I appreciate the input Mr Spaniard & yours, BOAC, but we've looked into both & the settings are right & the AOL version is current.
Sorry to have not updated in a while, but I'm 100 miles from ma & pa, so progress is slow. Next week, I'm going armed with a Netgear & another Belkin router, new microfilters & if all else fails, a club hammer.
In the end, if they won't ditch AOL, then it is, supposing AOL's at fault, their lookout. There is only so much one can do. The unforgivable part is the lack of care from anyone. BT, Belkin & AOL. One of them could at least get involved, but they all say not me guv.