Strange ADSL / Phone Problem

Desmo · 06-04-2008, 16:12

A couple of days ago our rock solid 7000+Kbps ADSL line dropped right down to 160Kbps :/

I left it thinking it would climb back up (being ADSL Max) but it didn't. So, whilst we were away yesterday, I left the router unplugged for the day and night and put it back in this morning. We're now sitting at around 3,500Kbps connection.

Sinead went to use the phone earlier only to find we have no dial tone. So, the ADSL is working (albeit poorly) but the phone doesn't work at all. This has got me confused as surely if the phone line doesn't work then it's highly unlikely that the ADSL would.

I'm going to bring a normal phone home from work tomorrow to test it as we currently use a cordless phone so I can get that out of the way and tested. After that, I guess I'll be on the blower to BT to get the line tested. Unless you guys can think of anything else?

Mark · 06-04-2008, 16:39

A couple of possibilities spring to mind - damage to the phoneline or a goof-up at the exchange. I've had both happen (my phone line snapped after being abraded against the brickwork it was wrapped around one too many times).

Assuming you're with BT, you can do an automated line test on the BT faults number (151 from a neighbour's phone or 0800 800 151 from a mobile - you will get charged from the mobile despite it being 0800). Disconnect everything from the phone line first to rule out your own wiring.

Desmo · 06-04-2008, 16:54

Just phoned them and they detected a fault somewhere near the house. Engineer should be coming out tomorrow

Desmo · 07-04-2008, 15:44

Nipped back home to let the guy in this afternoon. They've refitted a socket in the house and rewired up the wall. Just have to wait for a hoist to come out and they're going to rewire from the house to the pole.

I learnt something about ADLs today as well as I couldn't figure out why that worked but the phone didn't. Apparently the phone also need powering which is why there are two lines for a phone line. ADSL however just carries a signal which is why it was still working with only one cable intact.

Mark · 07-04-2008, 15:59

That is indeed correct. That's where the whole 'REN' thing comes from - bascially each phone on the line needs a certain amount of power to work (and ring).

I think mine failed the other away around - signal was cut but power still worked.

Robert · 07-04-2008, 17:20

Phonelines carry 50v if I'm correct?

Desmo · 08-04-2008, 12:41

Just remotely logged in to router, we're up and running again

Garp · 09-04-2008, 16:33

Come from someone working in another ISP, and up for the "biggest muppet of the decade" award:

Customer: "My broadband no longer works"

So we go through various diagnostics until at some point:

Us: "Have you checked the wiring from the modem into the phone socket?"
Customer: "I don't have a phone line."
Us: "????"
Customer: "Yes, I moved house yesterday"

Desmo · 09-04-2008, 19:10

Quite glad we've had a new line installed....just had a sustained 900k/sec

That's damn good for an 8meg line.

Mark · 09-04-2008, 19:37

That happened to me as well. You didn't conveniently 'break' the cable did you?

06-04-2008, 16:12	#1
Desmo The Last Airbender Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pigmopad Posts: 11,915	Strange ADSL / Phone Problem A couple of days ago our rock solid 7000+Kbps ADSL line dropped right down to 160Kbps :/ I left it thinking it would climb back up (being ADSL Max) but it didn't. So, whilst we were away yesterday, I left the router unplugged for the day and night and put it back in this morning. We're now sitting at around 3,500Kbps connection. Sinead went to use the phone earlier only to find we have no dial tone. So, the ADSL is working (albeit poorly) but the phone doesn't work at all. This has got me confused as surely if the phone line doesn't work then it's highly unlikely that the ADSL would. I'm going to bring a normal phone home from work tomorrow to test it as we currently use a cordless phone so I can get that out of the way and tested. After that, I guess I'll be on the blower to BT to get the line tested. Unless you guys can think of anything else? __________________

06-04-2008, 16:39	#2
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	A couple of possibilities spring to mind - damage to the phoneline or a goof-up at the exchange. I've had both happen (my phone line snapped after being abraded against the brickwork it was wrapped around one too many times). Assuming you're with BT, you can do an automated line test on the BT faults number (151 from a neighbour's phone or 0800 800 151 from a mobile - you will get charged from the mobile despite it being 0800). Disconnect everything from the phone line first to rule out your own wiring. Last edited by Mark; 06-04-2008 at 16:42.

06-04-2008, 16:54	#3
Desmo The Last Airbender Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pigmopad Posts: 11,915	Just phoned them and they detected a fault somewhere near the house. Engineer should be coming out tomorrow __________________

07-04-2008, 15:44	#4
Desmo The Last Airbender Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pigmopad Posts: 11,915	Nipped back home to let the guy in this afternoon. They've refitted a socket in the house and rewired up the wall. Just have to wait for a hoist to come out and they're going to rewire from the house to the pole. I learnt something about ADLs today as well as I couldn't figure out why that worked but the phone didn't. Apparently the phone also need powering which is why there are two lines for a phone line. ADSL however just carries a signal which is why it was still working with only one cable intact. __________________

08-04-2008, 12:41	#7
Desmo The Last Airbender Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pigmopad Posts: 11,915	Just remotely logged in to router, we're up and running again __________________

07-04-2008, 15:59	#5
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	That is indeed correct. That's where the whole 'REN' thing comes from - bascially each phone on the line needs a certain amount of power to work (and ring). I think mine failed the other away around - signal was cut but power still worked.

07-04-2008, 17:20	#6
Robert Chump!!! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: North West Posts: 993	Phonelines carry 50v if I'm correct?

09-04-2008, 16:33	#8
Garp Preparing more tumbleweed Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Hawaii Posts: 6,038	Come from someone working in another ISP, and up for the "biggest muppet of the decade" award: Customer: "My broadband no longer works" So we go through various diagnostics until at some point: Us: "Have you checked the wiring from the modem into the phone socket?" Customer: "I don't have a phone line." Us: "????" Customer: "Yes, I moved house yesterday" __________________ Mal: Define "interesting"? Wash: "Oh, God, oh, God, we're all gonna die"?

09-04-2008, 19:10	#9
Desmo The Last Airbender Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pigmopad Posts: 11,915	Quite glad we've had a new line installed....just had a sustained 900k/sec That's damn good for an 8meg line. __________________

09-04-2008, 19:37	#10
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	That happened to me as well. You didn't conveniently 'break' the cable did you?