Dying Router? Exchange Issues?

AzShane · May 25, 2011, 08:23:14

Since last night I have been encountering issues browsing the web, pictures look currupted, random weird text appears on webpages (the kind you see when opening a file with the wrong program), and keep getting this "The page you are trying to view cannot be shown because it uses an invalid or unsupported form of compression." when trying to load websites, but it seems random as sometimes the websites work.

Also the issues occurs on the wired PC and wireless PC. Anyone ever had a similar issue?

I think it might just be the Router dying (Netgear DG834G)

Rik · May 25, 2011, 09:31:52

It could be packet loss. Do you have interleaving on?

esh · May 25, 2011, 09:41:32

Try pinging your router for a while ("ping -n 30 <IP address>") and see if you get lost packets to it. If you do (and you are wired to it) then the router almost certainly has problems.

The other alternative is resetting your TCP/IP stack in Windows, see Microsoft Support for information about that. This has solved numerous strange problems in the past.

AzShane · May 25, 2011, 12:32:47

Don't believe Interleaving is on.

Pinging the router didn't show any packet loss, and resetting TCP/IP stack didn't seem to work either

I tried leaving it off for awhile at the start hence the Red part.

Rik · May 25, 2011, 12:36:25

Try changing DNS to OpenDNS, Norton or Google, see if that helps (clutching at straws here). Flush your browser cached first.

AzShane · May 25, 2011, 12:54:46

Tried switching from IDnet DNS (i think) to Google, Still same problem, flushed DNS catche aswell. just had to refresh this page like 10 times to get it to even look right!

esh · May 25, 2011, 13:24:55

Try changing your browser of course as well.

Is it just web sites? How about downloads, games, etc.?

AzShane · May 25, 2011, 15:00:34

League of legends won't even let me load the actual client due to a problem during patching ("An Unexpected Error as occured")

Internet Explorer and Firefox have the same problem, tried it on 3 diffrent pcs.

There has been issues over the last few days with slow/not loading pages, thought it was associated the issues some people have been saying in the forum or due to the fact there has been maintance and faults reported on my exchange on Zens fault website.

cavillas · May 25, 2011, 15:13:23

Do you live in areas close to Ipswich, if so check this out Exchange Problems Affecting thousands.

AzShane · May 25, 2011, 15:21:50

No, Leicester, about 100 miles away.... BT wouldn't route my in such a way surely?

Rik · May 25, 2011, 16:01:14

You'd be amazed at the routing. It varies depending on whether you're on 20CN or 21CN, but can be very odd.

Ray · May 25, 2011, 16:02:34

Quote from: AzShane on May 25, 2011, 15:21:50
No, Leicester, about 100 miles away.... BT wouldn't route my in such a way surely?

I wouldn't have thought so, I'm about 12 miles south of Leicester and my BB come via the Birmingham nodes.

AzShane · May 25, 2011, 17:27:18

Think im just gonna buy a new router as its proving near impossible to find a non-cable router to test it if its just that. (been thinking about a new one for awhile anyway).

Any suggestions?

Rik · May 25, 2011, 17:28:37

It depends on your budget and your line. What's your current downstream sync speed, line attenuation and noise margin?

AzShane · May 25, 2011, 17:35:23

Budget, upto £120
ASDL2+
Connection Speed   16679 kbps   1251 kbps
Line Attenuation     26.5 db     14.0 db
Noise Margin     5.70 db     6.5 db

Rik · May 25, 2011, 17:37:04

Do you use wireless, or wired (or both)?

AzShane · May 25, 2011, 17:39:34

Both, N wireless would be good, but not a requirement.

Rik · May 25, 2011, 17:56:49

Possibly a Netgear DGND3300?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Netgear-DGND3300-RangeMax-Wireless-N-Gateway/dp/B002SK0VUE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1306342452&sr=8-1

Have a look through the threads in our Netgear board, that will give you a feel from people who use it. Another possibility would be the Billion 7800:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Billion-BiPAC-7800N-Broadband-Wireless-N/dp/B002TOKGL8/ref=pd_cp_computers_1

A little more expensive, but very versatile and has been found to work well with FTTC, should that become available for you.

AzShane · May 25, 2011, 21:13:42

Thanks again Rik, i ordered the billion router, should come on friday +karma

Rik · May 26, 2011, 09:39:05

Let us know how you get on.

AzShane · May 27, 2011, 12:34:09

Got the Router through this morning, set it up (omg @ the amount of settings, that's gonna take a day in itself to go through properly!).
The corruption issue I was having has gone so I do believe it was the router, however im suffering from Terrible downstream bandwidth :S
and a lower sync overall by about 1000

. I thought about updating the firmware but it says 1.06a on the router and 1.05 on the website? Am I missing something?

Details from Router (Billion 7800N)
Upstream   1191
Downstream   16391
SNR Margin(Upstream)   6.0
SNR Margin(Downstream)   6.0
Line Attenuation(Upstream)   15.2
Line Attenuation(Downstream)   26.0

From BT Speedtest

Download speedachieved during the test was - 2750 Kbps
For your connection, the acceptable range of speedsis 4000-21000 Kbps.
Additional Information:
Your DSL Connection Rate :16391 Kbps(DOWN-STREAM), 1191 Kbps(UP-STREAM)
IP Profile for your line is - 14461 Kbps
The throughput of Best Efforts (BE) classes achieved during the test is - 9.81:15.76:74.45 (SBE:NBE:PBE)
These figures represent the ratio while sententiously passing Sub BE, Normal BE and Priority BE marked traffic.

The results of this test will vary depending on the way your ISP has decided to use these traffic classes.

2. Upstream Test: -provides background information.

   Upload Speed
   955 Kbps

0 Kbps   1191 Kbps
Max Achievable Speed

>Upload speed achieved during the test was - 955 Kbps
Additional Information:
Upstream Rate IP profile on your line is - 1191 Kbps

Rik · May 27, 2011, 12:37:53

Different routers will perform differently, so a 6% change in sync speed isn't entirely unreasonable.

Steve · May 27, 2011, 14:22:25

The latest firmware is 1.06d

http://www.billion.uk.com/esupport/

The bandwidth issue :- was anything else using the connection whilst testing? Is that a wifi connection? If no I would check with support to see if your local exchange is congested.

AzShane · May 27, 2011, 15:10:32

The loss of syncrate isn't really a problem, it was more the bandwidth dropping to nothing. Ill try updating the firmware that Steve linked and hope that might help.

I contact support as I am the only one currently using the connection, and they told me that it was due to a 10 day training period? - Why would it be on a training period again? Would connecting a new router do this?
They also said they would contact BT about my exchange, and see if its congested.

esh · May 27, 2011, 15:44:45

I thought a training period was to do with the sync rate (may be wrong).

As I read it, you have a 16,000 sync rate with 2,000 bandwidth, which is clearly bad. I doubt that is the router, something is up. I would complain loudly if it's not fixed in a couple days.

AzShane · May 27, 2011, 16:09:57

Sent a copy of a BT speed test to them. hopefully something will get sorted soon. Tried downloading a file and watched the download rate bounce repeatedly between 0 and 400 KB a second!

Rik · May 27, 2011, 16:17:32

Which does sound like congestion.

AzShane · Jun 04, 2011, 14:17:23

Been meaning to reply to this, but currently in the middle of my University exams

, The speed issue is apparent 24/7, surely if it was congestion it wouldn't be there at say 4am?
I contacted support who asked me to perform a series of tests ipconfig, netstat -b etc which they have then passed onto BT.
How long should do you think I should wait for a reply before calling again? Its been just over a week like this. Apart from casual browsing the connection is useless

Rik · Jun 04, 2011, 17:03:26

I suspect they are waiting for a response from BT, communication doesn't seem to be a strong point.

AzShane · Jun 07, 2011, 11:40:10

Ok I just finished my exams, and had some time to play around with routers etc.

I put the old Netgear back in (still has same problem of corrupting/not decoding things properly) however it can maintain a full 14mbit download unlike the 7800N - so no connection problems just router. =/ hope its not dodgy, going to try factory reset.

Rik · Jun 07, 2011, 12:18:00

Good luck.

john · Jun 07, 2011, 12:21:39

I've got the same router and I keep getting disconnects. It started a couple of months ago and I considered changing it but then went okay until a few days ago. Usually switching it off and on again resolves the problem for a while but I'll have to look at replacing it again. The connection from my PC to the router appears to be okay though.

AzShane · Jun 07, 2011, 12:23:37

Didn't work, I'v sent a ticket to Billion UK support. Looks like I'll be returning it though

AzShane · Jun 07, 2011, 20:28:19

Ok, so now Im just confused...

Billion Bipac 7800N, Download speed bounces

Netgear DGND3300 (v2), Download speed bounces - slightly better than the Billion

Netgear DG834Gv5 Maintains full download speed - Just has the problem with not being able to decode packets properly.

HELP?

AzShane · Jun 23, 2011, 13:18:05

Sorry to keep bumping an old thread, same issue though, just wanted to get some advise about how to proceed.

Bt have said that the exchange is not congested and that they can't find an issue with my circuit or the VP links to it. IDnet said they would follow up. Not heard anything in 3 days

.
BT speed tests are showing 500-800Kbit throughput with a 16900~ sync! Can't stream, Can't download - Torrents cope OK weirdly (manage about 1/4 connection old speed).

How long should I/ would you give IDnet to find a solution before moving to another company? I have never had a problem before and find it a shame that I have to even consider moving to find a resolution to my problem. Atm the only idea i have is to try another ISP/LLU provider =/

Oh and I just want to thank everyone whos replied so far

Simon · Jun 23, 2011, 13:25:17

You may feel you shouldn't have to, but have you chased IDNet to see what's happening?

AzShane · Jun 23, 2011, 13:38:11

To be fair I didn't have the time for for the majority of the last month, but over the last 2 week I have emailed, too 2 days to reply, called and was told I'd have to wait for a call back for tech support... Who weirdly, was who i thought i had called... no call back, just an email a few hours later saying "We are continuing to pursue BT regarding this issue for you" and that BT are unable to find a problem etc. =/ that was 3 days ago, Support could really do with communicating with customers abit more, even just an email saying "Waiting on a reply from Bt", instead of this wondering if anything is happening at all

Simon · Jun 23, 2011, 14:07:25

I suspect BT are dragging their heels, and there's nothing to tell, but I've alerted IDNet to this thread.

AzShane · Jun 23, 2011, 14:11:56

Thanks, and Just recieved a email from support saying the same thing. Guess its a wait and see game

Simon · Jun 23, 2011, 14:33:48

'fraid so.

AzShane · Jun 28, 2011, 10:56:43

Just had an Engineer out, first thing he said when he came in after i explained the issue was, Yep been having that issue alot recently.

Apparently its a faulty Network card in the exchange... even though it took him 3 hours on the phone trying to convince somone that it wasn't my equipment... and that his Broadband testing equipment wasn't a computer and couldn't actually load up a website. I love BT

. Said it can take anywhere upto 7 days... or longer depending on how the other departments deal with it. Atleast its getting... or hopfully getting fixed soon.

Glenn · Jun 28, 2011, 11:14:40

Sounds like you had a good engineer out.

AzShane · Jul 11, 2011, 23:30:15

13 days later after engineer vist, and It appears they have fixed it!

, just gotta wait and see if they will put me back on Fastpath!.

Was close to ordering Virgin =/. Thanks again to everyone for replying