Like wading through treacle...

Simon · Nov 17, 2007, 12:24:01

Is anyone else finding everything interminably slow this morning? Every site I visit seems to be taking ages to load pages, I had to try about 6 times to get into HMV.co.uk, and other sites are no better. Taking a long time to make posts on here too.

Rik · Nov 17, 2007, 12:27:30

The only site I've had any problems with this morning, Simon, was yours.

I have been to HMV, in response to an email, and browsing was fine.

Have you tried pinging the BBC and IDNet, to check is that's an issue, or have you run a speed test at all?

Simon · Nov 17, 2007, 12:38:18

No, it seems to be intermittent now, and at the moment, it's OK, Rik. We were down earlier this morning, but not for very long.

Anyway, I'm off out now, so hopefully it will sort itself out.

Rik · Nov 17, 2007, 12:39:26

If it doesn't Simon, a BT speed test and a BBC ping are good places to start diagnosing...

neocr0n · Nov 17, 2007, 13:17:16

My internet is a complete train wreck today. I can barely stay on for longer than 20 minutes. Its been disconnecting since 7:30am this morning and still is. When the line is connected its plagued with packet loss and latency issues. Just simply awfull today and unusable. Even typing this my internet has disconnected twice and I've had to wait for it to establish a connection just to post this one reply.

Rik · Nov 17, 2007, 13:18:35

What are your line stats like?

neocr0n · Nov 17, 2007, 13:31:24

      Downstream    Upstream

SNR Margin

:
   6.0    17.0    db

Line Attenuation

:
   45.0    31.5    db

Data Rate

:
   5632    448    kbps

Lance · Nov 17, 2007, 14:16:18

They look fine to me. Your noise margin is at 6, which is bang on target.

What router do you have, not a linksys by chance?

neocr0n · Nov 17, 2007, 14:22:17

Billion 5200g

Lance · Nov 17, 2007, 14:27:53

If you can view your stats from your router via a standard webpage (and not through a java applet) you could use routerstats to monitor the noise margins and sync on your line. At least then we will be able to see if it is high noise bursts causing your disconnections.

neocr0n · Nov 17, 2007, 14:38:46

It would appear that I can. However at the top it does say

"Latest RouterStats Graphs (Netgear DG834G v3. firmware - v4.01.30)"

Which is slightly confusing since I'm not using that router. I used to use a Netgear DG834G but it was v2.

Anyway the graph updates and it shows my noise margin dropping from 7 to 6 every so often.

The following link is what I used http://home.vwlowen.co.uk:81/routerstats.htm. Is it best if I download the program?

Lance · Nov 17, 2007, 14:43:48

Sorry, the graphs that you have linked to are the output from his own router. You need to download the program yourself, and then set it to pick up from your own router's stats page (you need to copy and paste the URL into the program).

Give me a shout if you need a hand with any of the settings, I'm just going to go and download it myself!

Simon · Nov 17, 2007, 15:42:32

Mine seems to have settled down again now.

Rik · Nov 17, 2007, 15:44:44

A couple of Alka Seltzer's can work wonders on ADSL, Simon.

neocr0n · Nov 17, 2007, 15:47:32

Mine is still appauling.

Rik · Nov 17, 2007, 15:49:20

Have you tried a BT speed test, how about pinging the BBC?

Whereabouts in the country are you - I've seen this happen when BT are doing engineering work.

neocr0n · Nov 17, 2007, 15:57:37

North East England. I have two friends in the same street one of which is on IDnet (2MB service) and both are connected to the same exchange. Their Internet is fine.

Rik · Nov 17, 2007, 15:59:07

So it would seem to indicate a problem with your line or equipment.

If you can post stats, we might be able to take a guess at what is happening. Could you borrow a router from your friend on IDNet?

neocr0n · Nov 17, 2007, 16:06:16

I have two routers this Billion 5200g and a Netgear DG834G v2. Its not my router thats the problem or anything else in my house. Its a tempramental problem that comes and goes it just happens to be worse today than any other for some reason. Months have elapsed when my line has been perfect. Then weeks of disconnecting anywhere between 5 and 10 times a day. Then the odd day out of every 14 or so that I can't connect to the internet for a solid hour. It just so happens today that usual hour has been more like 8 hours.

I've posted my stats above in this thread, is there any more stats you need? I'm running this routerstats program at the moment, not sure what will come of it, I will wait and see.

Simon · Nov 17, 2007, 16:08:00

Does this happen when it rains? I wonder if water is getting into the BT line somewhere? Mind you, good luck in getting them to admit it.

Rik · Nov 17, 2007, 16:11:15

Quote from: neocr0n on Nov 17, 2007, 16:06:16
I've posted my stats above in this thread, is there any more stats you need? I'm running this routerstats program at the moment, not sure what will come of it, I will wait and see.

The reason I'm suggesting you try your friend's router is that you know it's working OK with IDNet for him. It's a matter of eliminating everything you can, because if you end up getting an engineer out and he finds no fault, you will be left with a large bill.

Do you know if your line noise is fluctuating? Have you any idea if your error count is high? How about MTU & RWIN settings, have you tried adjusting them. Do you have a test socket (ie an NTE5 master) - are results better there? What profile does the BT speed test give you?

Sorry to ask so many questions, but the only way we can help you is to gather as much information about what is happening as possible.

neocr0n · Nov 17, 2007, 16:22:15

My friend uses the same router I do. I own two routers and a modem I think we can eliminate the router.

I'm mindfull of the engineer bill which is why I hold out every time IDnet suggest a engineer.

According the this routerstats program my downstream noise margin is fluctuating. However this is the first time I've used this program so I don't know if the results are normal or excessive or what.

MTU set in my router is 0 for default. RWIN I believe is set in windows and I've not touched it since my last format so I assume default. I have tried changing both in the past and I didn't feel like it improved my internet one little bit so this time I've left it be.

I have a master socket but don't have a cat5/ethernet long enough to test it. I assume I have a master socket anyway, removing the face plate reveals a connection underneath.

I've complete a BT speedtest the results are below.

Results Image not loaded

Test1 comprises of Best Effort Test: -provides background information.
IP profile for your line is - 3500 kbps
DSL connection rate: 448 kbps(UP-STREAM) 4160 kbps(DOWN-STREAM)
Actual IP throughput achieved during the test was - 1409 kbps

If you wish to discuss these results please contact your ISP.

If you are experiencing problems with specific applications, servers or websites please contact your ISP for assistance.

Your test has completed please close this window to exit the performance tester.

Rik · Nov 17, 2007, 16:25:15

All I can suggest, then, is that you ask support to test the line and see what they can see. If they've already suggested getting an engineer out, it seems to indicate they have noticed something. Do you not know anyone with a laptop you could borrow - that would be another way to get to the test socket.

neocr0n · Nov 17, 2007, 16:30:39

Unfortunatly not no.

The IDnet staff always recommend an engineer when they can't see a problem which is what they always do for me. "We can't see a problem would you like an engineer" which is all I ever get. Again though I must stress its VERY tempramental and if thats the case I just fail to see how it could be any equipment with in my house or it would be like this all the time. Like I've said months can elapse when its fine, with only 1 or 2 d/c a day. Then weeks of 10 d/c a day only to go back to weeks of 1 or 2.

Rik · Nov 17, 2007, 16:35:46

Intermittent faults can be caused by many things; internal to your wiring or equipment, for example, the PSU on the computer may be giving out noise sporadically; external to BT's wiring or equipment; or external to electrical noise, eg industrial equipment. In once case I know of, the issue was eventually traced to a neighbour's treadmill.

In your position, I'd either move the computer, or get hold of a long ethernet cable, and eliminate the internal wiring as the issue. After that, you should be confident in getting an engineer out without having to worry about a potential bill.

neocr0n · Nov 17, 2007, 16:37:13

Quick question, how often do you turn your router off and for how long?

Rik · Nov 17, 2007, 16:38:21

Almost never - only if I'm away or there is thunder around. If I have to re-boot (maybe every 3 or 4 months, I warm-boot).

neocr0n · Nov 17, 2007, 16:41:49

Yeah thats how I do it too, was wondering if there could be a overheating issue but I guess not.

I've read threads about using a radio to check for noise from electronical gadgets. Unfortuntly I dont have a portable radio to do it with. Anyone know a cheap reliable one they have used to do this?

Rik · Nov 17, 2007, 16:47:03

I use a Netgear DG834G, and I've lifted it about 1cm using sticky feet, this seems to help with cooling.

As to radios, I converted recently to DAB thoughout, and then realised I no longer had a way to test for RF interference, so may be in the market myself.

Given the use, any cheap set will do, in some ways they are more suited to picking up broad-spectrum noise, as they will often use less refined tuning circuits.