BT Speedtest

Najarak · Dec 17, 2009, 22:49:02

I have had no success recently in doing the BT Speedtest, not on WBC at my small exchange, I spoke to Support today because recently speeds have been very erratic, sometimes 6.5Mbps at other times .65Mbps.

When I try to do a BT Speed test I enter my phone number but all I get is "Test Error". Support suggested that my Java could be outdated, it isn't according to Sun Microsystems.

I have tried using Mac OSX 10.5.8 and on a separate Windies machine using XP Pro, same result every time.

I am using a Netgear DG834v4 Firmware version V5.01.14. A new faceplate was fitted a few months ago.

Any ideas?

Router shows Downstream 7424 kbps, Upstream 448 kbps

D-Dan · Dec 17, 2009, 22:53:07

try downloading a live CD from one of the Linux distros and running the BT speedtester from there - that should rule out a java (or indeed any windows installation) issue.

(Ermm - do this during one of the 6.5 rather than .65 moments)

Steve

Rik · Dec 18, 2009, 08:40:32

Hi Steve, what Steve says, basically. The BT tester is notoriously fickle, and seems to have been throwing more errors of late. Personally, I have a conspiracy theory that BT are having it fall over to avoid people being able to get the three tests done before they will look into a fault.

That said, your variation suggests congestion, whereabouts in the country are you?

Najarak · Dec 18, 2009, 09:59:05

Rik

In the green belt between Birmingham and Coventry, the Plusnet site shows the exchange, CMBER, as green.

Steve

Sorry I don't do Linux, so I don't understand what you are saying.

Rik · Dec 18, 2009, 10:23:53

You may be affected by the Birmingham MUX fault then, Steve. Sadly, BT have indicated problems will continue for a month.

Najarak · Dec 18, 2009, 10:42:14

Rik,

That could well be the reason, it is quite likely that things are routed via B'ham.

Seems to be OK now, I have just downloaded a test file from http://fuller.zen.co.uk/test/ came down at about 760 Kb/sec.

Rik · Dec 18, 2009, 10:56:15

If you can get some BT tests and let support have them (3 as a minimum) they'll do their best to help, but getting round such a major BT fault borders on the impossible.

bridgej · Dec 18, 2009, 11:52:05

Quote from: Rik on Dec 18, 2009, 08:40:32
Hi Steve, what Steve says, basically. The BT tester is notoriously fickle, and seems to have been throwing more errors of late. Personally, I have a conspiracy theory that BT are having it fall over to avoid people being able to get the three tests done before they will look into a fault.

That said, your variation suggests congestion, whereabouts in the country are you?

I've just done the speed test and my download speed is higher than my IP profile is that correct?

Download speedachieved during the test was - 4231 Kbps
Your DSL Connection Rate :5725 Kbps(DOWN-STREAM), 900 Kbps(UP-STREAM)
IP Profile for your line is - 4000 Kbps

Router stats:

ADSL Link Downstream Upstream
Connection Speed 5725 kbps 900 kbps
Line Attenuation 49.5 db 28.7 db
Noise Margin 3.9 db 5.8 db

Shouldn't my IP Profile be higher with a connection rate of nearly 6000kbps?

Rik · Dec 18, 2009, 12:00:41

It shouldn't be, but you are not alone of late. You should have a 5M profile, but if you've had a lower speed sync recently, that would explain it. It takes up to 5 days for a profile to recover.

Najarak · Dec 18, 2009, 15:35:57

Quote from: Rik on Dec 18, 2009, 10:56:15
If you can get some BT tests and let support have them (3 as a minimum) they'll do their best to help, but getting round such a major BT fault borders on the impossible.

Rik

That was why I asked the question in the first place, rather Kafkaesque of BT; they will only investigate when the subscriber has evidence from their speedtest, but their tester won't provide the required evidence!!

Rik · Dec 18, 2009, 15:36:55

I know, it drives me nuts, Steve.