Speeds dropping, can I do anything?

henleyb · Mar 31, 2008, 20:25:11

Quote from: g7pkf on Mar 31, 2008, 19:59:42
can you be a bit more specific on what pro-filters you have ordered?

(just being inquisitive)

Sure, no problem

1 x NTE-2005 Master face plate (NTE-2005) = £10.20
2 x Professional Quality ADSL Microfilter (XF-1e) = £17.98

Also, ran the BT speed checker and it gave me this:

Test1 comprises of Best Effort Test: -provides background information.
IP profile for your line is - 500 kbps
DSL connection rate: 768 kbps(UP-STREAM) 1600 kbps(DOWN-STREAM)
Actual IP throughput achieved during the test was - 449 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.

Sebby · Mar 31, 2008, 21:24:13

Where did you get the NTE-2005? I don't think ADSL Nation have made them for a long time. They've been replaced by the XTE-2005. That said, it should achieve the same thing. One thing though: you won't need the microfilters as the NTE-2005 pre-filters the extensions.

The speed test results are as expected. Your profile is wrong, but then that's because your sync has only improved today, so it'll take about 5 days to catch up.

henleyb · Mar 31, 2008, 22:15:53

I got the NTE from ADSL Nation, it was a hotlink someone recommended. I hope there's marginal difference between the one I bought and the new one.

That's annoying it will take so long to reset the profile, can I ring BT and ask them to do it or is it just a case of waiting?

Sebby · Mar 31, 2008, 22:31:20

Are you sure it isn't the XTE-2005? I'd imagine it is. Still, either way, you don't need the filters. And are you aware that you will only be able to connect the router at the master socket? (There are ways around it, but in some ways it negates the purpose of having a filtered faceplate.)

BT won't do anything. You can ask IDNet, but they're bound by BT's rules, and it's unlikely they'll be able to get it done in this case. If I were you, I'd just give it a few days - it can be less than 5.

henleyb · Mar 31, 2008, 22:38:02

I e-mailed the online shop for adslnation and just got back:

Yes, you ordered an NTE-2005

So looks like I have although I can't find the NTE-2005 on their website so no idea how I managed that.

I'll stick it out with the profiling, I'll give IDNet a ring tomorrow to find out about the line fault. Cheers!

henleyb · Apr 04, 2008, 14:36:08

Update.

Still unable to reach speeds greater than 1.4mbit

With the NXT-2005 my adsl is now

Connection Speed
down - 1344 kbps
up - 704 kbps

Line Attenuation
down - 63.5 db
up - 31.5 db

Noise Margin
down - 15.8 db
up - 7.0 db

This is still with the router plugged in at the master socket. Is anything up with my figures? Anything else I can try?

Rik · Apr 04, 2008, 14:43:16

Probably not a lot. A 2700 router might improve the sync speed slightly, but it won't be a massive amount. The modem is reporting the highest figure that it can for d/s attenuation, the reality might be higher still. If you were on fixed speed ADSL, you'd get 512Kbps at most, so I suspect your line is doing about as well as it can. It would be worth having a walk around with a MW radio tuned 'off station' so it's only giving white noise. If you find it getting noisier anywhere near the phone line, it would suggest local noise pickup, but my suspicion is that your problems are down to the laws of physics.

henleyb · Apr 04, 2008, 15:50:22

Bah, so it's basically a case of just lumping it.

Thanks for the help.

Rik · Apr 04, 2008, 15:52:04

You can have a word with IDNet and see if there's anything they can suggest but, tbh, I think you have a long line running at its limits. Sorry.

Lance · Apr 04, 2008, 20:47:04

The only thing you can hope for is a solid 15 days without losing sync with the exchange. This should then cause on the next reboot/resync your noise margin to drop by 3db to around 12db, giving approx 200-400kbpsextra on your sync. It may be however, that because of your high attenuation you need the extra noise margin to ensure a stable line.

henleyb · Apr 05, 2008, 12:42:04

Quote from: Lance on Apr 04, 2008, 20:47:04
The only thing you can hope for is a solid 15 days without losing sync with the exchange. This should then cause on the next reboot/resync your noise margin to drop by 3db to around 12db, giving approx 200-400kbpsextra on your sync. It may be however, that because of your high attenuation you need the extra noise margin to ensure a stable line.

Really? That sounds like I might have half a chance at some decent speeds! I've been playing around with my connection ever since we moved in, probably me trying to get faster speeds and all the disconnecting may have caused my problems ultimately. Just have to try and resist playing! My stats are now:

Connection Speed
down - 1632 kbps
up - 736 kbps

Line Attenuation
down - 62 db
up - 15.5 db

Noise Margin
down - 8 db
up - 7 db

Rik · Apr 05, 2008, 12:44:01

If you can get target margin back down to 6db, you will potentially double your speed. However, once a higher target margin has been set by the line management software, it's often difficult to get it reduced again.

henleyb · Apr 05, 2008, 13:03:43

What ways can I help reduce it, I take it Noise Margin should be as low as possible?

My Netgear router plug is right next to the socket, could this cause any interference (clutching at straws maybe

)?

Would this help me in any way?

http://www.kitz.co.uk/routers/dg834GT_targetsnr.htm

Rik · Apr 05, 2008, 13:07:48

In your case, noise margin seems to have been raised from the normal target of 6db to 15db. My instinct is, however, that it's because of general noise pickup on the line, note that your u/s margin is only at 7db, that would normally be a lot higher.

It is possible that the router PSU could be generating noise, so it's worth moving that to find out (our use the MW radio trick to test). I don't think another Netgear would help. If any router would, it's likely to be a 2-Wire 2700, but overall my hunch is that your line is poor, and that the only cure would be to move - unless BT decide to re-cable.

henleyb · Apr 05, 2008, 13:13:52

Ok, moved the router plug and noise margin for downstream has jumped to 15db, is that good or bad?

Also, how did you know our line had a fault? Is this something I can check myself to see if it's cleared yet?

Thanks again!

Sebby · Apr 05, 2008, 13:15:15

You want the noise margin itself to be high, though it's the target figure that BT set that we're interested in. You sync at a rate to achieve 15dB. If the target was set at the default of 6dB you'd sync much higher. Your best bet is to leave all alone as theoretically the exchange should adjust the target SNRM if it sees things are stable.

Rik · Apr 05, 2008, 13:18:45

Quote from: henleyb on Apr 05, 2008, 13:13:52
Ok, moved the router plug and noise margin for downstream has jumped to 15db, is that good or bad?

That's good, and suggests you have a faulty PSU on the router. Has the d/s sync speed changed?

QuoteAlso, how did you know our line had a fault? Is this something I can check myself to see if it's cleared yet?

I asked IDNet to test it.

Forum staff can see IP addresses. As IDNet use static addresses, it enables us to get the line tested without knowing any personal information about you.

henleyb · Apr 05, 2008, 13:21:20

ah right, thanks for that - is the fault still present?

Connection speed has gone down from ~1600 (or near) to 1408.

Rik · Apr 05, 2008, 13:22:53

That tends to rule out the PSU then.

Is it raining where you are?

I'll check with IDNet again on Monday, give me a nudge if I don't get back to you.

Sebby · Apr 05, 2008, 13:23:09

That'll just be to do with noise fluctuations depending on the time of day.

Rik will be able to advise more about the fault, I'd imagine.

henleyb · Apr 05, 2008, 13:25:15

Quote from: Rik on Apr 05, 2008, 13:22:53
That tends to rule out the PSU then. Is it raining where you are?

I'll check with IDNet again on Monday, give me a nudge if I don't get back to you.

It's not raining here, there weather here is just normal. No winds, rain or even sun really - pretty depressing but not as depressing as my broadband.

Rik · Apr 05, 2008, 13:26:44

Rain might have indicated a leaking joint.

Do you have anyone you could borrow an alternative router from, for elimination purposes?

Sebby · Apr 05, 2008, 13:26:49

We've all been there. You'll get there, I'm sure.

henleyb · Apr 09, 2008, 16:37:15

I don't have another router to test with, sorry to ask but did you have a chance to ask IDNet about my line?

My broadband seems more responsive but is still showing as being slow:

Connection Speed
down - 1600 kbps
up - 768 kbps

Line Attenuation
down - 62 db
up - 15.5 db

Noise Margin
down - 15 db
up - 6 db

Line Attenuation fluctuates between 61 and 62.

Rik · Apr 09, 2008, 16:44:40

Yeah, sorry, forgot to post back.

Your MSR is 1728, iow that's the fastest speed you connected at during the 10-day training. That puts your FTR at 1200kbps. Your current sync speed is well above that so, as far as BT is concerned, there is no fault on the line.

TBH, I doubt you will do better without BT re-cabling, and unless a major fault develops, they won't do that.