Very poor download speed (~30kbps) on HomeMax Package.

Jimbo · Feb 28, 2007, 17:57:15

Quote from: rikbean on Feb 28, 2007, 08:40:33
I take your point, Mo, it's not the easiest of concepts to try and explain. However, wiring that has not been installed by BT, eg by builders or DIY, quite often will not be wired correctly and that can have a dramatic effect on ADSL, particularly Max.

From the figures Jimbo has posted, I have a strong feeling that his wiring is implicated in the problems he's been experiencing. I guess I need to think of a better way of describing things, possibly using some photos to illustrate the concept?

Oooh funny you should mention that, I do believe the whole electrical wiring was installed by an "electrician". So not a BT engineer, so perhaps this has not been wired correctly. I will be checking soon though. Watch this space for an update.

Rik · Feb 28, 2007, 18:08:13

Quote from: Jimbo on Feb 28, 2007, 17:57:15
Oooh funny you should mention that, I do believe the whole electrical wiring was installed by an "electrician".

Often the worst, they like to use different colours to phone engineers, preferably blue and brown!

Jimbo · Feb 28, 2007, 20:30:38

Thanks Rik.

Well tonight it lost sync and had to re-sync itself. On doing so it has the following stats:-

SNR Margin - 10dB (So almost double yesterdays value!)
Attenuation - 32dB (Much better than yesterdays also)

However, what still worries me is the sync speed:-

Upstream - 448000
Downstream - 384000

My downstream is slower than the upload speed. $:-\$ Obviously this must be because of my problem, and will hopefully clear within the 3 days as discussed. So good stats tonight but still the dog slow speed. hey ho!

Rik · Feb 28, 2007, 20:44:25

Hi Jimbo

That's your sync speed that's low, not your profile, so it won't automatically improve over three days. For you to get such a low sync suggests there is a huge amount of noise on your line or some other fault. Can you check at the test socket, if it's as low there, you need to call IDNet and get them to get a BT engineer out to you.

Jimbo · Mar 01, 2007, 09:35:30

Quote from: rikbean on Feb 28, 2007, 20:44:25
Hi Jimbo

That's your sync speed that's low, not your profile, so it won't automatically improve over three days. For you to get such a low sync suggests there is a huge amount of noise on your line or some other fault. Can you check at the test socket, if it's as low there, you need to call IDNet and get them to get a BT engineer out to you.

Hi mate, again thanks for the help.

I'll test it tonight as my new Wireless card should be coming today, which means I'll be able to move my router to the Master Socket. Will post back with the results if that's ok.

Thanks.

Rik · Mar 01, 2007, 10:08:18

Toes crossed for you mate. If things do improve, it means you have a wiring problem, but then at least you will know what to look for. Do remember, not wishing to teach my grannie etc, to use the test socket behind the faceplate, not the master socket. When you remove the faceplate, you should disconnect all internal wiring.

Let us know how it goes.

Lance · Mar 01, 2007, 10:34:24

Quote from: rikbean on Mar 01, 2007, 10:08:18
When you remove the faceplate, you should disconnect all internal wiring.

What Rik means is that when you remove the faceplate to access the test socket, this automatically disconnects the internal wiring. Just to save any confusion

Rik · Mar 01, 2007, 10:37:55

Thanks, Lance, having one machine running behind me re-installing Windows, then dashing back to this one to post in here, I am confused.

It might just be, also, that if the socket wasn't properly installed, the extension wiring is not connected to the faceplate, but is hard-wired - let's not go there yet though...

Lance · Mar 01, 2007, 10:42:57

Quote from: rikbean on Mar 01, 2007, 10:37:55
It might just be, also, that if the socket wasn't properly installed, the extension wiring is not connected to the faceplate, but is hard-wired - let's not go there yet though...

Out of interest, if it was hard-wired would BT sort this free of charge as it's before the test socket? Or would they charge as it hadn't been wired by them? I suspect that a test case may be required to work that one out!

Rik · Mar 01, 2007, 11:42:57

I think that 'regularisation of master socket' is done for free, but don't quote me on that.

Jimbo · Mar 01, 2007, 20:42:45

Well good news and bad.

Good news, my new sync results are:-

Upstream - 448000
Downstream - 2496000

SNR Margin - 7.0 dB
Line Attenuation - 52.5 dB

compared to the old resulst of:-

Upstream - 448000
Downstream - 384000

Seems much better. However, downloads are still not going over 30kbps? V.strange!!

Also looks like I'm going to have to buy a better network card. You would of thought a wireless G+ card would be able to connect to a router about 3 rooms away. Nope! I've had a hell of a time getting connected. But finally I'm on, managed to check the stats. So it looks like a wiring problem. But why my bad download speed??? Today would make it the 3rd day and it hasn't rectified itself.

Lance · Mar 01, 2007, 21:02:10

Although today is your third day, it may be the case it is three full days needed for the profile update. See here.

Also, it may be that because you re-synced at only 384k yesterday the three days at the higher sync rate was broken hence no update for your profile. Again, I'm afraid I can be sure on that.

My suggestion would be that you now leave your router plugged in and turned on for three days. Hopefully it will maintain sync at 2496k which should give a profile of 2000. After three days you should notice the higher profile translating to higher download speeds.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help $:-\$

Jimbo · Mar 01, 2007, 21:26:23

Quote from: lance on Mar 01, 2007, 21:02:10
Although today is your third day, it may be the case it is three full days needed for the profile update. See here.

Also, it may be that because you re-synced at only 384k yesterday the three days at the higher sync rate was broken hence no update for your profile. Again, I'm afraid I can be sure on that.

My suggestion would be that you now leave your router plugged in and turned on for three days. Hopefully it will maintain sync at 2496k which should give a profile of 2000. After three days you should notice the higher profile translating to higher download speeds.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help $:-\$

Lol I've just moved it back. d'oh! Basically the wireless card was so bad I've taken it out and I'm taking it back tomorrow. SOOO i've reverted the setup back to what I used to have (I can't be without as I have a lot of final year Uni work to do). Will have to try the Router back down at the master socket for 3 days when I get my new wireless card in (so at least I can get on the net).

Lance · Mar 01, 2007, 21:29:13

What is your sync now you have moved it back then, Jimbo?

Jimbo · Mar 01, 2007, 21:34:51

Quote from: lance on Mar 01, 2007, 21:29:13
What is your sync now you have moved it back then, Jimbo?

Hi Lance,

Now that it's back in it's orginal place it's sync'd at:-

Downstream - 608000

(Slightly faster than yesterdays 384000) but obviously no where near the speed down at the test socket.

Thanks mate.

Lance · Mar 01, 2007, 21:41:45

That shows it is definitely an internal wiring problem then, and at that sync you will get a profile of 500k. I don't think you will get a profile which is any good until you get your new wireless network card unfortunately.

Hope you're getting through your uni work OK, must be stressful with deadlines approaching! My girlfriend finished her uni course last year, after studing Socialogy, so I know what it can be like having lots of work to do after seeing her do it!

Rik · Mar 02, 2007, 01:08:23

Quote from: lance on Mar 01, 2007, 21:41:45
I know what it can be like having lots of work to do after seeing her do it!

You must have read 'Three Men in a Boat', Lance.

Jimbo: The results clearly show you have a problem with your internal wiring. The bad news is that you are not just going to be able to plug into the master socket to improve matters, either the wiring will have to be sorted or you will need to fit a filtered face-plate. Let us know if you need more advice in this respect.

Jimbo · Mar 02, 2007, 10:21:27

Cheers Rik and Lance.

Yeah, I've got more assignments than I know what to do with.

But I'll get there... hopefully. lol. I'm doing a Computing Studies degree. 4 year course as well. Can't wait to finish!

I've just spoken to the place this morning about the wireless card. That is being refunded and I'll order my new one very soon. Meanwhile today, I'm off to pick up the filtered faceplate for the NTE5 box. (That arrived the other day but I was out).

Rik, is it ok if I post a picture up of inside the Master Socket showing the wires for you (or anybody) just to look at for me. Would that be ok? Just so you can clarify what I'm looking at. I had a quick look last night and it would appear I have an orange wire going to terminal three. I'll get a picture today and upload it.

Thanks again!

Rik · Mar 02, 2007, 10:36:45

Hi Jimbo

If you hit additional options when posting, you'll see the ability to upload a file. Maximum size is 512MB. Give us your image and we shall give you our judgement.

Ideally, take one pic of the back of the face plate and one of the exposed socket on the wall (I want to see where the wires are there).

Trust me, when you reach my end of the age spectrum, 4 years is a mere blink of an eye.

Lance · Mar 02, 2007, 10:37:55

Feel free to post the picture, Jimbo, I am more than happy to take a look. As I'm sure Rik will be as well.

Hopefully, with your ring wire disconnected and filtered face plate fitted we will have your line in tip-top condition!

EDIT: Must finish posting quicker and not let Rik beat me!

Rik · Mar 02, 2007, 10:39:57

LOL. I know just what you mean, Lance.

Jimbo · Mar 02, 2007, 12:56:02

Here we go chaps. First two pictures are of the master socket. The third, shows the connections from the next normal socket in the loop (I have x3 in the house). Looks like there is indeed this Ring Wire, and also it looks like the wiring is paired as well. But let me know what you guys make of them.

Cheers.

Master Socket

1st Socket

Rik · Mar 02, 2007, 13:06:11

Hi Jimbo

Well, the wiring uses the standard colours anyway.

The cable doesn't look like BT cable to me, but they may have changed the design since I last saw a reel. Remove the wire on terminal three at all sockets, that should begin to help. Try and look inside the cable, where the insulation is slit, and see if the colour pairs do twist around each other. If they do, and removing the ring wire doesn't help, then a filtered faceplate would be your next cheapest option.

Jimbo · Mar 02, 2007, 18:11:38

Haha you beauty!

Removed the Ring wire from all the sockets, new stats are:-

Upstream - 448000
Downstream - 2048000

SNR - 9.5dB
Attenuation - 44dB

Now just to fit the new faceplate and i'll be zooming along. lol.

Thanks all!

Rik · Mar 02, 2007, 18:23:26

Good news, Jimbo, just goes to show what a pesky nuisance that ring wire can be.

However... your attenuation has also improved dramatically, which does suggest there are other issues afoot, probably in your internal wiring still.