Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: The Barge Captain on 27 November 2006, 14:07:57

Title: Anybody know about broadband modems?
Post by: The Barge Captain on 27 November 2006, 14:07:57
Does anybody know anything about broadband modems? Only the speedtouch unit supplied by talktalk needs to be plugged in separately every time i boot my PC up otherwise it wont connect to broadband.  This can't be right surely?  (USB connection)  
Is there a setting i need to change or is my unit faulty?
PC is a p4 Dell 5100, so not old.
If anyone can help I'd be very grateful as i don't particularly want to call the zillion quid a minute helpline if i can avoid it.
Title: Re: Anybody know about broadband modems?
Post by: STMO123 on 27 November 2006, 14:15:32
My BT ASDL modem was doing exactly the same thing, strangely just after I had updated from microsoft. My computer was not recognising the modem until I unplugged it and plugged it back in again.
It righted itself at the next update. :-/
Title: Re: Anybody know about broadband modems?
Post by: Omega-MV6 on 27 November 2006, 14:20:07
Any error messages when you try and connect?  :)

Cheers.

Matt
Title: Re: Anybody know about broadband modems?
Post by: miked on 27 November 2006, 14:48:39
Sounds like a USB driver fault.

Has it got an ethernet port as well as a USB port, and has you PC got an ethernet card - may be a better way of connecting?

Otherwise, try re-installing the USB driver
Title: Re: Anybody know about broadband modems?
Post by: The Barge Captain on 27 November 2006, 15:00:41
The modem has to be plugged in every time otherwise it just says unable to connect to broadband.  Don't know about ethernet port - probably has one but modem only has usb plug.
Title: Re: Anybody know about broadband modems?
Post by: Omega-MV6 on 27 November 2006, 15:21:53
Yes, seems like a Driver issue....

Is it the Green Fish like Modem?
If so i used to have a few problems with that one also.

Never did manage to fix them. If you have an Network Card on your PC, you may find that Ethernet is a better way of connecting, as the router is left on and connected, and it doesn't matter if the PC is off or not... I might just add, that if your Computer is "off" you won't be able to browse the web.... ;D
As soon as the PC is powered up, aftera breif nogotiation Period (DHCP Discover) the Internet is accessable.

Cheers

Matt
Title: Re: Anybody know about broadband modems?
Post by: TheBoy on 27 November 2006, 17:21:53
I suspect its the Speedtouch 330 USB modem?

You Dimension 5100 has an ethernet port. Get a wired router, and give up with USB junk ;)
Title: Re: Anybody know about broadband modems?
Post by: tunnie on 27 November 2006, 17:51:25
Quote
I suspect its the Speedtouch 330 USB modem?

You Dimension 5100 has an ethernet port. Get a wired router, and give up with USB junk ;)

Well said, USB modems suck!

Also if you get a wired router, make sure its not belkin cause they suck too!


If you get another wired modem make sure its badged "Router with ADSL modem" some routers come without modems, like mine. Thats because i have cable internet here and need a special cablem modem.

Linksys routers are good, also try D-Link. But avoid belkin!  :y
Title: Re: Anybody know about broadband modems?
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 27 November 2006, 18:01:53
Quote
Quote
I suspect its the Speedtouch 330 USB modem?

You Dimension 5100 has an ethernet port. Get a wired router, and give up with USB junk ;)

Well said, USB modems suck!

Also if you get a wired router, make sure its not belkin cause they suck too!


If you get another wired modem make sure its badged "Router with ADSL modem" some routers come without modems, like mine. Thats because i have cable internet here and need a special cablem modem.

Linksys routers are good, also try D-Link. But avoid belkin!  :y

Or go wireless  :y

Strange you should say that Tunnie......usually when i want to print i have to go and reset the wireless to ethernet adaptor for the printer.....its Belkin  ::)
Title: Re: Anybody know about broadband modems?
Post by: supermop on 27 November 2006, 18:04:59
With wireless internet, you still need a router/modem. 3Com are also a good make. And i'm throwing in my anti-belkin comment too... Belkin = bad.
Title: Re: Anybody know about broadband modems?
Post by: TheBoy on 27 November 2006, 18:09:45
Netgear tend to have duff firmware, 3com have completely lost the plot (sorry supermop).

If you don't need wireless, don't get wireless router. Its just another attack vector for scumbags.

5861 or 5830 routers of ebay, dont pay more than £20 inc postage for 5861 or £30 for 5830.  Excellent routers, better than the standard junk.  5861 made need soldering to get flash up so decent firmware will go on...
Title: Re: Anybody know about broadband modems?
Post by: supermop on 27 November 2006, 18:12:41
Quote
Netgear tend to have duff firmware, 3com have completely lost the plot (sorry supermop).

Not had a problem with my 3Com wireless modem/router yet. Having only used 1 product from them, I don't suppose thats much basis for a strong opinion however!

Quote
If you don't need wireless, don't get wireless router. Its just another attack vector for scumbags.

Indeed. Wireless is conveniant, but at risk of attack by it's nature.
Title: Re: Anybody know about broadband modems?
Post by: Del Boy on 27 November 2006, 18:15:29
Used to have a belkin was quite good but now got a linksys much better :y
Title: Re: Anybody know about broadband modems?
Post by: TheBoy on 27 November 2006, 18:16:58
supermop - is yours that 54g one that they gave away for aroubd £50, often with free card?

If so, more bugs than fbi. and 3com have now stoipped fixing them.  what firmware has it?

Mine suffered being 'Sammy'd' as i was fed up with glaring security faults....
Title: Re: Anybody know about broadband modems?
Post by: TheBoy on 27 November 2006, 18:18:23
i should say I use a lot of 3com stuff, just not there wireless routers. And their gigabit NICs suck as well (Intel ones much better)
Title: Re: Anybody know about broadband modems?
Post by: The Barge Captain on 28 November 2006, 12:59:10
Quote
Netgear tend to have duff firmware, 3com have completely lost the plot (sorry supermop).

If you don't need wireless, don't get wireless router. Its just another attack vector for scumbags.

5861 or 5830 routers of ebay, dont pay more than £20 inc postage for 5861 or £30 for 5830.  Excellent routers, better than the standard junk.  5861 made need soldering to get flash up so decent firmware will go on...
Ok.  Bit lost at this point. Are you saying that i search ebay for a 5861 or 5830 router and swop it for my speedtouch? which is better and why? only really use t'internet for this and fleabay so speed not vital.
Title: Re: Anybody know about broadband modems?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 28 November 2006, 16:10:19
My Netgear router has been superb......not found any firmware issues (its an DG834v2, I know the v1 had some micro timing issues.....).

I would go wired if you can.....wireless starts to loose its appeal if you want to shift big files and are sat downstairs with your laptop (transfer rate is proportional to signal level on wireless, signal level drops quickly in a  house)....handy for browsing on a laptop though (I also have wireless.....)
Title: Re: Anybody know about broadband modems?
Post by: Allenm on 28 November 2006, 19:32:38
Don't agree with the anti-belkin march!  I have belkin and have installed it for lots of others too, never had a problem.

USB will by its very nature be inferior! I presume that it came free with the broadband install, if so it may still be under warranty and if you chat up the call centre staff they may swap it for a router, or discount the price of one.
Title: Re: Anybody know about broadband modems?
Post by: TheBoy on 28 November 2006, 20:33:24
Quote
Don't agree with the anti-belkin march!  I have belkin and have installed it for lots of others too, never had a problem.
Better than that 2wire junk that BT sent when you were on FTTP trial ;)
Title: Re: Anybody know about broadband modems?
Post by: TheBoy on 28 November 2006, 20:34:33
Quote
My Netgear router has been superb......not found any firmware issues (its an DG834v2, I know the v1 had some micro timing issues.....).

I would go wired if you can.....wireless starts to loose its appeal if you want to shift big files and are sat downstairs with your laptop (transfer rate is proportional to signal level on wireless, signal level drops quickly in a  house)....handy for browsing on a laptop though (I also have wireless.....)
Netgear tend to break things with newer firmware, so its a case of finding a firmware that works (or nearly works) for you...
Title: Re: Anybody know about broadband modems?
Post by: Allenm on 29 November 2006, 09:04:32
Quote
Quote
Don't agree with the anti-belkin march!  I have belkin and have installed it for lots of others too, never had a problem.
Better than that 2wire junk that BT sent when you were on FTTP trial ;)

Now that I will agree with, bloody thing was rubbish, DHCP server hated dishing out IP addresses! the signal was up and down like a yo yo and it had to be turned off and back on again at least once a day.  But the fibre speed was nice  ;)
Title: Re: Anybody know about broadband modems?
Post by: supermop on 29 November 2006, 09:07:29
The only Belkin networking hardware I've had that HASN'T broken is the 100m drum of Cat5e I have, which is almost all used.
Title: Re: Anybody know about broadband modems?
Post by: The Barge Captain on 29 November 2006, 13:15:54
What about something like this?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Creative-Labs-Broadband-Blaster-DSL-Modem-Router-BNIB_W0QQitemZ150064725602QQihZ005QQcategoryZ3706QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Is this what i should be looking for?
All advice welcome as i don't know what i should look for.
Title: Re: Anybody know about broadband modems?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 29 November 2006, 13:41:19
Its a bit limited on its support of some of the new ADSL standards

How about this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NETGEAR-wireless-adsl-router-modem-DG834_W0QQitemZ120058743790QQihZ002QQcategoryZ101270QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Title: Re: Anybody know about broadband modems?
Post by: The Barge Captain on 29 November 2006, 13:47:32
I don't need / want wireless but if i understand this, i can plug it into my eathernet port right? then should get me better broaadband connection than my speedtouch usb?
Title: Re: Anybody know about broadband modems?
Post by: supermop on 29 November 2006, 14:23:41
yeah. it'll be always on, like broadband should be (i.e. it dials and registers automaticlly, without the need for you to do it).

it will however require configuring for first time use. but they are quite straight forward to config. if you get stuck, we'll be able to help. you can plug it into your pc and configure it before you plug the adsl lead into it.
Title: Re: Anybody know about broadband modems?
Post by: Salty on 29 November 2006, 17:47:34
I got a Netgear one when I upgraded from the the speedtouch USB modem. I needed the wireless facility, found the netgear stuff was easy to set up. I didn't go for the latest model though because as TB has already said there was a firmware issue with the new one. Mine is a DG834G no probs with it at all.
Title: Re: Anybody know about broadband modems?
Post by: sounds2k on 29 November 2006, 18:40:32
I'm also running a netgear DG834G. No problems that come to mind. A mate bought a 3com equivalent, it ran very warm all the time and eventually died - would only keep the internet connection up for a few minutes at a time. That got replaced with a DG834G and no further problems were encountered ... you can always turn off the wireless if you're worried about it !!
Title: Re: Anybody know about broadband modems?
Post by: Omega-MV6 on 29 November 2006, 20:57:56
well as we are name dropping on Routers here. I have a Cisco 1721 with a DSL WIC.. and a Cisco PIX 501... :y

But then I'm an extreme geek! :D

Matt
Title: Re: Anybody know about broadband modems?
Post by: TheBoy on 29 November 2006, 21:49:31
Quote
well as we are name dropping on Routers here. I have a Cisco 1721 with a DSL WIC.. and a Cisco PIX 501... :y

But then I'm an extreme geek! :D

Matt
Lucky bugger....
Title: Re: Anybody know about broadband modems?
Post by: miked on 29 November 2006, 22:36:10
I'm really going to have to go on a network course...
Title: Re: Anybody know about broadband modems?
Post by: tunnie on 30 November 2006, 10:47:15
Quote
Quote
well as we are name dropping on Routers here. I have a Cisco 1721 with a DSL WIC.. and a Cisco PIX 501... :y

But then I'm an extreme geek! :D

Matt
Lucky bugger....

Cisco PIX 501 :o - That is extreme for home use!  ;D
Title: Re: Anybody know about broadband modems?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 30 November 2006, 10:51:26
Well being an engineer where my entire world revolves aorund the right product at the right price to the right quality level......what does it bring to the party that other units dont.....
Title: Re: Anybody know about broadband modems?
Post by: miked on 30 November 2006, 21:41:50
Ahhh, hence the post about people misusing the term engineer.  What field of engineering are you in?