losing broadband

[chevrolet1.8]

hello all, i am a complete numpty as far as computers are concerned so please excuse the stupid questions.
i have a wireless laptop, a belkin router, and a ntl cable tv box. although they are all connected correctly i have forever had trouble connecting to the internet - i'm talking - since it was set up over a year ago! we made numerous calls to the helpline and were on the phone for 1 - 1 1/2 hours trying to sort it out. it will connect for a short period and then go off again. i have been told by pc world where i got the router from that i should also have a modem. according to virgin (who took over from ntl) the broadband goes through my cable box, then through the router. strange how my mum has the same set up as me with the same company and they supplied a modem free where if i want one they want to charge me �25! sorry if this sounds more like a rant than a question but if someone can give me any ideas (in lamens terms) i'd be grateful. thanks for reading.

[squarebear]

Try putting a DSL filter on each of your phone lines. I had a similar problem with broadband dropping out and it turned out to be that.

[Ethel]

squarebear - the phone lines have nothing whatsover to do with it - this is CABLE broadband and goes nowhere near BT lines.

How do you connect to the internet now - through your topset box?

I have a Virgin modem, which was free, and a seperate router that I bought elsewhere.

Phone Virgin again and insist that you want the free modem.

[SlackAlice]

Important question here! What speed package did you go for? it affects how which cable goes where. Let us know and I'll try to help you.

[chevrolet1.8]

thanks for the replies, sorry i haven't got back but was unable to get on a computer. Ethel i think you are right as we had a guy come and replace the second digibox in the boys bedroom as it had completely failed. he checked the internet for us and said we were getting nothing at all and virgin should supply a modem and as we were already customers we shouldn't have to pay for it if we fit it ourselves. apparently if you join virgin now you are charged �25 for installation, not for buying a modem.