Thanks Optimist.
You're right about the modem, I think (it's a BT Voyager 210 ADSL router) - I just couldn't figure out why there was suddenly a worsening problem as it ran relatively smoothly for the last year. We have a couple of home hubs sitting here, but Mr Grumpy didn't want me to use one when this cursed Vista machine was set up - he didn't like the wireless aspect for security reasons, although he's changed his mind since he bought a new laptop.
And believe me, I would have installed it myself a few weeks ago, but when I read through the set up thingie, it made special mention about Vista and a disc, and my eyes just glazed over.

Choccie: USB broadband modems should be consigned to the deepest pits of hellfire. Unfortunately, IMHO, so should Vista.

However, what you have appears to be a regular router (not what is usually considered to be a USB router, although it does have a USB port). I'm not sure how you're connecting to it, but I'd choose to use its Ethernet port.

Note to Microsoft sufferers: if you're buying a new machine (e.g. from Dell) buy before the end of June if you want to specifiy XP rather than Vista. M$ say they're stopping new sales of XP then.

Yes I know that now, Dezza - trouble is, when I needed a new machine, Dell were only offering Vistas - no XPs. I even did a round of the shops (well for all of one day) I did try :S

Anyway - is the home hub thingie ok to install then?

PS No idea how the current modem is connected - all 4 lights are on when it's fully functioning - i.e. power :) DSL, internet and ethernet.

chocolat

If you have an ADSL hub then use that. It will connect to your BB and maintain the connection regardless of whether or not any computers are switched on and will also have at least a minimum and very likely a good firewall.

You should then connect the computers to the hub using ethernet cables (not USB) or use wireless if you prefer. If wireless is enabled, make sure that it is secure. Change the deffault passwords and use a minimum of WPA-PSK security.

Hi Chocolat. I had the BT Voyager 210 and initially it worked well but after about 18 months, when out of warranty, if became very unstable. I spent some hours with the guys in India trying all sorts of solutions until eventually they came to the conclusion the router was knackered. I now have the BT Voyager 220V ADSL Voice Router which has not yet let me down. Cost was about 25, I recall. There seems to be a facility to use an additional voice line with it but I've not tried that.

Hi Choc,

Yes, my experience is also that routers don't last forever.

The new ones are cheap (around the 40 is cheap compared with the time you are wasting) and almost set themselves up.

I agree that you should use an ethernet link. My router is not in the same room as the laptop so I use one of those Devolo home plug links and again they are easy as anything to set up.

Take the plunge and start afresh is my suggestion.

TP

Every router I have had (netgear, linxys) only ever seem to last a year then start playing up. I'm sure they have some kind of timer in them so that you need to renew each year.

Worth checking the router isn't getting too hot. Plenty of space around it and try standing it on its end.

Worth checking the power supply as well.

I've managed to break 2 Netgear routers by pulling the DC lead out of the back instead of switching them off at the mains.

If you've got a pre-configured router such as those provided by Sky, I think it's prudent to know the config so that you can get any old router up and running while you wait for your ISP to send out a new pre-configured one.

Hils
I pull the DC out all the time, especially if I cant get a connection which might be a problem with my broadband provider. Is that not good.

It killed two of my routers dead as a Dodo when I did it, Jeffie. I subsequently read somewhere that you're only meant to turn mains adaptors off from the mains otherwise it can damage the equipment.

Stable doors and bolting horses spring to mind.

I think it depends on the model and luck.
Bought a netgear cable/dsl (RP114,1 in-4 out)on Ebay,
second hand, for about half the market price.
That was about 4 years ago and its been very good.
On the odd occasion when I,ve done a reboot, I,ve
pulled the DC plug No problem to date.
mac

Yep I pull the plug out regularly too.

Look out for a seller on eBay called Puzbie. He sells a variety of new and refurbished modems and routers, particularly from the BT range and some of them are unlocked and can be used immediately with other ISPs. Puzbie is extremely service oriented and I would very much like to recommend him to you, having used him myself.

He has an excellent web site at http://www.puzbie.co.uk/php/home.php with lots of really good information. There is also a Forum on the site.

Sometimes, the prices his stuff goes for on eBay are a little less than they are from those asked on the web site. Do take Delivery Costs in to account though.

I did a search on eBay seller 'Puzbie' and came up with the following:

http://search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQsassZpuzbieQQfrppZ50QQfsopZ1QQfsooZ1QQrdZ0

There is usually a way of saving the router configuration to disk, at least I can with my Netgear router. On one occasion that I had to reset the router (power cycle) it did actually lose the configuration. Logged into it and restored from the PC and off we went.

Hil, I'm surprised that you broke the router by pulling the DC jack. I suspect that the router died before you pulled the jack . . . power cycling it was probably just the coup de grace.

I'm surprised that pulling the plug kills a router, but some that I have known appear to have some sort of battery backup. If that fails then all settings are lost on power down.

It may have broke because I was standing on it when I pulled the plug out.

:o)

Here's how you find your username and password which is pre-configured into Sky Netgear routers.

1. log into the Netgear router by typing this into your browser address bar: 192.168.0.1

2. Enter the username 'admin' and password 'sky'.

3. Enter the following url into your browser (without the spaces I've inserted to stop a 'click here' hyperlink forming) http:// 192.168.0.1setup.cgi?todo=ping_test&c4_IPAddr=%26/bin/grep+ppoa_+/tmp/nvram+%3E+/www/netgear.cfg

4. Press enter, and then type: http:// 192.168.0.1/netgear.cfg

5. Press enter and save the file to your desktop. Open the file in notpead and you will see your Sky Username and Password listed.

Thanks everyone for the advice.

Turns out that was a great tip, Kayak - I have now stood the stupid thing upright (and yes I had noticed it was a bit warm, only because I had to switch it off and on so much, otherwise I wouldn't normally have touched it). And the connectivity has now vastly improved.

I have the same mindset as Jeffie, and said as much to BT with regard to not renewing the contract (which would have been in May) and the ensuing problems, and they didn't deny it!

But all in all, what with the flurry of increasingly persistant Windows updates and apparent conflicts with McAfee, and McAfee also bombarding me with pop-ups invoking me to renew my subscription which falls due in a few weeks' time (which made me wonder as well) - and the fact that their spamkiller doesn't work - I am for now a contented ex-McAfee-user.

As for buying a new router - too right I was fed up with the time wasting, I just couldn't figure out why! Might as well bite the bullet with BT again then, just that I don't take to being held over a barrel ;)

Edit: Actually, after what several of you have said, I'll find out first if BT have anything superior to this home hub thingie before I submit :)

chocolat

Check out Demon but consider buying your own router.

They don't have problems.