I've only just found out about this site through an old link in The Register, and I'm wondering if anyone else is suffering similar connectivity problems to mine.
For some months, I've been using a Netgear DG834G to connect to Orange, as the old CopperJet modem supplied by Freeserve just couldn't cut it as a networked resource. However, late on July 18th, I lost connectivity. I thought I'd give it until the morning or so, knowing that faults do indeed happen, but still no joy then. The error given by the router is 'LCP is down; LCP is allowed to come up' (or similar).
Still nothing by the 20th, so I phone Orange. First I'm told that I'm getting a 'free upgrade', hence the outage. FineI said, but when's it going to be completed? Redail another element of customer services - so I did.
It transpires that the upgrade was done on the 18th (coincidence??), and therefore shouldn't be a problem by now. Ok, so what'll the new speed of my connection be then? Same as before, apparently - the 'upgrade' is linked to the LLU work, so it'll be 'faster and more convenient for me to switch to 8MB when ready'; so, of no benefit to me, and with no notification of possible outage either. However, they don't support 3rd party routers, and so basically will only proceed with fault finding if I dig out the old modem and set things up as they originally were. I can agree to the logic of this, so I go hunting for the relevant parts.
Today, I've finally found everything, and plugged it back up. Unsurprisingly, I cannot authenticate, so I call them again. I get talked through the recreation of my dialup settings (I play along), which fails to resolve the problem, and then told that I need to reinstall the modem drivers from scratch, as they're likely corrupt. However, it *might* be due to problems they're having with their servers, and that depends on what exchange you're on... however, if that's the case, it'll all be resolved by tomorrow.(!)
I put down the phone, and do a complete reinstall from scratch - no change.
Things that come to mind:
1. Since LCP handles authentication, and the modem produces the same result, why can't they accept that a system that worked on Monday should still work today, as there's been no changes at my end? Why no joined up thinking?
2. Is anyone else suffering LCP/authentication problems in the last few days?
3. If it's a 'server problem', how would that be dependant on what exchange I'm on?
4. What're the odds that this is due to a botched LLU changeover?
Not only does it sound like we have the same problem, but it happened at around the same time (July 20th ish) and I have the same router. I've been through the script of Master Socket, Speedtouch, reinstall, blah-di-blah about 6 times since then.
Still only works intermittantly and I am without service for about half-a-day at a time. BT seems to be telling Orange that there is nothing wrong with the line, but I've heard nobody say this is a messed up LLU problem (surprise, surprise).
I'm just getting to the point where I give up and go get my service from someone else. I wouldn't mind, but it must have cost me about £40 with all these phone calls, not to mention the wasted time and effort.
Don't know if geography is a factor, but I'm in Stevenage, Hertfordshire.
Joined: 20 Sep 2006Posts: 15Location: BRADFORD, WEST YORKSHIRE
Hi there Immortal Highlander...
Seems like you have joined the club.
All these problems originate from the "free" upgrade which Orange are putting through.
My problems started on 30th August when they upgraded the Undercliffe exchange in Bradford.
In actual fact what is happening is that all BT exchanges are being upgraded and Orange (and any other ISP) are having to convert their customers.
There are clearly technical problems with the network within the exchange and Orange are blaming both hardware and software for our difficulties - after they have wasted our time going through all sorts of settings and home connection possibilities.
As you will read in many other threads in this forum, the problem is widespread - I am even getting Customer Support staff to acknowledge the problem - not a minor achievement.
For myself, I have given up on them and have requested a MAC key to migrate. Don't forget to cancel your D/D if you go the same way.
Guys - just read the forum - BB connection lost - details my woes and all should become clear. It appears from at least my experiance and from reading others on this site - if your connection just drops - Orange will do absolutely nothing to help you and you're best off leaving. Their technical support is non-existant. Sicne they switched to Orange it all appears to have gone very wrong for them - unless of course you have superhuman patience and are prepared to wait for weeks on end spending a fortune on technical calls to be told to call back in 48 hours !
Just call up to cancel - don't bother with the MAC code - and sign up with someone else. Personally I'm probably going with BT since I figure they ran the exchanges in the first place and have the support network already setup. I know quite a few people here quite like IDNET too.
Joined: 13 Aug 2006Posts: 1689Location: Marylebone Central London
Quote:
I'm probably going with BT since I figure they ran the exchanges in the first place and have the support network already setup.
Be careful before you go into another long contract you mention BT my cousin joined BT Broadband last month and is yet to connect for more than 10 mins BT support is not good they also have overseas call centres.
Check out DSL ZoneUK ISP ratings it will take a while to go thru all the ISP's but its very informative and well worth the time before you sign up to anyone theres quiet a few with 1 month contracts and no penalties for migrating away either if you are not satisfied with their service,
Good Luck spyro
link is below
click here and scroll down
regards
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