Stupid Internet

[Krauser]

I'm having a problem with my internets, it keeps on swithcing off. Its a BT Voyager 210 ADSL Router, it has 5 lights on it Power, DSL, Internet, Ethernet and USB. The ones that need to be on for the internet are power, DSL, Internet and Ethernet. When I'm on the internet, it randomly stops loading anything, the DSL and Internet lights go off, so I have to switch it off and on again. I had this problem with the old router, exactly the same, got a new one, no problems up until the past few days. Any ideas what the problem is?

[The Mna]

It sounds like the problem is with your ISP. From time to time some ISPs go down for maintenance, or to change IP if its static. Some ISPs might perform worse at certain hours if people are using it more. Also, I've heard of ISPs throttling speed, though it seems it wouldn't be relevant to your problem if the internet is getting shut off frequently.

If your previous problems when you had the old router were fixed as soon as you got a new router, then it may be the router thats to blame. Its also possible that your router is overheating. Those things can get pretty hot.

If it continues, the first thing I'd do is call up your ISP support line.

[da-geezer]

Possibly ISP, more likely a sync problem. Is there any way you can access the routere's configuration pages and acquire a router activity log?

Things to check for are the usual, unfiltered devices, extension cables, too many devices on your phone circuit.

It could be an overcontended exchange too, google "SamKnows" for an exchange checker tool as I'm too lazy to find it myself.

Failing that, as The Mna said it may be worth pestering your ISP.

[Midget]

mine does this all the time, usually up to 5 times a day approx

are you with virgin media by any chance?

[Krauser]

No, I'm not with virgin media.

[LukeCarry]

http://www.samknows.com/broadband/ Posted for ease...

i used to have a BT Voyager and it as rubbish, first thing i did was go out and buy a nice linksys router/modem.

then i rang BT for all my connection stuffs to set up my new linksys router/modem

then i connected to the internet...

i very rarely disconnect and when i do its normally cause the power to the router goes out.. (my feet rest ontop of the extension lead)

[Midget]

yeah i should read more carefully, you're obviously on BT :p

[Krauser]

Also, this happens more when im on MSN.

[LukeCarry]

Also, this happens more when im on MSN.


Ah!!!

Right look in your routers settings and bump up the MTU, take it to the max, so set it to 9999 and it'll tell you the max you are alowed.

[Timmeh]

Setting your MTU to max is a horrendously bad idea, you're basically giving badly coded programs and potential DDoSers free license to rape your connection stupid with unnecessarily huge packets. Your MTU should NEVER be higher than 1500 using an ethernet interface and ideally should be set to auto detect, because high MTUs can cause severe lag and even deny access to certain services/sites. Also, small note to lukecarry, unless I've missed something recently in the world of computing, small packets do not cause ADSL hardware to disconnect...

I'm with Geezer, this sounds like sync problems to me. If your router supports logging, set it to log everything under the sun and post it up when a disconnect occurs, then I can probably be of more help. Before then, if Samknows shows it for your exchange, check your DSLAM status, ensure your line is correctly filtered, your ADSL is plugged into the main line coming into the house not an extension etc etc. After doing all that, ring BT... they'll tell you to do it anyway, so best to get ahead of the game. :)