[j52c]

Hi.

I am on NTL Freedom and the modem they supply is only usb, it gets it's power from the USB port on the MB, so no external power supply with it.
I also have a 15m extention phone cable to the main socket downstairs. I had problems when I first started using dialup several years ago when I bought a standard extention cable. At that time a had the BT engineer come to check the line and he said the extension was causing the problem. He then used the cable bt used, connected one end into the main socket and the other end to another box. Magic, connection was fine, sad thing was he said he was not allowed to leave my new extension in, but, after he had disconnected it, he drew me a diagram for both boxes, even left me the cable, (and he forgot to take his little crimping tool with him) nice chap. When he had gone I set to work.
Sorry about the rambling on, but it does show problems what a cheapish extention can cause.
Now, I have ditched the usb modem and bought a router just so I could use ethernet