ADSL connection keeps disconnecting

[Tbag]

My dial up connection keeps disconnecting at random times whilst im browsing the web.
I have 2 green lights on my usb modem, USB & ADSL and the usb light starts flashing red and thats when I know im not online anymore.
I have to re-insert the usb cable and dial up again for me to be back online then for it to happen 10 mins later

The modem is from my broadband company (talktalk) and I emailed them about this but they want me to phone them up so i thought i'd try here before running my parents phone bill ringing them.

thanks

[redwudz]

Do you have any other USB devices plugged into the computer? I'm thinking if the USB is disconnecting, the computer may be doing it if it's trying to communicate with them. You might try it in a different USB socket, or try unplugging other USB devices temporarily to see if that helps.

[Tbag]

yeh i also have a mouse plugged in, i'll try what you said

[handyguy]

Are you using your DSL filters?

Are extension phones also connected?

Also, is your phone jack working? Mine gets crud from the ocean sometimes, so I just put in a new one.

[Tbag]

Are you using your DSL filters?

Are extension phones also connected?

Also, is your phone jack working? Mine gets crud from the ocean sometimes, so I just put in a new one.

yes i have the filter and the phone socket is just recently fitted

[redwudz]

Probably not a mouse. I was thinking more of an external USB hard drive or similar that might be using a lot of bandwidth.

I did a quick Google search for 'random disconnects with ADSL' and most hits seem to be related to the incoming phone line which would be the responsibility of the ADSL provider. But you are mentioning that the USB dissconects, not the ADSL, so I am thinking internal to the computer. But it may be in the ADSL/Phone setup.

[The Fred]

Make sure you have the newest drivers for your USB controller
Also look in device manager for conflicts

[Bjs]

Go here :

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_modem.htm

Read the part down the bottom of the page .

-----------------

If connected using onboard network such as via rhine ... go to properties on it , power managment tab , disable "allow pc to turn device off to save power" ... good for unattended pc connected online .

[12Quidkidinnit]

Could be the phone line. It often is. But it could be the USB power saving option.
Go to Device Manager. Find USB controllers. Double click on each USB Root Hub, and then click the Power Management tab. See if the boxes are checked for "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power". If they are, uncheck them.

Another one you could try is to open network connections, find the modem, (local are connection or something like).
Right click.
Properties
Configure
Power Management
Again, see if the box is checked that says "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power"

PS our phone line is terrible. I often get several disconnections an hour.

[lenti_75]

why don't you use the lan connection and forget about usb?

I don't think it's the pc if anything else on usb runs perfect. might be the modem the problem, or a bad driver for it......

[redwudz]

lenti_75, his ADSL modem is probably issued by the ISP and they might not have a Ethernet option. I much prefer Ethernet over USB myself. Some ISPs will let you use your own modem or if you complain enough, may have a LAN modem available.

Lots of times, it's just a bad phone line, though. If the main line for the area is old and there are enough ADSL subscribers complaining, they will usually upgrade it after a while.

I try to locate a telephone repair worker that works the area and ask them what the condition of the line is and you might find out it's a common problem. Or just ask the neighbors if they ever have phone problems. The phone companies are always trying to save money, so line upgrades are generally only done if they have too. If it appears to be a line problem, I would keep complaining.

[Tbag]

Thanks for the help, ive just unchecked "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" and now ive just got to wait and see.

BTW My ADSL modem is issued by my ISP

[Tbag]

sadly it didnt work, its happened about 8 times since my previous reply

[Bodyslide]

goto www.dslreports.com, alot of info on High Speed Connections and issues. Good Luck

[BJ_M]

some ISPs do this now automatically -

[rhegedus]

Yeah....

Are you with Tiscali or some other cheapskate ISP/plan? They'll often disconnect if you've not used your connection for a few minutes (not sure what the time limit is).

Make a note of how long it takes to happen - if it is the same each time then it is probably your ISP.

[Tbag]

Yeah....

Are you with Tiscali or some other cheapskate ISP/plan? They'll often disconnect if you've not used your connection for a few minutes (not sure what the time limit is).

Make a note of how long it takes to happen - if it is the same each time then it is probably your ISP.

yes it is but it happens whilst im using it

[deckard8]

If you're plugging straight into computer's usb ports,
your modem might not getting enough power to run properly.

Try it in a powered usb hub or if possible (as mentioned already)
connect to lan card (ethernet). Usb was never designed to carry
high speed comms data and can be very unreliable.

[Tbag]

If you're plugging straight into computer's usb ports,
your modem might not getting enough power to run properly.

Try it in a powered usb hub or if possible (as mentioned already)
connect to lan card (ethernet). Usb was never designed to carry
high speed comms data and can be very unreliable.

can this be done without using cable internet?

[deckard8]

Look on the back of your cable modem. You should see an ethernet socket
and you should have received a lan cable with the package as well.

Make sure you computer's lan card is set up and running then connect cable modem to
lan card with lan cable then re-install isp software choosing ethernet instead of
usb during the installation process.

[frankiec]

PS our phone line is terrible. I often get several disconnections an hour.

"The way I see it is that there is no [good] or [bad]" phone lines.

[deadpac]

Situation is the same as when I first got my adsl connection way back in 1998 and the isp gave me a usb modem. Running a computer on the usb modem for 24/7 was not an option because eventually the connection would just drop for no apparent reason; but a trip to dsl reports and sooo many people suggested that I locate a modem with an ethernet connection. The usb modem from my isp was efficient networks speedstream and based on karma I guess the lan modem I found while working at this temp agency was efficient networks speedstream; because they were moving offices and going to be tossing out old equipment I managed to snag a me a replacement LAN modem. It was only two years of unknown disconnects but I haven't looked back since.

bottom line: toss the usb modem in favor of an ethernet modem

[RabidDog]

TAlk talk are a cheapskate phone company (IE as in free) however you obviously have a standard adsl line rather than cable.. possibly talktalk are in the process of unbundling your exchange?.
Re ethernet modem .. generally better than usb modems,(in built firewall, stateful PI) you DONT have to ask your ISp if you can use a different one, its just that they will refuse to read a script (give you technical support) if you are a using a non-supplied modem. Thats why its always worth keeping the supplied modem so you can plug it in and make sure its not your own modem thats causing the problems at the exchange. 8)