| Badgeruk |
| (new user) |
| Wed Dec 19 2007 09:44 PM |
Broadband connection problems
|
Doing my head in here
Question :-
I use a router to connect to my ISP (AOL.. yes yes i know but it has caused no problems in 6-7 years). I haven't changed settings for as long as I can remember but I get home on Monday and I couldn't connect. Settings (and since it's down I have tried pretty much every type of connection available, PPPoA, PPPoE):-
<myusername>@aol.com
password
etc
The router is telling me that the CHAP authentication failed. Aso just trying to connect via win xp internet connection wizard (which you can do) I get a 691 error (Error 691: Access was denied because the user name and/or password was invalid on the domain.) saying that the domain is invalid - the aol.com bit? Before you say my usename and password is wrong... I am 100% positive it is correct and would stake my house on it!!
Anyway I install the AOL (something I never thought I would do!) software to check if that will connect me.. (oh, and their own crappy modem).. and it freaking well does! But on the software I don't know how it connects but it only asks me for <mysername> and password.
I somehow suspect the @aol.com bit is important in why it's not connecting. Or that the ISP login servers are farting or problems at the local exchange... although it's weird that I can connect via their software but not the router (I even bought a new router and that doesn't work either). And tried it through a laptop and checked my account hasn't been suspended etc etc etc. Everything should be working fine on my end.
Spoke to AOL helpline checking router settings (PPPoE, 1400, LLC based VPI 0, VCI 38 etc). And also the router people and they say there is nothing wrong with the router and that it is actively trying to talk to the authentication server. I've spoken to about 10 AOL people by now. It's become tedious!
The last guy at AOL I spoke to tried to do a line test on my physical line but said that he couldn't do it so he has concluded that there must be some sort of maintenance going on (by BT - or whoever, but not AOL - on the line). He told me to wait til tomorrow morning and try again and it should be back up. But it's been down since Monday and I don't hold out much hope. I want to get rid of this damn software off my pc =/
Does anyone have any ISP connection/telephone exchange/provider knowledge? How do connections work? Is there a login server at the exchange to authenticate etc via for example BT and the ISP (as per the UK model)?
Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
| greysts |
| (regular) |
| Thu Dec 20 2007 10:37 AM |
|
Re: Broadband connection problems
|
So you have proved that there is nothing wrong with the telephone line as the AOL software and modem gives you a connection. That seems to me to leave only one thing, the router itself. I believe that AOL demands that Maximum Transmission Units (MTU) must be set at 1400 not 1492 which is the default. Have you gone into the router setup and done that?
| Badgeruk |
| (new user) |
| Thu Dec 20 2007 02:52 PM |
Re: Broadband connection problems
|
Update from AOL who contacted BT:-
There has been a fault on the line since June :O.
Something to do with the circuitry or ID. Not too savy with the technical aspect. But anyway, I have to cancel my present broadband account, wait 10-14 days til they do stuff... I suppose disconnect me from the line (?). And then I have to put in a new order for broadband.
| greysts |
| (regular) |
| Thu Dec 20 2007 07:13 PM |
|
Re: Broadband connection problems
|
Something doesn't ring true here. You said you've had no problem connecting up to a couple of weeks ago. The AOL modem and software DOES connect still. And yet you've been told there has been a fault on the line since June!!
And now you're being told the cancel your BB account, wait a fortnight till they do something and then you MIGHT be able to re-connect!
Sounds to me as if they don't have a clue and don't care anyway. I would be back on the phone raising merry hell if I were you.