4, since I don't have two screws available on the same side that aren't already being used by the solid blue/orange cables. The only screws that would be left would be on opposite sides of the junction box and hence joined together by the strip of metal - which would mean that those last four cables you mentioned would all be joined together?! I tried to draw another diagram of what you described to get a better understanding of it but it didn't clarify anything (no doubt my silly brain's fault!)

Also I'm not exactly sure how I would the attach an ADSL nation faceplate - presumably I would just attach the green and brown to pins 2 & 5 respectively (basically just duplicate what you are describing for the standard BT faceplate)

Although I would really like to better understand what you have just described (I much prefer fixing things myself - thus better understanding how they work) considering my (clearly mediocre) understanding of phone line wiring, proceedings may result in a long period of tinkering and possibly making the problem worse (at which point I wouldn't honestly be able to say to BT that I haven't changed any of their wiring/equipment)

I have a responsibility to my housemates/tenants to keep the internet/phone up and running as best I can within my power - so I think I am going to stick with calling out BT and getting them to rewire and fix the problem.

Since you obviously understand the BT engineering side - would it be sensible to encourage them to lay a nice shiny new wire from the junction box to the master socket? Is it likely to make any difference (bearing in mind all I really care about is broadband speeds rather than whether the extension works) Any tips to avoid them fobbing me off with a cheap fix (I've had that happen before with tradespeople who see a young female and think I won't know any better when it comes to the more technical side of things).

Also, since the wiring problem is before the master socket (hence their responsibility), presumably they shouldn't charge me for fixing it? I really hope they don't since am eating cold beans at the moment due to lack of funds (only reason I am bothering pursuing this is my tenants are bemoaning the speed problems - otherwise I would put up with it to save a potential outlay of money!)

Edited by deleted (Wed 07-Apr-10 21:16:52)

Hi rogan8,

Ok, so if they disconnect the extension wiring you think that will get rid of the noise on the line, thus negating the need for an XTE-2005?

So if they lay new cabling (chargeable) they would just leave it messily exposed? I had an engineer from virgin come and bang huge staples into antique pitch pine skirting-boards and architraves. It looked horrendous, so I'd like to avoid a repeat occurrence if at all possible - but how am I supposed to get the cables neatly hidden if I cant touch the BT wiring at all?!

Thanks, Hayley

If you end with just a single socket and no extension wiring then there is no technical benefit to fitted an XTE 2005 .
If you want surface cable to be laid under flooring then you will need to have the flooring lifted when the Openreach tech visits.

Or do you mean the way in which the wires are connected is not effective for ADSL?

Yes, that is what was meant. The cable itself is fine.
If you are happy with just the master socket working then just disconnect the wiring from the extension socket at the junction box (the striped wires) and remove the green wire from the faceplate at the master.
This will leave you with the minimum/simplest wiring and most ideal connection

Ok, I think that would be too big an upheaval at the moment - the BT engineer is booked for Friday, I have the lovely problem of recently poisoned rats under my floorboards (and an inquisitive cat who eats anything she finds), plus I wouldn't know where to start in terms of which floorboards to lift - plus I have a girl in a wheelchair living with me who may have problems since her bedroom door is right in front of where floorboards probably need to be lifted! Phew!

Thanks for taking the time to respond. I'll only fit a filtered faceplate if I decide a dangly microfilter is too annoying.

Edited by deleted (Wed 07-Apr-10 21:48:32)

Oh - simple! Well I can't see why we would need the extension socket...

Not sure if I should cancel the engineer visit now. I guess if they can do it for me for free though? (that way I won't have them pointing the finger at me about touching their junction box later along the line!) Having said that, maybe I shouldn't waste their time if that is all they will do anyway... hmmmm.

You could get the master located next to the other "service boxes" and then you run a CW1308 cable to a secondary socket with filtered face plate at a location you like and the cable run where you want.

Just be friendly towards the tech when he arrives and if possible make sure the wheel chair bound girl "is on display" and drop hints that she will be a primary beneficiary.

Excellent idea Or even if she isn't around make sure you mention her.

I have always found it useful to offer a cuppa and biscuit and engage them in conversation. At the very least they should sort out the odd wiring and ensure you have a good master socket fit for purpose. Good luck and I hope they do a neat job for you.

When I had a new style master socket fixed last year the engineer was very helpful indeed and was cursing the previous engineer for being a lazy so and so for screwing the junction box and socket to the skirting board instead of the wall and for having both within 6 inches of the front door. The new master socket is helpfully now located close to the power points.