'Whole House Solution' not working...

Posts: 4 · New Forum Member Joined: Feb 23, 2009 Posts: 4

I have had Vonage for a month or so, no complaints. I just got the "Whole House Solution" at a going out of business sale at Circuit City(so no returns or refunds). It basically only works in the same room as the main 'router' unit. Any other outlet results in nothing. Even the bathroom off the room where it works results in nothing but a red light on the expansion unit. Downstairs from the main unit I get a green blinking light occasionally, and once I got a solid green light! But it turned red as soon as I picked up the phone. Any ideas to make it work?

I know one other option is to start hacking into phone wires outside, but I wanted to avoid that if possible. Or I can get a new cordless phone with baby phones to place around my house. But since I bought this already, I'd love it if it worked.

Posts: 1179 · Member of the Week Joined: Feb 28, 2005 Posts: 1179

can you give us some more information such as the make and model # of the phone system they sold you.

as far as i know, Vonage does not offer anything that resembles the system you got.

Posts: 830 · Vonage Forum Evangelist Joined: Jun 08, 2007 Posts: 830

When you said you got the whole house solution, I assume you mean this:

Or This?

Posts: 293 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Jan 22, 2006 Posts: 293

Well I've really no ideas. At least probably not any that are good. Can't find any online manuals or configuration notes. Nothing in the Vonage support area either.

So my gut feeling is that it is a problem with the extensions somehow not being registered properly with the base unit, or something related to that.

What happens if you take the non-working phone and leave it on the main base for a bit? Will that one now work and what about the other rooms? What does the manual say about the red/green lights?

Posts: 4 · New Forum Member Joined: Feb 23, 2009 Posts: 4

Ed56, it is the second one. I'm using my own phones.

Outerfire, I think you're talking about the phone package, but my package is just the one that turns your power outlets into phone outlets, more or less.

It feels like the problem is wireless range, but really...this is what the things were made for! Not sure it's much good if the range is only 6 feet from the main unit!

Posts: 350 · Vonage Forum Evangelist Joined: Dec 04, 2005 Posts: 350

I believe that the wireless telephone jacks uses the electrical wires to communicate, not a radio. If that is the case, these are similar to ethernet-over-powerline devices. Those usually don't work if plugged into surge protectors the main unit and the extenders should be plugged directly into the wall outlet. They also are sensitive to being on different circuits. Most houses are fed by 2 100-120V feed lines (used together to power 220V electrical appliances such as electric dryers or air conditioners). If a room is fed by one of the feed lines and another room is fed by the other, typically those types of "over powerline" extenders cannot talk to each other. The description that they work in the same room but not others seems to follow that, unfortunately.

Posts: 81 · Vonage Forum Senior Joined: Sep 26, 2008 Posts: 81

Resetting Your Extender System
1. If the Extender Unit’s LED indicator light turns solid red or if the phone attached to the Extender Unit does not have a dial tone the unit may need to be reset.
2. While the MAIN unit is connected to an electrical outlet, Press and release (DO NOT HOLD) the button on the bottom right side of the device
1. This puts the Main Unit into ‘program mode’ for five minutes. The LED indicator light will blink orange while the unit is in ‘program mode.’
3. With the Extender Unit still connected to an electrical outlet and the LED indicator light is still flashing orange on the Main Unit, press and release (DO NOT HOLD) the button on the bottom right side of the Extender Unit(s).
4. The LED indicator light will blink red for a couple of seconds.
1. If the Extender Unit is able to communicate with the Main Unit, the LED indicator light will turn to solid green.
1. Press and release (DO NOT HOLD) the button on the bottom right side of the Main Unit to take the unit out of ‘program mode.’
2. Alternatively, the Main Unit will take itself out of ‘program mode’ after 5 minutes
2. If the Extender Unit is NOT able to communicate with the Main Unit, the LED indicator light will turn to solid red, Please see the Debugging Section for steps on how to resolve this issue.
3. If the Extender Unit LED indicator light remains solid red, press and release the button again. If the device does not start the blinking pattern or turn green, see the Debugging section for steps on how to resolve this issue.
5. The LED indicator light should return to solid green once the Main Unit is out of ‘program mode.’

Posts: 81 · Vonage Forum Senior Joined: Sep 26, 2008 Posts: 81

Also, GFCI outlets reduce signal strength. Try not to use these, (bathroom)

Posts: 293 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Jan 22, 2006 Posts: 293

Slyster wrote:

Also, GFCI outlets reduce signal strength. Try not to use these, (bathroom)

Good catch

I guess in that same line of thought. AFCI (bedrooms) in newer housing would also be an issue.

Now, my curiousity is alive, and noting that trekologer noted the different Bus feeds, their use and installation seems to be a whole lot trickier than you'd expect out of a "simple solution".

Posts: 4 · New Forum Member Joined: Feb 23, 2009 Posts: 4

Tried Slyster's directions, no joy. I still get a solid green light on the extension unit downstairs, but as soon as I pick up the handset, the signal goes red. Nothing but blinking green lights in the bedrooms.
Where can I find this 'debugging section'?

So much for 'whole house solution!" Whole room solution, maybe.... Confused