Fluctuating noise margin

[JackVane]

Hi all,

Apologies if this has been covered elsewhere, but I have searched and not found the same problem described / answered.

My query is about my noise margin (Netgear DG934G), which changes each and every second..

Rebooting the router at a quiet time can sometimes stabilize it at about 7, but most of the time it is jumping about all over the place. eg -

7, 5, 7, 4, 3, 6, 4, 2, 7 etc. I get the occational 8, and several zeros!

What is the likely cause? I'm experiencing poor online gaming due to lag, and I think this may be the reason. Before anyone asks, I have no NTE5 master socket - there never has been one, but I have tried in all 3 of the others with no improvement. I have done quiet line tests which come back negative, and tried to eliminate any other electrical equipment from the equation within my property. Calls to Sky only result in profile changes that give slower speeds and the same instability. This has been going on for so long with no resolution that I am actually thinking of moving house to one with a better internet connection! Extreme, but after trying nearly everyting else, I might just do that!

Nigel

[JackVane]

These are the current router stats-

ADSL Link Downstream Upstream
Connection Speed 4093 kbps 604 kbps
Line Attenuation 47 db 30 db
Noise Margin 5 db 16 db

[x98]

If you can it may be worthwhile trying a different router.

My brother had a DG834G while on Post Office Broadband, his noise margin bounced around wildly a lot of the time.

When he moved to sky his new router never showed the same symptoms. I brought the Netgear to my premises to test it and it did the started bouncing around like at his house.

[JackVane]

Sadly I don't have an alternative router - the old one broke.

I have been considering buying another, but the Sky T&Cs state that I should only use theirs. I've read enough about that on here to know that it is possible, but that some have experienced difficulties by using non Sky supplied equipment.

[Scubbie]

If you have a friend who has Sky, then you could easily ask if you could borrow their router to see what happens.

In the same respect, you could also plug your router on their connection.

Remember to swap the PSUs as well.

As for using your own router, there are many success stories. I'm enjoying a good fast connection with my Netgear. Hopefully the firmware due for release this month will fix the outstanding issues. If it does then I'll gladly recommend the router.

Apart from the WiFi & 1Gbit LAN, it also works with either an ADSL or Cable connection. This means that the router can work as it is now (connected to Sky's ADSL BB directly) or it can be connected via a Sky router, should Sky force everyone to use MER. I can also use it on a Fibre connection, should I ever get the opportunity.

The Billion 74xx series is also very popular with members on this forum. The firmware is stable and you also have the ability to tweak your connection easily, something I have to use Telnet for on the Netgear.

[JackVane]

Thanks.

I have been trying to lean about Telnet and tweaking my router, but frankly it baffles me...

And those Billion routers are quite expensive, just to get one in the hope that it solves the problem..

Interesting thought about the psu though..

I have been experimenting with it all night, and I'm fed up now! I'll give it up for now and think about it tomorrow.

[Scubbie]

There is a long thread on the Netgear DGND3700 in the technical section. Within the thread are instructions & links on using Telnet with the router. The instructions are the same for many other Netgear routers, however I don't think they work with the one you have.

http://www.skyuser.co.uk/forum/techn...3700-n600.html

An important thing with telnet commands is that if you power off the router, they are generally lost.

Following the most recent firmware update, my router was no longer connecting at my line's fullest connection speed. By running Telnet, I've managed to squeeze a little more from the connection by artificially reducing the noise margin. See the stats below for confirmation of this.

Also using the telnet feature, I've been able to pull the more detailed connection stats from the router. These show me that I have very few CRC errors. CRC errors are the more serious kind, which are uncorrected. Strangely I've found out in the past that the router is showing more CRC errors than Sky's equipment, so I guess that in my case I've been fine.

With regards to the PSU, I specifically mentioned this as sometimes a fault can be caused by the PSU. If the problem swaps with the router, check the PSU specs & you can try swapping the PSUs temporarily as well. Hopefully this with show whether the PSU is to blame.

Generally it is the Sagem 2504 PSU which has the worst track record.

[Isitme]

Before anyone asks, I have no NTE5 master socket - there never has been one, but I have tried in all 3 of the others with no improvement.

Unless you are willing to fit one or have one fitted, about the only other thing you can do is remove the ring wire. This is the wire connected to terminal number 3 on the back of the faceplate. Just remove the 2 screws holding the faceplates on and pull the No.3 wire upwards out of the connectors. It is usually the orange wire, but it may be different on yours. Tuck it out of the way so it does not short on other connectors. Take your stats before and after doing this.

When you are doing this find the socket with a capacitor, a small cylinder about the size of a triple A battery. This is the Master socket and is the one you should preferably use.

[JackVane]

Thanks for your replies so far.

As far as the NTE5 / Master socket goes - I'm quite tempted to fork out the £150 odd that BT/openreach will charge to supply and fit one. At least then I can have the internal wiring checked at the same time and satisfy myself that everything there is OK.

[buddbuttocks]

Might be worth trying to get an SFI engineer booked. They replace obsolete NTEs as a matter of course.

If your line is connecting at less than the expected speed, and the diagnostics are showing instability or errors, I don't see why they wouldn't book one, as long as you get through to a competent CST agent.