This is what I just replied via email:
"Hi Arnold.
In reply to your points -
a.) and b.) have been done many times over the last 10 months, with the same connectivity problems. Conclusion given from replies from other Critical Care people is that it is a line fault.
1. Intermittent connection and red LED, that is why this whole process started 10 months ago.
1.1. I bought the router from Afrihost when I signed up for the original 10Mb ADSL line and it was delivered via courier. There is no shop I can take it to to have it tested for free.
1.2. I do not know anyone who has the same router. I have borrowed a friend's different model Netgear router, same issues. Line problem.
1.3. I have done that at 3 different friend's places and no issues at all with the router.
2. POTS filters have been tested and replaced at my own expense about 14 times over the last 10 months, same intermittent problem.
3. The problem started 10 months ago in March 2013. It does not matter if there is rain or nice sunny weather, the problem still remains.
4. There is nothing on my PC that would cause an intermittent line connection and slow downs from the usual 6Mb to the less than 1Mb line speeds.
5. Nothing of the sort.
I have no idea what Afrihost is going to do about this issue. I have said this to so many different Critical Care people, but when we first got the ADSL line in January 2013, there was a constant 10Mb/s connection, no connection drops, no issues at all. Since the middle of March 2013, it has gone downhill.
I am currently sitting with this:
http://www.speedtest.net/my-result/3228549316
And it has been like this for almost the entire day. Router web page shows connection at 8Mb. Client Zone shows 8Mb. Yet, I am sitting with a connection that can barely even open this email application.
10 months has been long enough to be patient. I will cancel all my Afrihost accounts at the end of January 2014 if this LINE FAULT is not sorted out.
Regards.
Ryan *********
******************
Date: Wed, 8 Jan 2014 12:17:34 +0200
Subject: [#VRH-179-25742]: ClientZone - Support Request : Business ADSL
From:
[email protected]
To: **********************
Good day
We trust that you are well
We will now explain the most common factors contributing to Intermittent Connectivity.
By using the process of elimination we are able to find the cause of the Intermittent Connectivity issue.
a.)Please disconnect all equipment from the router: including wireless printers, tablets, cell phones, gaming devices etc..
b.)Disable the wireless completely on the router and connect directly with a cable to your PC
(Test with just one PC connected directly to the cable) Leave only the router connected for an hour. If that is stable begin to add on 1 device every 30 minutes to see which device is causing the disconnection.
1.Router/Modem
If the front-facing LED lights are solid and flashing green, in general terms this means that the device is working well.
If a red LED appears intermittently please contact Afrihost.
Here are three ways to test your router so as to verify if it is functioning well :
1.1.Take the router to the store at which you purchased it ,and ask them to test it for you (there is no fee for this).
1.2 Swap your current router with a router which is known to be functioning properly.
1.3 Take your router to a family member/friends home and test it there.
It is also important to check your micro filters by:
2.Filters
Ensure that all filters have not been accidentally moved or disconnected.
Filters generally don't need replacement, however to test them, disconnect the
phone lines one at a time to see if the problem persists.
If so, replace the filter/s.
Unplugging everything from your telephone line and connect your router directly to your master telephone socket .
If this rectifies the problem, then something which you had unplugged, was the cause.
Find it by reconnecting your devices systematically and checking for problems after each one.
You may find that one of your micro filters is faulty.
If this doesn't fix the problem, try another micro filter.
3.Weather
If your intermittent ADSL connectivity began shortly after poor weather(heavy rains, hail, etc),the problem might lie
in the corroded or weather damaged wiring. Check for dilapidated telephone wires in the exposed areas outside of your home.
4.Hardware
Viruses, Trojans and operating system updates can change the configuration of your operating system.
You can download Super Anti Spyware( there is a free version available).Install it on the PC , perform an update and then a complete scan on the PC’s to remove viruses) .
5.Frequency Emitting Devices
A high tech alarm system, electric fencing, cordless phones ,wireless devices or any other frequency emitting device which may be near your network can cause intermittent connectivity. Change the frequency of these devices if you suspect this.
PLEASE NOTE: "You will be getting an SMS to rate MY service, please let me know how I'm doing, I would appreciate your positive feedback"
Have a lovely day.Afrihost.com
Pure Internet Joy!