THOMSON TG585v7 Dropping connection. Suggestions for new one?

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leaplae

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#111445 3-Nov-2012 18:13

Hi guys,
My internet keeps dropping out randomly, and the modem/switch (THOMSON TG585v7) does a reboot. This can be annoying, especially during online gaming (PC).

I have checked my log, and it seems to be doing a 'KERNEL Warm restart'.

(Then I watch the flashing lights for ~ two minutes). I am pretty sure at this point that it must be the modem/switch as my OLD D-Link DSL-302G (It is destroyed don't worry xD) never dropped out, but here are my line stats just in case:

Uptime:0 days, 0:19:50

DSL Type:G.992.5 annex A

Bandwidth (Up/Down) [kbps/kbps]:1.199 / 12.925

Data Transferred (Sent/Received) [kB/kB]:0,00 / 0,00

Output Power (Up/Down) [dBm]:12,5 / 0,0

Line Attenuation (Up/Down) [dB]:4,0 / 14,5

SN Margin (Up/Down) [dB]:13,0 / 12,5

Vendor ID (Local/Remote):TMMB / IKNS

Loss of Framing (Local/Remote):0 / 0

Loss of Signal (Local/Remote):0 / 0

Loss of Power (Local/Remote):0 / 0

Loss of Link (Remote):0

Error Seconds (Local/Remote):0 / 0

FEC Errors (Up/Down):0 / 0

CRC Errors (Up/Down):0 / 0

HEC Errors (Up/Down):0 / 0
Would a new telecom v8 modem/switch be any good? Any suggestions on new modems (would prefer all in ones as I don't know how duplexing doublenats PPPoblablabal is/works).

I don't want two many features, just a solid modem that can do wifi reasonably well, and a few Ethernet ports. Price is also important so while those Fritz!Boxes you guys rave about are nice, they are quite expensive, and switching to Snap is not really an option (silly .xtra.co.nz email address).

mjb

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#711473 3-Nov-2012 18:23

Take a look at the TP-Link TD-W8960N (or the W8950) - I recently installed one for my sister, and it has been brilliant. very reliable, and reasonably priced.

As for your xtra.co.nz address - it's fairly easy to migrate away to a non-ISP email address like gmail or yahoo... either by configuring gmail/yahoo/etc to fetch mail from your xtra mailbox for you, or by setting up forwarding on your xtra address to you new email address that doesn't tie you down to telecom.

You can pay a nominal fee to keep your xtra email address active if you move to another ISP.

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leaplae

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#711480 3-Nov-2012 18:32

Looks good but I notice that it has WPS:

'WPS One Button Security
To setup their network's security encryption, users need simply to press the "WPS" button on their TD-W8960N, then push the "WPS" button or enter the router's PIN Code in the wireless client, and it will automatically establish a WPA secure connection. Not only is this faster than normal security setups but more convenient in that users don't need to remember a password!'

Which may make it vulnerable to an exploit found last year?

mjb

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#711483 3-Nov-2012 18:39

Probably - I can't check remotely, but I suspect it'll be able to be disabled in the web UI.

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plambrechtsen

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#711509 3-Nov-2012 20:33

If you ring up the broadband helpdesk on 0800 225 598 and say that the wifi is dropping out and causing issues with your browsing experience they normally if the router is less than a year old from memory since it should still be under warranty.

Worst case scenario is you "sign up" for another 12 month contract and they will send you a new router for free.

I've got to say the new Technicolour TG582n routers are pretty good and I run one from home and it hasn't missed a beat for me. Only time it's been rebooted was when I was moving power plugs around. Talking with the broadband guys about 6 months ago and they were all pretty much in agreement it was a great router.

Otherwise if you feel like spending money on one, the DrayTek Vigor 120 is brilliant since you can run it in bridging mode which is good for all sorts of geek needs, plus you could hook it up to a TP-Link TL-WR941ND and run Gargoyle on the router. Otherwise I have heard good reports of the TP-Link TD-W8950ND are pretty good all in one routers.

IMHO I would still go for the free TG582n... Great router and free :)

leaplae

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#711594 4-Nov-2012 00:31

Thanks guys for the help, I will give telecom a call on Monday, and see what the go is. However the other options do look temping!

plambrechtsen

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#711621 4-Nov-2012 09:12

leaplae: Thanks guys for the help, I will give telecom a call on Monday, and see what the go is. However the other options do look temping!

Why wait until Monday... The broadband support desk is open in the weekend and they should be able to help. Give them a go on 0800 225 598.

HP

Shop now for HP laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

old3eyes

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#711633 4-Nov-2012 09:56

plambrechtsen: If you ring up the broadband helpdesk on 0800 225 598 and say that the wifi is dropping out and causing issues with your browsing experience they normally if the router is less than a year old from memory since it should still be under warranty.

Worst case scenario is you "sign up" for another 12 month contract and they will send you a new router for free.

I've got to say the new Technicolour TG582n routers are pretty good and I run one from home and it hasn't missed a beat for me. Only time it's been rebooted was when I was moving power plugs around. Talking with the broadband guys about 6 months ago and they were all pretty much in agreement it was a great router.

Otherwise if you feel like spending money on one, the DrayTek Vigor 120 is brilliant since you can run it in bridging mode which is good for all sorts of geek needs, plus you could hook it up to a TP-Link TL-WR941ND and run Gargoyle on the router. Otherwise I have heard good reports of the TP-Link TD-W8950ND are pretty good all in one routers.

IMHO I would still go for the free TG582n... Great router and free :)

Is the Technicolor one user configurable like port forwarding and the like??

Regards,

Old3eyes

plambrechtsen

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#711764 4-Nov-2012 14:47

old3eyes: Is the Technicolor one user configurable like port forwarding and the like??

Normally it's done with UPNP these days, or you go into Game & Application Sharing. Works for me.

leaplae

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#712244 5-Nov-2012 13:52

plambrechtsen:
leaplae: Thanks guys for the help, I will give telecom a call on Monday, and see what the go is. However the other options do look temping!

Why wait until Monday... The broadband support desk is open in the weekend and they should be able to help. Give them a go on 0800 225 598.

I rang them today :-) and they ran a line test, called us back saying that it was fine, and then another guy did some normal troubleshooting stuff that did nothing, i.e. making sure filters are installed on all jacks (they are), making sure that the modem/switch/router is not on steel (nope) and cordless phones (other side of the room on and its 5.8Ghz. Oh, and the microwave is not near it - its on the other side of the house. ( I did drop hints on that it is most likely the router, but apparently it is a software issue 0_o.

He then directed us to run a program called broadband assist, which would magically fix all my problems, so to keep him happy I downloaded it, and said I will call back later.

The software seems to be a portal style program with links to usage meter, a remote support program, a internet browser 'reset'er and some wifi tool. I ran the wifi tool and it immediately said I had low wifi signal.

Right, I am not even using wifi on this computer as it is wired, but okay, clicked next, and it changed the channel from 6 to 11 (actually causing a conflict with another wifi network 'family' which is also on channel 11), and said I was done. Doing this to wifi will not effect the router doing restarts, but I ran it anyway.

I now am doing some work and streaming internet radio so I will hear next time it restarts/drops.

Potek

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#713486 7-Nov-2012 13:05

I had a TG585v7 which worked well for about 18 months or so but then started doing random resets. Upset my partner by interrupting a few games of Texas Hold'em in the middle of betting.

It gradually got worse, with the resets happening more frequently until I gave up on it and bought a new ADSL modem/router (Cisco X2000). The new one is OK, but I moved it to near my home theatre/TV to be able to plug in the wired Ethernet and now the WiFi coverage in my outside room is marginal when it used to be solid.

As the Thomson was over 12 months old, I never bothered reporting it to Telecom as I figured I'd not get any warranty support, just a sales pitch for a new one.

This happened about 8 months ago.

leaplae

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#713526 7-Nov-2012 13:56

Ended up buying the tp link td-w8960n, should arrive any day now. Don't particularly wan't to sign up for another 12 months with telecom, and having a new modem makes it easier to switch in the future.

HP

Shop now for HP laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

leaplae

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#714038 8-Nov-2012 10:58

Could not find out how to edit my post, but I got the modem/router, bit of a rocky start as I didn't know half the settings, but a quick google on my phone fixed all that.

I read on google somthing about SNR Margin, so I lowered it from 12.6? to 6.9 db. My speed jumped from 1.45 MB/s max to 1.76 MB/s max, while my error rate did not change.

I am a happy camper at the moment, now I just need to work out how to lower my interleave depth!

plambrechtsen

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#714054 8-Nov-2012 11:09

leaplae: Could not find out how to edit my post, but I got the modem/router, bit of a rocky start as I didn't know half the settings, but a quick google on my phone fixed all that.

I read on google somthing about SNR Margin, so I lowered it from 12.6? to 6.9 db. My speed jumped from 1.45 MB/s max to 1.76 MB/s max, while my error rate did not change.

I am a happy camper at the moment, now I just need to work out how to lower my interleave depth!

Don't need to change anything in the modem it should just be plug and go. To get interleaving changed you need to ring the helpdesk to them to change it on the dslam end.