I've just upgraded to 7.4Mbps with Orange?

Question

I have a Speedtouch 330 modem but the connection keeps dropping. Is there anything I should do?
thanks

Answer 1

The speedtouch 330 needs to be upgraded to ISO format if you want speeds above 4Mps. Go to The THOMSON 330 SPEED TOUCH site and download the upgrade.
It works I have done it.

Answer 2

7.4mb is your "potential speed", for the most part, you'll only get about half that speed.

With basic broadband such as this, your access is "IP Pooled", meaning that your connection is theoretically shared with up to several thousand other people on the same server exchange.
If a lot of people are on the server exchange, everyone's speed on that server exchange will be slightly slower.

Also, the Speedtouch 330 can only cope with potential speeds of something like 8mb, which these days isn't much.
Speedtouch are an excellent choice, though you may with to consider upgrading to the Speedtouch 530x series, or perhaps even the BT HomeHub, which is cross compatable, and also made by SpeedTouch.

Another way to increase your browsin experience is to close down any non-essential applications, for example, if you have no intention of using Yahoo IM, close it off until you need it.

Also, do a disk-cleanup frequent, at least once a week, this will clear your browser's temporary cache memory.

Finally, avoid browsers like Mozilla Firefox, people who know nothing about computers who think they know everything about computers will recommend it, but it's bloatware, and will do you no favours.
Personally, I'd recommend IE6, (IE7 is OK, but it's not the best), or at a extreme push, Opera 8.5 or Opera 9, (though these will slow down your browsing experience, since they are not tied into your OS, and not fully integrated).
If you are using a Macintosh, I recommend using Netscape Navigator, as it was originally planned with Mac OS's in mind.

Answer 3

ThinkBroadband mentions that routers are generally more stable on higher speed connections, than USB, and I have to say I'd recommend buying a Zyxel Prestige 660RC-61 ( a 1-port ethernet connection router) which is a bit under 30 pounds (they have been given away free or cheaply at Namesco, and NDO, but you see prices up to 50 pounds for the same thing - I have seen them as low as 22 pounds, but cannot find the link - I want one myself right now... if you do find one below 25 please would you e-mail me via my profile on Yahoo Answers :) )

When switching to DSL Max, the "up to 8 Mbps" type service, it is common for ISPs to explain that there may be a 10 day "settling down" period when the connection is unstable.

With DSL Max, the idea is to get a fast *stable* connection between you and the exchange, so the router and exchange push up the connection (sync) speed as high as possible, as long as the SNR (signal-to-noise) is not below 6 dB.

SNR changes during the day, and gets to a low during the evenings, generally, so disconnections can happen quite a bit. The first 10 days are normally the worst, and then the kit in the exchange will expect you to have a reasonable connection "all the time". So the speed might be a bit lower than the absolute max you can get in the morning, but should stay connected.

If you are still having problems after about a month, then your ISP is the one to approach. But in the first 10 days, you may find it best to reboot your router at least every other evening, so you know that the speed will be stable long-term when the SNR is theoretically at its worst.

(PS the second link - kitz.co.uk - has info about how to get your line stats for most ADSL kit... There's also a section on her web site about how MaxDSL works, and the speed checking in the first 10 days).

Good luck! I hope you get over the initial problems, and have fun with the net again...

Answer 4

connection dropping...do you mean you get 'booted' or it slows down?
you can visit the same site every day to download the same file and you can get a different speed each time.
8mbs as said is a theoretical maximum, but proximity to the exchange, your actual fone line and contention ratio will all affect this dramatically.
a lot of places have upgraded the exchanges but they are left with the old lines still, i was informed i COULD hit 5mbs, but i doubt i am even close.
i use firefox and would recommend it to anyone, since using it i have had far less virus's found and spyware

Answer 5

drop orange as your isp cos there crap. my brother works there and even he says there crap, so wot dus that say to you?

Answer 6

you need at least an 8.11 or your gonna get bad range

Answer 7

use ethernet instead of usb. or try internet settings