ADSL drops out during Idle but ADSL2+ stays on

[ozgeek]

I was initially with the most potentially expensive ISP in the world (Telstra Bigpond). I had been changing plans between ADSL and ADSL2+. The modem they supplied me, SpeedTouch 536 (a basic usb/ethernet modem), which works great on both ADSL/ADSL2+. I then bought a Netgear DG834G modem router to allow me to connect my Xbox360 to the internet. This works great on ADSL2+ but when I changed to ADSL, and whenever I leave the router idle (like when going to bed or out), it would drop out but lights on the router indicate nothing is wrong. This does not occur on ADSL2+, it stays on.

I've changed to another ISP, Internode (after people pushed me to abandon Bigpond) and the plan back to ADSL. I'm very glad with the change but the router is still doing the same thing so I went out and bought another router, D-Link DSL-G604T. Set it up and it does EXACTLY the same as the Netgear router - dropping out during idle.

I've tried the following:

Flushed the firmware to latest version (only the Netgear)

Tried other phone lines (I only have one phone port in the house)

Tried factory-resetting both routers

If I want to keep it online, I'd need to have bittorrent open downloading/uploading 24/7 to keep it online and that can chew through my usage quota in no time :(

[kimsland]

This may not be a Router or Modem fault at all

It sounds more likely a Virus or Malware issue, especially if you are using file sharing programs

What Antivirus are you using?

I prefer Avira free Antivirus: http://www.free-av.com/

You may have Malware installed, I use Malwarebytes and find it to be really effective: http://malwarebytes.org/mbam-download.php

[Genc21]

I think all this is about set the options of the connection of your adsl router. Open the web browser and in the address bar write

http://192.168.1.1 enter the username and the password and try to find the options of the connection, and set it Always connected.

The options on my adsl router looks like this:

Hope it helps.

[ozgeek]

I'm running Windows 7 and I have been doing many installations of it and the routers doing it on each installation of Win7.

Oh and I forgot to mention, to get the router back online, I have to go to the router and unplug them from the power and replug them back in. This gets them back online and then the cycle repeats itself.

I do have the D-link ADSL filter/splitter and NO phones or other phone equipments are plugged in along the routers at all.

EDIT: Genc21. I have check that on both and they are both set by default to "ALWAYS ON". I haven't touched those settings at all.

[Genc21]

Try this, click Start - Run, then type: ping -t www.google.com

This won't waste ur quota as much as torrents do. :)

[ozgeek]

What need that for?

[Genc21]

Ping-ing all the time keeps ur connections alive (wont waste ur Bandwidth quota), and dont have to use torrent for that.

[aj_walters]

Ping-ing all the time keeps ur connections alive (wont waste ur Bandwidth quota), and dont have to use torrent for that.

We could try fixing the problem rather than bodging it....

Would be interesting to hear the results of the av scan, or at least see if there is any unusual activity logged anywhere

[Beastage]

Can you explain me why you use ADSL and not ADSL2+? ADSL2+ has higher distance from the interchange and thus the connection is more stable.

[BeeJAyP]

Are you using PPPoE or PPPoA? VC-Mux or LLC Encapsulation? Try using the other and see if you get the same results. What router are you trying these settings in at the moment? I'm having a little trouble figuring out what you mean by using ADSL vs ADSL 2+, do you mean you moved from a Telstra ADSL 2+ plan to an Internode ADSL plan? Or do you mean you have the router forced manually to ADSL only mode?

Edited June 17, 2009 by BeeJAyP

[ozgeek]

I can get ADSL2+ here but only through Telstra and their resellers which are known for high prices for their plans. I was on ADSL2+ before but I decide to save $40 and change to another ISP but on ADSL. I had no problems when I had ADSL2+ but I'm having problems with ADSL. The strange thing is I have a basic ADSL modem connected and it stays in snyc with no problems at all. I no longer have the modem with me since I returned it.

I am 100% sure it is nothing to do what is plugged into it (my computer and my Xbox360). routers don't care what's connected to it, it just either works or don't.

[deuz]

doesnt internode have adsl2 plans because the 'dslam' thing?

grr hate telstra.

[BeeJAyP]

If you have no problems with a standard ADSL modem then what happens when you set the Netgear or the D-Link to train in ADSL only mode?

[ozgeek]

Tried that too (oh well only on the netgear) going to try it on the d-link. I tried to set up the speedtouch but it's passworded protected by the damn Bigpond. Can you use other ISP's modem on other ISPs?

I know about Telstra ADSL2+ Dslam in Internode but their plans still too expensive.

EDIT: Okay I see more options about training on D-link than on Netgear. I'm going to try each of 4 ADSL types and report back what happens.

Edited June 17, 2009 by ozgeek

[BeeJAyP]

If you got your Speedtouch on a contract with Telstra a while ago it will usually be locked to their network (like a mobile phone), I believe they can unlock it for you though if you request it.

You might want to try calling Internode, technically nothing should have changed as you would still be on the same DSLAM, even the same port and the basic configuration should still be the same, from what I can tell from my experience, it may have been reprogrammed incorrectly during the changeover. If they migrated you to their DSLAM then it may be a different story though.

[kimsland]

Username: admin

Password: admin

Also try resetting the Modem by holding in the small button on the modem with a pin, for about 10 secs (whilst it is on)

[temple_treefrog]

Telstra or Telstra Wholesale DSL generally works best with PPPoA LLC encapsulation.

Try isolating your modem overnight to determine if the fault is caused by your equipment. I read that you have a D-Link filter and no phone handsets? If that's the case you should remove the filter.

If problems persist you may want to call your ISP and ask them to perform a port rebuild.

[The_Decryptor Veteran]

Ahh, I remember using a D-Link model on ADSL, it'd drop out every so often and require a power cycle to get it connecting again.

Their filters are similarly bad (I had to replace an aging Dick Smith one and D-Link was the only choice, in the first day it caused my modem to lose the connection 3 times)

[kimsland]

Thanks Moderator, but refer here ;)

From Post#1

the router is still doing the same thing so I went out and bought another router, D-Link DSL-G604T. Set it up and it does EXACTLY the same as the Netgear router - dropping out during idle

Mind you it could be just two faulty modems

Or 1 bad filter (that may not be even required)

[HoochieMamma]

There's a ton of things that you can try, the best would be to isolate EVERYTHING off the telephone line and test it overnight to see if its a bad filter. Try to do it with a really short telephone cable too.

You can also change the encap to PPPoE/PPPoA + VC-Mux or LLC.

Once you have done this, try and get node to log a fault with Telstra and they will hopefully swap the port or rebuild it or hopefully test up to the pit outside your home if your lucky.

My guess is that it will be something internal, when I was working for an ISP I noticed a good 80% of problems were inside the home in some regards.

PS: @kimsland: Ok we get it! You hate P2P programs! It's not causing this issue and they wont beat you up or give you lung cancer no matter how much you think they do! :rolleyes:

[ozgeek]

I tried many different configurations:

- Router only on phone line

- Router only on phone line via filter (I have 3 spare filters and I tried all)

- Same as above but with TTY (text phone) connected

- Same but with basic phone.

Currently and in it's default form, there is NO equipment other than the router itself connected to the phoneline. I never use the phoneline to make phone calls or fax. No alarm systems at all. Nothing, except the router is using my phoneline.

[kimsland]

I keep a close eye on all the posts

Malware could have been the likely culprit, and would have certainly been the first option to take (scanning)

But the member has now stated that it froze on other machines, so therefore it must now be the Modem or the line or Telstra lines externally

Are you suggesting I should have not given the option of malware on the first replies?

Your statement to me, is trying to insinuate that my suggestion was not required, when it was most certainly one of the best and likely answers that a support member should provide (at that stage)

[redeemed]

Try calling Internode to arrange with a Telstra tech? You'll probably have to pay, but as a somewhat last resort it may help.

I've heard (as you've probably experienced) that Internode's support is generally excellent. Call them and see if they can run some tests from their end.

Also, check out the Whirlpool forums; there might be people with similar problems. :)

Edit: Can you borrow another modem from a friend or somewhere (Billion, Netcomm, etc, not the brands you've already used) and try your connection on that?

[ozgeek]

If you have no problems with a standard ADSL modem then what happens when you set the Netgear or the D-Link to train in ADSL only mode?

Hurray ! I set D-link in ADSL-mode and left it overnight while I slept. At near 8am, the modem is still online and nothing is using it. I'm inclined to convince your suggestion have solved it.

How come? Why do I have to change like this. Doesn't ADSL2+ support backward compatibility?

I know about whirlpool site (Australian Broadband discussion site and forums). I have been there since 2006 with more than 2000 posts under my belt.

Thank you for all your help. I believe it is staying in sync.

[redeemed]

That's great! :D Glad it all worked out eventually (Y)

Doesn't ADSL2+ support backward compatibility?

Well, ADSL2+ hardware already supports backward compatibility...in the form of ADSL1-mode on modem/routers! But I'm really not sure if ADSL1 is supposed to work by default with ADSL2+ mode applied.

I know about whirlpool site (Australian Broadband discussion site and forums). I have been there since 2006 with more than 2000 posts under my belt.

(Y)

Edited June 19, 2009 by redeemed