Slow Kable Net
 

Hey everyone
For around 1-2 months now, my internet has been reduced to a crawl. My internet loading pages are fine thanks to a Firefox speed tweak, however online gaming is really bad as I disconnect about every 5 minutes I join a server or connection keeps getting interrupted and I jump from one place to another in my First Person Shooter games.

I have noticed one thing, whenever I plug in an Ethernet cable, my speeds are perfectly fine... I can play online gaming perfectly. My wireless connection is the one playing up.

I've tried:
-Virus/Anti-Spyware/Malware Scans
-Re-installing wireless network drivers.
-Uninstalling Antivirus/AntiSpyware/Disabling them.
-Resetting modem

I have tried other minor things although they barely aid to the alleviation of this problem.

Can anyone please help out?
Thanks everyone.
Looking forward to some helpful responses. :)

Re: Slow Kable Net
 

New Router required? Upgrade Router firmware?

You don't tell us what hardware you have.

Oh and Cable isn't spelled with a K.

Re: Slow Kable Net
 

I think the OP's Aussie ISP is though. ;)

Re: Slow Kable Net
 

Wasn't able to find an ISP beginning with a K

http://bc.whirlpool.net.au/bc/?action=list

---------- Post added at 14:30 ---------- Previous post was at 14:30 ----------

But if it us, I take it back ;)

Re: Slow Kable Net
 

No no... I spelled cable with Kable for no specific reason. I know how it's spelled. Anyway, how are you supposed to update a router's firmware. A new router won't help us, we use a wireless one and they are expensive to get long rage signals.

My ISP is Optus by the way.

My hardware is this.

Core 2 Duo e6550
2046MB Kingston RAM
Gigabyte 8600 GT
Mobo is a Gigabyte GA-P31-DS3L.

Wireless Network Card: D-Link Airplus G DWL-G510 Wireless PCI Adapter(rev.C)

That network card has all drivers updated.
Thank you.

Re: Slow Kable Net
 

You will always get some ping increase with wireless gaming.
What sort of signal strength are you getting as a weaker signal could explain the dropouts under load.

Do you have any other wireless devices such as cordless phones or cell phone nearby?

It may be worth changing your wireless to a different channel to see if it behaves any better. Another thing worth investigating is a directional aerial which will focus the signal towards the router rather than using the default omnidirectional antenna.

Re: Slow Kable Net
 

^^No... The problem only just occured recently. Wireless internet/gaming was absolutely perfect before, it seems that it just happened suddenly. It was around 1-2 months ago when I tried doing everything I could think of...

My signal strength is around Good-Very good and speeds are around 36-48mbps.. I keep my mobile phone nearby. The antenna is adjustable and is always pointed to my router.

Although, the problem occured just 1-2 months ago. Everything before that, wireless AND ethernet internet/gaming speeds were perfectly fine. Also this problem occured before around 5-6 months ago, however I fixed it by uninstalling my antivirus (which was Symantec at the time).

Thank you.

Re: Slow Kable Net
 

have you tried a channel change though?

Re: Slow Kable Net
 

^ What does that mean? Selecting another network off the list available for the wireless connection?

Re: Slow Kable Net
 

Changing the channel in your router, login and change it.

Re: Slow Kable Net
 

Ok... What's a channel. What benefits from it being changed. How can I get access 'into' the router.

Sorry but I need background info on this before I get started, so I know what I'm working on.

Thanks!

Re: Slow Kable Net
 

Wireless routers typically operate across a number of frequencies, usually allocated across channels numbered 1 to 11 (sometimes 1 to 13).

Your router will have been set up to operate on a default channel by the manufacturer, and probably hasn't been changed since.
If someone else near you has a router operating on the same channel, or on one near to it, you will get interference from their router and will experience loss of signal every now and then.

Look at the instructions for your router, there should be some sort of administrative interface (usually the bit where you set up the security options etc) which should allow you to change the channel that the router is operating on.

Try the available channels one at a time, leaving each for a day or so in order that you can see how it's working, and see which gives the best results.

You may need to reboot the router and/or other wireless devices when you change channel to ensure that they have all changed to match the channel on the router.

Re: Slow Kable Net
 

You quoted your PC hardware but I couldn't see the router make/model anywhere, what is it?

Re: Slow Kable Net
 

@ Rob, Thanks man, good explanation, and that will help me. I'll do that tomorrow cause I have to sleep soon (Aussie time...) Don't think I'll leave it anytime soon... I'll let you know how it goes...

If there are 11-13 channels, and I leave one on everyday, does that mean I let you know in 2 weeks? How often should you be updated?

@ Kevin: I don't really know it now, however it is one of these.http://www.netgear.com/Products/Rout...ssRouters.aspx. They all look the same and probably are similar.... It's the one with only 1 antenna.

Re: Slow Kable Net
 

Yeah, I would be tempted to give each one at least a day. Start as far away (numerically) from the current channel as possible, as that's the place you're more likely to find 'clear air' if you see what I mean. As you get closer to the channel you're on now you should find that the problems increase again.

As for updating us.....as often as you want :)

Re: Slow Kable Net
 

lol, that narrows it down to about 20..

there should be a label on it somewhere with a model number. But I guess you've got enough to be going on with for now with the channel changes.

I'd agree with the other guys, that's the best thing to try next.

Re: Slow Kable Net
 

^^ Ok, I tried Channels 1,2,3, and 13. My original being 11. No change. I tried each for around 1-2 hours, not a whole day, I disconnected from online games quite quickly. Ethernet cable, I can play for hours on end with no problems. Channel 3 barely connected, it kept DC'ing every now and then. Right now I am on 13.

Any more help people?

Re: Slow Kable Net
 

Around the time that this started happening did you:

1. Buy any other new electrical equipment (telephones, microwaves, energy efficient light-bulbs)?
2. Experience any sort of electrical problems with the house, or any problems with any other of the house systems that might have required rectification?
3. Notice if you had any new neighbours, or other significant changes/happenings in your immediate living environment?

If the answer to all of the above is no then I'm afraid I'm stumped, and my next suggestion would be that you try another wireless router and network card to see if you get any joy there - it could be a failure in one of those devices.

Re: Slow Kable Net
 

^ I did get new neighbours, although I don't if they've not even moved in yet, they seem to be coming in and out all the time everyday. It was around then I probably got a slow net. I also can detect a new wireless network on my list when I search for them.

I didn't really get new electrical equipment.

Thanks for the support.

Re: Slow Kable Net
 

One thing no=one seems to have suggested to date. Are you using encryption? Could be one of your neighbours leeching off your connection?

Re: Slow Kable Net
 

or maybe they've stuck a Tee in your cable so you're sharing the line.

Re: Slow Kable Net
 

My guess would be that they're also using a wireless network which is causing interference, but that's not supported by the fact that you've tried changing channels around and still can't find a clear frequency.

How many wireless networks can you see?

If it's only 2/3 it might be worth having a word with your nearest neighbours and seeing if you can come to an arrangement on channel allocation (1, 6, 13, or something like that) and see if that helps.

Failing that it's possible that they've introduced some sort of electrical equipment that's interfering, but I would suggest that's highly unlikely.

Your other thing could be (as I said) that the router or card are failing. Unfortunately the only way to prove/disprove that would be to try replacement devices.

I'm going to suggest (and be happy to be proven wrong) that the symptoms you're describing would be slightly different if someone were leeching your connection, but it's definitely worth making sure that you've got encryption set up on your wireless network as a matter of course.

Re: Slow Kable Net
 

Ok... What if nothing has got to do with router/card problems... Some computer setting or profile option changed?

I use a very strong password, it's more than 10 characters with numbers and letters, and is case sensitive. Our Name of our wireless network is factory default, but also has some numbers and codes on it. I find 2 wireless networks when I search, one which is mine and one other one which is also Optus, and also has a code after it as well, example: I find two wireless networks with both the names of "OPTUSCB4393XT" which is mine for example, and another is "OPTUSCB00016W843TP". So they are similar, they also got the same ISP as us, would that do anything?

Keep the help coming, so far it has been very helpful.
Thanks!

Re: Slow Kable Net
 

Ok, if you're both using the same wireless router (which does seem to be a possibility) then they will both have the same default channel, which would almost certainly be causing your problems.

While I think what else might be causing your issues, two slightly unrelated (but important) points:

1. You might want to change the default name of your router. That information can be used to target specific attacks, using known vulnerabilities, against the router.

2. Are you using WEP or some variant of WPA? If WPA, which one?

Re: Slow Kable Net
 

^^ Hey there Rob. Sorry for a rather extremely late reply, with school I had exams recently... Don't think I've forgotten...

Well I changed my default name to something else (wireless network's name), and I still DC from games. I've also noticed a new thing, my net as a whole is damn slow as well, including loading internet pages.

I am using WPA Encryption, of this type
WPA-PSK(Wi-Fi Protected Access Pre-Shared Key).

Thanks everyone.

Re: Slow Kable Net
 

Anyone ... ?