Home Internet Help :)

[The Boosh!]

Hello,

I know nothing about internet setups etc, but ours seems wrong and it's crap. Basically the wireless times out quite a lot, meaning you have to disconnect it from the power for it to reset, then it works. This happens about 4-5 times a day. Playstation is hardwired and I never have issues with the connection on that.

I'm going to ring up Virgin Media and sort it, but first I want an idea of what i'm on about. Here is our setup:

I don't understand why we have two boxes? When I lived in Maidenhead, sky just gave us one box and all of my mates have only got one box?

My plan was to ring up VM and ask for 1 box.

Just after peoples thoughts and any relevant comments really?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Adam.]

The virgin box just brings the internet in. The Belkin box should just be an access point.

I'm willing to put money down that it is the Belkin box that keeps shitting its self.

Belkin networking gear is utter tosh.

 

[Nik]

Basically you've got a cable modem, which only has a single port and no wireless. This is fine if you just want to connect one PC to your broadband. Instead of plugging the modem into a single device it's connected to the Belkin router to give you more ethernet ports and wireless. Same setup I had many years ago when I was with NTL / VM cable broadband.

People on ADSL usually just have a single box (like your belkin box) which acts as modem and router in one.

 

[The Boosh!]

The virgin box just brings the internet in. The Belkin box should just be an access point.

I'm willing to put money down that it is the Belkin box that keeps s**tting its self.

Belkin networking gear is utter tosh.

Basically you've got a cable modem, which only has a single port and no wireless. This is fine if you just want to connect one PC to your broadband. Instead of plugging the modem into a single device it's connected to the router to give you more ethernet ports and wireless. Same setup I had many years ago when I was with NTL / VM cable broadband.

People on ADSL usually just have a single box (like your belkin box) which acts as modem and router in one.

Thanks Adam/Nik.

Whats my best plan of attack then? I'm inclined to agree with you Adam about the Belkin box shitting it's self, as it's that thing I always have to reset.

Option 1 is try and get a 1 box jobby off VM.

Option 2 is to buy a more suitable access point(?), which if this is the better option I will need your guidance on which one to choose

 

[Nik]

They dish out this thing these days, so might be worth trying to blag one of them, but they'll probably want cash for it. Might be cheaper options if so.

http://shop.virginmedia.com/broadband/broadband-extras/wireless-routers.html

 

[Revels]

Option1. Explain that it's old and keeps turning off. They'll send you a new version. Bin the Belkin.

Done.

 

[The Boosh!]

Will get in touch and see how much they want for one of those. Thanks Nik :star:

They dish out this thing these days, so might be worth trying to blag one of them, but they'll probably want cash for it. Might be cheaper options if so.

http://shop.virginmedia.com/broadband/broadband-extras/wireless-routers.html

 

[Mentalpen]

Or go for wireless DSL router of eBay an the like.

NOTE*** DSL not ADSL

 

[The Boosh!]

Or go for wireless DSL router of eBay an the like.

NOTE*** DSL not ADSL

Why dsl and not adsl? Would that get rid of the modem and Belkin thing?

VM want £100 for their all in one router thing.

 

[Revels]

Are you in a contract with Virgin?

"Okay. Thanks. Can I have my MAC code so I can move to Sky/BT/BillyBobInternet"

 

[Dink]

i wouldn't bother with the "super hub"

i use a dlink router plugged into mine from when i had just the modem like you

 

[Don]

As per Revels...threaten them with moving elsewhere...say its being a PITA and you want reliable internet. (and you've seen a Sky deal which sounds too good to be true...)

They usually buckle (but try the charge BS first)

There is the 'Superhub' but they also do wireless routers of lesser spec (not N300, but N150 I think)

 

[Dink]

so the mac code thing work for dsl? as it doesn't come down the phone line

 

[Don]

so the mac code thing work for dsl? as it doesn't come down the phone line

The network router has a MAC (Network) address...they activate the MAC once its registered to allow communications across their network.

 

[jenic]

Are you in a contract with Virgin?

"Okay. Thanks. Can I have my MAC code so I can move to Sky/BT/BillyBobInternet"

This

Or you need to buy a new DSL (cable) router and stick with the 2 box setup. - http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/cable-wireless-routers/727_7087_70094_xx_xx/xx-criteria.html

Don't just go out and buy any old ADSL router thinking it's an all in one solution, it won't work!

 

[Adam.]

Are you in a contract with Virgin?

"Okay. Thanks. Can I have my MAC code so I can move to Sky/BT/BillyBobInternet"

so the mac code thing work for dsl? as it doesn't come down the phone line

The network router has a MAC (Network) address...they activate the MAC once its registered to allow communications across their network.

I'm out.

 

[Mentalpen]

Why dsl and not adsl? Would that get rid of the modem and Belkin thing?

VM want £100 for their all in one router thing.

Because DSL is cable so you are buying a cable wireless router.

ADSL is normal BT phone line router.

 

[Adam]

DSL isn't cable lol... cable is just cable!

ADSL is just 1 of many variants of DSL!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_subscriber_line

 

[Mentalpen]

DSL isn't cable lol... cable is just cable!

ADSL is just 1 of many variants of DSL!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_subscriber_line

Well done you managed to quote Wikipedia without any reference to relevance or little explanation to the OP.

Cable/Virgin come is to the property as a DSL signal hence there being no micro filter to split the signal that is usually piggy backed onto a phone line. Hence the need for a dsl wireless router.

http://www.box.co.uk/TP-Link_TL-WR300KIT_11N_Cable_Virgin_DSL_1116914.html

 

[Munson]

Agree with the comments on Belkin. Their stuff is toilet.

Just buy a decent cable router. That means one that doesn't have Belkin written on it.

TBH I've yet to experience any problems with the Super Hub (Netgear), but if I do I'll just put it in modem mode and add my own router again. You can't realistically expect VM to give you a free Super Hub just because you're using a crap router. I'm unsure if I paid for mine, but it was a necessary upgrade for 50mb, so they probably subsidised it.

 

[Adam]

Well done you managed to quote Wikipedia without any reference to relevance or little explanation to the OP.

Cable/Virgin come is to the property as a DSL signal hence there being no micro filter to split the signal that is usually piggy backed onto a phone line. Hence the need for a dsl wireless router.

http://www.box.co.uk/TP-Link_TL-WR300KIT_11N_Cable_Virgin_DSL_1116914.html

I am just referring to your previous comment which is completely wrong and you are continuing to provide incorrect information.

Have you ever heard of DOCSIS.

If you spend a little time looking at Wikipedia then maybe you will start talking sense!

 

[Mentalpen]

The vast majority of uk routers are labeled ADSL and DSL to signify the difference between services.

The OP wouldn't be on here asking for help if he knew the similarities between them.

If you are telling him he can replace his current two box set up with a ADSL wireless router I hope you are willing to give him a money back guarantee with that.

 

[The Boosh!]

TBH I know nothing what you two are talking about lol

I want to buy a new router, that's not a belkin... Help

 

[Munson]

Cisco linksys seem highly thought of.

 

[Adam]

The vast majority of uk routers are labeled ADSL and DSL to signify the difference between services.

The OP wouldn't be on here asking for help if he knew the similarities between them.

If you are telling him he can replace his current two box set up with a ADSL wireless router I hope you are willing to give him a money back guarantee with that.

I'm not telling the OP anything, he has already got his answers on page 1 and certainly not the correct ones from you!

You are the one who keeps using the term DSL (ADSL) when it should be cable, I have just pointed out that DSL isn't cable.

If you would care to actually read up on DSL and what it actually means then maybe you will start to understand...

Digital subscriber line (DSL, originally digital subscriber loop) is a family of technologies that provide internet access by transmitting digital data over the wires of a local telephone network. In telecommunications marketing, the term DSL is widely understood to mean Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL), the most commonly installed DSL technology. DSL service is delivered simultaneously with wired telephone service on the same telephone line. This is possible because DSL uses higher frequency bands for data separated by filtering. On the customer premises, a DSL filter on each outlet removes the high frequency interference, to enable simultaneous use of the telephone and data.

So please explain to me how there is a connection between the standard local telephony network - UTP (unshielded twisted copper pairs that come from the local exchange) and the Virgin cable service that is simply know as DOCSIS which comes into your premises via a coaxial cable.

Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) (often pronounced /ˈdɒksɪs/) is an international telecommunications standard that permits the addition of high-speed data transfer to an existing cable TV(CATV) system. It is employed by many cable television operators to provide Internet access (see cable Internet) over their existing hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) infrastructure.

Routers that are marked as Cable/DSL just mean that they will work with both a DSL internet connection and a cable internet connection, both in that instance would need some sort of modem supplied by either the DSL or cable ISP and in the case of the OP he has an old standalone DOCSIS modem supplied by the cable ISP (Virgin) and he needs a separate router (that works with cable).

This again will help explain in more detail...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cable_Internet

 

[Adam]

Anyway - back on track.

I previously used Cisco Linksys but recenelty went to the high end Netgear stuff, I am currently using a Netgear WNDR4500 (N900) on my CABLE Virgin Media Broadband 100Mb service and it is surberp

I do have a Super Hub but I use that in modem only mode so it acts like the little VM box you currently have.

http://www.netgear.co.uk/home/products/wirelessrouters/ultimate-performance/WNDR4500.aspx

It all depends on how much you actually want to spend, but I would definitely recommend either Netgear or Linksys Cisco and move away from Belkin!

I would also stay away from VM Superhub as they just aren't upto the job in my opinion and plenty of other peoples opinions on the VM forums! Yes you would have only the 1 box as its a cable modem and wireless access point and router in one but still not very good!

 

[Munson]

Adam, I am looking at adding a router to my setup, for the EZ-Web setup compatibility of my NAS server.

I presume the Super Hub is just fine to run in modem-only mode?

Sorry if hijack.

 

[Adam]

Yep, the SH runs great in modem only mode

 

[Mentalpen]

I'm not trying teach him the finer points of the difference between ADSL and dsl which you seem to trying to do.

As he states he has no idea but well done for pointing him to a netgear dsl as opposed to there adsl range.

At which point I shall leave it be.

 

[Munson]

Sweet. Thanks. Is the Linksys E4200 any good?

I don't need the best, I just want something that's decent and is supported by my Synology DSM4 web setup.

 

[The Boosh!]

Adam that router is a fortune lol FFS all I want is my internet to stop cutting off.

 

[Tom]

I'm not trying teach him the finer points of the difference between ADSL and dsl which you seem to trying to do.

As he states he has no idea but well done for pointing him to a netgear dsl as opposed to there adsl range.

At which point I shall leave it be.

What the hell are you on about? Stop talking about DSL.

Luke you need a replacement cable router simples.

This takes your internet source (cable modem) and splits it up. Just like the belkin box does.

 

[The Boosh!]

http://www.ebuyer.com/147201-netgear-wnr2000-wireless-n300-router-wnr2000-100uks

Ill buy that

 

[Munson]

I use to have that router. I found it a bit flaky at times. The DHCP server didn't seem to like my Apple devices. Buy cheap buy twice.

 

[Mentalpen]

Boosh

Look at a good reputable online retailer such as dabs.com

Oh no wait dont do that as they categories then by connection type, that being DSL (Cable), ADSL (BT).

Doh, good look your gonna need it.

 

[Tom]

http://www.ebuyer.com/103185-cisco-linksys-wrt54gl-wireless-g-linux-router-wrt54gl-uk

Get that.

 

[The Boosh!]

http://www.ebuyer.com/103185-cisco-linksys-wrt54gl-wireless-g-linux-router-wrt54gl-uk

Get that.

Thanks Tom, reviews on that one look great and i've found it on amazon for a good price too.

Cheers!

 

[Adam]

I'm not trying teach him the finer points of the difference between ADSL and dsl which you seem to trying to do.

As he states he has no idea but well done for pointing him to a netgear dsl as opposed to there adsl range.

At which point I shall leave it be.

Will you shut the f up for god sake, you havent got a clue what you are going on about.... the difference between ADSL and DSL, that is just LOL!, there is no difference you fool, again ADSL is just one varient of DSL, have you ever heard of SDSL, or VDSL for example.

You need to get a dummies guide for Broadband, simples!

I work in telecommunications!

 

[Adam]

Boosh

Look at a good reputable online retailer such as dabs.com

Oh no wait dont do that as they categories then by connection type, that being DSL (Cable), ADSL (BT).

Doh, good look your gonna need it.

I couldn't give a toss how Dabs set out their site and categories, it still doesn't make what you are trying to say correct.

Please leave this thread!

 

[Adam]

Boosh, what is your budget?

If you can stretch to it I would consider this..

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005PMBUP2/?tag=cliospnet01-21