Perplexing whole house wiring and/or V-Portal problem?

Posts: 10 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Jan 28, 2008 Posts: 10

Add me to the list of victims of the mysterious 'error 13' message with the V-Portal adapter. I'm just about a week into my Vonage activation, but I'm getting the same 24-hour drop-off cycle as John & blepsis. My house isn't nearly as old, but there are some significant run lengths from the main phone hub in the basement up to the top floor.

FWIW, I'm running my adapter behind a Linksys WRT54G. I updated my router firmware and got 2 days of error-free behavior (one overnight cycle), but last night it broke again.

Steve - thanks for the intel on (lack of) other occurrences. Is there a point of 'critical mass' where a point of action beyond buying a new adapter is possible? Just curious on what the precedent is for this kind of issue that 'floats up' through the forums

Posts: 4482 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Aug 30, 2005 Posts: 4482

Usually Vonage responds with firmware updates once a problem is clearly identified and they figure out a fix for it. When I started with them a couple of years ago, it was flaky ringing and then failing caller ID with the RTP300. Numerous other issues have occurred over time. When a critical mass will be reached is hard to tell.

Posts: 7 · New Forum Member Joined: Jan 26, 2008 Posts: 7

As update to the problem I was having with V-Portal.

Replacing the V-Portal with the store bought Linksys adapter has cured the problem. No more error code 013 or the need to do a daily rebooting.

I believe Steve is correct...the V-Portal device must do some sort of self testing / line checking on 24 intervals. As to why it fails when whole house wiring is connected to it is a bit of a mystery, at least to me.

With regard to line loading, length of runs or capacitance, I don't the effects of any of that on V-Portal as I was I never really able to get beyond the error 013 with more than 1 run connected.

With the Linksys adapter I'm now successfully connected to 7 runs in total, consisting of 4 telephones, 1 fax machine and 2 DirecTV set-top boxes. The longest run length being apx 125 feet.

Steve, thank you for helping me bring this problem into the light.

Posts: 78 · Vonage Forum Senior Joined: Apr 09, 2007 Posts: 78

Does everyone who is having an issue have a fax machine hooked up somewhere in the house connected to the house wiring? If so, remove it and see if the probelm still persists.

Posts: 10 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Jan 28, 2008 Posts: 10

No fax in my house

Posts: 7 · New Forum Member Joined: Jan 26, 2008 Posts: 7

whatumean, during my trouble shooting of the problem I kept my fax machine, DirecTV set0top boxes and any long runs 100 or more feet out of the loop (un-connected) ...made no difference.

Posts: 7 · New Forum Member Joined: Jan 26, 2008 Posts: 7

Although the problem was perplexing and frustrating...I must admit that the support people at Vonage, especially the Advance Operations guys (1 of whom was on the phone with me for 4 hours) were more than willing to do what-ever they could to help figure out the problem.

And once we determined that the problem was indeed the V-Portal itself they quickly issued and RMA for the device and gave me credit for the store bought device that I use to replaced the V-Portal with.

Posts: 10 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Jan 28, 2008 Posts: 10

Good to know John - I've got a new adapter enroute from Amazon and if it proves out I'll pursue the same path w/ the support team

Posts: 1 · New Forum Member Joined: Jan 31, 2008 Posts: 1

I am just reporting in that I too have experienced the same behavior with my new VPortal in my house. I have been using Sunrocket/Teleblend without incident on my whole house wiring in a 2-line configuration with verizon land line (DSL) on line 1 twisted pair for the last two years. I installed Vportal and have had very good quality calls using new RRLite service from local Time Warner. Everyday however the VPortal goes down with Error 013 and successfully recovers after "clean" reboot. I am certain VPortal is not seeing any voltage from wiring -ever - so it is a bit perplexing. I will be sad have to quit this nice high quality calling if this behavior is not remedied. I was just about ready to drop verizon and teleblend too Sad

Posts: 78 · Vonage Forum Senior Joined: Apr 09, 2007 Posts: 78

Seems like this will be remedied within the next couple of weeks.