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InterviewSolution
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Solve : Severe ping spikes but no packet loss? |
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Answer» Hello, Are you connected directly to the TalkTalk provided modem, or do you also have a router? Connected directly to the talktalk modem and I will find out in a few minutes for you, bear with me!It says on the router (when i say router I mean the box that talktalk gave us with the flashing lights like LAN INTERNET ect.): "Broadband wireless NADSL2A" and "Huawei HG533"Wow...first result searching for that model number brings up the Talktalk labs page, where they report a set of known issues - have a look. Based on that alone, I would say that Talktalk are doing the classic thing of giving out not very good modem/router combinations, and then blaming the customer when they have a miserable experience of their network. In other words, this is almost certainly an issue with their kit, if you call them out they may try and charge you but don't let them do it, because there's no way this can be your fault. Have a look on the Talktalk website, or ask support to direct you to see if there's a firmware update available, this may help. If there's no update available, you have two options going forward. Either call them out and hope they will eventually resolve the issue (sometimes they can, sometimes they can't or won't) or buy yourself a new modem/router box. If you go the second route, you'll almost certainly see increased performance and stability, and especially better wireless range and stability. Obviously, there's a cost involved in buying a decent box, like a Billion 7800N or Asus N55U, but in my opinion it's worth it. When I was stuck on DSL, I dumped their box right away, it was awful. Since about 2006 I've been on cable and also USED my own router, but from what I've seen and heard from friends and family on DSL the boxes they supply are almost universally terrible, and replacing it with a good combo usually improves reliability. Finally though, if you do decide to pick up a new box, you'd be best to check with Talktalk whether they will allow this. Recently my parents' neighbours asked me to pick them up a new modem/router, and after spending an hour or so myself and then a further hour on the phone with BT support, they concluded it just wasn't going to work with their service, and they didn't know why. The device should have been compatible and the configuration was correct, it just wouldn't actually make the connection. So, check with them first to make sure it'll work to avoid that stress.Thanks for that comprehensive answer Calum! I checked the known faults page and the intermittent loss of wireless connectivity sounds just like me! Don't know why it suddenly started happening though as was fine a few weeks ago. I have found there is a firmware update available online but its a .bin file and I have no clue how to use one of those?! I will look into new routers or modems or whatever it's called and do some research as to what works and what doesn't with talktalk, thanks very MUCH for your post. +kudosGlad to have been of assistance Quote I have found there is a firmware update available online but its a .bin file and I have no clue how to use one of those?!The most common method is to log in to the router's admin page, and there'll be a section in there, usually under admin tools or similar, to upload the firmware from your PC to the router and flash it. Talktalk should have provided you with some documentation for the router, which should give you the IP address to access the admin page, and where you'll find the username and password (it's often on the router itself, on a sticker). If you have any trouble, post back and I'll see if I can help. Here's a list of their officially supported devices which won't cover every router that will work, and I suspect is mostly comprised of what they have supplied through the years. The Netgear DGN2000 listed there is a good box, although a little odler so I don't think you'd be able to buy a new one nowadays. I don't know much about the other boxes on that page. Here's a useful page with the settings you would need, with a new box, to connect to the Talktalk network.*censored* TURNS out it's already on the latest version 1.14t |
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