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14/05/2008, 16:26 Hester Joined on 05/05/2008 Posts 10 Internet Speed During a thunderstorm on Monday I foolishly tried to finish some work that I was doing on the computer.  There was a loud "pop", like a light bulb blowing, and the screen went off for a couple of seconds then came back on again at which point I switched off.  Since then the little box that comes up showing what speed I am connected at when I dial-up to the internet is only between 16 and 21 (previously it was around 48). I have done a pc doctor check and it is telling me that the modem has passed. I would be grateful if anyone could advise if they think it possible that something has "blown" even though everything seems to be working, just loss of speed.  I am clinging to the hope that it's something to do with the 'phones lines and that it will sort itself eventually. Hope that you can understand my non-computer speak.  Regards Hester.    Report

14/05/2008, 20:29 ErnieY Joined on 05/12/2006 Nr Prayssac (Lot) Posts 2,945 Re: Internet Speed Whilst it's not impossible for your modem to have suffered some damage I think it's unlikely. In these sort of circumstances it's usually sudden death. What's more likely is that, possibly as a result of the storm, a junction box somewhere has got water in it and is affecting your line. Hopefully it should dry out on it's own over time but if not you could get in touch with FT and ask them to check it. How is your normal phone, crackling at all ? My doctor said one drink per day, I can live with that !    Report

15/05/2008, 8:22 Hester Joined on 05/05/2008 Posts 10 Re: Internet Speed Thanks ErnieY, yes the phone is crackling! Although it becomes clear if I unplug the computer line from the double adapter.  Hopefully there could be a chance of it righting itself from what you say.  Regards Hester.    Report

15/05/2008, 9:07 Pierre ZFP Joined on 12/11/2004 PdC(62)/Luxembourg Posts 1,649 Re: Internet Speed You could have a damaged ADSL filter, that's the thing that  sits between the incoming phone line and you plug your phone and PC into.  For 5 euros or so it might be worth replacing.  The other essential item is a power cleaner, preferably one that will protect the phone line too.  The best 30 euro investment you can make as far as computers are concerned. Fool me once, shame on you Fool me twice, shame on me Fool me 3 times and you can see a statistical tendency    Report

15/05/2008, 9:43 ErnieY Joined on 05/12/2006 Nr Prayssac (Lot) Posts 2,945 Re: Internet Speed  Pierre ZFP wrote: You could have a damaged ADSL filter, that's the thing that  sits between the incoming phone line and you plug your phone and PC into. We're talking dial up Pierre, not ADSL If the crackling stops when you unplug the modem then logic dictates that it's the modem causing it. Is the modem internal to the PC or external ? My doctor said one drink per day, I can live with that !    Report

15/05/2008, 10:14 Pierre ZFP Joined on 12/11/2004 PdC(62)/Luxembourg Posts 1,649 Re: Internet Speed Ooops, I should have read the OP more closely. I agree with you ErnieY, most likely a partly fried modem. Still stand by what I said about a power cleaner/protector though. Fool me once, shame on you Fool me twice, shame on me Fool me 3 times and you can see a statistical tendency    Report

15/05/2008, 14:10 Hester Joined on 05/05/2008 Posts 10 Re: Internet Speed Hello ErnieY and Pierre, the modem is internal.  How does the power cleaner/protector work? Hester.    Report

15/05/2008, 14:47 Pierre ZFP Joined on 12/11/2004 PdC(62)/Luxembourg Posts 1,649 Re: Internet Speed Not sure if you are using a laptop or a PC but the following applies to both. Modems are dead cheap these days but before you buy another see if you can beg/borrow/steal an external one and try that instead.  If the situation is much improved then the internal modem is cooked and needs to be replaced (cheap and easy job for PC, a lot more if a laptop) or continue with the external one, it makes no difference. As for the power cleaner/protector, it looks just like a multi way extension lead (usually 6 sockets but can be more/less) and you just plug it into the wall socket then plug the PC, monitor, printer and associated gubbins itno that.  What it does is protect the extremely delicate electronics in the PC etc from huge voltage spikes that occur from time to time on the mains supply, particulaly in times of storms.  The better ones also allow you to plug your phone line into them then on to the modem so protecting against spikes on the phone line which is what maybe happened to you.  These power strips don't cost much really and I would never even consider using a PC without one.  Raw mains supply is just too, well, raw sometimes. Fool me once, shame on you Fool me twice, shame on me Fool me 3 times and you can see a statistical tendency    Report

15/05/2008, 17:12 Lehaut Joined on 23/08/2004 Normandy Posts 24 Re: Internet Speed Having got a bit fed up with the number of power cuts we had/have (13 micro cuts in one night) I installed battery back up supplies for the children's computers and also "mine".  Am I right in thinking that an UPC also protects against these spikes? Thanks        Report

15/05/2008, 19:59 ErnieY Joined on 05/12/2006 Nr Prayssac (Lot) Posts 2,945 Re: Internet Speed Wise move but if the phone line doesn't pass through it then no it doesn't My doctor said one drink per day, I can live with that !    Report

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