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Technical News & Discussion => Broadband, Internet & General Computer News & Discussion => Topic started by: Broadback on Sep 14, 2011, 15:17:34

Title: Internet problem?
Post by: Broadback on Sep 14, 2011, 15:17:34
The last couple of days web pages have been taking ages to download. I am unable to find a speed checker that works, they either don't load, or like BT's fail. I use Internet explorer and have used Microsoft Fix it to no avail. I have also scanned using Avast (free version), no errors found.
Any suggestions please, on a postcard at this rate!  ::) Mail (Thunderbird) seems normal. PS just used Spell Check, that took a while to load.
Title: Re: Internet problem?
Post by: Rik on Sep 14, 2011, 15:29:13
I'd suggest trying an alternative browser, BB, as a first diagnostic, Chrome, Firefox or Opera. If those work normally, we know it's a browser issue, if they don't, we need to look at DNS settings, AV software and firewall.
Title: Re: Internet problem?
Post by: Broadback on Sep 14, 2011, 16:59:05
Thanks Rik, I've tried Chrome, seems even slower.
Title: Re: Internet problem?
Post by: Rik on Sep 14, 2011, 17:29:35
OK. Are you picking up DNS automatically, or setting it manually? Can you remind me which version of Windows you're using please, and what AV software and software firewall, if any.

If possible, can you run a BT speed test and post the results.
Title: Re: Internet problem?
Post by: Lance on Sep 14, 2011, 17:58:14
Router stats might be useful too.
Title: Re: Internet problem?
Post by: Broadback on Sep 14, 2011, 18:22:40
I cannot seem to find the BT speeed test, however I did get one to run and it is about 1/3 of what I normally get.
Title: Re: Internet problem?
Post by: Rik on Sep 14, 2011, 18:26:42
We need to see the stats from the BT test, BB, as they will tell us your sync speed and profile, together with throughput.

http://speedtester.bt.com/

As Lance says, the router stats, particularly downstream noise margin and attenuation would also help.
Title: Re: Internet problem?
Post by: Broadback on Sep 14, 2011, 19:44:45


This is what I got with the BT test. Does not mean a lot to me. It is ages since I did a speed test, it did not look like this.

For your connection, the acceptable range of speeds is 50-250 Kbps.
Additional Information:
Your DSL Connection Rate :160 Kbps(DOWN-STREAM), 448 Kbps(UP-STREAM)
IP Profile for your line is - 135 Kbps


Title: Re: Internet problem?
Post by: Steve on Sep 14, 2011, 20:08:00
Could you manage your router stats also as Lance suggested
Title: Re: Internet problem?
Post by: Lance on Sep 14, 2011, 21:53:15
The BT test indicates you have a very low sync (causing the slow speed) The router stats will confirm this. Looking at your sync in conjunction with your noise margin and attenuation will allow us to start guessing where the problem is.
Title: Re: Internet problem?
Post by: Broadback on Sep 15, 2011, 11:19:30
Sorry, thanks for the help, please keep it up. Now how do I get the router stats ( 2wire 2700) and send them to you?
Title: Re: Internet problem?
Post by: Rik on Sep 15, 2011, 11:21:22
http://192.168.1.254/xslt?PAGE=J03&THISPAGE=A02_POST&NEXTPAGE=J03 does it on my routers, BB.
Title: Re: Internet problem?
Post by: Broadback on Sep 15, 2011, 11:37:48

Fine I have them, how do I send them to you? Incidentally it is getting worse, even emails have slowed down, also clicking on links in emails no longer works, I have to copy and paste. I tried doing that with the statistics but the format is useless! 


Title: Re: Internet problem?
Post by: Rik on Sep 15, 2011, 11:39:18
You don't need to, BB, just tell us what the downstream sync, attenuation and noise margin are.
Title: Re: Internet problem?
Post by: Polchraine on Sep 15, 2011, 12:02:51
It is also worth pulling up the sync or training history ... last 20 sync/loss_of_sync/resync events with the attenuation and SNR listed

Take a screenshot of the page and host it on Photobucket.  It will look a little like the image below but with more data to the right.

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/Polchraine/TBB/Margin_3dB.jpg)

Title: Re: Internet problem?
Post by: Polchraine on Sep 15, 2011, 12:08:38
Quote from: Broadback on Sep 15, 2011, 11:37:48
Fine I have them, how do I send them to you? Incidentally it is getting worse, even emails have slowed down, also clicking on links in emails no longer works, I have to copy and paste. I tried doing that with the statistics but the format is useless! 




Are you sure?      Makes me wonder if there is something nasty running on your PC.   The link should work, even if it takes 10, 20, 30 seconds.   Not working suggests something else may be wrong.
Title: Re: Internet problem?
Post by: Rik on Sep 15, 2011, 12:09:15
Or it's a long link, which trips up some email clients...
Title: Re: Internet problem?
Post by: Polchraine on Sep 15, 2011, 12:11:58
Quote from: Rik on Sep 15, 2011, 12:09:15
Or it's a long link, which trips up some email clients...

He did say "links" and "no longer works" which suggests more than one has been tried and they did before ...   and if a forced break has been inserted then copy and paste would fail too (without editing).

Title: Re: Internet problem?
Post by: Rik on Sep 15, 2011, 12:20:48
I'm just covering all the bases. :)
Title: Re: Internet problem?
Post by: Broadback on Sep 15, 2011, 13:01:10
Links definitely do not work. Anyway here is the Data Rik:
                             
                              Down               Up
downstream sync 
attenuation           40db                  22.5db
noise margin         15db                  24db

I cannot see a measure for downstream sync.
Title: Re: Internet problem?
Post by: Polchraine on Sep 15, 2011, 13:52:45
If your device is a 2700 v4 then using the link Rik provided you should get a page with:

Broadband Link – Statistics
DSL Down Up
Current Rate: 0 kbs 0 kbs
Max Rate: 0 kbs 0 kbs
Current Connection:
Current Noise Margin: 0.0 dB 0.0 dB
Current Attenuation: 0.0 dB 0.0 dB
Current Output Power: 0.0 dBm 0.0 dBm


You margin is high and may have been forced up by a burst of noise and your line needs time to work back to normal.

As a start I would suggest:   
Use the modem GUI to disconnect the DSL - managed rather than just pulling the cable out.
Power off teh modem/router (2700)
Disconnect phone cable.
Shut down PC

Wait 30 minutes - modem can cool down if overheating and any session will die or be killed off

Boot PC
Power up modem (2700)
Wait at least 2 minutes to allow modem to fully boot.
Connect phone cable to modem
Connect PC



Then look at the stats and also try the BT Beta speedtest  at http://speedtest.btcentralplus.com/beta/    not 100% accurate but a quick and easy way



Title: Re: Internet problem?
Post by: Broadback on Sep 15, 2011, 14:10:56
Sorry I do not understand "Use the modem GUI to disconnect the DSL", rather to my suprise I understand the rest.
Title: Re: Internet problem?
Post by: Polchraine on Sep 15, 2011, 14:32:37
Quote from: Broadback on Sep 15, 2011, 14:10:56
Sorry I do not understand "Use the modem GUI to disconnect the DSL", rather to my suprise I understand the rest.

Somewhere in the menu structure (GUI - Graphical User Interface) there should be a "Disconnect DSL" or similar.   But you can probably get away without it ...  A tidy shutdown is normally better than an untidy one!

I'm not guaranteeing the suggestions will work but everything can then restart "clean(ish)"



Title: Re: Internet problem?
Post by: Broadback on Sep 15, 2011, 15:50:27
Thank you all for your invaluable help. I now have all zeros in my statistics and download speed is now 4.38 MB. Now all I have to do is fix the link problem. I will delete and reload IE methinks, when I sort out how to save all my favourites and re-insert them after a reload of IE. Thanks again you are all stars.  :thumb:
Title: Re: Internet problem?
Post by: pctech on Sep 15, 2011, 15:52:37
I'd not advise deleting IE unless you have upgraded it.

Title: Re: Internet problem?
Post by: Broadback on Sep 15, 2011, 16:09:52
Thanks pctech, I've already found that. will continue my research!  ;)
Title: Re: Internet problem?
Post by: Broadback on Sep 15, 2011, 16:11:52
Can't beleive it. When I an alternative browser I stopped IE from being the preferred one. Just had a pop up asking me if I wanted it to be, said Yes and it works. :blush:
Title: Re: Internet problem?
Post by: Polchraine on Sep 15, 2011, 16:41:41
Glad to hear it is sorted.

Now, get a decent browser, almost anything except Internet Exploder.   I would suggest FireFox as a good all round one.

Next,   you need to watch the connection - occasionally have a look at the Training/Sync History page to see if there have been any resync's and when.    Then either at 06:00 tomorrow morning or 20:30 tomorrow evening, go to:
http://192.168.0.1/xslt?PAGE=J21&THISPAGE=A02_POST&NEXTPAGE=J21 and then select "Reset ISP Connection".   That will force a resync and if there is any further headroom on your connection (which I think there could be) you may sync at a higher speed.

Also, can you go to:  http://192.168.0.1/xslt?PAGE=J03&THISPAGE=J21&NEXTPAGE=J03  and fill in the table below:

DSL Down Up
Current Rate: 0 kbs 0 kbs
Max Rate: 0 kbs 0 kbs
Current Connection:
Current Noise Margin: 0.0 dB 0.0 dB
Current Attenuation: 0.0 dB 0.0 dB
Current Output Power: 0.0 dBm 0.0 dBm
Title: Re: Internet problem?
Post by: Den on Sep 15, 2011, 17:11:07
I assume you are winding him up about the browser, I have tried them all and returned to IE9 because it is far superier to the others. All my problems were caused by Norton 360 not IE9.   ::)
Title: Re: Internet problem?
Post by: Broadback on Sep 15, 2011, 17:17:26
Trouble with changing browsers is the learning curve. I used SeaMonkey until quite recently, swapped because some sites I used did not like it, took me a while to get used to IE. Anyway thanks for the tips will do that, mind you I am asleep at 6.0am and nodding of again by 8.30pm.  :yawn:
Title: Re: Internet problem?
Post by: Polchraine on Sep 15, 2011, 17:19:34
Quote from: Den on Sep 15, 2011, 17:11:07
I assume you are winding him up about the browser, I have tried them all and returned to IE9 because it is far superier to the others. All my problems were caused by Norton 360 not IE9.   ::)

No ...     How many times do you come across security issues with IE?    A lot more than all of the others.       IE take longer to initialise,  is less flexible and is inferior to FireFox.

Title: Re: Internet problem?
Post by: Polchraine on Sep 15, 2011, 17:21:28
Quote from: Broadback on Sep 15, 2011, 17:17:26
Trouble with changing browsers is the learning curve. I used SeaMonkey until quite recently, swapped because some sites I used did not like it, took me a while to get used to IE. Anyway thanks for the tips will do that, mind you I am asleep at 6.0am and nodding of again by 8.30pm.  :yawn:

From experience, just after dawn and around sunset is the best time to do a resync to get the best speed and least chance of it dropping out as the SNR margin falls.