A few idiot questions - my apologies

copperhead · Oct 08, 2010, 17:08:26

Hi

My apologies if these are very stupid questions / misuse of jargon:

I transfered to adsl2 end of sept and its been a complete disaster download speed of 300 kbps and less vrs upload of 1mb
Connection bouncing around like a pin pong ball
I'm in the process of changing back to what I was on earlier.

I'm told 16db on my line is the reason why - is it possible for me to measure the noise level myself to see if I can reduce it?
I've replaced the cabling, filters, removed old phone and want to see if there other changes I can make

Also Will it take time when the downgrade is complete for my download speed to improve?

Cheers
Paul

Rik · Oct 08, 2010, 17:12:55

Hi and welcome to the forum.

You can only check what your router is reporting as noise margin, what make and model are you using.

ADSL2+ uses higher frequencies and, on longer lines, can produce the symptoms you describe. A different brand of router might help, so knowing your downstream line attenuation, also from the router, would help.

What cabling did you change?

The good news is that you retain the bandwidth allowance after you remodulate. Speed recovery depends on line stability.

Steve · Oct 08, 2010, 17:14:35

Ray · Oct 08, 2010, 17:15:05

copperhead · Oct 08, 2010, 17:22:58

Hi Rik,

Thanks for prompt reply - its wired Netgear DG834 from IdNet.
I reduced the noise I could hear and I'm partially deaf when:

I removed the phone extension wire adn replaced with Ethernet cat5
Changed the filters
Went from Master test socket

So god knows how noisey it was before as it was 16 as of yesterday

Cheers
Paul

Rik · Oct 08, 2010, 17:26:42

It was 26.5 this morning, as you'd been banded - a quirk of ADSL2+ with noisy lines. You were remodulated at 2, and your line has been stable since. I've just had a word with James and he's reset your noise margin back to 6. This should fix your speed, but you must expect some instability over the next few days as the line finds its level again.

Yell if it doesn't help.

copperhead · Oct 08, 2010, 17:38:20

Hi Rik,

What does banded mean? - Dunce in the corner kinda thing?
I'd quite like to try again for ADSL2+ but obviously at a later date.

Is there anything I can do to help this?
Download speeds I'm fine with anything above 2mb but a faster upload would be very handy

Cheers

Rik · Oct 08, 2010, 17:45:52

If an ADSL2+ line is very unstable, Paul, BT puts an upper and lower limit of performance on it, which is known as banding. The giveaway, usually, is a very high noise margin. It's a bit like going back to fixed rate ADSL. From what's happened and what you say, I'm guessing you have high downstream attenuation (same page as the noise margin in the Netgear). If it's much above 54db and your line is prone to RF interference, then ADSL2+ may never be viable, but a different router could help. I get 3.5M from a 63db line using a 2-Wire 2700, for example. My Netgear was way lower than that.

copperhead · Oct 09, 2010, 12:32:02

Hi Rik,

Thanks for your help my broadband at about 4mb now - upload about 300kb
I've had to run it off an extension socket rather than a master - would I get a better upload off the master?

Not allowed to drill a hole in the celling down stairs under my office says the boss

If I bought a wireless router would that help with the upload speed in the future?

Thanks again
Paul

Rik · Oct 09, 2010, 12:34:41

Hi Paul

The master can be better, depending on the quality of the extension wiring. It's certainly worth a try.

As to wireless, it's inherently slower than ethernet, but if your line isn't fast, you really shouldn't notice it unless you're a games player, where the increased latency will be an issue.

copperhead · Oct 09, 2010, 13:25:19

I'm not a games player - I have to upload large photo files and the hope with ADSL2+ was that it would boost the upload speed.
Now I'm back where I started just with an Ethernet instead of a rubbish phone line extension cable from the extension wall socket.

Just looking for ways to boost the upload

The extension wiring was done by BT a couple of years ago.

Cheers
Paul

Rik · Oct 09, 2010, 15:42:45

Some people have kept their ADSL2+ u/l speed when remodulated, but there's no pattern to it. Without prying, why do you need to upload the files, is it for public viewing, or to get them somewhere fast?

copperhead · Oct 09, 2010, 17:56:14

I restore old photos for people normally Victorian to ww2 era together with more modern photo editing e.g. wedding photos.

I work as a sub contractor for other firms and have to upload the files to them using services such as sendthisfile and others.
The files can be flattened tiffs or multi-layered psds.

If I'm editing a whole wedding I'll ftp them and the client can download when it suits

Basically it comes down to time as its quite common for me to do various versions and becomes a real drag

I also download the original images but that is obviously easy compared to upload.
I occasionally upload Joomla websites as well when I've built them.

Cheers
Paul

Rik · Oct 09, 2010, 17:58:53

I wonder whether it would be worth your while looking at a bonded service, Paul, which will give you a better speed? (I love re-touching myself, it's a very satisfying job, a bit like hand-kerning type.)

copperhead · Oct 09, 2010, 18:03:48

What's a bonded service?

What I enjoy most is repainted b&ws properly - must admit still a bit hit and miss but getting better only problem is the time

Cheers
Paul

Rik · Oct 09, 2010, 18:05:46

It's two lines 'joined' via a special router so that they are effectively seen as one line with the sum of the speeds, Paul.

My problem with B&W is I get an urge to put a sepia tint in at the end, and have to be restrained.

copperhead · Oct 09, 2010, 18:27:34

I have a similar problem with Duo/Tri/Quad toning

I'm in the dog house at the moment with the cables and phones all over the place.

Is joining hard to do? as my practical knowledge is virtually nil!

Cheers
Paul

Rik · Oct 09, 2010, 18:31:19

It's set up by the ISP. It means a second phone line and, to be honest, I'm not sure whether IDNet offer the service, but it would be one of the few ways right now for you to increase upload speeds. (Have you checked if you're getting fibre any time soon?)

pctech · Oct 09, 2010, 18:44:37

Very few ISPs offer bonded ADSL because it can double their need for incoming bandwidth from BT

BT Business do of course but I'm not sure who else do.

Rik · Oct 09, 2010, 18:46:52

Thanks, Mitch.

copperhead · Oct 09, 2010, 19:50:04

Fibre wise it says Your exchange is not yet scheduled to be upgraded to Fibre Broadband

but it says March 2011 for Chester which is where I live??

Glenn · Oct 09, 2010, 20:08:34

Paul, all the Chester exchanges have dates set for FTTC in 2011

http://www.samknows.com/broadband/exchange/WNCSC
http://www.samknows.com/broadband/exchange/WNCSN
http://www.samknows.com/broadband/exchange/WNCSS

copperhead · Oct 09, 2010, 20:12:40

If I've had so many problems with ADSL2+ will fibre offer a better chance of faster uploads do you reckon?

Cheers
Paul

Glenn · Oct 09, 2010, 20:32:15

Take a look through here for our members thoughts http://www.idnetters.co.uk/forums/index.php?board=39.0

copperhead · Oct 11, 2010, 22:20:45

With exchanges does the phone lines cross under rivers e.g. The Dee?

Also my broadband has been 1 mb today is this normal to fluctuate so much as yesterday it was over 3mb and day before over 4 mb?
Line seems to be very noisey again and have asked for quiet line test from BT - is this the right thing to do?

Cheers
Paul