Evening folks.

My godfather decided to get the internet again so he could learnt to use his computer, he decided to go with Plusnet (he was, a long time ago (3 or so months) with Tiscali) and here is where the story of troubles begin.

Got the router which wouldn't give out an IP address, reset or do any router things. So thats DOA and I wrangled a BT router(black one). Set the BT router to use the Plusnet pass/user details as it worked and allowed a login then tried to connect to broadband.

Broadband light firmly in the off position.

So I try the master socket, 2 different micro filters and still get nothing. Phone Plusnet and ask them to check if all is well, so they tell me to leave the router for 24hours. Which I did by going home.

Next day, get a call and head back to godfather to check it again. Internet oddly works for a fill 30seconds, drops, comes back then dies again. Managed to get to google.co.uk but then the broadband light went out again and have had nothing since.

SO! My question is, given all that, would it be the equipment (router/pc) or something outside of the house thats causing the issue? Plusnet say there found no fault and that my godfather would have to pay £140 to get BT to look at it (not fix, look at). Which isn't fun.

So, any suggestions what else to check/try/use to attempt to get this thing working?

Ta for any help.

What router is it?

Bt Home Hub, the black curved one.

Recently had the same problem with 3 people I know. In each case it proved to be a line fault that the ISP said didn't exist !

In each case I phoned BT and asked them to do a line test and "ah oh yes there seems to be a problem we'll send an engineer !" was the typical response.

I even had to put a known working solution from another house into the problem house ( laptop, router, cables, filters everything ) for it not to work on one occasion, before I got an engineers visit.

Don't envy you. Be aware the engineer who visits will be BT outreach and all they handle is house to exchange its BT networks who are a different company handle the rest !

Good Luck.

on Plusnet?

Won't work, they're locked down.

Am I missing something here?

It worked, it worked for 30seconds then the broadband went. Bt home hub 2 has options to put in other password/user that isn't BT. I managed google and everything. Then it died again.

I'm assuming you've run the unlock program on it then guide clicky.

If not then it won't work correctly.
They're awful routers anyway.

I like my Homehub 2.0. Does everything I need it to. Even popped the Xbox in the DMZ when I had problems connecting to multiplayer games. Supports everything from WEP to WPA2 so I've never had problems connecting anything either.

Think thats for hom hub 1.0.. Hub 2.0 allows you to get to most of the gubblins. I'll try my router out anyway just in case, as it has worked on the Home Hub 2.

Okay,

Update.

New router, still no broadband. No line problems (phone works), Plusnet don't seem to find problem. So ... why no Broadband.

Any ideas?

I'm with plusnet. Ignore them and get the engineer out.

You only get charged if there is no problem with the line, if there is a problem with the line then they fix it and don't charge a penny.

We had echoing and crackles on the line, aswell as connection troubles. Plusnet couldn't find a problem but we got BT out (more than once in the end) and eventually the line was completely replaced at no charge.

So ... Plusnet don't have a clue when something is wrong, so if you are convinced there's a problem then get BT out.

p.s. also, as I'm sure you're aware, moving ISPs won't help a jot if you do have line troubles. Definitely best to get BT out if you think there is a problem.

There are two stages of connection:

1. Synch - the layer 1 actual ADSL Link.
2. authentication - where it checks your username and password.

Where is it failing?

There's usually a status page which shows you things like Connection Speed, Line Attenuation, Noise Margin and Up Time. What are they?

The DSL bit, says no syncho on DSL line when I tried to connect from the router. Tried from the master socket as well, nothing.

Edit

Also, the router has power, wireless, Ethernet, broadband and internet light. Guess which two ain't lit up (at all, not even a flash).

Well that suggests the line isn't even up. As in, not even turned on or plugged in at the exchange end. You've tried 2 routers at the master socket - you've proved it beyond any reasonable doubt. If you tell them what you've done, they should blooming well sort it.

You're going to have to go with a BT call out. They won't come out unless you accept the charges, but they're usually OK when it's as sure-fire as this.

PM me the phone number. I'll see if I can do any tests from work. I doubt if I can because you're not "one of us" - but it's worth a go.