In the past few days, I've had internet connection issues. I think the issue lies with my setup, rather than the ISP, which has been flawless despite only being Orange and on a 2MB line.

My setup is:
laptops/PC --> <wifi> --> router --> filter --> telephone socket

Below clarifies the situation somewhat:



So...I don't know whether the fact that the radiator is causing issues. I don't know whether the subzero temperature is causing problems. When I press all of the connections in my room together (between the ethernet cable/filter and filter/extension wire), the connection suddenly starts working.

Is there a way to isolate which component is causing problems?

Is there a better solution to my setup?

The only thing the heating might have caused is thermal expansion and contraction, which may have broken what was already a very tenuous connection.

First thing to do is plug the filter directly into the BT socket and test without the extension (red wire). If it still plays up, a new filter is the cheapest thing to try. It sounds like a dodgy connection on something, so it's a process of elimination.

If at all possible, the router should always be next to the phone socket on the shortest lead possible. There's nothing wrong with long cat5 cables, but telephone extension leads tend to be untwisted unbalanced flat stuff that picks up interference like a big aerial. If it's impossible, then make sure to use a good quality round extension lead which says "suitable for broadband" on it.

There's no issue with the router being moved downstairs for me. But for dear sis, her room is across the hallway from mine, and means the signal would have to travel diagonally across the length of the house - poor signal. Don't wanna faff around with repeaters.

clicky
I'm looking at cabling4less which seem to have round rather flat wires. Recommendations? What about insulating the line?

EDIT: Should I also move the filter downstairs?

I'd still put it downstairs for a short time, just to test if it fixes the fault. Then you'll have some idea if a new cable will help or if it's just a dodgy filter or something else.

It's not easy to tell from the picture if that cable's any good or not. It "should" be OK, but "should" isn't a guarantee...

I ended up replacing the microfilter with one that had come with the previous router. Not had a dropped signal since.

Sounds like a dodgy microfilter to me...

Sounds like a smart arse to me

Resurrecting threads again?