Hi, we're trying to get set up for DSL internet access. We've had a Westell modem installed, but the technician says it won't work because the "ready" light is blinking (as opposed to the power and ethernet lights, which glow steadily). He says this means there's a problem with the phone lines somewhere and so the DSL connection won't work properly. We've had the phone company check our lines & connections inside and outside the house, & they say there's no problem at all. Any suggestions? We're in a vicious circle here between the computer technician & the phone techs, & don't know who to believe.
Thanks!

Maybe try getting cable instead since it won't have to use your messed up phonelines?

On many modems lights can also mean absolutely nothing. This is not empirical evidence for a lack of ADSL signal.

I cannot really tell you the problem from here, but you should know that the lights are controlled by the firmware in the router. Unless you know the firmware (i.e. insider information), you cannot really use the lights as an indication of cause, only problem.

Go over your DSL setup instructions briefly and I may be able to tell what is going on.

How far are you from your local CO switch? At the limits of the DSL signal, some lines and networks are not capable of handling the signal.

Mrs Bighead:

I have two Westell WireSpeed DSL modems (one is a spare backup, that I got dirt cheap from a friend.) and PacBell DSL. I can tell you from experience that the ready light needs to be on continously to have a valid connection to the internet. If it is flashing, you cannot connect to the Internet. So, there are two posibilities:

1. There is a problem with the phone line.
2. There is a problem with the DSL modem.

The ready light needs to be on continously before you can troubleshoot any further. You are not getting a valid signal through the modem.

Just a wild thought. You do not have the RJ11 DSL cable connected through a DSL filter to the phone line, do you? It should be connected direct. The filters are so you can simultaneously use analog devices.