olegy
join:2003-06-02
San Diego, CA
| [Line Problem] New LPV install - several problems
Just got a new LPV install in San Diego.
About 8000 ft from CO.
Sync speeds are about 7/1.
But, every few hours I'm loosing Internet completely for a few minutes.
noise margin downstream is 6-8 db - very marginal
noise margin upstream is 11-13 db
attenuations are OK.
Speeds are also fluctuating - from 7000/1000 to 2000/400
What could be done to improve the reception?
Also is anyone knows to to access zyxel modem from behind the router?
the modem is it bridge mode, both router and modem under the same subnet, but I cannot connect to the modem from behind the router - only directly.
Thanks. |
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Doctor Olds
I Need A Remedy For What's Ailing Me.
Premium,VIP
join:2001-04-19
1970 442 W30
clubs:
| Post your stats while hooked at the NID. If there is no change then you will have to be dropped to the next lower speed level to bring the Downstream Margins up as they are below marginal range of 10 dB to 12 dB needed for speeds above 3.0 and 6.0 just like regular DSL.
»EarthLink DSL FAQ »Does LPV (Line Powered Voice) have a different number for Technical Support?
Regards,
Doctor Olds
--
What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time? |
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dcaccavo
join:2006-03-15
San Francisco, CA
| reply to olegy
This is all sounding very familiar. My experience with Earthlink LPV has been, frankly, a nightmare. I initially got the service to try to save money (I had Comcast hi-speed and AT&T phone service - combined was $100. Earthlink LPV was $70.
I was wary of DSL - my only experience was 10 years ago in NYC, and it was lousy. As soon as cable modem was available, I switched, and had it ever since.
Along comes Earthlink, who said, "well, we have EIGHT mb service!" Never mind that they didn't check my line or loop length. Never mind that they didn't tell me my alarm system wouldn't work (in fact, they didn't KNOW the alarm system wouldn't work). So guess what? I had to get a separate POTS line for the alarm. Add $15/month.
When set to 8MB, the connection would intermittently just drop. Speed was about 5MB. The speed never varied, it was "working" or "not." Yet my margins were, uh, marginal. About 6db down, 14 db up.
Dropped it to 6mb. Other than occasional outtages, it was ok. Then a couple of months ago, I started having massive downstream speed drops - where it would slow to about 200K! Yet the upstream was 800+ and never varied. Plus, suddenly I had to set the modem to PPPoA - as it would no longer work set to PPPoE.
AT&T came out and they removed a bridge tap. But the problems at 6mb continued. My loop length tested at about 8200 ft (despite this website's esimate of 6100). So after about 6 months of hell, Covad is now saying they can only support 3MB. So far it's ok - but I'm overpaying for 3MB - plus the cost for the POTS line for the alarm.
I'm ready to pull the plug and go back to cable modem, unless AT&T has a good 6mb DSL package. I figure since they own the lines, they might be able to find a better run. But I'm probably dreaming, and I should give up right now. |
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olegy
join:2003-06-02
San Diego, CA | reply to Doctor Olds
There is no option 3 in 1-877-356-5864.
Your information is outdated.
Pressing 3 multiple times will lead you to a sales rep and
later to a script reader in India. |
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Doctor Olds
I Need A Remedy For What's Ailing Me.
Premium,VIP
join:2001-04-19
1970 442 W30
clubs:
| reply to dcaccavo
said by dcaccavo  :My loop length tested at about 8200 ft (despite this website's estimate of 6100). This website is unofficial and gives you a best guess estimate of your loop length. Only the Telephone Company has the actual true length in their plant database which is private and not available online. The Telcos usually give the ISPs a pass/no pass for DSL versus an actual distance. That why you see "up to" in front of the speeds offered.
»/distance
quote:
CLECs and ILECs work from distance estimates or actual checks before accepting an order.
»DSL FAQ »Why is distance important with DSL?
quote:
Distance In Feet comment
less than 5000 You will have little trouble getting all speeds of DSL
5000-10600 You may have trouble getting the highest speeds on offer
I've had the distance test run over the years at BBR and here are some results.
2001 it showed 7370 feet
2002 it showed 5760 feet
2003 it showed 7430 feet
2004 it showed 5951 feet
2005 I can't find where I saved it. 
2006 it showed 6290 feet
I can guarantee the built in 1961 house I own has not moved on it's foundation more than a inch either direction (closer to half an inch movement). 
Regards,
Doctor Olds
--
What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time? |
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Doctor Olds
I Need A Remedy For What's Ailing Me.
Premium,VIP
join:2001-04-19
1970 442 W30
clubs:
| reply to olegy
said by olegy :There is no option 3 in 1-877-356-5864. Your information is outdated. Pressing 3 multiple times will lead you to a sales rep and later to a script reader in India. I only have what others have posted and can't update it or change it unless informed. Thanks.
It is now Press 1, then Press 3.
--
What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time? |
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olegy
join:2003-06-02
San Diego, CA
| said by Doctor Olds :said by olegy :There is no option 3 in 1-877-356-5864. Your information is outdated. Pressing 3 multiple times will lead you to a sales rep and later to a script reader in India. I only have what others have posted and can't update it or change it unless informed. Thanks. It is now Press 1, then Press 3. That option 1-3 stills leads to India. No help out there.
Asked to connect to Omaha support center - have been placed on hold for several HOURS. Eventually I just hung up.
So far, I was not even able to speak to a technician. 
Called to cancel the service, while still on 30 days trial period. Agreed to wait. Has been given a priority phone number 866-860-1053 with a pin - than finally got connected to someone....
But. A woman asked me to hard code DNS servers in my Windows XP network. No help as well. Asked her to transfer me to a hardware tech - she did and another hour of holding time and I hung up again.
I was with Earthlink prior to LPV as well - cable service. But all technical issues were promptly resolved by Time Warner techs.
Now, I just cannot get to anyone - just to speak about the problem. I'm not even mentioning the actual resolution!
That is scary.
I'll try to call one more time tomorrow and if not resolved - I'll be out of this LPV hell.
1Mpbs upload is so sweet, but the technical support is simply nonexistent. |
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tetskionDSL
join:2004-09-22
Skokie, IL
1 edit | Sounds like you're currently provisioned at 8Mb. Since you're 8,000 ft out, you might need to have your speed capped down to 6Mb to bring your margins up and stabilize your speed and connection. As far as I know (and this might not be completely correct) 8Mb only works well within 5,000 ft from the CO.
You can get those reps to open a trouble ticket for you so that TRON can handle your case. I know TRON has a dedicated group for LPV who run through all the tickets daily so you can be sure they're taking care of your case. You can then directly bypass the script readers when you call in... that is, if TRON doesn't call you first.  |
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nort_enidan
join:2006-10-03
Atlanta, GA
| reply to olegy
i think it's Covad who actually takes the lead when it comes to deciding what speed to provision you during trouble shooting. if it's not working for the provisioned speed, they'd drop it or do regular trouble shooting.. especially if dispatch tech would tell them that the premise and the loop has been cleared. if it's not working for the next speed, they'd either blame it on the modem or drop the speed further.. you can only hope you get an Earthlink TRON tech who really understands and can make Covad do beyond their SOP's.. |
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olegy
join:2003-06-02
San Diego, CA
| Well, after several days of trial, I've cancelled it ( the LPV).
My experience @ about 8000 ft from CO:
Pros: good speeds, but only if you have no issues.
Cons:
Hours and hours of waiting on hold to get someone on line.
The same hold times with priority tech support.
The same hold times just to check a status of the trouble ticket once you passed first two steps.
Connection - the upload is good and relatively steady.
my was at least 11 db upstream margin @ 1Mbps and never dropped below.
Downloads - highly unstable. They have achieved 12 db downstream margin @ 6mbps (was about 7 db @ 8Mbps), but it suffers from sudden drops. I saw -2 db downstream noise margin. Yes, negative 2. So one minute it is 12 db, another is 0 or even -2 .
May be it is just my bad luck.
Anyway - the customer service is the worst part.
I'd rather stay with TW 384 kbps upload than experience such a nightmare. |
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vinnie97
join:2003-12-05
Mesquite, TX
1 edit | My margins at 8Mbps are nearly identical to yours (and I've seen negative margins plenty of times)...thus I have dropouts on occasion (which seem to be more frequent since we got into the wall jacks during a week of investigation into lack of sync that was completely unrelated to my wiring). I'm putting up with it for now, the speeds are too good.
30-year-old wiring is not meant for DSL speeds beyond 3Mbps, I guess. |
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Doctor Olds
I Need A Remedy For What's Ailing Me.
Premium,VIP
join:2001-04-19
1970 442 W30
clubs:
1 edit | Something else is involved as my house was built in 1961 plus has the original wiring and my Downstream Margins do not vary more that 2 to 4 dB at most. They stay at 22.0 dB and during high peak use times may drop to 18.0 on my 3.0 Megabyte line. If you are dropping below 6.0 dB it's time to run a CAT5 home run and a Splitter at the NID.
--
What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time? |
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vinnie97
join:2003-12-05
Mesquite, TX
| In my case, I wish I had the authority and know-how to do it but the apartment NID is outdoors and on a perpendicular wall (rather far away  ).
When Covad was here, they determined a lot of interference existed on my line with their noise-measuring device at the wall jacks (and I could also hear it as the device acted like an amplifier). Clearly, the inside wiring needs some revisioning (perhaps just the jacks need to be rewired) but I don't think the apt. management would see the need or benefit in contracting anyone to rewire the wall jacks. I most likely don't have the authority to contract anyone myself (or the money, lol).
Sadly, I'm not sure there's much hope next to moving... |
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Doctor Olds
I Need A Remedy For What's Ailing Me.
Premium,VIP
join:2001-04-19
1970 442 W30
clubs:
| If you were paying for inside wiring maintenance plan you could possibly get the Telco to fix it for you and with the Managers blessing since it would not cost him or you anything but getting the Telco guy access to the closet where the lines come in.
Otherwise you are right.
Regards,
Doctor Olds
--
What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time? |
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vinnie97
join:2003-12-05
Mesquite, TX
| Hmm, thanks for the tip. As far as I know, I'm not paying for such a plan with Earthlink being the provider of both voice and internet, so it would most likely have to be covered by apt. management. Also, I followed the line from the NID to where it enters this building and it enters the unit one door over...where it enters this apartment exactly is anybody's guess. :P
I can at least revel in the fact that I'm less than 6,000 feet from the CO, yipee.    |
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olegy
join:2003-06-02
San Diego, CA
| reply to olegy
There is one more potential problem to be faced.
As mentioned in another topic, there is a 30-days trial period, when you can actually cancel your LPV installation without a termination fee and other penalties. But the 30 days starts counting not from the day your service went live, but from the day Earthlink actually shipped the modem.
My modem has been shipped on September 28th. Covad's technician has turned the service on October 12th. If you decide to cancel, you have just a few days to decide, because it takes 5-7 days to get your return label shipped back to you. So, you 30-days trial is actually 5-7 calendar days or 3-4 business days.
Which is Ok, if you have no problems, but leaves no room for Covad to fix the problem. You'll have to bet on their ability to fix that problem. If the problem persists, and you decided to keep the service, while it is broken, you'll be bound to the contract for a faulty service. |
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skj
Welcome to the far side of reality
Premium,Mod
join:2002-04-04
Atlanta, GA |  (topic move) [Line Problem] New LPV install - several problems
Moderator Action
The post that was here (and all 6 followups to it), has been moved to a new topic .. » LPV install problem
stated reason was: To create a new thread |
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