Also, re cable modems: do you have your own or one of NTL's? We had huge problems with their "upgrades" stopping our very old one working, so we got NTL to give us a shiny new one (since the broadband price is supposed to include modem rental). We've left them now, and they don't want it back, so you could probably have it if that'd help....

Yes, mine's an old one too, which is another reason why I think it's not totally implausible that replacing it might help my problems. However, AIUI I can't just nick yours, because the modem's MAC address has to be registered with NTL before they'll talk to it. (The Gallery recently had theirs replaced and the engineer insisted that that wasn't necessary. It was. They had to ring up seven times and argue before NTL registered the new address and the new modem started working.)

So thanks for the offer, but I think I'll let NTL come round on Wednesday and replace it. That'll also give me a chance to go shopping, which I could make good use of.