Mega 100WR modem problems - Is 2C legit?

[AndyBeak]

I'm onto my second Mega100WR modem and have the same problem with it as I had with the former:

1) It will be synchronized properly and my ADSL will be working fine
2) My LAN connection will drop and immediately reestablish (the ADSL light stays synched and Telkom support confirms that the modem is still connected).
3) Cannot access router, cannot access LAN, no internet access
4) Only solution is to turn off the router, wait, and turn back on.

It usually happens around the same time of day (morning and evening) and usually lasts about 90 minutes before I get a stable connection. It happens twice every day.

I've done the Microsoft solution (reinstall Windows) and spent well over an hour talking to Telkom (both the ISP + DSL divisions) and bloody ages waiting for Telkom to answer their phone.

I've even paid a techie to come and look at my PC so strident was Telkom's insistence that the problem isn't theirs! I've been doing my own PC maintenance for 18 years and I actually believed Telkom enough to think it is a "setting on my side" creating the error.

Telkom completely disavows that it's a problem on their side (even though their logo is emblazoned on the stupid router). 2C's helpline doesn't work. Marvelous.

Any ideas who to complain to? I'm pinning this on 2C but they don't answer their phones (I wonder if their phones actually work?).

Is 2C a legit company? Are they just pwning us through their relationship with South Africa's favourite monopoly? Who owns them? Why don't they answer their phones? Why don't their products work?

 

[The_Unbeliever]

Have you checked your network card and cable?

Replaced your network card and cable with another? If you've done so, and the problem still persists, try using another brand router.

Are you using Ethernet or USB?

if USB what other USB devices do you have plugged in as well? How long is the USB cable? Have you tried another USB cable?

 

[AndyBeak]

yeah

Tried :
* New network card (I connect through ethernet)
* Three network cables
* Reinstall windows
* Hour on the phone with Telkom support
* Hour with a techie to come here and look at it
* Reset router
* Connecting with USB
* Unplugging antenna (a long shot I admit)

I've added another computer to my network and the same thing happens with it.

2C has contacted me and promised to help me. At least they seem legit.

 

[The_Unbeliever]

Ok, tried replacing the router with another make and model?

Not just the same brand.

If another router displays the same symptoms then it's definitely a Telkom issue.

 

[[OUPA]MrNutz]

what worries me - is that the network switch part (exclude telkom here for a sec) - is also showing weird behavior.

i'd do a few things:

-get a cheapy 8 port dlink switch ~R150 ...
-make 100% sure your network cables are crimped correctly (copper is 100% inserted up to the front of the rj45 connector) and on the 586A/B spec
-thus you seperate your internal network...check the stability

now: use 1 cable between the switch and the dsl router.

-let say u have pc 1,2,3 and router X

let pc 1 ping pc2 with a -t and also in a seperate cmd prompt the router x -t ping so that when the "connection" dies - you can determine if its your internal network or external network.

if its external network - and at more or less the same time - i'd try 1 thing more..get a UPS and modify a multiplug so that u can power your switch and adsl router on that UPS - i've seen ADSL routers dropping sync/resetting due to inconsistent eskom power..

worst case scenario...chuck out the mega100 - sell it - get a netgear 834

 

[RodLane]

I agree with [OUPA]MrNutz regarding the possible power issue. You can purchase a power surge protection plugs as well, which is a "slighly" cheaper alternative.

Aslo, do you have other telephonic equipment on this line that might be causing interference? Anything at all that might need a POTS filter, even possibly a PABX or fax machine on a separate line (with the same phone number) elsewhere in your building?