VERY SLOW CONNECTION FOR THE LAST 2 DAYS

Monk · Dec 27, 2007, 11:03:21

My computer connection is VERY slow. I've had a new wireless NETGEAR router+modem installed a week ago and it was working beautifully- in fact I never knew I could get such speeds!
The icon in the tray says that the signal is excellent and speed 54Mps.
Every time I connect to the Internet I found it difficult to open pages-some never open and some take AGES. The IDNETTERS page took 8 min. to load!
I have access to my router but don't really know what/where I am looking for. My up/download speeds are:
ADSL Link   Downstream   Upstream
Connection Speed   2304 kbps   448 kbps
Line Attenuation   35 db   11 db
Noise Margin   10 db   21 db

Has the problem got anything to do with the overload over Christmas or is it a a problem with IDNET? Are any of you experiencing similar problems. My daughter tried to use her wireless laptop but gets the same problem. Mine doesn't improve even if she disconnects.
I did this speed test yesterday and it looks... Well have a look

Speed Test Results
Date   26/12/07 20:15:52
Speed Down   82.84 Kbps ( 0.1 Mbps )
Speed Up   3.53 Kbps ( 0 Mbps )
Port   8095
Server   0.0.0.0

I am pulling my hair here and any help would be welcome. Please remember that I am not a computer wizz by any standards so, if possible, explain things in simple turns.

Rik · Dec 27, 2007, 11:10:32

Hi and welcome to the forum, have a karma.

Could you do a BT speed test please?

http://test.speedtester.bt.com:50301/

You will require your IDNet login as well as your phone number. Copy the results and paste back here if you would.

Based on your current stats, I'd expect you to have a 2000 profile (which the BT test will confirm). Even at that speed, the forum should load in a couple of seconds, so there is something wrong. I do not think it's an IDNet issue or an internet problem, as we would have more people posting.

Can you try switching to a cable connection? One of the possibilities is that you have a near neighbour, or neighbours, using wireless, and there is interference. If you can't, then try switching channels at the router, 1, 6 and 11 are usually the best ones to try.

The other possibilities are less likely, so let's concentrate on these to start with.

Monk · Dec 27, 2007, 11:27:05

Test1 comprises of Best Effort Test: -provides background information.
IP profile for your line is - 1750 kbps
DSL connection rate: 448 kbps(UP-STREAM) 2304 kbps(DOWN-STREAM)
Actual IP throughput achieved during the test was - 77 kbps

This test was not conclusive and further testing is required.

Please wait whilst you are redirected to undertake a second test.

I have tried to connect using non wireless connection and it is the same problem.
The page you suggest Rik tells me to change some setting to further investigate. Now I am not familiar with that and worry that I may make things worse...
I don't think there are many neighbours in the proximity who are using wireless.
I used speedtouch connection before. Could this be something to do with the old settings although the router has been configured etc. Is there any need to notify IDNET when changing to wireless?

Inactive · Dec 27, 2007, 11:34:04

Welcome to the Forum Monk, have a Welcome Karma.

It may have been that Santa Claus that has caused your problems, only joking, I am sure the experts on here will get you sorted.

Noreen · Dec 27, 2007, 11:36:08

Monk!

Simon · Dec 27, 2007, 11:37:34

Monk! You're in good hands with Rik!

Rik · Dec 27, 2007, 11:47:07

Quote from: Monk on Dec 27, 2007, 11:27:05
Test1 comprises of Best Effort Test: -provides background information.
IP profile for your line is - 1750 kbps
DSL connection rate: 448 kbps(UP-STREAM) 2304 kbps(DOWN-STREAM)
Actual IP throughput achieved during the test was - 77 kbps

It looks very much as if you have been getting a lot of noise on your line which has forced the router to re-sync at slow speeds. Your current profile indicates that you have had a lower sync at some time in the past few days.

Do you have a lot of Christmas lights, or has there been any change in the equipment connected to the line recently, eg new phone, Sky box etc?

QuoteI don't think there are many neighbours in the proximity who are using wireless.
I used speedtouch connection before. Could this be something to do with the old settings although the router has been configured etc. Is there any need to notify IDNET when changing to wireless?

IDNet don't need to know what equipment you are connecting with, the wireless side is 'interna' to you and has nothing to do with the connection as such. When you talk of the Speedtouch, are you referring to a USB modem by any chance? You said that initially the connection with the Netgear was good, can you identify when that chang3ed, and can you think of anything that also changed at the same time, eg fairy lights?

Monk · Dec 27, 2007, 11:59:57

Yes I am refering to USB modem. No lights on my house or any new equipment being used. The only new thing is my daughter's wireless laptop which she got for xmas, but even she has problems connecting. We are using the same wireless connection although the problem stays even if she's logged off.
I whish I had never installed the trouter...

Rik · Dec 27, 2007, 12:12:52

You said, though, that initially you got better speeds? If that's the case, something has changed. It may not be in your own house, of course, but that's always the best place to start. Do you have an NTE5 master socket, the type where you can remove the bottom portion of the faceplate. If so, can you try connecting the router at the test socket which is revealed when you remove the face plate, and note the downstream sync speed and noise margin immediately after connecting. That will tell us whether it's a line problem or a local one.

Which Netgear is it, btw?

Monk · Dec 27, 2007, 12:45:08

Rik thanks for getting involved in all this but you are getting very technical here and I'm, well, quite dim when it comes to this...
Would you mind explaining a bit more about the socket please-it looks standard to me???
The router I have is DG834G. It comes with a wireless adapter as my PC was not wireless enabled.
Now, going back to the socket. What does NTE5 socket look like? I can only unscrew the four screws it has in each corner but don't really know what's underneath.

Rik · Dec 27, 2007, 12:49:35

Hi

There's an FAQ on internal wiring here, which has a couple of photos of an NTE5. Standard BT faceplates, including the older one, should only have two screws available to you on the front of the faceplate.

The DG834G is OK, I used one for ages, so while it may not be the best router, it should be fine on your line (I achieved better speeds than you despite my 56db attenuation).

How many other phone sockets do you have?

Monk · Dec 27, 2007, 13:24:46

Right. I must say Rik that you are very patient -thanks.
You are absolutely right-the BT socket has 2 screws. Now I have another one upstairs in my bedroom where the computer is connected. This one looks the same. I have to say they have no filters on. I have a long line going to my bedroom from the main socket in the hall. I don't know how but this is conected to the socket in my bedroom. In that socket I have a connector plugged in from which you get two outlets. In the first one there is the bedroom phone plugged in and in the second one there is an extension cable which I use to connect the rooter to-there is a filter here. Sounds like lots of cables here, doesn't it? I have tried to use filters on every socket but then could not get a connection. This was in the past though - I did get disconnected when someone rang though and had to reconnect. I used to be with Freeserve, then Wanadoo and then Orange-total disaster, hence changing to IDNET- which has been great up untill now. I can't stop thinking that it maybe something to do with the wiring in the house/filters. However, how is is possible for the connection to be excellent and then nosedive just like this?
I feel like giving up already. Even sending these messages is taking ages... Is there another way of getting the stats. I thought you could get them from your router page...

Ted · Dec 27, 2007, 13:39:34

Hi
i realize this sounds a bit easy but have you actually tried rebooting the router as in turn the power off (unplug it) and then power back up again?

Monk · Dec 27, 2007, 13:57:23

will do this now although will get back to you (if I can still connect) tonight. The connection is getting worse and worse...

Rik · Dec 27, 2007, 14:13:15

Quote from: Monk on Dec 27, 2007, 13:24:46
In that socket I have a connector plugged in from which you get two outlets. In the first one there is the bedroom phone plugged in and in the second one there is an extension cable which I use to connect the rooter to-there is a filter here. Sounds like lots of cables here, doesn't it?

It does, rather, more than is ideal certainly.

Is the extension cable flat or round? If it's flat, it will be acting as a gigantic antenna, picking up all forms of noise and causing your speeds to decline. Ideally, you want the router as close to a socket (preferably the master) as possible.

Having looked at the photos, do you have anything like an NTE5?

QuoteI can't stop thinking that it maybe something to do with the wiring in the house/filters.

It probably is, tbh. The kind of symptoms you are descrining are nothing to do with IDNet and everything to do with your connection in the house, or between the house and the exchange. It's important to try and decide which as, if BT come out to a fault, and it's found on your side of the master socket, it would cost you in excess of £160.

QuoteHowever, how is is possible for the connection to be excellent and then nosedive just like this?

Yes. I went from a perfect connection to no connection overnight about three years ago. Something in my internal wiring had gone out of tolerance and the circuit stopped working completely. I have to re-wire to resolve it.

QuoteI feel like giving up already. Even sending these messages is taking ages... Is there another way of getting the stats. I thought you could get them from your router page...

You can, log into the router at 192.168.0.1 and hit the show stats button. What that doesn't tell us is the profile, but we've already established what's happening there, so don't need to do it again for the moment.

Monk · Dec 27, 2007, 15:27:08

Hi Rik,

Thanks a lot. The connection is back to its speed. I switched everything off and than back on. Waited for 30 min before my daughter tried to log on using her laptop.

The extension cable is flat and I've had a look at the sockets-they are not NT5
I know we have too many cables running here and there and I guess this will have to be rectify eventually-let's just hope all will be well for a long while!
Once again, thank you very much for helping Rik-I do appreciate it.
Is there a useful link on filters. Perhaps it would be a good idea to have this sorted as I get disconnected when I'm on line and someone rings and I pick up.

Rik · Dec 27, 2007, 15:36:02

Glad to help if I can.

That sort of disconnection might be a line fault, I think's it known as a high-resistance fault - certainly one of the rare ones, but a known phenomenon.

Your extension would appear to be a likely cause of the sort of problems you have experienced. ADSL works in the MW frequencies, to a trailing flat lead pulls a lot of noise onto the line as it acts as an aerial. The round leads use twisted pairs, as BT's wiring does, and the twisting acts to put the noise out of phase on the two wires and, thus, self-cancelling.

As to filters, I use and recommend the ADSL Nation xf-1e. Most people find them excellent, and I have never found a better one myself.

Monk · Dec 27, 2007, 15:54:41

Thank you very much to you and eveybody who has chipped in. I'm sure I'll be back

Rik · Dec 27, 2007, 15:55:10

We'll be here.

Ted · Dec 27, 2007, 16:06:40

Glad he got that sorted, it sounded as if he was likely to give the poor netgear some baseball bat therapy.

Rik · Dec 27, 2007, 16:12:02

We didn't reach the point of recommending a 2700, Ted. Just.

Ted · Dec 27, 2007, 16:20:18

The 2700 probably isn't the best router to cut your teeth on, the flashed ones maybe

The Netgears are ideal for people who just want to plug them in and let it run. Very reliable, easy to configure and a huge amount of support available.
I would still have no hesitation in recommending them.

Rik · Dec 27, 2007, 16:23:08

Me neither, Ted, it's an ideal first router, there's a lot of users about, and it did a fair job, even on my line.

Now Dean has explained about suspicious noise, I think a 2700 is plain scary.

MoHux · Dec 28, 2007, 01:04:09

Quote from: Monk............ I don't know how but this is conected to the socket in my bedroom. In that socket I have a connector plugged in from which you get two outlets. In the first one there is the bedroom phone plugged in and in the second one there is an extension cable which I use to connect the rooter to-there is a filter here. ....................

Shouldn't that read; "In that socket I have a filter fitted, one outlet of which connects to the phone, the other to the router?"

i.e. What sounds like a "Y" connector being surplus to requirements!

It could be the reason he is disconnected when answering the phone (??)

HTH

Gary · Dec 28, 2007, 07:39:36

Quote from: MoHux on Dec 28, 2007, 01:04:09
Shouldn't that read; "In that socket I have a filter fitted, one outlet of which connects to the phone, the other to the router?"

i.e. What sounds like a "Y" connector being surplus to requirements!

It could be the reason he is disconnected when answering the phone (??)

HTH

Thats true a friend had a long extension run and that issue, every time the phone rang it knocked them off, you definitely need a filter just coming out the wall as MoHux said and from that the phone and router are attached, no need for any other connectors in that socket.

Ted · Dec 28, 2007, 09:19:12

Well spotted, You're right Mohux we missed that

How do we tell him to move that filter?

And of course if he's using wireless he could leave the router by the filter and use the supplied rj11 to connect it, doing away for the need of the extension cable.

Monk · Dec 28, 2007, 11:36:18

This sounds interesting. I will give it a go and see what happens. Thanks everyone.