Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

Over the last week, the stb has had to be constantly rebooted due to the tv freezing. Was watching the bourne identity last night and i had to reboot 8 times. I`m using Shareaza P2P and I`ve noticed (only this morning) that whenever its running, that is when the picture on the tv freezes. Its done it 4 to 5 times this morning and as soon as shareaza is stopped, the problem goes away. I`ve used shareaza for over 12 months and its never done this before but I`ve had a new stb installed. Could this stb be faulty?

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

Which version of the box do you have and is this differant to your last box.

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

Its a Pace Ditv 1000 and as far as I know (sorry I dont take much notice of these things) its the same as the last one. I looks the same anyway.

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

I have the same problem with a Pace DITV 1000 box, and have absolutely no doubt it is to do with P2P software, or more specifically, the number of open connections.

I recently had an issue with NFS:underground and a program i use called Netlimiter and every time i tryed to connect online with NFS the picture would freeze on the telly (and the game on my PC), but if i closed the program, the picture would come back again. I could do this whenever i wanted (not often - lol)

I was a bit stunned.

Upgrading my Netlimiter to the latest version fixed both, but it shows sure enough that there is a conection between the two.

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

I'm using a 4000 box and get problems with crackling with heavy bandwidth use. Apparently this has been acknowleged and you may have some luck in calling CS and requesting a separate stand alone modem. They'll probably come and change your box 2 or 3 times first though.

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

I think you`ve hit the nail on the head, I`ve just done a test. I`ve got 6 open connections and the stb just froze.So I paused 4 of them and it seems to be ok.

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

My 1000 stb died on me just after having the same problems.:(

Call in the fault and they should replace the box.(again)

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

Are you on the 1Mb service? The STBs (especially the earlier models, the 1000 and the 2000) don't seem to like the very high bandwidth downloads, or, as has been suggested, a high number of open connections. The 4000 series boxes are better, but still don't seem to be 100%. A swap to SACM should solve this - although it can't be guaranteed as there may be another problem.

Just make sure, if you do swap to SACM, when the engineer comes to install it that he installs the cable modem in the same room as your PC! A lot of installers are going the lazy route and simply placing the SACM in the same room as the PC and using the existing Ethernet cabling, which can cause havoc with the installer if you're using USB, and is inconvenient if you want to reboot the modem anyway!

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

No I`m on the 600 service.
Can I just request a sacm ?

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

whereabouts do you live??

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

Ellesmere Port, in the North West

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

yeah, no probs, ring 0500 941 940 (sales) and ask for a sacm to be installed

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

Thank you very much :) I`ll give them a ring in the morning.

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

I rang sales this morning and thursday has been arranged to swap from stb to sacm.
I`ll be at work when he does the installation and my wife doesnt know anything about pc`s so she wont touch it. When I come in from work at 6.30, what will I have to do to get back on the internet. Will my existing xover cable from the stb be ok for the sacm. Will a nice person on here run me through exactly what I have to do please. Thanks :)

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

All you'll need to do is run the CD. It will tell you when to plug in the Ethernet cable which is included in the SACM package (it's blue). Just get your wife to make sure the installer puts the SACM in the same room as your PC! If you have any trouble, the direct number for SACM support is 0845 650 0925, but you can get through to them by calling 0800 052 2000, and selecting 2 for Faults, then 1 for Broadband, then 1 for SACM and finally 1 for settings.

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

Just as a quick side note, the number of open http connections will probably be several hundred.
You can test this by opening a command window and typing "netstat -a".

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

Isn't Cable Modem Support 0845 6500121 for SACM, & 0845 6500125 for STB?

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

You can install without the CD.

Read this thread:

http://www.nthellworld.co.uk/forum/s...ead.php?t=7603

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

i had this exact problem and called CS but was told that i could not have a SACM and an STB. I still get problems with the STB, only last Friday had to reboot again as i keep losing the music channels

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

i was told by NTL tech support to format my hard drive as i had too many open connections. I believe most of the connections are made avaialble by yahoo messenger.

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

I think it depends where you live as to whether you can have a SACM or not.

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

Just thought i'd say, I use Shareaza, and as brilliant the software is, it does cause no end to trouble. Ive posted on here several times about my STB dropping connection, but the light remaining on, forcing a reboot. Im now 99% sure this is Shareaza. I don't know why, but it only happens with Shareaza, almost always does now, sometimes within a few mins, sometimes a few hours. I've never noticed the TV downstairs freezing, but i'm using the 4000 box, if that makes a difference. Not only that, it eats up my computer's memory like Pacman, and sometimes when I close it, it messes up the net connection altogether on my computer, forcing a computer reboot as well as a STB one.

I love it to bits, but I wish it was better coded. I'm trying to find a suitable alternative (spyware free), but nothing even comes close.

EDIT: I'm in East London, ex-C&W area. Could I request a SACM? Especially as I have the prone-to-overheating-box? I seem to rememeber I can't on ex-C&W. I've got the purple on-screen-menu if that helps.

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

Good old NTL, consistent service for every customer!! NOT

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

Just thought I`d add this to say how good cs have been. As I said, I rang yesterday and they gave me Thursday as the day for installation.
Today, while at work, I receive a Text message on my mobile confirming Thursday and a time of 8am. This afternoon I receive a call on my mobile from cs asking me if the day and time was ok for me. I mentioned the text message to the lady who called me this afternoon and she said it was something new Ntl were trying out. My problems over the last few weeks have been sorted pronto by Ntl and cs have been brilliant. :)

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

You are kidding right - they told you to FORMAT YOUR HARD DRIVE?????? :rolleyes:

Please tell me they didnt tell you that - that would be the most brainless, incompetent and downright stupid thing i think i would have ever heard.

These people should be fired for comments like that - its no wonder NTL have such a bad reputation - Do you have this guys name?

Absolutley unbeleivable.

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

Calm down a little, it is poor advice that has been given, no need to launch off the deep end.

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

Hang on a minute. It may just be poor advice in your eyes, but what if someone did follow that advice and lost everything they had on the computer. NTL are well known to believe that its customers are not tech enough to understand anything remotely technical so one of these could not only lose everything on their system but also may have to pay someone that knows what they are doing to get their system back running. :disturbd:

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

Yes but how many times do people have to go off the deep end on this kind of issue and then end up insulting NTL employees? Driving away the NTL employees that do visit this site isn't going to help.

Its all been said before, so let's just change the record. Why does everyone have to loose their composure??

Members of this site constantly blowing their top isn't going to help.

These TS employees who clearly don't know what they are doing should be removed from the role until they have been trained properly in how to deal with these issues.

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

If NTL associates are doing something wrong and giving extremely bad advice then this should not be swept under the carpet. It is in the interest of both customers and NTL associates that these failings are identified and associates should be amongst the first to condemn the offenders. It is their reputations that are being harmed by stupid statements. There is no reason at all that any NTL associate should be driven away by customers relating problems with NTL services. By posting on here and helping customers they are showing everyone that there are very good associates who know what they are doing and who do care about customers. Much of the so called ****ging off of NTL associates could be avoided by associates not trying to defend the undefensible actions of the few (I hope).

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

Sorry mate - your wrong.

Hold on before you go for the negative reputation button - i'll explain why.

There is absolutely no justification whatsoever for an NTL employee telling a customer to format his hard drive in regard to the fault mentioned. There is also no way that someone who is even remotely technically savvy would have made that recomendation.

It beggars belief that
A) This guy gave out that recommendation in the first place.
B) He works in technical support
and
C) Quite franky - someone here is sticking up for them.

I am quite happy to give praise where its due, and do so whereever it is, but this is beyond a joke. In fact the only reason i can think that a representative of a company would say that to someone who may not have any technical knowledge is that they are playing a joke.

I was not "Flying off the handle" earlier, i was simply struck dumb by the stupidity of the statement by somebody in NTL's technical support.

That in no way infers everybody in that department is as incompetent, but NTL have to root these idiots out if they are to start gaining respect.

You argue that posts like this prevent NTL employees from coming on this site - something tells me that people who give that type of advice would never post on a site like this as they would be laughed off in no time, only the employees who are keen to help people would and have some technical savvy do that.

And for that the NTL employee's who do post here have my respect. Respect is gained not implied.

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

Good post - I agree entirely.

Browneggsandham :)

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

Yesterday to do some testing, i checked my STB digital box and all working fine while browsing normal websites, downloading and online gaming - no freezing or distortion.

I then opened kazaa lite k++ and downloaded about 10 songs. Once this had finished i closed kazaa lite k++, went downstairs to check the TV and yes it was there, distortion and freezing, this went on for the next 2 hours or so until normal service was resumed. I am using a SACM by the way.

Could this be a problem with my box or connection?

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

It could still be the number of open connections, you may have closed down the program but the other clients that were trying to connect to you may not have yet realised your no longer there.

2 hours seems to be a bit long though.

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

But should this be like this? My mates have kazaa lite and use it the same as me and nothing happens to their tv service - they are on the 600k service not 150k, could this make a difference?

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

I've downloaded a 400mb file today from internet explorer, i haven't used kazaa at all today. Now pixelation is happening during the Wales v England rugby match.

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

Just great, all services stopped, I've had this before - guess im gonna have to phone for a technician to come out.

The RDY light on my broadband modem started flashing and after the pixelation and freezing on the digital tv it lost signal totally. I've had this many times before.

Now 3 hours later normal service has been resumed. IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN I DOWNLOAD WHAT IS GOING ON!?

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

SOunds like you have a problem with your signal from NTL. I would get an engineer out if i was you.

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

Yes I thought this, I have to wait until Monday though. What do you think they'll do? Check the grey box? As it seems to be a problem with that as the TV service gets effected aswell as SACM.

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

No idea mate,
Could just be a problem with the NTL signal from the street, post back here what they say though, could be interesting.

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

Ian if you have pixellation its levels you need to get someone out to balance it up

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

Ok today happened again and all service off for an hour, RDY light flashing and no upstream. SYNC light on and DS light flashing. Digital TV also lost all services.

An hour later all back. This happened around 7pm tho so CS was closed. Definately ringing them tomorrow now.

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

Customer Services are open until 8pm Mon-Fri, and TS are open until Midnight. Call them as soon as the connection drops if the RDY light is flashing.

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

0845 650 0121 is for Langley Cable Modems, 0845 650 0125 for Bromley Set-Top Box Broadband, and 0845 650 0925 for Bromley SACM.

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

Happened today for half an hour while playing Call of Duty online after downloading a 25mb patch for it.

An engineer is coming out tomorrow between 8am and 1pm.

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

Engineer came out today said may be a problem with the box on my house, so he fiddled about with that went away. I carried on my 400mb download. 100mb through it all off :(

Another call to NTL, said would send engineer out tomorrow again same time.

Off for 2 hours, next thing it comes back and an actual call from NTL! What is this!? Customer services actually phoning the customer for something other than sales? BELIEVE IT. They said the main box in my area was vandalised and has now been fixed. It has been like this for months!!! Why didnt they do anything earlier? I'm just happy now though that i can download with peace of mind.

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

Hmm it is now freezing again. I've had no problems since the engineer came out until now. What could be the problem?

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

i'm getting similar problems to this thread.. I use Bittorrent and edonkey.. i've noticed that when I upload my STB freezes. I have a 4000 box on the Bromley platform.. It locks up all the time when i use my connection and I now think it is to do with uploads rather than downloads.. I have one machine i use to upload data and when i use that the STB freezes or the connection drops and i have to reboot it.. Also when I have heavy uploads or downloads going the STB can take ages to change channel..

Am thinking about getting a SACM installed instead not sure if this will help or not or getting the STB replaced. If i get a SACM at the moment i have a router above the STB which then feeds 2 30 metre ethernet cables to my office i have use the other ports on the router to use my laptop in front of the TV. Can i get a SACM installed next to my router and then still feed that up to the office or does it have to go in same room as PC

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

hi
not sure if this will help. but do you run zonealarm on pc and if so have you updated it recently.
just asking because i've had a similar problem with P2P programs over the weekend. for some reason the new zonealarm when using P2P programs locks up the Cable connection and every thing that users the cable no longer works.
the way to stop this was to uninstall zonealarm(which did not go as planned).
had to do a system restore to a early day. and reinstall zone alarm ver 4.5 over what was left..

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

no i don't use zonealarm just got norton anti virus installed..

i'm sure it's uploads that are causing the problems i don't think the boxes are design for the usage they are now getting really..

Will see if i can get a SACM installed during the summer instead of going through the STB i'm sure that will solve half my problems

Re: Stb keeps freezing,can a P2P do this
 

interesting this. seems to be when i use bittorrent to upload rather than other programs still the max i get is usually 11 kps upload anyway