Use of an additional broadband router with bt broadband

I have a bt broadband account using the modem supplied by BT, an
Alcatel Speedtouch. I wanted another broadband modem/router to use on
the computer upstairs when the computer downstairs was switched off, so
purchased a Mercury ETEC modem router.

I thought (famous last words) all I would have to do was hook the thing
up, enter my username and password, and it would connect through to BT.
It doesn't, of course. The Mercury modem appears to make ADSL contact
with the internet, at least according to the lights on its display it
does, but then it times out -- there is no response from the computer I
am trying to contact, i.e. the bt broadband server.

Does anybody know what I am doing wrong, or can point me to a solution?
I can't ask BT, because they only support the Alcatel modem which they
supply. I am not very clued up technically, but surely the average
person should be able to make a broadband connection to the internet
with a modem, without requiring a diploma in computing studies?

Tom J.

On 6 Jun 2005 16:03:30 -0700, (E-Mail Removed) wrote:

>Does anybody know what I am doing wrong, or can point me to a solution?
>I can't ask BT, because they only support the Alcatel modem which they
>supply. I am not very clued up technically,

is the other modem physically unplugged from the line ? it could be
interfering.

if your line is marginal it is possible that one is managing to
connect and not the other. You have got all the settings correct and
the same as the working one ? PPPoA VC-Mux username format etc etc

> but surely the average
>person should be able to make a broadband connection to the internet
>with a modem, without requiring a diploma in computing studies?

yes, you did that with the Alcatel.

Phil
--
Tiscali - dialup speeds at Broadband prices, see
http://bbs.adslguide.org.uk/postlist...&Board=tiscali

AOL - the unlimited ISP of choice for heavy downloaders.

Thanks, Phil, that may be the problem -- because I notice that I can't
get through on my usual connection when the new modem upstairs is
connected. I hadn't thought of unplugging the old modem, because it is
on a laptop, and the laptop is in sleep mode when I am upstairs trying
to connect using the new router. I thought this would close down the
internet connection. So I'll try your suggestion tonight!

I think the other settings are OK, though I've messed around with them
so much trying to get the thing to work that I'm not entirely sure...

Tom.

<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) oups.com...
> Thanks, Phil, that may be the problem -- because I notice that I can't
> get through on my usual connection when the new modem upstairs is
> connected. I hadn't thought of unplugging the old modem, because it is
> on a laptop, and the laptop is in sleep mode when I am upstairs trying
> to connect using the new router. I thought this would close down the
> internet connection. So I'll try your suggestion tonight!
>
> I think the other settings are OK, though I've messed around with them
> so much trying to get the thing to work that I'm not entirely sure...

Yes, it is an error to have more than one ADSL modem on the same line -
certainly if both are switched on and probably if one is switched off. When
I was testing a customer's router the other day, I powered-off my own router
but didn't unplug the ADSL line - and the new router failed to find a DSL
carrier (it remained in "training" mode). As soon as I unplugged my own
router, the other one connected.

(E-Mail Removed) wrote:
> I have a bt broadband account using the modem supplied by BT, an
> Alcatel Speedtouch. I wanted another broadband modem/router to use on
> the computer upstairs when the computer downstairs was switched off, so
> purchased a Mercury ETEC modem router.
>
<snip>
> Does anybody know what I am doing wrong, or can point me to a solution?
> I can't ask BT, because they only support the Alcatel modem which they
> supply. I am not very clued up technically, but surely the average
> person should be able to make a broadband connection to the internet
> with a modem, without requiring a diploma in computing studies?

If you actually have two routers (which it seems you don't) then you
can fairly often simply connect one to the other with a bit of ethernet
cable, and then other computers to each.
(after configuring of course)
However, as others have said, one ADSL device per line.

Sad to say, unplugging the Alcatel (BT-supplied) modem didn't solve the
problem. I'm still getting the message 'No response from remote
computer'. Is it possible that at the BT end they can identify the type
of modem that is being used and only accept a connection from the
Alcatel?

Cable networking of the two computers might be easier than using two
modems (one a modem/router), but firstly it would mean boring holes
through walls and floors, and secondly one computer is often closed
down (particularly the laptop) when the other one is being used. My
solution of getting an extra modem/router got round both these issues,
but not if the blessed thing never manages to make a connection!

Tom.

(E-Mail Removed) wrote:
> Sad to say, unplugging the Alcatel (BT-supplied) modem didn't solve the
> problem. I'm still getting the message 'No response from remote
> computer'. Is it possible that at the BT end they can identify the type
> of modem that is being used and only accept a connection from the
> Alcatel?

Where are you seeing this message ?

Have you tried the Mercury in the same socket as the Alcatel is known to
work from ?

JP

On 8 Jun 2005 01:32:42 -0700, (E-Mail Removed) wrote:

> I'm still getting the message 'No response from remote
>computer'. Is it possible that at the BT end they can identify the type
>of modem that is being used and only accept a connection from the
>Alcatel?

no. but there are several other things like configuration issues. If
you get the precise error code and plug it into google you'll see
plenty of things to check.

it is concievable that the signal is poor and one device can hang onto
it but not the other.

Phil
--
Tiscali - dialup speeds at Broadband prices, see
http://bbs.adslguide.org.uk/postlist...&Board=tiscali

AOL - the unlimited ISP of choice for heavy downloaders.

The error message comes up after I click on the BT Broadband connection
in Network Connections -- the dialogue box tells me I am connecting,
but then that there is an error and that the remote computer is not
responding. I'll check the error number when I get home this evening,
as Phil suggests.

Tom.

On 8 Jun 2005 04:51:58 -0700, [(E-Mail Removed)] said :-

>The error message comes up after I click on the BT Broadband connection
>in Network Connections -- the dialogue box tells me I am connecting,
>but then that there is an error and that the remote computer is not
>responding. I'll check the error number when I get home this evening,
>as Phil suggests.
>
>Tom.

You should ask in one of the btinternet or btopenworld internal
newsgroups. Try using news.btinternet.com and point at one of the
'internal' .support newsgroups.