Web browsing may have lost a bit of it's 'zip' - what can I tweak?

[RostokMcSpoons]

Nothing toooo terrible, but whereas I remember everything loading really, really quickly when I first got my IDnet connection, I now find some sites seem to stall for a few seconds (sometimes as much as 7-10 seconds) before they start displaying. 

Once it get's going, it's fine.

Speedtest results are good - 6mbps / 0.4mbps
No packet loss.
Good pings

There are of course a million explanations why this is happening without it being IDnet's fault:

- it could be pyschological - I've got used to faster responses so I notice the slow ones more
- it could be the heaps of security software we all have to run these days (in my case AVG Anti Virus, Spyware Terminator, Comodo firewall)
- it could be my local exchange (Red status again, surprisingly  )
- it could be my pc (have had recent USB problems, and I've a USB modem)

and of course it could be

- bad net weather


So what can I test / tweak on my pc? 

Even if I can't get to the bottom of this it wouldn't be the end of the world, but if there's an easy fix out there, I might as well find it


(Some details of my configuration:

Modem - Speedtouch 330 USB, latest 8mb drivers
Browser - Opera 9.02, Opera 8.xx, Firefox 2.0, Maxthon, IE7
Obtain IP address - automatic
Obtain DNS server address - automatic)

[Nerval]

Probably not what you want to hear Rostok, but I'd leave well alone.

If it was recently fast, and you haven't changed anything (new programs running in the background etc.  ), then it's unlikely to be anything on your system causing the delays.

You can check what is running in the background anyway to make sure there's nothing you don't need, but it's far more likely to be congestion on your exchange, the net generally and the sites you are visiting.

I've noticed something similar since Christmas, so presumably everybody is still on hols (apart from my wife) and giving the net some stick.

Personally, I've never found tweaking the system to do anything but make things worse, though there are some who swear it's a good idea.  I've not seen any actual evidence to this effect, but some people do seem to like tweaking things.

The thing you might look at though is getting a router instead of the USB modem.

Apart from being more secure - the router will have  a built in firewall - a router operates independently of your system while a USB modem takes power/resources from your computer to run.  This alone is unlikely to make your system run faster, but it is just a better thing to do.

And with a router, you may feel you don't need the separate software firewall at all - I only use the Windows one now and don't have problems.

But on the tweaking, that's my view anyway.

[Rik]

Well, I did find that changing MTU to Miriam's recommended 1458 gave me a small speed increase, but it was small. With other ISPs, eg Orange, I found changing MTU to be vital (1430), whilst Nildram worked best at 1500. I should emphasise I only bother because of my line stats, if I had a better line I wouldn't.

On the rest of your advice, I agree totally. The 'net is slow this week, router's (especially at today's prices) are a very worthwhile investment - both for security and machine performance (apart from anything else, they remove the need for the modem drivers).

[RostokMcSpoons]

Cheers for the comments....

I'm an inveterate tweaker but I've already discovered the MTU I set via DrTCP is overridden.  So that's out.

I'm naturally interested in buying a router, but I'm a bit skint after Chrimbo so that's maybe a month or two away. (I know I could get something from dsldepot for £20 or £30, but if my wife sees me spending 'unnecessary' money my life won't be worth living )

On a side-note, re: routers...
I'm currently connecting via a long extension cable to an extension socket (not the Primary BT socket)... so I'm tempted with getting a wireless modem/router which I can plug into the primary socket - and consequently get a boost in speed.  However both my friends at work (who've got BT HomeHubs) report they have slower connection speeds (and one of them had rubbish pings for some time).

So should I go wired (with the same long cable run), or wireless (what are my chances of benefitting from connecting through the primary socket?)?

[Nerval]

(what are my chances of benefiting from connecting through the primary socket?)?

None unless your wiring is awful.
I'm on a 30ft (10 metre) extension I put in myself, and when I try it in the main socket or the BT test socket, I get exactly the same figures.
So your extension would need to be pretty ropey for you to benefit.

Wireless is generally OK though if you get a decent router - I'm using the Speedtouch 585 V6 which is potentially wireless, though I've got it plugged into the ethernet port.
You can get this for very little cash from Here.
And it actually is an essential purchase rather than an unnecessary one.

[Rik]

Count me in with Nerval on saying that a router is essential.

Print out the thread and show your wife. The potential saving in hassle and additional software that a NAT/SPI firewall would bring justifies the purchase on its own.

Like Nerval, I'm all in favour of wires where possible. I do have wireless capability, but I leave it disabled unless I need it. A patch cable is faster and more secure.

Provided your extension is a round cable (not the flat type), it's unlikely to affect your figures much, but do consider disconnecting the ring wire from the master and all other sockets (not sure whether this has been mentioned already?). If you can, test by connecting via the test socket at the rear of the master (assuming you have an NTE5). If your figures improve significantly then you would benefit from a wiring re-jig. One route would be to use a filtered replacement for the NTE5 and then run a Cat5 cable to your router, with RJ11 connectors at each end.

[Nerval]

Yeah Rik, forgot the ring wire.
I disconnected mine and it made bugger all difference.
But then I wouldn't have known that without doing it 

[Rik]

Mine was worth about 128k, and nearly got me into the next IP profile up, sadly, nearly was 32k short.

[Nerval]

So in short, a waste of time, like mine. 

[Rik]

Yes, but at least we know our wiring is OK now.

[Nerval]

Exactly.  And we do SO like tinkering with things   

[Rik]

If you get it wrong with the bell wire, it can end up being tinkling with things!  8)

[RostokMcSpoons]

Well, damn it, I have got that flat wire... it replaced a longer run of round cable that stopped working properly. 

To get the round cable working again I'll have to re-attach the connector (I don't have the know-how on which colurs go to which bits of the connector but Im sure some googling will sort that out)

My main (DECT) phone is connected to the master socket, so presumably I shouldn't fiddle with it...?

[Rik]

Flat wire is more prone to picking up noise. Your best bet would be to pick up an extension kit from B&Q or similar, and just run one single length to a socket placed where you need it. Cat5 cable is even better if you can make the necessary connections. The DECT is fine where it is.

[Nerval]

Have a look at this for how to do the wiring and take off the ring wire.  There's only two wires left to do after that.
A little wire-pushing-in tool one can get is quite useful for what is otherwise a fiddly job.

You can use your DECT phone anywhere provided your filters are good.  But it's enlightening how simple the phone wiring is once you have a look at it.

[RostokMcSpoons]

Have a look at this for how to do the wiring and take off the ring wire.  There's only two wires left to do after that.
A little wire-pushing-in tool one can get is quite useful for what is otherwise a fiddly job.

You can use your DECT phone anywhere provided your filters are good.  But it's enlightening how simple the phone wiring is once you have a look at it.

Interesting article there.  Not sure what to make of it though, as I've got one of the new faceplates... can I disconnect the ring wire inside one of those (without getting illegal?).. I can't remember how much of the wiring is accessible.

As for the router... I've been looking through dsldepot.co.uk site, and these are the interesting ones, I guess:

Wired:
Thomson SpeedTouch 545 4-Port ADSL Router (Wireless Upgradeable) £14
Thomson SpeedTouch 516 ADSL2+ Single Port Ethernet Modem/Router £15

Wireless:
Thomson SpeedTouch 576 SpeedTouch 576 - Wireless ADSL2+ Router £19
Thomson SpeedTouch 585 54M Wireless ADSL2+ Router £26

(all add £4 p&p)

Of course if I go wireless I'd have to buy a 'dongle' or a card too... so add:
Thomson SpeedTouch 120G SpeedTouch 120G - 54G Wireless USB Adapter £12
Linksys WMP54G The Linksys Wireless-G PCI Card £12
Netgear ME102 Wireless Access Point £14

(plus another £4 p&p)


As I mentioned before, I'm a bit skinto now (I'm more scared of the wife than the bank manager!), but won't be in the future, so I don't mind buying something cheap *now* that'll end up on ebay or a box in my garage

Wired is cheap. 
Wireless would mean I could hardwire the router to pc, not buy the dongle, and let my daughter could hog my bandwidth playing Mario Kart on her DS    
Or of course I *might* get a speedboost from going direct to the main socket for the router and running 'properly' wireless.  (Actually I might haul my pc downstairs tomorrow and try it plugged in there - to see if there's any difference)

I expected that typing out all my options longhand would make the decision obvious... but it isn't 

Whaddya reckon?

Is any of that kit 'to be avoided at all costs'? 
I don't suppose the 585 is the v6 model - is that an insurmountable disadvantage?

Any further thoughts welcomed

[Nerval]

You can disconnect the ring wires with impunity - or else everyone I know will end up in clink  There's only the two wires come into the house from outside.

This is my recommended  compromise - get the Speedtouch 585 wireless from there (many people from what I read seem to have bought from there and been happy, and if it's not going to  work, you should find out straight away). Probly will be V6 as V6 has been out a while. Most seem new anyway.

BUT use it wired to save the few quid on the wireless card.  So you can feel  you are playing your part in saving money for the wife to waste on rubbish like food and toilet rolls. Then when nobody's looking, get a wireless card and off you go.

Getting a wired only one would seem a waste of money to me as you'd just have to throw it away when you couldn't resist the call of wireless any more.

I don't use wireless yet, but it's there ready and waiting to spring into action the minute I'm ready.

[RostokMcSpoons]

Good call Nerval, I shall do both (disco the wire, and buy a 585) 

cheers

[stevelondon]

Ille vouch for the SpeedTouch 585v6 too good little router

[RostokMcSpoons]

Arrgghh. 

As of *right now* I'm having trouble accessing lots of websites.... amazon.co.uk, ebay.co.uk, google.com... google.co.uk is 'in and out'.     They're all timing out.

Meanwhile other sites like bbc, sky, dayofdefeat.net are still fine.

That seems like a DNS problem? (I'm no expert at all on the web - tell me if that's way off target!)   And that's something I've wondered might be the cause of the stalling pages problem I raised this thread over...  any connection?

[Nerval]

Sounds like DNS to me.
Last had that at Plusnet when they buggered up their DNS servers and everybody started having to use outside ones.

I'd ring support.

[Nerval]

ps I'd also ask on AG if anyone there on IDNet has what looks like DNS problems.
They seem to have more readers than we do here.

[RostokMcSpoons]

Cheers Nerval.

Ebay etc are working ok now, but I'll cross-post on AG too...

[karvala]

Arrgghh. 

As of *right now* I'm having trouble accessing lots of websites.... amazon.co.uk, ebay.co.uk, google.com... google.co.uk is 'in and out'.     They're all timing out.

Meanwhile other sites like bbc, sky, dayofdefeat.net are still fine.

That seems like a DNS problem? (I'm no expert at all on the web - tell me if that's way off target!)   And that's something I've wondered might be the cause of the stalling pages problem I raised this thread over...  any connection?

I experienced the same thing for just a few minutes at the same time last night as well, so I suspect there was just a temporary blip somewhere in that particular case.  All fine after a few minutes, and still fine.

[RostokMcSpoons]

Back to the Router discussion....

I've just tested my system from all 3 access points in my house...

1) at my desk in my 'office'... at the end of a 10m flat extension cable from an extension socket:  6.0mbps
2) <Yorkshire accent> at the foot of my stairs... direct connect to the extension socket: 6.0mbps
3) direct connection to the Primary BT socket: 6.0mbps (!!!)

And just for luck I tried the BT socket behind the faceplate: that seems broken!  I only got 1.5mbps through that?!?

Which all means I'm now happy to stay 'wired'... though I'll probably still go for the wireless option to support my daughter's Ninty DS and any future XB360 purchase...

Just goes to show though.... a few extra metres of copper cable (even crapola flat stuff) doesn't make much difference.  (Or am I just being lucky?)



Now...to try disconnecting the ringer wire...

[Rik]

Sounds like your wiring is OK, though do get rid of the bell wire.

The test socket can't be broken as that's what the faceplate plugs into to make the connection. How did you connect?

[Nerval]

Just goes to show though.... a few extra metres of copper cable (even crapola flat stuff) doesn't make much difference.  (Or am I just being lucky?)

Now...to try disconnecting the ringer wire...

When you consider the length of wire to the exchange it's not surprising that it doesn't - (unless your jointing is really bad)

[RostokMcSpoons]

I've tried disconnecting the ringer wire - hasn't made any difference to my connection speed.  I can't check the line stats to see if they're different cos the Speedtouch diagnostics doesn't work with the 330 anymore.  I had to reseat the face plate a couple of times to get back to my 6mbps normal speed - maybe the connections are a bit flaky, which perhaps ties into...

I tried the test socket connected directly - the modem wouldn't sync, so I plugged in my microfilter and then plugged into that.   And got a rubbish connection speed.   I realise that's.... weird!

So there you go.. pick the bones out of that

[Nerval]

Sounds as though your main BT socket is dodgy.

Having synched lower than normal while messing about, that will of course affect your profile and download speeds for 3 days, but should come back up OK provided you don't do it again. 

Have you thought of moving house or getting cable? lol

[RostokMcSpoons]

Sounds as though your main BT socket is dodgy.

Having synched lower than normal while messing about, that will of course affect your profile and download speeds for 3 days, but should come back up OK provided you don't do it again. 

Have you thought of moving house or getting cable? lol

It's still synch'ing at the same speed as it always does...  7.6... so I don't think I disturbed my profile.   I just tried the Zen speedtest:   http://specials.zdnet.co.uk/misc/band-test/
and got: 6365.1 Kbps (780 K bytes/sec) which is as good as my connection gets

[RostokMcSpoons]

From the TB (AG) forum - an excellent site that tests speeds accessing websites as well as pure download speeds:

http://www.numion.com/YourSpeed3/index.html

my result is: http://www.numion.com/YourSpeed3/ShowMeasurement.php?ID=54,056,589

Can some of you run the same tests so we can produce some sort of baseline to compare from? cheers

[mrapoc]

http://www.numion.com/YourSpeed3/ShowMeasurement.php?ID=54,056,904

It seems to wipe ur "score" after an hour 

[Mr Booh]

I say Spooney, you havn't added a Phishing Filter recently?

     Just a thought!

[Rik]

I tried the test socket connected directly - the modem wouldn't sync, so I plugged in my microfilter and then plugged into that.   And got a rubbish connection speed.   I realise that's.... weird!

I'd call CS and see if they can get a BT ADSL engineer out to sort that socket, it would appear to be duff from what you say.

[William]

I would try getting rid of "the heaps of security software we all have to run...".

Like Rik, I rely on NOD32 and my router. Also like him I sat and watched all this 'must have' stuff for years and it never found anything! NOD got there first.

I've never (to my knowledge) been infected. Ever. I've been using NOD for about six years, tried all the firewalls, usually at least twice, HIPS, spyware zappers, you name it, I've got a licence!

Even before routers, NOD was the only product that caught anything.

I've certainly visited some dodgy sites over the years (this one), for example, so I've been exposed to all the nasties.

Use lots of common sense, a router, NOD32, and IDNet, and you'll notice the difference.

[Rik]

Though I'd have to add malware sweeps to the list these days, William. Like you, I've never been infected by anything, but these days malware has become a real issue. I also do recommend McAfee's Site Advisor (I started using it before McAfee acquired it, or the name would have put me off ). Free download from here:
         http://www.siteadvisor.com/download/ie.html
it has a small footprint, but is quite accurate in warning about iffy sites.

[William]

You've convinced me, Rik. Installed and I'm just about to hit the 'Resart Firefox' button.

[Rik]

We're still grey here, but I've submitted the site for verification. ThinkBroadband is green. It does warn pretty well of suspect sites, though, and while the warnings may be too sweeping at times, it gives you an idea when to be cautious.

[Rik]

Incidentally, for anyone else deciding to give Site Advisor a go, you can post a review of any site, indicating whether it is good, bad or indifferent. We need some here, so do your duty.

[Nerval]

Well Rik my old lad, I've installed it too (totally off topic), so it's all your fault now!

I don't know any bad sites to test it with though  as everything I click on leaves my Go button green .

[Rik]

Go to www.mail.com, I used to use their service for forwarding before I registered a domain. The site is bad for spam generation if you sign up...

[Nerval]

Spot on Rik thanks.

ps I've also found the right thing to look at which isn't my go button, but a little rectangle in the bottom right of my screen!!!
IDNet comes up grey on that, and your bad site RED.

You'll no doubt be pleased than empornium comes up Green too  lol 

[Nerval]

pps.
It doesn't work, as I've just been to www.plus.net and it comes up GREEN.  If ever a site should be RED, it's that one.   

[Rik]

Spot on Rik thanks.
You'll no doubt be pleased than empornium comes up Green too  lol 

It doesn't work, as I've just been to www.plus.net and it comes up GREEN.  If ever a site should be RED, it's that one.

It only questions the 'technical content' of the sites, there is no check for bare-faced (or any other part of the anatomy) issues. You can, however, register as a reviewer and mark the site.

[MoHux]

Though I'd have to add malware sweeps to the list these days, William. Like you, I've never been infected by anything, but these days malware has become a real issue. I also do recommend McAfee's Site Advisor (I started using it before McAfee acquired it, or the name would have put me off ). Free download from here:
         http://www.siteadvisor.com/download/ie.html
it has a small footprint, but is quite accurate in warning about iffy sites.

Zone Alarm Pros anti-spyware section does the same thing.

[Rik]

Useful to know, thanks.