SpeedTouch 330
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Speedtouch line of modems, produced by Alcatel/Thomson, is a type of basic USB ADSL modem. They are primarily shipped among various broadband providers in the United Kingdom such as Karoo, Orange, Onetel and Tiscali.
What now is called the Speedtouch 330 by Thomson used to be the Speedtouch USB while Alcatel still manufactured Speedtouch products. The Speedtouch USB and 330 are in fact the same product, and only differ in appearance: software for one will work on the other.
The standard shipment consists of two Speedtouch UK413 ADSL broadband filters, one 6P2C modular telephone cable, and the modem itself.
The Speedtouch 330 exists both in ISDN and POTS versions (330(i) vs. 330).
The Speedtouch UK website has made the Vista drivers, release 4.1, available on their site by download or CD order on April 2007.
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[edit] Common Misconceptions
Although the Speedtouch 330 is used for ADSL Broadband Internet , it does not appear on the user's computer as a LAN or High-Speed Internet Connection, but rather as a Dial-up connection. Users must therefore initiate a dial-up connection every time they want to connect in order to get onto the Internet.
The Speedtouch 330 is in fact a very basic modem , as opposed to a router modem. It can only grant connectivity to one computer at a time, and does not have any built-in features such as IP routing, a firewall, NAT , or WLAN Wireless Internet.
Being a USB modem, and not an Ethernet modem, drivers and software must be installed in order for the Speedtouch USB to work. The absence of an Ethernet interface also means that a Local Area Network, or LAN, cannot be built using this modem, even with the use of a USB capable router or a USB Hub.
[edit] Compatibility Issues
They are notorious among Linux users, since no mainstream Linux distribution will allow the modem to be used without a dialup script and a non free firmware. There are, however, a number of articles and details available on how to get the modem to work though it is still widely regarded as a tough job for a new Linux user.
The Speedtouch 330 also does not currently work with the latest generation of Macintosh computers running an Intel processor, as appropriate drivers have not yet been developed.
It must also be noted that the Speedtouch 330 normally will not work with Windows 98 and below. Although it will work on Windows 98 Second Edition and Windows ME, users sometimes have trouble installing the modem. This is because the USB interface was introduced under Windows 98, and does not work as well as under more advanced Operating Systems such as Windows 2000 and Windows XP.
[edit] Troubleshooting
There are a number of common situations in which the Speedtouch 330 will not work properly. It is easy to determine the nature of the problem by looking at the two lights on the front of the modem and the Speedtouch icon in the system tray.
Two fixed green lights where the Speedtouch icon shows three green squares and one purple square
This means that the modem has synchronized with the exchange equipment and that you must now dial up in order to connect to the internet. If you are still unable to connect make sure you are using the correct Dial-up networking connection and make a note of the DUN error code (such as Error 0680 - "There was no dial tone") if you are using Microsoft Windows or other error message (such as "Connection Attempt Failed"on a Macintosh.) When downloading at high speeds the left light generally flashes.
Two fixed green lights where the Speedtouch icon shows three yellow squares and one purple square
This indicates that the modem has synchronized with the exchange equipment but the software is unable to detect this condition.
- The solution is to manually update the Speedtouch 330 drivers. In Windows 98 SE, 2000, ME and XP this can be done in Device Manager
A fixed green USB light, ADSL light flashing green nine times and red once
This indicates that the modem is unable to detect an ADSL signal.
- Contact your Internet service provider to make sure that ADSL is active on the telephone line as the ADSL order may have failed at the provisioning stage.
- Ensure that the modem's RJ-11 cable runs from the modem to a working filter, which is then plugged into a telephone socket.
- Ensure that there is a connection between the modem and the incoming telephone line (see 'master socket' test procedure below.)
- Verify that the telephone line is active and working properly.
A fixed green USB light and flashing green ADSL light, where the Speedtouch icon shows three yellow squares and one purple square
This means that the modem is able to detect an ADSL signal but it is not synchronizing with the Internet Service Provider's equipment (DSLAM) at the telephone exchange, and is therefore unable to establish a connection.
- Make sure that working ADSL broadband filters are correctly fitted on every used telephone socket in the premises and two filters have not been connected in series with each other.
- Ensure that there is a adequate connection between the modem and the incoming telephone line. The most effective way to do this is to unplug the equipment from all telephone sockets in the building and connect the modem via a working filter (try more than one to eliminate the possibility of defective filter) into the first phone company socket to enter the building. In the UK, this is called the master socket on BT lines and can be identified by being larger than secondary (extension) sockets. Newer (post-1986) BT 'linebox' or 'NTE5' master sockets also have a faceplate which can be removed by the customer (by unscrewing the two screws on it.) It is advisable to try the above set-up in the 'test socket' behind the faceplate if the master socket is of the latter (removable faceplate) type.
- Ensure that no other devices are causing Radio Frequency Interference (for example, digital cordless (DECT) telephones and certain types of lighting.)
- contact the Internet Service Provider and verify that the ADSL account is active as this can occur when an ADSL order has failed at the provisioning stage or the account has been suspended due to billing issues.
This issue can also arise (albeit very rarely) if the modem has suffered a power surge from a thunderstorm or a short circuit. Usually, the lights on the modem will have an opaque appearance. In this case, the modem must be replaced.
A red USB light and no ADSL light where there is no Speedtouch icon in the system tray
This means that the modem's software and drivers are not installed at all. This situation can arise if the operating system does not support the modem (see Compatibility issues above.)
- Install the modem using the CD originally provided with the modem, or download the correct drivers from the Internet.
A red USB light and no ADSL light where the Speedtouch icon shows three red squares and one purple square
This usually means that the modem's software and drivers are not installed correctly, or installed at all. This situation can also arise if the USB port on the computer is not functioning properly, or if the operating system does not support the modem (see Compatibility issues above.)
- Install the modem using the CD originally provided with the modem, or download the correct drivers from the Internet.
- If you have already installed your modem drivers, you should un-install, then re-install the drivers. To do this, unplug your modem, then insert the modem installation CD, following the instructions to un-install your modem, then re-install.
- In Windows 98 SE, 2000, ME and XP this can sometimes arise from Windows failing to recognise the correct drivers. In this case the solution is to manually update the Speedtouch 330 drivers in Device Manager
USB and ADSL lights erratically alternating red and green
This issue occasionally occurs where a user has migrated from one Internet Service Provider (e.g. Talk Talk) to another (e.g. Tiscali), both providers have issued the same modem, but the drivers issued by the first provider have not been correctly uninstalled. Essentially, the drivers supplied by the first provider are incompatible with the firmware of the modem supplied by the second.
- Ensure that all Speedtouch drivers have been completely removed before reinstalling the correct driver from the installation CD provided by your current ISP or from the internet.
No USB light, no ADSL light
This will occur if the modem is not connected properly or the USB cable is damaged. When using a laptop computer in battery mode, it is possible that its USB port is not powered. This can also occur if the modem is connected to a low-powered or non-powered USB hub.
- Check the USB cable is plugged securely into a USB socket
- If the modem is connected to a laptop, refer to the power management guide in the laptop's manual
- If the modem is connected to a USB hub, try connecting it to a USB socket on the computer itself with the hub and other USB devices unplugged
An amber USB light and amber ADSL light
This means that the POST (Power On Self Test) has failed.
- First of all, check that all your cables are plugged in correctly
- Power cycle your computer, making sure the modem is unplugged from your computer and your phone socket. Leave the computer switched off for about 3 minutes, allowing everything to reset before turning it back on. Leaving your modem unplugged, wait for your computer to load fully. Then reconnect your modem to your computer and the telephone line, using a filter.
