Apologies in advance if this group is supposed to be for working pros only.
Subject says it all, almost. Finally bought a house, and hooked up all the various computers, real Ma Bell phones, satt receiver, answering machine, etc. Ran into problems- some of the 2500s couldn't break dial tone, poor connections on the modems, etc. Only reliable way to make things work is unplug devices down to 4 or less. Testing at demarc with laptop, I only get
40k, since I am so far from telco. Inside, by itself, laptop gets 40k on any jack if it is the sole device connected. I do have most of the ringers disconnected to keep the REN total as low as possible. Or does REN really apply to the device itself, not just the ringing function?Note that I did have all the same junk hooked up in my previous apartment, and it all worked, albeit slowly, behind multiple pedestals and punchdown blocks.
Inside wiring at the new place is 4-color solid untwisted. I have snugged or redone all the splices in basement, and snugged all the wall jacks. They used the original inside 4-post wiring block as a junction block front-fed from new demarc, till posts got full, then switched to floating-in-air gunk-filled Scotchlok crimp connectors for the additional branches. It is a mess.
Yes, I would prefer a home-run wired 110 block or patch panel with cat 5e, but before I go the expense and bother, is it likely to gain me anything, since the connection is only so-so at the demarc? Ma Bell (SBC) already ran onsite diagnostics for me, and claims the drop is fine. (Not to mention, no place around here sells real connection hardware, just the made-in-china plastic crap, or faux modular patch panels for 'system' wiring. I'd have to hire the work out, or spend a couple hundred online ordering the the real parts and cable and punchdown tool for a one-time requirement.)
I know - I should just get broadband, but DSL isn't available this far out, and cable modem is horribly overpriced locally.
any advice or tips greatly appreciated.
aem sends... snipped-for-privacy@att.net