ADSL dropouts: Faulty router or faulty line?

[PeterMartinez]

I have an elderly DG834G doing a good job but recently it goes through periods of rebooting itself, sometimes every few minutes but can go for days with no problem. The ADSL speed (normally 8MHz) is usually lower afterwards. How can I diagnose whether the problem lies in the router or the phone line? The phone company (of course) say they checked and the line is OK. Netgear (of course) say they no longer support the old product. Someone suggested I re-flash the router but I don't intend to try it unless I have some confidence that this will fix it for sure.

If the router is indeed reaching the end of it's life I will buy a new one (from Netgear of course) but I would prefer to know for sure that this will fix the problem. If it could be the phone line, is there some way I can carry out some tests which will convince the phone company that is IS their problem.

It still reboots even if there is nothing on the LAN or WLAN. I tried another power supply - still the same. If I unplug the phone line it sits forever waiting but does not reboot.

Peter

[jfox3366]

It would be much easier for you to figure this out if you use or purchase a new modem and see to it if you will still experience the same problem or not.