A friend of mine has this computer/wireless router problem.

A lot of the time, she can't access her computer when she's on the landline phone.

It just seems to block her computer.

She does have cable internet.

Is there any reason why this is happening, and is there a fix, or is this an AT&T problem?

Thanks much.

 

If she has cable (her Internet service is provided over the same cable as her TV signal comes in on), then there should be no connection at all to her phone line when she's on the Internet.

If, instead, you mean she has DSL (the Internet connection is via the phone line - not over "cable"), is she using the "line filter" on each of her phones that you MUST have when you have a DSL service? If not, that's her problem because every time she picks up a phone without the filter it screws up her signal to her computer and causes her browser to either freeze up or to disconnect. If she IS using the filter (assuming the filter is working), then the problem is with her MODEM provided by her phone company (AT&T) and not with her wireless router. The modem is the connection box between the phone line and her router (ie, the phone line plugs into the modem, not the router).

Also, just in case you're trying to do what I've seen other people try (and you're not telling us all the facts in your post), you can't use a router with dial-up Internet service because the speed of the line (baud rate) is way too slow.

Hope this helps.

 

Traderjoe28, She has Comcast Cable High Speed Internet and a standard AT&T phone line.

When she talks on the phone, she can't use her computer.

This happens quite a bit.

EDIT: What I mean by using her computer is that she can't access the internet.

 

I guess I don't understand exactly how "Comcast Cable High Speed Internet" service would have any connection to the phone line if it is, in fact, a true "cable service". I run SBC (AT&T) DSL and that's over my phone line. I don't have cable TV, so I can't have "Cable High Speed Internet" service, but I have several friends who do have "Cable Internet Service" and absolutely there's NO connection between their cable service and their phone line at all. Therefore they never have a problem with their Internet connection if they use the phone because there's no tie-in between the two systems.

I must be misunderstanding something here.

 

Traderjoe28, her impression is that when she is using the phone, the signal is leaking out and interferring with her wireless router.

As soon as she hangs up the phone, she can use the internet.

Oh yea. She has two phone lines; one business and one private.

It's her private line that is causing the issues, but not the business line.

Strange, isn't it?

 

If she is using a wireless phone it may interfere with her wireless router. A wireless phone can also bleed over into a open line in a cable system. It is the homeowners responsibility to keep all of the unused jacks and cables terminated properly. If the cable system is sealed tight she will need to replace the phone or router or both. There is nothing that can be done with interference between devices per FCC regulations. There is no other connection between her cable Internet and her phone.

 

Torque1st, She said it was a hard wire phone, not a cordless, BUT I'll ask her again just to make sure.

 

Make sure she checks for open cable jacks also. There is no connection between a standard landline phone and a cable system. RFI is the best answer I can give. Some people try to use their phone lines for a network tho with some routers.

 

Good point on the possible problem if she's using a wireless (aka, "cordless") phone, especially if it's running on the 5mhz frequency band since this is the frequency that's typically used by most wireless routers, also. If this is the case, then she could switch her wireless phone to a 2.4 frequency band type.

However, I also use a wireless 5mhz phone and I've not had a problem with interference with my wireless router. I can use the wireless phone within about one foot of the router antenna with no problem.

One other thought: If she has "call waiting" service on her private line, this has to be disabled when she's using her computer, I believe.

And getting back to my original post, she still needs a "line filter" between her private phone line and the base station box of her wireless phone. Just because it's a wireless system from the phone to the base unit doesn't mean she doesn't need the filter.

 

I will call her tomorrow and ask her these questions, and post what she says.

Thanks for the info, guys.

 

Does it happen with any phone, or has she tried another phone, to eliminate a bad phone?

 

furball69, I will also ask her that question.

 

Personally, If I were me, I would just go the non-wireless route myself, but that's just me. "A wild and crazy guy."

 

Is there any reason somebody may want to have tapped her phone?

from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telephone_tapping


Radio tap - this is like a bug that fits on the telephone line. The state does not normally do this because they have access via the telephone exchange, though certain organizations exempt from the common framework of law applying to citizens may use devices like this. It can be fitted to one phone inside the house, or outside on the phone line. It may produce noise (there might even be signal feedback on the monitored line on poorly made equipment) to inadvertently alert the caller. Modern state of the art equipment operates in the 30-300 GHz range. The unit is powered from the line to be maintenance free, and only transmits when a call is in progress. These devices tend to be low powered because the drain on the line would become too great, however a state of the art receiver could be located as far away as ten kilometers under ideal conditions, but is usually located within a radius of 1 to 3 km. Research however has also shown that a satellite can be used to receive emissions in the range of a few milliwatts.


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I always immediately think the worst scenario, that way I'm usually pleased when the result isn't so bad.

 

furball69, actually, there may be, but nothing "illegal". IMHO.

Another question I will ask her tomorrow.