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Re: [LUG] OT: phone/ADSL woes

 

On Sun, 27 Apr 2014, Martijn Grooten wrote:

Nothing to do with Linux really, except that I'd like to get back online
with my Linux machine.

So our phone line has always been a bit noisy. Occasioanlly this caused
the connection to drop (especially when the phone rang), but it always
came back within a minute. Yesterday the phone rang and the connection
went down... and hasn't come back since.

ISP says the line is fine from their end and the BT quiet line test does
show a bit of noise. All of which suggests there's too much of noise on
the line and I need to call BT and tell them to sort it. Which I will
do.

But I am (probably naively) hoping there's something I can do in the
meantime, given that the line has, despite its problems, given us
Internet for six years. Something I can reset, something that might have
triggered the noise to become too much.

Any ideas?

Depending on the fault...

Turn your ADSL modem off. Leave it off for half an hour.

Meanwhile, ring your phone (from your mobile) and let it ring and ring and ring - make sure any voicemail/answering machine is turned off. It should ring for 4-5 minutes before BT disconnects the call.

Sometimes this can temporarilly fix a problem.

Plug modem into BT test socket with all internal wiring disconnected then turn it on. You do not need a microfilter as all internal phones will be disconnected.

This may be enough to get you online - at least temporarily.

Then you need to call BT - from the test socket (so with your modem unplugged). Make sure you can hear the noise using the quiet line test first, then call BT. Make sure they can hear the noise too. Do not make any reference to your Internet connection at all. If you do, then BT will immediately tell you to contact the ISP - this is a delaying tactic. If they do ask about your ADSL just say it's fine. Get the copper line fixed first, then wory about the ADSL.

The important thing here is to disconnect ALL internal wiring and use the test socket. You need a screwdriver to access this socket, and if your house has extensions and it's been wired according to modern practices, then removing the faceplate will immediately disconnect all internal wiring.

If phones still ring with the faceplate removed then you have bigger issues )-:

However if BT openreach subsequently finds the fault is due to your own internal wiring then you'll need to pay (and it's something like £139 + VAT IIRC)

Good luck..

Oh - if you don't pay BT for the landline rental then you need to do all this anyway, but not call BT, but call the company whos name is at the top of your line rental bill.

Gordon
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