Noise on line with ADSL modem ...

[Raistlin]

Evening all.

Been noticing some horrendous background noise on my BT line whenever I make 'phone calls. Curiosity got the better of me earlier so I unplugged the ADSL modem to see if it was that ..... and it is.

When I plugged the modem back in I started getting the same noise that you used to get with the old dial-up modems (weird screechy / scratchy sounds) and then just a whole load of static.

I've tried a couple of different filters of different manufaturers and it hasn't made a blind bit of different.

Anybody know if this is likely to be the modem giving problems, a fault with the line, or if I should just keep trying different filters?

Thanks.

[punky]

Tried different cables yet?

Usually the problem is with the microfilters but if you've tried several then the problem must be elsewhere.

Also, can you try the modem on a friend's line?

[Raistlin]

The phone's plugged straight into the master socket, so no different cables to try.

I could give it a go at someone else's house I guess, just need to find someone with ADLS (most have cable). Going to try a different modem on this line first, just to rule the modem out.

[punky]

I meant the cable going into the back of the modem from the filter.

Also it shouldn't matter if they have adsl or not if the problem is causing static on your phone line.

[speedfreak]

I've read about this before but its buried deep within my memory and I have a bad memory I seem to have the following in my head, a line fault or try plugging a filter in to a filter then the modem. Something like that anyway, sorry I cant be more help if it comes back to me I'll report back

[Raistlin]

Ok, just swapped the modem cable and still getting the same noise.

Have also tried a different modem and that gives the same issue.

However ...

I've now changed the 'phone (which was in the flat when I got here, belongs to the landlord, and is quite old by the look of it) for just a very simple handset (sheapy one I bought In Argos for the bedroom) and now I'm getting no background noise at all.

Is it likely that it was the 'phone, and that changing 'phones has cured it? Or is it more likely that the newer 'phone is somehow filtering out the noise and the problem's still there?

---------- Post added at 18:03 ---------- Previous post was at 18:02 ----------

Originally Posted by speedfreak

I've read about this before but its buried deep within my memory and I have a bad memory I seem to have the following in my head, a line fault or try plugging a filter in to a filter then the modem. Something like that anyway, sorry I cant be more help if it comes back to me I'll report back

I thought I'd read something similar, so filter in filter was one of the first things I tried - all that did was cure the noise but stop the modem connecting

Nice thought though, thanks

---------- Post added at 18:23 ---------- Previous post was at 18:03 ----------

Not only has the noise gone, but my download speeds have trippled!

Epic Win!

[Paul K]

A faulty phone can impart noise onto the line which as you can see will knock 7 bells out of your line speed, the only true test of a faulty line is plugging a known good phone into it via the test socket and seeing if the issue remains.

A line fault can cause you to hear modem noises like that. If you have background noise on your voice calls you should call it in to BT as a fault. They will find and fix the source of the audible noise, and you may also find your broadband speed increases at the same time.

[Raistlin]

Originally Posted by Paul

A faulty phone can impart noise onto the line which as you can see will knock 7 bells out of your line speed, the only true test of a faulty line is plugging a known good phone into it via the test socket and seeing if the issue remains.

Indeedy, line speeds much improved now

I don't use the landline much, so it's never really bothered me - glad it's sorted now, the Interweb is usable again

[dilli-theclaw]

MMMmmm sounds like what's happening to my line (intermittently) - I've tried all of the above apart from using the test socket (I don't have one) still not found a solution.

But virgin are apprently sending someone out to look at it.

[dilli-theclaw]

I hope they sort mine out soon - this is getting silly now.

[Strzelecki]

What has probably happened here is the the old phone had a connection terminal for the bell wire, which is probably still connected in the BT master socket. Newer phones don't require the bell wire and it's advisable to disconnect it as it can pick up noise as it acts like an antennae. This is what the iPlate filters. If a new phone results in no noise then there is unlikely to be a line fault (doing a quite line test (google) from the BT test socket will confirm this). Another culprit, as already mentioned, is a bad ADSL filter, but street lights, microwaves, hoovers and Christmas light can also cause this problem.

[dilli-theclaw]

My speeds have dropped since last night to 0.1mb/s and a 3880ms ping But at least it's connected at the moment. Although the router says it's connected at 77616Kb

It's odd as I can hear no crackling on the line at the moment.

I guess we'll have to wait and see what BT openreach say when they come out next week.

As for plates and bell wires, I'd try having a look at those myself but I'm not confident I'd see well enough to mess with it.

If you have a brief spell of bad interference on your line, the BRAS profile held at the exchange will drop right down. When the line clears, the sync speed between the exchange and your modem will go back up but the BRAS profile may take longer to catch up (3-5 days, worst case).

The dowload speed is consistent with a nobbled BRAS profile. Don't know about the ping, though.

[dilli-theclaw]

This is how my phone line has sounded off and on for about a month now.