BT Speedtester and Linux

Dangerjunkie · Apr 13, 2008, 00:36:56

Hi,

I know there's at least one other Linux user here so I thought I'd ask.

I've got a brand new Linux install on my new laptop on my new connection (loads of unknowns there!) I'm having trouble with BT Speedtester. When I visit http://www.speedtester.bt.com using Firefox 2.0.0.13 and Sun JRE 1.06_03 I put my number and username in but the test fails with the error "Exception::access denied (java.net.SocketPermission 217.32.105.42:50301 connect," (I think there may be more message that I can't see). The progress bar moves along to 96% then it freezes.

Has anyone seen this please and is there a workaround or does it work for you? I tried running Firefox as root to see if that fixed it but there was no difference. I'd love to fix it as rebooting into Windows just to run it is a pain in the bootloader.

Thanks,
Paul.

Sebby · Apr 13, 2008, 00:50:16

I don't know anything about Linux, but it looks like it's a Java problem. Is that the latest version for Linux? Do other sites with Java work okay? Perhaps try the Think Broadband speed test as that's Java.

Dangerjunkie · Apr 13, 2008, 00:57:52

The ThinkBB and speedtest.net testers both work fine for me. This is odd...

Thanks

Sebby · Apr 13, 2008, 01:03:07

It looks like this isn't a problem with Linux after all. I've just tried the speed test on Windows and look what happened...

[attachment deleted by admin]

Dangerjunkie · Apr 13, 2008, 01:40:10

I just tried installing Opera (with the same Sun JRE) and the behaviour was different. The first two times I ran the test I got to the testing phase and Opera exited ungracefully (just closed with no explanation) The third time I got a result (5312/832) but the network lights carried on flashing until I closed Opera even though the test said it was over.

Something funky is going on...

Sebby · Apr 13, 2008, 02:13:11

I think we can safely blame BT this time.

mchunt_idnet · Apr 13, 2008, 07:37:38

""Exception::access denied (java.net.SocketPermission 217.32.105.42:50301 connect," (I think there may be more message that I can't see). The progress bar moves along to 96% then it freezes. "

This java error means your computer cannot make an outgoing connection to BT's test server, have you got a strict firewall on your new Linux box (or on Router) which is blocking outgoing connections to non standard ports? I would try disabling the firewall and trying again - dont know what version of linux you are running but one of the following commands should do the trick

service iptables stop
or
/etc/init.d/iptables stop
or
iptables -F
iptables -X
iptables -t nat -F
iptables -t nat -X
iptables -t mangle -F
iptables -t mangle -X
iptables -P INPUT ACCEPT
iptables -P FORWARD ACCEPT
iptables -P OUTPUT ACCEPT

I have managed to get the BT test working sporadically but the results cannot be relied on, I had a 9000 connection once!

Obviously restart the firewall when you have done, reboot machine or if using one of the first 2 commands replace stop with start.

Simon · Apr 13, 2008, 10:10:50

I have the same problem with the BT Speedtester, using Bit Defender, which, curiously, won't allow an 'upload' speed rating on other speed testers. I've only just made the link between the two issues, so thanks for that Martin, I'll try it wth BD disabled.

Baz · Apr 13, 2008, 10:17:55

the BT speedtester seems to work best with IE I find

Danni · Apr 13, 2008, 10:35:46

Which is no good on Linux, as Internet Explorer is a Windows program.

It can be installed, but it's a real pain and most people wouldn't want to bother.

Ted · Apr 13, 2008, 10:54:31

This problem has nothing to do with Linux or Java or Windows for that matter.
I was getting this all day yesterday on both and so were other people.
Today its not even as good as that, i'm told that i don't know my own telephone number and i should check it and then enter the correct one

I give up.

Sebby · Apr 13, 2008, 10:57:01

Yep, it does seem to be a problem with the speed tester itself.

Inactive · Apr 13, 2008, 11:06:28

Quote from: Ted on Apr 13, 2008, 10:54:31

Today its not even as good as that, i'm told that i don't know my own telephone number and i should check it and then enter the correct one
I give up.

Was working fine for me yesterday, same result as you now Ted.

Sebby · Apr 13, 2008, 11:08:02

It worked for me yesterday during the day, but it was definitely broken last night. BT really are hopeless sometimes (or should that be always?).

Ted · Apr 27, 2008, 18:47:46

Just thought i'd bump this up and advise people that the Linux side of this thread has been split over to computer discussion Here

Rik · Apr 27, 2008, 18:49:33

Sorry, Ted, I should have put a note in when I did it.

madasahatter · Apr 27, 2008, 18:59:00

Quote from: Sebby on Apr 13, 2008, 11:08:02
It worked for me yesterday during the day, but it was definitely broken last night. BT really are hopeless sometimes (or should that be always?).

They're only hopeless sometimes sebby...

...the rest of the time they are completely useless

Ted · Apr 27, 2008, 20:32:48

Quote from: Rik on Apr 27, 2008, 18:49:33
Sorry, Ted, I should have put a note in when I did it.

NP mate, thought i was going

mad (again). ( no offense mad

)

Sebby · Apr 27, 2008, 23:10:59

Quote from: madasahatter on Apr 27, 2008, 18:59:00
They're only hopeless sometimes sebby...

...the rest of the time they are completely useless

Rik · Apr 28, 2008, 09:09:01

Quote from: madasahatter on Apr 27, 2008, 18:59:00
They're only hopeless sometimes sebby...

...the rest of the time they are completely useless

LesD · Apr 30, 2008, 23:15:00

I have recently posted the following over in "Linux thoughts" and having rebuilt a PC, installed Ubuntu Linux on it and strived to get to grips with it, I would like those of you not interested in "Linux thoughts" to know that I can at last concur with what Paul found in his post that started his thread.

Quote from: LesD on Apr 30, 2008, 20:24:32
so I had Java 6. Now I have it intalled and working here is a thinkbroadband speed test result to prove it:

30/04/08 19:33 3160.09 Kbps 374.40 Kbps 91.xxx.yy.zz 2Wire 2700 HGV

Flushed with success I went for a BT one and got this
The Performance Tester is now testing Broadband connection. Your configured download throughput speed for this service is 3500 k

Please do not move away from this page and do not start any other download activity on your computer.

and then 96% of the progress towards the final result it stalled with a message:
Exception::access denied (java.net.SocketPermission 217.32.105.42:50301 connect.

Paul thinks it's a Firefox issue

and not a Linux or BT. There is more in "Linux thoughts".

Dangerjunkie · May 01, 2008, 01:33:11

Hi,

Yes, I think this issue is related to Firefox 2 (haven't tried it with 3 yet as I'm not at home.)

When running the speed tester on Linux and Windows using the Sun JRE I get the same "exception: access denied" error when it tries to open the connection to begin the test.

If I use Opera on Linux with the same JRE all is sweetness and light.

Cheers,
Paul.