BT Speedtest

talos2 · Jan 10, 2008, 14:21:16

I've tried the BT speedtest several times and I can't seem to make it work , I click on the link put in my phone No, and my login, it then says please wait testing in progress but thats it, I've left it for an hour or more and still nothing happens, what am I doing wrong?

Simon · Jan 10, 2008, 14:32:36

Have you tried: http://test.speedtester.bt.com:50301/

I believe that tells it you are with IDNet.

TheMonkey · Jan 10, 2008, 14:35:35

my cystal ball tells me you're using firefox??

Rik · Jan 10, 2008, 14:39:42

I'm wondering that too. Talos, though the BT site says it's tested with Firefox, often the tester works better with IE - don't ask me to explain. Also, check that you have the latest Java.

rgt247 · Jan 10, 2008, 14:43:25

The link above worked fine for me just now with IE7.

Test1 comprises of Best Effort Test: -provides background information.
IP profile for your line is - 7150 kbps
DSL connection rate: 448 kbps(UP-STREAM) 8128 kbps(DOWN-STREAM)
Actual IP throughput achieved during the test was - 5865 kbps

TheMonkey · Jan 10, 2008, 14:45:51

yeah rik, i've used firefox before but it hangs big time now when trying to test. (i got this advice from here. yay idnetters

)

talos2 · Jan 10, 2008, 14:52:04

Thank's to you all, I will try your suggestions, but later, just tried it now and it says there is a 3 hour wait between tests, I'll try again when its quieter.

Rik · Jan 10, 2008, 14:57:51

In which case, it thinks you have done a successful test.

talos2 · Jan 10, 2008, 16:49:32

Quote from: Rik on Jan 10, 2008, 14:57:51
In which case, it thinks you have done a successful test.

Oh! I see ,
I think I'll come back Tomorrow

Rik · Jan 10, 2008, 16:50:47

Do check your version of Java, Talos, as that could affect the functioning of the tester.

Simon · Jan 10, 2008, 21:44:31

As a point of interest, I have run successful tests with Mozilla Sea Monkey, Firefox and Netscape 9, but you do have to have the Java plugin installed.

Gramps · Jan 11, 2008, 05:50:53

I can't get BT speed tester to work, it accepts my telephone number but when I enter my login name I get this message,

The login name entered on this tool doesn't match that discovered by querying the network for your domain name. Please check your telephone number (or user name) and try again. If problem persists please contact your CP.

I have double checked my phone number and login name but I still get the same message.

Lance · Jan 11, 2008, 07:47:06

Usually, Wilf, that message is because the Speedtester is busy, but I would be surprised if that is the case at 5:50 in the morning.

If you still can't get it to work over the next few days, maybe give support a ring.

talos2 · Jan 11, 2008, 08:22:18

Got it , it worked for me this morning.

Test1 comprises of Best Effort Test: -provides background information.
IP profile for your line is - 1250 kbps
DSL connection rate: 448 kbps(UP-STREAM) 1664 kbps(DOWN-STREAM)
Actual IP throughput achieved during the test was - 1094 kbps

But I'm really none the wiser, what do these figures mean?
Is this a good result?

Simon · Jan 11, 2008, 09:52:39

Your throughput roughly matches your profile, but it's a pretty slow profile. Someone more technical than me will be able to look at this properly for you soon.

Rik · Jan 11, 2008, 10:09:24

Hi Talos

Can you extract the line stats from your router? What I'm interested in are the downstream sync, attenuation and noise margin. If you're not sure how, the instructions for a wide range of modem/routers is at http://www.kitz.co.uk/adsl/frogstats.htm

As Simon says, you're getting the right sort of result for the profile and sync speed, but whether your sync speed should be that low is what we need to discover.

talos2 · Jan 11, 2008, 10:25:11

Hi Rick
Thanks for your help, I've extracted some figures, I hope these are what you need

ADSL
Type.................Interleave
Status................SHOWTIME
Data Rate..................Down....................Up
1664 448
Noise 14 19
atten 48 31

Bob

Rik · Jan 11, 2008, 10:46:00

Hi Bob

Those are the figures I need.

You have a 48db d/s attenuation. At that sort of figure, I'd expect you to sync at around 6000kbps (I sync at 3300 on 56db). You seem to have a noise margin of 15db, which suggests your line has been unstable. For every extra 3db of noise margin you have, you will lose 5-700k in sync speed, so I'd expect your line to be achieving at least 3500-4000.

There are two possibilities. One is a line fault (or poor condition line), the other is an issue with your internal wiring. How many phone sockets do you have, how is the router connected (ie to which socket and does it use an extension cable, if so is that flat or round) and do you have an NTE5 master socket, the type where you can remove the bottom portion of the face plate?

talos2 · Jan 11, 2008, 11:53:21

Rick
I think you may have hit the button, the telephone wiring in the house is the same as when it was built in the 60's, there are extentions but I suspect not fitted by BT, the router is connected to one of those extentions I thought it would be OK because the phone was OK on that line, there is a master skt but it is one of the older plug in type fitted just after the jack type
was modified. It seems I would have to bring in BT to update the system, but I think that may be a bit expensive.
Bob

Adam · Jan 11, 2008, 11:56:48

Quote from: talos on Jan 11, 2008, 11:53:21
It seems I would have to bring in BT to update the system, but I think that may be a bit expensive.

I've just updated my internal wiring and the sync speed has almost doubled. You may be able to update it yourself depending on where your BT termination point lies, and if you feel confident enough to undertake such a project. Feel free to ask any questions.

Rik · Jan 11, 2008, 11:58:52

That sort of wiring could well have an impact, Bob. It was fine for voice, and to be fair to BT, no-one had thought of ADSL at the time.

You may be able to get the work done cheaply, or even free, if you tell BT that you want to put in some extensions, but you've nothing to wire them to. I've heard of people getting an NTE5 master socket fitted free in such circumstances. If you talk nicely to the BT engineer, he'd probably connect in the extensions you wanted from the wiring that's already in place.

talos2 · Jan 11, 2008, 12:42:00

I can but ask!
Problem is I ditched BT for TalkTalk some time ago, so they may not be sympathetic.

Thank you to Adam for your kind offer but I am getting a bit doddery in my old age and my mind wants to do the job, but I'm afraid my body wont let me.

Rik · Jan 11, 2008, 13:05:42

I know just how you feel.

tfw7 · Jan 14, 2008, 18:53:28

I have still never managed to do a speedtest since joining idnet in November.....maybe I'm just unlucky!

Rik · Jan 14, 2008, 23:06:26

Sadly there are no shortcuts or tricks, though I do recommend using IE rather than Firefox. Essentially, it depends on you arriving when they have a spare slot.