Weird Problem

[general_lee]

OK, so I have a 7800N with f.w 1.06g.

In short, my router is allowing my neighbours devices to connect, and my devices are connecting to his. I have set up a wireless white list in my Wireless MAC Filters. But yet the problem persists.

The long story...

The other day I notice my XBMC IPHONE app is not connecting to my XBMC server via wireless. I login to my 7800N to check for connected drives. WTF.. I see two IPAD's and a TIVO none of which are mine. I made a note of the MAC's and blocked them under Wireless MAC Filters.

I then waited an hour to see if anybody was trying to connect, nothing. I'm using WPA/WPA2-PSK. I then changed the key, hid the SSID and changed the SSID name.

I then decided to remove the blocked MAC's and only allow my wireless devices in Wireless MAC Filters (changed from a black list to a white list I guess??). So at the point of removing all the blocked MAC's, I could not connect via browser to my 7800N and it would not respond to a ping, but oddly enough my IPAD was still connected to the internet. I checked the router's IP on my IPAD, it was using a different freakin router!!!!

So, I tried logging on to the new router and was prompted with a Virgin Media Super Hub login.. I googled the default username/password and I'm in!

After a quick look around the Virgin Media Super Hub I could see my wireless devices connected to it... not only that but it was reporting my NAS as connected to ethernet 4 (my NAS only uses a wired connection directly into my 7800N).

I might add, I am making the assumption this is my neighbours router, I know his first name and I saw a device called Nigels-IPAD, I guess there can't be that many on my street (he's next door but-one) and I'm not sure anyone with ill intention would name their devices and leave the default login/password on their router..

So, I reboot my 7800N and I back on my router, I proceeded with my white list. Checked all my devices were connecting and looked for any unknown devices. All seemed good.

So tonight, my son tried watching a film on my IPAD using XBMC (connecting to my NAS via NFS) but XBMC can't find the film. I check the IP adress of my IPAD and it's using my SSID but the default router and IP are from the Virgin Super Hub. I checked for connected devices on my 7800N and I could see the other IPAD's, the TIVO and also an Android we connected but their leases had expired. I have a 24 hour lease and the router's uptime was reported at approximately 24 hours. I rebooted the 7800N and all is back as it should be.

This fault is not fixed.

A couple of extra bits of info.

I am using a SOLWISE homeplug to connect from 7800N to my HTPC in the living room. I've had this for over a year without seeing this issue.

I have long standing problem of my 7800N dropping ADSL when my land line rings.. I've been told I need to remove the orange wire from the master socked but I can't bring myself to do it as I'm scared or losing the interent all together. Seriously, my wife would kill me plus I need access to work stuff over VPN.

What the hell is going on people!!!!!!!!!!???

[billion_fan]

Try unplugging the Solwise homeplug adapter, for a day or so and see what happenes.

Keep your SSID as hidden, then enable the wireless MAC filtering (do this on a wired PC, first add all wireless MAC addressses, then enable Wireless mac filtering)

If you want to be extra secure, try turning off the DHCP server, set the router to a different range and manually fix IP addresses to all your devices. The default gateway will then be your new routers IP.

[general_lee]

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, I'd wondered if the home plug was the issue, I switched them off for 24 hours and did not see the issue. Plugged them back in and followed the instructions for securing them (had done this before when I first installed them though).

Seems good so far so fingers crossed.

Thanks again for the input.

[Tomken]

The problem you descibe regarding a DC when the phone rings can usually be resolved by renewing the microfilter.

With ADSL, providing you don't have a RF Filter fitted prior to the master socket by BT, then it is best to remove the orange wire.

This is the old ringer wire and when left connected can act as an antenna and pick up local interference - it will not have any adverse affects on the stability of your connection when removed and it is advised to remove because of that.

Using a thin flat bladed screwdriver, twist to gently ease the two pins holding the wire and it will then lift out.

When you have removed it, tuck it away in the hole with any other unused wiring - you only need to have wires connected to terminals 2 & 5.

[general_lee]

OK, so I decided to have a go at removing the orange wire...

1) Removed the lower half of the master socket. There were no wires connected to the removable faceplate. So I assume this means we have no extensions attached to the master. We've never tried using any of the extension sockets in the house, we just have a digital phone and router attached via filter to the master socket (FYI - this filter has already been swapped whilst trying to fix the ADSL dropouts).

2) I see an orange cable coming from the outside wall the disappears into the top half of the master socked.

3) I take wire cutters and snip the orange wire

4) I get link down from the router... reboot router.. still get link down. No more internet for me.

5) I get a block connector and attach the orange wire to either end.

6) I am now back online but the connection is not stable. It drops out every 1 hour or so but reconnects by itself.

Now what do I do??? Am I looking at paying BT to come and replace my master socket? Are BT going to charge me the world to fix un-stable connection that I have caused? Do I have to lie and say "err it was already like that?"

Please help!

[Tomken]

It seems strange that no wires were connected to the removable faceplate - see this Kitz article on master sockets http://www.kitz.co.uk/adsl/socket.htm

Was the orange wire connected to terminal 3 ?

While the Kitz article advises its removal (and I'd discussed this with the BT engineer who fitted the RF filter prior to my master socket who agreed that would be normal), I am currently living in a brand new built property and have removed my faceplate to see that the orange wire has been fitted to terminal 3 on the rear of the faceplate as well as the wires to terminals 2 & 5.

This may have been the installation engineer's preference but as BT engineers are usually around because of a major refurbishment program, I'll see if I can catch one to confirm if this is the new standard and get back to you on that.

You didn't take my advice on how to remove the orange wire by carefully splaying the metal "forks" with a thin flat bladed screwdriver (instrument screwdrivers are best) and then ease the wire out.

To fit/refit wires in the absence of an IDC tool, lay the wire over the terminal and using the same recommended screwdiver - gently but firmly press down on the wire so that it is forced down into the forks which will then bite through the insulation and onto the bare wire - giving a positive connection.

Using a connecting block may have introduced an electrical resistance because of a bad connection.

Do you have a corded phone that you could use instead of the digital one ?

Normally when troubleshooting Internet problems, the first thing to do to determine if the fault is on BT/ISP's end or yours, is to remove the faceplate and plug just the router via the microfilter into the Test socket and then connect the phone as well.

As your initial problem involves the phone, then connect both to the Test socket to see if the problem continues - preferably with a corded phone.

You could fit an ADSL faceplate which will provide better screening and that will eliminate the need for microfilters, then see if you still have the DC problem - and if so, then you should report the fault to your ISP.

[dave_j]

It seems strange that no wires were connected to the removable faceplate - see this Kitz article on master sockets http://www.kitz.co.uk/adsl/socket.htm

Was the orange wire connected to terminal 3 ?

While the Kitz article advises its removal (and I'd discussed this with the BT engineer who fitted the RF filter prior to my master socket who agreed that would be normal), I am currently living in a brand new built property and have removed my faceplate to see that the orange wire has been fitted to terminal 3 on the rear of the faceplate as well as the wires to terminals 2 & 5.

This may have been the installation engineer's preference but as BT engineers are usually around because of a major refurbishment program, I'll see if I can catch one to confirm if this is the new standard and get back to you on that.

I am an Openreach engineer and the standard way is for the incoming line (typically orange and white, but not always) to attach to the rear of the back plate of the master socket (terminals A and B) and any extension fit to the rear of the front plate (terminals 2 and 5). It sounds like the poster has in fact cut the orange wire of the incoming line.

You will almost certainly be charged if you admit to cutting this one. An easy way to repair it is to buy one of these tools, then remove the back plate of the master socket (where the wires are disapearing into) and use the tool to push the wire(s) back into the terminal properly - usually orange goes into A and white into B but it will work both ways.