100M New install only getting 6mb down.

ZrByte · 24-02-2016, 21:43

Hi all and long time no see.
I'm hoping somebody on here can help and save me another call to CS. I actually can't fault virgin CS this time but I have a bit of an anxiety about calling people I don't know so would like to avoid the call If I can. Earlier today I received one of those self install packs with the SH2ac and rejoined virgin supposedly at 100mb. I'm only getting 6mb of that and even that took a phone call to an actual customer service person because the automated system failed to activate my router, as I said above I dislike calling people I don't know but to give the CS rep his due he seemed good to me.
Now after the call I noticed the connection seemed sluggish compared to the BT fibre I have just switched from and I've had a few page not found errors so I have performed a speed test (or 10) and get a fairly consistent 6mb down 6mb up. lowest down speed was 3mb but this was an anomaly as far as I could tell. My ping has varied from 12ms to 80ms so not terrible but not great at its lowest, still not what I would expect from a suffering connection as I would expect to see a ping in the 100s.
A quick google would seem to suggest my power levels are too high but I have to admit to knowing little to nothing about this side of things.
I've attached screenshots of both my download and upload power levels. Can anybody with the correct smarts let me know whats too high and/or too low so if I do have to call CS I will at least have all the relevant info to hand?
Also would old wiring be a likely cause of this? I expressed some concern to the original person who said I would get a self install kit that the cover of the inlet to the property had Nynex branding and I don't think we have had Nynex here since 2001.

Thanks in advance.

MUD_Wizard · 24-02-2016, 23:19

Yes, your downstream power levels are too high. They should be somewhere in the range -6 to +10 dBmV. Though allow a bit for drift, so I'd want +9 max for a reliable connection.

You don't say whether you're testing your speeds via wired or wifi. Sounds like wifi?

Connect a computer direct to your hub via ethernet and post links to your speed tests from http://www.thinkbroadband.com/speedtest.html and http://www.speedtest.net/

ZrByte · 25-02-2016, 04:49

Sorry, yes I should have said that was both wired and wireless. I'm on GB wired, confirmed with a network transfer of about 80-100MB/s. And my wireless is connecting at 360mb according to network and sharing centre in windows.

I'm not able to connect to my virgin right now so I can't post a screenshot from speedtest because I'm heading out to work and I had to reconnect the BT hub for the Mrs while I'm out but my 6mb down 6mb up speed was from speedtest.net last night. Interestingly I ran the test again one last time before bed and I was able to get 10mb down for the first time but another test immediately after only gave 3mb down so its obviously unstable.

JordanTheToaster · 25-02-2016, 05:38

Holy those power levels are really high

heero_yuy · 25-02-2016, 08:41

If you want to avoid calls to VM you could try fitting a FPA ( Forward Path Attenuator or equiliser) of 6 to 10 db. This would bring the DS power nicely inside the limit. The US power is fine.

General Maximus · 25-02-2016, 08:56

as above, you want your downstream as close to 0 as possible and I would start sweating if mine was went over +6. You can either ring tech support and have the stress of explaining it to the ming mongs in India. You need an tech to come out and move your tap point in the street cabinet which will adjust your power levels. Orrrrrr, you can buy one of these which will be perfect.

ZrByte · 25-02-2016, 13:25

Thanks for the replies everyone. I've just reconnected to the router over wireless and without any intervention I'm now getting over 100mb which is great.

The only thing of note is that I got a text from virgin today while I was at work telling me they have sent the signal to activate my BB (The one I requested last night) so I don't know if there was just some sort of hiccup with the provisioning system or the SMS notification system, it may even be unrelated.
I've now reconnected my whole network and on my wired machine I am getting this....

So it all looks good. My only worry is my power levels still seem the same to me (Screenshot attached). Now I know the old adage of "if it isn't broke, don't fix it" probably applies here but I'm just wondering if I may experience problems with levels like this (perhapps at peak times?) and should I maybe still buy the FPA?

General Maximus · 25-02-2016, 13:54

I am the champion of "if it ain't broken don't fix it" but that being said your power levels are right on the edge and as the weather changes they will only get worse. You can even see it now with those post-rs errors. I would still order the fpa or ring tech support and get a tech out to sort it out.

Love the avatar btw, I forgot to say it earlier.

ZrByte · 25-02-2016, 14:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by General Maximus

I am the champion of "if it ain't broken don't fix it" but that being said your power levels are right on the edge and as the weather changes they will only get worse. You can even see it now with those post-rs errors. I would still order the fpa or ring tech support and get a tech out to sort it out.

Love the avatar btw, I forgot to say it earlier.

Thanks, Think I'll order the one you linked to earlier. If it was a lot more money then I would probably get over it and ring CS again but for just over £5 it's not going to break the bank.
And thanks for the compliment on the avatar. Kosh is one of my all time favourite SciFi characters. I've used the same avatar on here for over 13 years and several years before that on the old nthellworld.com but I have been largely inactive over the last 4 years.

General Maximus · 25-02-2016, 14:15

B5 rules. I have watched over 100 complete tv series in my life (with a huge amount of variety between them) and B5 is still No. 1. Entil'zha venis.

ZrByte · 25-02-2016, 16:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by General Maximus

B5 rules. I have watched over 100 complete tv series in my life (with a huge amount of variety between them) and B5 is still No. 1. Entil'zha venis.

BSG came a close second for me but I agree completely about B5. It's one of those series I can watch over and over. The wife actually mocks me for this because I tend to watch B5, BSG, Arrested development and Archer at least once a year.

General Maximus · 25-02-2016, 17:32

dude you are like my long lost twin. BSG is my second favourite series ever and I make a point of watching both once a year.

ZrByte · 25-02-2016, 19:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by General Maximus

dude you are like my long lost twin. BSG is my second favourite series ever and I make a point of watching both once a year.

I'd say great minds think alike but my Mrs would likely disagree with that one haha

General Maximus · 25-02-2016, 19:42

I am surprised Kosh (Kush) hasn't joined in yet, that would make us triplets.

Kushan · 25-02-2016, 19:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by General Maximus

I am surprised Kosh (Kush) hasn't joined in yet, that would make us triplets.