Unstable ntl:250 Cable Modem

[gc7]

Hi Guys,

I recently moved house and was given a new ntl:250 modem. Although the speeds were great in the daytime, approx 1.15 MB/Sec, during the evenings the speed was reduced to around 133 KB/Sec. Now that is a huge difference.

I had and enginneer out last night at 6pm, when the speeds were slow, and after some tests he has replaced my ntl:250 with my old ntl:120. Now I am getting the same high speeds during the evenings aswell as the day time.

I was also told the best way to check your speed is to actually download a large file and not to use speed test websites as they too can be unstable. The address that I was given to check my speed is:

http://www.mirror.ac.uk/mirror/ftp.f...a/i386/iso-cd/

and to download the top file.

With my ntl:120 back installed I am constantly getting speeds around 1.05 MB/Sec even in the evenings when my speed would drop off.

This is just my experience and others may find that there ntl:250 modem is OK, but I thought I'd let you know.

Cheers.

[grubbymitts]

well, that's the complete opposite of what most people are finding. Weird!

[Nedkelly]

I agree i have been taking out 120s and putting in 250s as they are 10meg ready.This is wierd

[t12345]

I tried to download one of those files at 2am and got 450kb/sec on an ambit 120, btu then my Download receive power is at 14dbmv but according to indian technical support that is fine and working and they refuse to send an engineer out.... guess I am gonna have to do the mini power cut trick...

[sj-]

Originally Posted by t12345

I tried to download one of those files at 2am and got 450kb/sec on an ambit 120, btu then my Download receive power is at 14dbmv but according to indian technical support that is fine and working and they refuse to send an engineer out.... guess I am gonna have to do the mini power cut trick...

Keep trying tech support. I spoke to them 3 times today. Our downstream power level is at 15 dBmv which (I believe) is causing multiple spontaneous connection drop-outs.

The 1st guy said everything was fine and just suggested unplugging all equipment and waiting until the modem came back online of its own accord. A temporary fix - at best.
He said: "ok, everything seems to be working now, yes?"
I said: "yes, but its intermitantly cutting out and will continue to do so"
He said: "yes, but its working now."
I said: "yes, but this doesnt fix my issue."
He said: "yes, but its working now - ring back when it cuts out again."
I said: "but that'll cost me more money, I am ringing from a mobile"
He said: "ok, thank you for calling ntl."

Then I was asked to ring back in an hour so they could check the modem. I think she said there was something wrong with the system and they couldnt do it right then (tbh I couldnt really understand her)

Then the last time I got through the lady checked it out for me, agreed there was a problem and scheduled an engineer for monday. We shall see.

[gc7]

Originally Posted by t12345

I tried to download one of those files at 2am and got 450kb/sec on an ambit 120, btu then my Download receive power is at 14dbmv but according to indian technical support that is fine and working and they refuse to send an engineer out.... guess I am gonna have to do the mini power cut trick...

Like I said earlier this works for me after problems with a ntl:250 and it may not be the case for everyone.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...pints/test.jpg

[gc7]

Originally Posted by t12345

I tried to download one of those files at 2am and got 450kb/sec on an ambit 120, btu then my Download receive power is at 14dbmv but according to indian technical support that is fine and working and they refuse to send an engineer out.... guess I am gonna have to do the mini power cut trick...

These are my settings:

Cable Modem Configuration

Type : Ambit ETH/USB Combo Cable Modem
Cable modem : Ambit Cable Modem
MAC address : xx.xx.xx.xx.xx.xx
IP address : xx.xxx.xx.xx
Downstream Receive Power Level : -5.13 dBmv
Downstream SNR : 33.03 dB
Upstream Transmit Power Level : 53.50 dBmv

Cable Modem Status

Search for a Downstream Channel Done
Search for a Upstream Channel Done
Obtain Upstream Parameters Done
Establish IP Connectivity using DHCP Done
Establish Time Of Day Done
Transfer Operational Parameters through TFTP Done
Register Connection Done

Operation Configuration

Network Access : Enabled
Maximum Downstream Data Rate : 10240000 bps
Maximum Upstream Data Rate : 512000 bps
Maximum Number of CPEs : 1
Software Upgrade File Name : ntlhm120_ntl0002.cpr
Software Upgrade AdminStatus : allowProvisioningUpgrade
Software Upgrade OperStatus : completeFromProvisioning

Unsure how different they are to everyone elses.

[Chrysalis]

It could be the particular 250 you had was faulty, or conspiracy theorists might say the 250s are programmed to slow down at that time of the day :P

---------- Post added at 15:40 ---------- Previous post was at 15:35 ----------

using 4 segments in getright it flatlined at 10mbit which is pretty good for 3.45 pm on ftp traffic, I then forced it to a single segment and it momentairly dropped to 8mbit and fluctuated around 7-9mbit speeds again thats good for this time of day.