Using too much bandwidth?

[Slyder]

My Idnet internet started working yesterday, i was very happy to see that everything was running fast.

I'm using the Home Lite package which gives me 5 GB of usage every month.

My internet is shared with 3 wired pc's, and after the first day, my usage totalled to 0.5GB in just the first day! I explained to my brother and sister that they HAVE to stop using so much, and not to leave their computers running when they sleep.

Right now i've been on from 6am-12am, with just me on using the PC, and it's come at 0.03GB, which i think is okay for 6 hours of usage.

I think i should have chose a larger GB package..5 GB doesn't seem to cut it, when i'm playing my online games. I'm being pretty conservative of my bandwidth now, but that stops me from doing most of what i'd usually do (Downloading files, viewing web pages and playing games)

I just need any advice that will help me. 0.5GB a day is just FAR too much, that totals to about 15GB a month. I'm not too sure how the account holder would react when he sees an invoice of an added £10. ._.

[Rik]

I don't go in much for downloads, just software and updates. Sue, otoh, tends to watch videos and I can see the usage shoot up when she does. If you have 3 PCs, I would suggest you download Netmeter and install it on all three. That way you can get an accurate idea of who is using what, and a better idea of what your monthly allowance needs to be. The other thing to remember is that you will be doing (I hope) three lots of AV updates, three lots of Windows updates etc.

You should also be aware that the usage shown on the customer accounts page is sometimes 'off' a bit, and the predicted monthly usage is usually wildly off in the first few days of the month (or connection). It is reported that logging out and back in can update the figures to a more accurate value.

Possibly, if there are three of you, 1.6GB/month each is not really enough, and it might be that you would be better of with Home Max?

[Slyder]

I don't go in much for downloads, just software and updates. Sue, otoh, tends to watch videos and I can see the usage shoot up when she does. If you have 3 PCs, I would suggest you download Netmeter and install it on all three. That way you can get an accurate idea of who is using what, and a better idea of what your monthly allowance needs to be. The other thing to remember is that you will be doing (I hope) three lots of AV updates, three lots of Windows updates etc.

You should also be aware that the usage shown on the customer accounts page is sometimes 'off' a bit, and the predicted monthly usage is usually wildly off in the first few days of the month (or connection). It is reported that logging out and back in can update the figures to a more accurate value.

Possibly, if there are three of you, 1.6GB/month each is not really enough, and it might be that you would be better of with Home Max?

Will download netmeter on all three. I have a feeling that they are running programs that take up too much. I'm not sure what you mean by the 3 lots of updates, does that relate to the bandwidth?

Noted down, Rikbean. I'm pretty sure the bandwidth usage is correct though. i could see it slowly climbing from 0.08 to 0.50 over yesterday.
My sister left her online game running all night, and it soaked up a LOT. x_x

Ah yes, i would have to consider Home Max. Now there's just the trouble of persuading my dad to pay for it...

[Rik]

If MS put out 100MB of downloads per month, updating all three machines will use 300MB etc. You could save some bandwidth by switching to the administrator mode and rolling the updates out across the LAN, but I'm not sure it's worth the effort. For the moment, the first thing I would do is get Netmeter running, and see who is using the bandwidth. If you have control of the router, depending on make and model, you could ration 'net access - I don't know how popular you want to be with your brother and sister though. 

From your dad's point of view, if you point out to him that, on Lite, you each have just 1.6GB/month, hopefully he'll accept that it isn't really a large enough allowance. Moving to Home Max would give you each 10GB for just £7pm more. At least he wouldn't find himself with sudden unexpected bills.

[Slyder]

If MS put out 100MB of downloads per month, updating all three machines will use 300MB etc. You could save some bandwidth by switching to the administrator mode and rolling the updates out across the LAN, but I'm not sure it's worth the effort. For the moment, the first thing I would do is get Netmeter running, and see who is using the bandwidth. If you have control of the router, depending on make and model, you could ration 'net access - I don't know how popular you want to be with your brother and sister though. 

From your dad's point of view, if you point out to him that, on Lite, you each have just 1.6GB/month, hopefully he'll accept that it isn't really a large enough allowance. Moving to Home Max would give you each 10GB for just £7pm more. At least he wouldn't find himself with sudden unexpected bills.

Ah, if i wanted to send out the updates across the LAN, how would i go about doing this?

Also, i'll take that last section you wrote into mind. I'd have to get my siblings to co-operate with me, and help me do some persuading. xO
Perhaps if he says no, i'd offer to help pay off the extra £7. Have to do some jobs or something @__@

How long does it take if i want to upgrade to a larger package?
Could you also care to explain the difference between Home 2000 and Home Max? The only difference i see is the Contention (?) and the reduced download/upload speeds, and yet it's the same price. o_O

[DorsetBoy]

My son and I regularly break 15GB per month and that is without any large ISO downloads.
Even without large downloads,sharing 5GB between three people will be tight,the media rich content now available uses a fair amount of bandwidth.

When trying new Linux systems I often download a full 5GB DVD direct to disc and CD ISO files are @ 700mb,I often have several per month.

The bandwidth monitor though never seems that accurate and today I got a usage warning based on only 2 days use...

""""Based on your current level of usage, your projected bandwidth use (data download) for a 30 day time period will be: 41.14 GB."""

yet looking on my account my projected use is only 25GB for the month.

What bothers me more is the quoted 0.43GB shown as downloaded in offpeak,I am asleep and my dog ain't that clever!

[Rik]

Hi Slyder

When you run MS Update, choose Administrator options on the left, then search out the available downloads. This can be a bit time consuming, especially as you will not have easy access to individual hardware recommendations. Most months, I post the update list in the thread here, so you will know what you are looking for. I must emphasise though, that the bandwidth savings to be made are potentially small, it might just be a useful element in presenting the case to your dad.

Package switches are, I believe, pretty much instantaneous - IDNet will charge pro rata for the month. Home 2000 is the fixed-rate service, Home Max is the Max service. Home 2000 is provided for those who have problems with Max or simply prefer a more predictable speed, eg people with long lines. The reason that contention is not quoted for Max is that BT sells it as a 'best effort' service and does not quote a contention ratio for it as they do for fixed-rate connections.

HTH.

[Rik]

I am asleep and my dog ain't that clever!

Have you had the dog tested by Mensa, Dorset? It might reveal the answer.

[jupiter]

Valuable suggestions though you have had, looking at your situation brings quarts and pint pots to mind.  IMO the 5Gb allowance is just NEVER going to be enough for the usage you describe and struggling to keep within it (and keep siblings within it) will probably stop you and them enjoying the connection as you should.

Maybe your Dad can be persuaded that £7 extra is a small price to avoid outbreaks of warfare in the family.

[Rik]

Maybe your Dad can be persuaded that £7 extra is a small price to avoid outbreaks of warfare in the family.

I agree, Jupiter. It amounts to an extra 23p/day or thereabouts. Has to be worth it to avoid pester power.  8)

[Slyder]

Nice one rikbean, i shall use that "BUT IT'S ONLY 23P A DAY" on him. That should work
Currently installing the netmeter, i'll post here some details on it. Sounds like the IDnet bandwidth moniter is pretty unreliable, if you're getting downloads whilst you sleep.

Edit: I always get this error whenever i try to load the setup :
Access violation at address 0040C58E. Write of address at 00401000.
What's up with this o_o

[Rik]

Hi Slyder

Breaking costs down to a smaller amount always reads better - ask Gordon Brown. Currently, your dad's paying 58p/day for the connection, with Max he's be paying 81p or thereabouts - it's a trivial amount considering the internet's contribution to your education, you get my drift.

Is that error message when trying to run Netmeter's setup? I've never had a problem myself. What AV, malware and firewall are you running, which version of Windows, what other processes are running?

[Slyder]

Okay, a simple restart fixed that error message.
Heh, i get your drift. Let's hope he understands me.
I'm gonna go and ask him right now. But first i'll need to grab my brothers and sisters, they need to help by agreeing with everything i say. (bribesanyone? )

[Rik]

If you control the router, you don't need bribes, you have threats.  8)

[Slyder]

Another success! I got my package upgraded to Home Max
My dad gave in pretty easily, i used that 23p a day line, and it must have got him pretty well.
Thanks for all the help. Cheers

[Rik]

Nice one, Slyder. Enjoy the bandwidth.

[Lance]

Well done mate!

[Inactive]

Nice one Slyder.. 

[MoHux]

Nice one, Slyder. Enjoy the bandwidth.

His dad will be calling on you at the end of the month!!   

[Rik]

But what will he be calling me, Mo? 

[MoHux]

Sorry ..... it's a family forum! 
But it won't be 'thank you' I don't expect when he sees what 23p+23p+23p+ .......... add up to! 

[Rik]

I don't know, Mo, £7pm is probably a small price to pay for the reduction in pester power.