Problem with a (lightning) damaged router

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Dylan_G

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Hi guys. In need of some help.

I have a Billion 400G router which I've been using for around a year. Recently, I've noticed that the DSL sync drops randomly. After you leave it for a while and it syncs again.

I've tried another router, a Duo Plus 300 WR, and it works, but the speeds with this router is terrible ! I know that this router isn't the best and thats why I don't use it(its a spare of mine). Tried a speed test and can barely get 60Kbps on a 1Mbps line with this. Here are the stats from the Duo plus:


Connection Status Connected
Us Rate (Kbps) 64
Ds Rate (Kbps) 1024
US Margin 6
DS Margin 7
Trained Modulation ADSL_G.dmt
LOS Errors 0
DS Line Attenuation 63
US Line Attenuation 31
Peak Cell Rate 150 cells per sec
CRC Rx Fast 40
CRC Tx Fast 233
CRC Rx Interleaved 0
CRC Tx Interleaved 0
Path Mode Fast Path

I could try and redo the stats with the 400G, if I'm lucky enough to get a connection going.

So...

1. How likely is it that the Billion is lighting (Or otherwise) damaged ?
2. Is it possible for me to use the Duo plus purely as a modem and the Billion as a router ? I'm looking at this to save myself from
buying a new router/modem. Part of me says this won't help the speeds I'm getting now.
3. What are my other options ?
4. If I do need to buy a new router, can you give me an idea as to which ? Cheapest one possible (that I won't regret getting)

Thanks in advance. ;)
 
Your upstream speed that it synchronizes at is horrific. It is supposed to sync at 512kbps and not 64kbps. When the upstream speed is that low, it will also influence your download speed!
It is probably due to your poor line attenuation or faulty filter. I noticed that your downstream line attenuation is 63dB which is terrible!

Remove any filter, telephone or any other telephonic device apart from the ADSL modem.
If your ADSL stats remain just as bad, then there is something else going on:
1) faulty ADSL modem
2) faulty cabling in your home
3) Telkom ADSL line fault

Does that Billion report the same kind of stats as the Duo Plus? If your Billion reports similar (poor) line attenuation and line rates after you removed the filters and other telephonic devices, then it is most likely a Telkom ADSL line fault.

For the ADSL line fault, you can often use a telephone (connected via a filter) to check for static noise on the line. If you do notice static noise, then you can report that as a voice line fault and then Telkom will probably fix your ADSL line too.
 
Pada said:
Your upstream speed that it synchronizes at is horrific. It is supposed to sync at 512kbps and not 64kbps. When the upstream speed is that low, it will also influence your download speed!
It is probably due to your poor line attenuation or faulty filter. I noticed that your downstream line attenuation is 63dB which is terrible!

Remove any filter, telephone or any other telephonic device apart from the ADSL modem.
If your ADSL stats remain just as bad, then there is something else going on:
1) faulty ADSL modem
2) faulty cabling in your home
3) Telkom ADSL line fault

Does that Billion report the same kind of stats as the Duo Plus? If your Billion reports similar (poor) line attenuation and line rates after you removed the filters and other telephonic devices, then it is most likely a Telkom ADSL line fault.

For the ADSL line fault, you can often use a telephone (connected via a filter) to check for static noise on the line. If you do notice static noise, then you can report that as a voice line fault and then Telkom will probably fix your ADSL line too.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply dude.

I swear, my stats weren't like this ! The upspeed was sync'd at 512Kbps. I completely forgot that its not supposed to be 64Kbps. I kept checking on it to know when my line speed was upgraded a few weeks back and it was fine. Its actually sitting at 128Kbps now. Attenuation down is at 57dB.

This has all happened recently. What could have possibly caused a line fault ?

Haven't had a chance to connect the Billion back but will try it tomorrow.

I shall start removing filters and things soon and get back to you.

Thanks a million. :)

EDIT: Tried a download now... Getting a good 100Kbps. :wtf: Tried a speed test too... Getting 95Kbps but with a ping of 115ms.
 
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Had the same issues on my 10Meg line, syncing @ 3Meg or less sometimes. Got Telkom to test everything, ended up being the router that had a short. Cost me to replace the thing, now everything is syncing @ 10Meg again.
 
Have you tried using a different router?

I had a problem around a year ago where a simple router swop sorted out the issue.
 
ijack said:
Have you tried using a different router?

I had a problem around a year ago where a simple router swop sorted out the issue.
Click to expand...

Yes. The Duo Plus is the backup. Problem is that the new router was giving me horrible stats (see OP). So theres still a chance it could be a line fault.
 
Hi Dylan_G,
See if you can borrow a router from a friend to eliminate that as a problem. If the borrowed router Syncs fine then you know the router is the cause. If not then you need to remove the filters etc as Pada said and if it still persists with poor figures then you need to talk to Telkom.

Good Luck

Tim
 
I've changed this post 5 times since starting to type it, as each time, something changed. :cry: Left most of it here incase someone ever has similar problems.

First round: Got home and found the Duo Plus(the second) router was now syncing at 512Kbps downstream(improvement from the 128Kbps). Hooray, right?

Round two: Then I changed changed back to my old router(the Billion) and it synced. I (was at that time) am getting these stats:

Upstream 512000
Downstream 1024000
SNR Margin(Upstream) 12 dB
SNR Margin(Downstream) 32.5 dB
Line Attenuation(Upstream) 13.0 dB
Line Attenuation(Downstream) 28.5 dB

I've put it down to the connection that comes from the wall. Seeing as both routers can still sync, its not either of them. Seeing as the attenuation and upstream are back to normal, its not the actual line. This box thing(not sure what you call it) has gone through some wear and tear and is probably damaged.

[-]Round three: Then it dies on me again. Received a phone call. And now neither of the routers want to sync. I've tried running nothing and one splitter between the wall and the router and as I typed this sentence, the Duo Plus sync'd. Thereafter, I made a call to the landline and it did not switch off. I know this post is starting to sound crazy... Just one last test...[/-]

[-]Round four: Immediately after the line managed to sync again, I plug into the Billion and it does not sync.[/-]

[-]Call Telkom (and a psychologist), right ?[/-]

Round five: Move everything downstairs to the other wall connection. Works properly. Shutting up now. Final diagnosis, wall plug/jack damage.

Thanks for all the advice guys.
 
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