ADSL Disconnecting when using phone

[general_lee]

Dear Billionaires,

I have a 7800N that keeps dropping my ADSL connection when I use my home phone. I'm running 1.06g firmware. The connection appears stable when the phone is ringing, it only disconnects when answering calls.

I get this status:

ADSL PPPoA 0/38 Link Down

Then:

ADSL PPPoA 0/38 Connecting

The connection is established until the phone is used again.

I have tried an old Netgear router that does not have this problem. I've also tried different filters also which do not make a difference. This is very frustrating and the fault stays with the 7800N.

Could you give me some pointers?

I get this in the logs of the router, am happy to send any further info.

Code: Select all

Nov 12 14:39:24  user  kernel: Line 0: ADSL link down
  Nov 12 14:39:25  user  syslog: tc qdisc del dev ppp_0_0_38_1 root 2>/dev/null
  Nov 12 14:39:25  daemon  pppd[1294]: Terminating connection due to link down.
  Nov 12 14:39:32  user  kernel: Line 0: xDSL G.994 training
  Nov 12 14:39:41  user  kernel: Line 0: ADSL G.992 started
  Nov 12 14:39:45  user  kernel: Line 0: ADSL G.992 channel analysis
  Nov 12 14:39:51  user  kernel: Line 0: ADSL G.992 message exchange
  Nov 12 14:39:52  user  kernel: Line 0: ADSL link up, Path 0, us=606, ds=5022
  Nov 12 14:39:53  daemon  pppd[1294]: PPPoE: Terminating on signal 15.
  Nov 12 14:39:53  daemon  pppd[1294]: Clear IP addresses.  Connection DOWN. 
  Nov 12 14:39:53  daemon  pppd[1294]: Clear IP addresses. 
  Nov 12 14:39:53  daemon  pppd[1294]: Couldn't increase MTU to 1500.
  Nov 12 14:39:59  daemon  pppd[1294]: Connection terminated.
  Nov 12 14:39:59  daemon  pppd[1294]: Connect time 9.4 minutes.
  Nov 12 14:39:59  daemon  pppd[1294]: Sent 199880 bytes, received 970072 bytes.
  Nov 12 14:39:59  user  kernel: dev_shutdown, dec ppp device refcnt, dev->refcnt=3
  Nov 12 14:40:00  user  kernel: unregister_netdevice: waiting for ppp_0_0_38_1 to become free. Usage count = -1
  Nov 12 14:40:00  user  kernel: dev->name = ppp_0_0_38_1, dev->refcnt=-1
  Nov 12 14:40:00  user  kernel: after reset to 0, dev->refcnt=0
  Nov 12 14:40:00  daemon  pppd[1294]: Exit.
  Nov 12 14:40:00  daemon  pppd[1955]: PPPoATM setdevname_pppoatm
  Nov 12 14:40:00  daemon  pppd[1955]: PPPoATM setdevname_pppoatm - SUCCESS
  Nov 12 14:40:00  daemon  pppd[1955]: pppd 2.4.1 started by admin, uid 0
  Nov 12 14:40:00  daemon  pppd[1955]: PPP: Start to connect ... 
  Nov 12 14:40:00  daemon  pppd[1955]: Using interface ppp0_0_38_1
  Nov 12 14:40:00  daemon  pppd[1955]: Connect: ppp_0_0_38_1 <--> 
  Nov 12 14:40:00  daemon  pppd[1955]: Couldn't increase MTU to 1500.
  Nov 12 14:40:09  daemon  pppd[1955]: LCP: timeout sending Config-Requests 
  Nov 12 14:40:09  daemon  pppd[1955]: Connection terminated.
  Nov 12 14:40:12  daemon  pppd[1955]: PPP: Start to connect ... 
  Nov 12 14:40:12  daemon  pppd[1955]: Using interface ppp0_0_38_1
  Nov 12 14:40:12  daemon  pppd[1955]: Connect: ppp_0_0_38_1 <--> 
  Nov 12 14:40:12  daemon  pppd[1955]: Couldn't increase MTU to 1500.
  Nov 12 14:40:18  daemon  pppd[1955]: PPP LCP UP. 

[MrYoDa]

Me and a friend had this,
The issue was LLU using Cable and Wireless through ICUK,
ICUK dropped the upload speed and stopped this happening.

That however may not be your issue, it certainly was for us...

[general_lee]

Thanks for the reply,

Should I perue this with my ISP (SKY)?

Could this be an issue with the line even though the old Netgear router does not show the same fault?

Thanks again,

[Tomken]

This type of fault usually relates to microfilters or a line fault and contacting your ISP would be the next move as you've already changed the microfilters.

Just one more thing to check before you contact your ISP ( and they will probably ask you to do this as well) and that is to plug the router and a corded phone (with filter) into the test socket part of the master socket to see if the fault persists and dialing a single digit and listening for any noises such as hissing or crackling before before the auto voice kicks in, will indicate one type of line fault - it should be completely silent.

[general_lee]

Dang...

So I tried the test socket and cannot reproduce the fault. Tested several times and get a consistent ADSL connection on the 7800N.

So I guess there is a problem in my house somewhere. We only have one landline phone plugged into the master anyway, no other devices are connected. So I have no idea how to continue.

Thanks though. You've eliminated the 7800N for me.

Is there anything else I can try?

Are there any third party filters that might differentiate between signals better than the standard ones?

Are there any settings on the router that will keep a persistent connection? Only the Netgear doesn't do this (I love the features of the 7800N so I'll live with it or get an engineer to check my wiring inside the house if needed)

Thanks,

[Tomken]

That makes things awkward as there's only the faceplate between you and the pole which I guess you could try changing.

As for different quality microfilters - those from ADSL Nation (Google them) are supposed to be good as are the rest of their products, but I bought an ADSL faceplate from them and I didn't think it was as good as the BT V10 fitted one.

These days, coys build their reputation and then you end up paying for a name and hoping the quality is just as good as it once was....

This is very rarely the case these days, but when you unscrewed and eased the faceplate forward - were there just two wires connected - one to terminal 2 and the other to terminal 5 on the back of the faceplate and not a red or orange one connected to terminal 3 ?

That one to terminal 3 is the old Ringer wire and if left connected, can act as an antenna and pick up interference which can cause connectivity problems.

The only time they are left connected is when there is a RF Filter fitted before the master socket - if you do have that wire connected, then you could be in business by just disconnecting it from the rear of the faceplate.

One other thought, do you have the router plugged into the master socket or are you using an extension for that with just the phone using the master socket, as connecting a router to an extension is a bad idea and often cause problems.

[general_lee]

Since putting the face plate back I've not been able to reproduce the fault.

It was so consistent previously, I guess it's likely the face plate was not fitted correctly or is on it's way out?

I'm very happy with the result and appreciate the troubleshooting tips.

We have the router and phone connected via filter to the master socket - no other devices connected to any of the extensions. It does appear there is an orange cable connected. To be quite honest my misses will kill me if I butcher anything, so I'm happy with the result thus far. If the fault does come back I'll take a closer look at the cabling.

Many thanks for the help.

[Tomken]

Glad things have worked out.

With being with TalkTalk, you have to learn a bit about first aid because if you end up getting one of their engineers out and the fault is found to be on your end and whether he fixes it or not - then you're looking at a £60 bill !

If you start to get any unexplained connectivity problems - especially around the same time day or if when you have any flashing Christmas tree lights working, disconnect the wire from terminal 3 first as it will be picking up the electrical impulse noise.

This type of interference is called REIN and Kitz has a brief article on it which you may find of interest as well as a range of other topics.

http://www.kitz.co.uk/adsl/rein.htm