Well, I have tried the Dlink router (G624T), and didn't have a lot of luck with it.

Virgin suggested that I position the router direct to my BT test socket (Master) for 48 hours so they can monitor a line test. (They have told me there appear to be problems with the current position, so they want to rule out a problem with the extension - if there are still problems with the connection via the master, that rules out a faulty extension)

I tried this with the dlink, but it lost connectivity via the Master socket twice in 6 hours, and for some reason I could not access the settings on 192.168.1.1!, so I've reverted back to the Linksys. I have positioned this downstairs by the BT master socket, and set up my main desktop PC with a dongle. (again a Linksys one, but had trouble with that too - Vista I think - but now OK) I am acheiving about 82% signal. Now I leave that for 48 hours, and wait.

Quite what I do if it's OK I don't know, as I have a Belking Wireless print server which won't work wirelessly (spent 4 hours last night trying to get that to work - now I think Belkin may be going to replace it - (hopefully)

If they don't, I'll have to replace it - any ideas as to a good reasonably priced one?

As to the router issue, I am not sure what I'll do if the BT master socket works OK. The extension has been in and working OK for 6 months+, it's only since Virgin upgraded their equipment in the telephone exchange that I've had problems.

Last time I spoke to them (Virgin) they hinted they might supply me with a router.. (they have supplied a work colleague with one, and sent a second as well!! - he lives within the same exchange area, and also had problems, but he was using a speedtouch modem!)

Any ideas as to what I do about print servers gratefully received, as also around the BT sockets.

Thanks

Dave

Awaiting a call back from Virgin.

Their suggestion around leaving the router connected to the master BT test socket has not made any difference - I'm still getting the Internet cut off from time to time on a random basis.

The Print server is OK now - it was simply that the Belkin F1UP0002 won't support WPA2 (only WPA)

Thanks

Dave

Well, I'm not getting anywhere fast relating to this ongoing issue.

I am still getting "disconnections".

I have been on the phone to Virgin TS a few times a week now.

There is one thing that I'll share here, in case anyone can shed light...

Yesterday evening, the computers suddenly lost their connection to the internet, but not the router. The router lights stayed green, and icons in the taskbar showed "ACCESS - Local & Internet".

While it was "down" I rang Virgin TS, and he got me to ping www.ggogle.com, which I did, and it came back

as shown: http://i83.servimg.com/u/f83/13/43/47/07/2009-011.jpg

When I pinged the router, no Packets were lost.

He seemed to think it was a "DNS problem", and asked me the "MTU" setting (1500)... too high apparently...should be 1458...which I reset it to (and still is). Saved it and rebooted the router (as still no connection after resetiing the MTU to 1458).

Connected OK after router reboot. Ping test on google 4 out of 4 (none dropped) and same with the router ping.

This morning... No connection!
Ping test - exactly as the above image again.

Now Mike, you posted:

You can always use the "Open DNS" server addresses in the TCP/IP Properties of your network adapter - it is possible to use fixed DNS server addresses while the IP address is still obtained automatically by DHCP. The Open DNS addresses are 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220

so I don't know if thats worth a go?.. (But need guidance as to how to do the changes please)

I am going to press Virgin to supply me one of "their" router units. They use Netgear routers, and keep saying.."we don't know how to set up Linksys routers...you'll have to contact Linksys..." (Buck passing if you ask me).

Anyway, I'm up for trying anything. I really can't believe that my phone system is the cause (Keep asking me to connect to BT test socket), but, if I have to get BT to rewire them I will.

Getting frustrated now with all this agro - it's only kicked off since they updated the local telephone exchange. I had 6 months trouble free connection before this - I never switched the router off at all.

Dave

I have done that, although I am using Vista - it's the same.

I did it on Internet protocol version 4, should I do it on version 6
Do I need protocol version 6 (didn't you tell me it's not needed?)

EDIT: Also shouln't the settings be put into the Router setup, rather than the Computer settings?

Also, How can I get the screen shots to appear directly on the forum (rather than a link) please?

Thanks

Dave

Well it made no difference anyway!

Still getting disconnects.
I have reset it to "obtain DNS server address automatically".

I really don't know where to go from here - except back to Virgin Media

Thanks - Dave

If I have followed this correctly, you are still using the same Linksys router that was problematical at the start of the discussion; you have never managed to get your second (D-Link) router set up. If that's the case, it could simply be that the Linksys router is faulty.

Do you by any chance have a USB ADSL Modem that you could try, although I realise that there are driver issues using some of these with Vista?

Hi Mike, Yes you have followed this correctly.

I AM still using my Linksys router.

However I did get my dlink router setup for a day or 2, but was getting more disconnection problems with it than the Linksys, and in the end I went back to the Linksys.

I never have had a USB ADSL modem, as I went straight from Dialup to Broadband via a Linksys router (WAG54G).

I could re-try the dlink again, knowing now about the ip address being 192.168.0.1. However yesterday when I contacted Virgin media again, the Operator I spoke to looked back through all my records, and discovered that Virgin never arranged for my Line to be tested from Day1! (inspite of leading me to believe they had tested it and found a fault) Apparantly there was nothing on the system.

Needless to say, the operator has now booked a "Line test", and for this I have been asked to leave my Linksys router connected to the BT test socket until they have finished testing the line - "probably take 5 working days".

As of yesterday, I re-connected the router to the BT Test socket, and this morning, I had to reboot the router! (I'm quite glad on this, as it does mean it's probably NOT in my house phone wiring).

I'm a bit loath to use the dlink router until they have finished the tests. The problem is not unlivable with, (it's just annoying). Rebooting the router isn't the biggest chore in the world, but I feel that it should be fixed.

Hopefully they will find a fault, and fix it, OR say it's my router and supply me with a free Netgear DG384 version4 which is the one they supply out with their packages.

I did consider replacing my Linksys with a new router a few months ago, when I thought it was causing the wireless access problems (caused in the end by a TV Booster failing). I did buy a Belkin "N" router, but took it back.

If I do replace the Linksys, I don't know which one to replace it with. I know everybody has their favorite brand, but if Virgin use Netgear, and a few others on these forums seem to be happy with them perhaps this one is a reasonable option?

http://tinyurl.com/agnwaf

I originally did think the router was at fault, but it does seem coincidental that I started getting the problems after Virgin upgraded equipment in the local BT exchange.

Thanks - Dave

After all the hoops you've gone through, I hope it is a line fault.

Dave could I just ask when you are testing at the BT "test socket" .. are you still using a filter into the the test socket?

Hi Anne & Dave,

I have just had to reboot the router again (that's twice today - this last time the DSL light and Internet light were OFF, and I had to power off the router (instead of rebooting it from the 192.168.1.1 access)).

I hope it is a line fault too.

Anne, I AM using a filter in the test socket, and I have changed filters as well (just in case the filter was a problem - it wasn't)

Thanks - Dave

Thanks for replying re the filter Dave.

Have you tried a few filters rather than just one other filter Dave?

Filters can go dodgey after a time, I did have to replace one of mine in the first year or two of having broadband although I now have a faceplate with filter built it (NTE5 faceplate).

I know you have done no end of troubleshooting but you might want to consider testing yourself for noise on the line;

This is pasted from "web user":

Line noise is probably caused by your microfilters either being faulty or not being connected properly (don't forget devices like Sky digiboxes and fax machines also need a filter). To troubleshoot the problem, disconnect all your ADSL equipment, including any filters so your telephone is all that's connected. Check if the noise persists (you can do a quiet line test by dialling 17070 and selecting option 2). If it does, it's a line problem so contact BT. If it doesn't, connect your microfilter to the BT master socket, connect the phone and listen again. If you hear noise the filter is probably faulty, try another one.


http://www.webuser.co.uk/specials/197121.html