Anyone understand phones?

[veggiechicken]

Can anyone explain why my telephone line is dead but broadband isn't? I'm not on cable. BT diagnose a fault "in or near my home". How can one work and not the other? If I disappear completely you'll understand why!!

[Hazel at the Hill]

Get another phone and plug it in the socket to rule out that it's your handset that is up the creak. Don't get the BT wallah out until you are darn sure it ain't at your side of the master socket.

Actually, try plugging your phone into the master socket (you have to take the cover off the BT socket where the line comes in and there is another hidden socket inside). If your phone is ok in there, the problem is your side, if you still have a problem even in the master socket, it'll be theirs.

Other (more reliable/technical) opinions are available - and will no doubt arrive soonest...

[ladylottie]

No, sorry VC, I can't help you there. I thought that broadband came in through the telephone line
I'm sure some expert will be along soon with the answer!

[veggiechicken]

Thanks Hazel - Now to find the master socket

[veggiechicken]

No, sorry VC, I can't help you there. I thought that broadband came in through the telephone line
I'm sure some expert will be along soon with the answer!

Me too LL, that's why I'm befuddled

[Hazel at the Hill]

Thanks Hazel - Now to find the master socket

See where the phone socket is? (The 'proper' one, not an extension).

The lower half comes off - the plate is secured by a screw each side. Undo that and take the plate off, and lo and behold, a secret socket is inside!

[bearded bloke]

That will be because the phone requires two wires to function correctly,the internet however only requires one.

Do you have a dial tone ?

[veggiechicken]

No, no dial tone BB. When I rang myself from my mobile, I got the answer machine but couldn't pick up the call on the house phone

[bearded bloke]

See where the phone socket is? (The 'proper' one, not an extension).

The lower half comes off - the plate is secured by a screw each side. Undo that and take the plate off, and lo and behold, a secret socket is inside!

Photo's for ALL eventualities presents .................


Ta Dahhhhhhhhhhhhhh..............................

[bearded bloke]

No, no dial tone BB. When I rang myself from my mobile, I got the answer machine but couldn't pick up the call on the house phone

OK,that is one of the pair not connected,the answerphone is done at the exchange so the fault is deffo after there,is your phone a BT rental ? if yes it is their problem,if no then take your phone to a neighbour & ask them to plug it in & try ring out & ring in,this is because if you own the phone & it is at fault & BT come out they will charge you a callout fee (think it is £150)

[veggiechicken]

I've found the secret socket and plugged in a normal phone - still nothing. The phones are my own - 3 are cordless, 2 are wired. I think that between them all one would be working. I'm hoping that its the line to the house - the pole is across the road - and it comes in under the eaves - the connection has been looking a bit dodgy for a while. But if it was that, would I still have broadband?

[bearded bloke]

the connection has been looking a bit dodgy for a while. But if it was that, would I still have broadband?

Yes it only uses one of the two incoming wires from the pole

[veggiechicken]

Fingers crossed then Its too dark to see outside at the moment but I'll look with binoculars tomorrow. That'll get the neighbours wondering
Thanks for your help!

[bearded bloke]

You could try ... unplugging all phones & then phone BT from your mobile/public callbox/kindly nieghbour or even do an online fault report & getting them to do a line check,if the fault is still resident it has to be in their equipment

Online can be done from ... How can I report a fault to BT? | Help | BT.com Help ... they will give you a code number so you can check how they are progressing

[veggiechicken]

I've reported it online and they checked the line and gave a tracking number for the fault - which shows as "close to the customer's property" rather than "customer's property". They'll be in touch within 24 hours. That's the end of my day tomorrow then