Internet performance poor lately

[brucegriffin]

Hi:
I'm new here, and not very technical.

Cable Forum:OK Think we need a slightly better way for people to ask for help than just a 'my internet is broken'.

Could those who require help please answer the following questions:

1)What, specifically, is your issue?

brucegriffin:My internet speeds are down drastically-to the point where iI can't stream anything-even YouTube

CF:a) Is there a specific time that this issue is most prevalent?
BG:Nope. Its bad always and seems to be getting worse.

CF:b) How long has this issue been going on? (days, weeks, months etc)
BG: About one month
CF:2) Do you have cable TV? If so, is there any reception degradation?
BG:Yes and no.

CF:3) Have you contacted customer support about this problem? If so, what did they say?
BG:3 times. First they told me to disconnect from my wireless router. An hour later they said there were problems in my area. The next day they said there was no problem on theire end. I have three computers, connected them separately directly to the NTL 200 modem and encountered the same problems.

CF:4) What troubleshooting steps have you taken to resolve this problem? (aka: if you haven't tried to help yourself, why should *we* help you?)
BG:I've contacted Netgear, the manufacturer of my wireless router and done what they've suggested i do. I've turned off the firewalls on the router and my computers. I've scanned the internet. (thats what brings me here) I've laid awake at night trying to figure this out. I'm becoming a desparate man. In the long run nothing has helped.

CF:5 Who you are and what you have
a) Where in the country are you?
BG:In Dorset
CF:b) What is your operating system?
c) What is your home network setup? Provide details.
BG:Vista on the main computer and Xp on the others. Same problems on all three computers
CF:e) Are you running a firewall of any sort? Have you ever installed one? Did you try to turn it off during troubleshooting?
BG: All the firewalls I know about are off.By the way, is this a good thing?
CF:f) Please supply a traceroute from you to www.bbc.co.uk in text format

6) Further Info: If you're posting about:
a) Connectivity issues: Please post a
line test
b) Speed issues: Please post at least one speed test which tests speed in both directions.
c) For latency issues please post traceroutes and pings to some major sites in the UK. www.bbc.co.uk, www.nildram.net, etc
BG: I'm sincerely sorry, but I don't know how to do these things. If you can tell me how, I'll do anything
CF:I will no longer accept unsolicited requests for help - this is a user forum not a short cut to ntl staff, nor will I answer requests for help unless at least some attempt has been made to supply the info above.

I like to help, but have less and less time to help those who don't try to help themselves but rather dive onto this forum first. Help us to help you!
BG:I appreciate that, and I want to thank you for taking the time to read this.As I've said, I've tried to get help thru Virgin and they deny any culpability. I'd appreciate any advice.

Bruce griffin/Dorset

[Bonglet]

To run a tracert click on your start or windows logo main button click on run then type in cmd.
When you have the prompt up simply type in tracert www.<site name> and press enter.
you can also run a ping test by ping www.<site name> -t

[Joxer]

www.speedtest.net is one site you can use to test your connection speed - I generally find it rather innaccurate but seems to be ok today.

There is also a speed test link at the top of this page.

To run a traceroute open a command prompt (start -> all programs -> accessories -> command prompt) and type in

tracert bbc.co.uk

Then copy and paste the result here.

brucegriffin

[sstainer]

Hi bruce, seems you do have a few issues ehh
ok firstly what modem are you using ntl 200 , vm 255/256 ? etc
goto http://192.168.100.1/ root root if required
check signal levels namely these 3

Downstream Receive Power Level : -1.5 dBmV nearer it is to 0 the better
Downstream SNR : 33.7 dB around the same ideal

Upstream transmit Power Level : 48.5 dBmV below 50 best

there my levels on 20mb 256 modem

also try using the tcp optimizer see if it helps has for me personally
http://www.speedguide.net/files/TCPOptimizer.exe

see the documentation for how too use if needed http://www.speedguide.net/tcpoptimizer.php

finally try some speedtests
one is here at CF ^ above http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/speed.php
another is at www.speedtest.bbmax.co.uk [personal fav]

[brucegriffin]

Simon:
I live in Poole too, specifically Upper Parkstone. We were long-time subscribers to ntl., and we experienced relatively few problems with them. We have been very dissapointed with the performance of our Virgin internet service, and especially so with thier customer support.
Anyhow:
CF:Hi bruce, seems you do have a few issues ehh
ok firstly what modem are you using ntl 200 , vm 255/256 ? etc
BG:NTL Home 200…we,ve had it for about 5 years

CF:goto http://192.168.100.1/ root root if required
check signal levels namely these 3

Downstream Receive Power Level : -1.5 dBmV nearer it is to 0 the better
Downstream SNR : 33.7 dB around the same ideal

Upstream transmit Power Level : 48.5 dBmV below 50 best
BG:OK . This is all gobbledygook to me but here goes:
Downstream Receive Power Level: -8.4dBmv
Downstream SNR: 28.7 dB
Upstream TransmitPower Level: 48.0dBmV
Is this good?

CF:there my levels on 20mb 256 modem
BG: Not sure what you mean by this

CF:also try using the tcp optimizer see if it helps has for me personally
http://www.speedguide.net/files/TCPOptimizer.exe

see the documentation for how too use if needed http://www.speedguide.net/tcpoptimizer.php

BG: I will look into tcp. Optimizer after I hear from you concerning the transmit/receive data…if you are kind enough to reply!


CF:finally try some speedtests
one is here at CF ^ above http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/speed.php
another is at www.speedtest.bbmax.co.uk [personal fav]
BG: I clocked in at 1080kpps download 187 kbps upload

All of the above tests were done on a six month old Toshiba laptop with a Vista OS. The computer was connected via ethernet directly to the modem, and none of the other computers in my house were powered.

Simon thanx very much for replying to my original post. I find this stuff very confusing, and dealing with the Virgin folk by telephone very frustrating.
Sincerely , Bruce Griffin/Dorset
__________________
Simon stainer

[chickendippers]

There's no point running the TCP Optimiser on your Vista machine, it only benefits XP systems.

[sstainer]

oh did'nt see your OS was vista ignore TCP then as chickendippers said wont help

with reguards to
CF:there my levels on 20mb 256 modem [i'm on xl ie 20mb or upto]
BG: Not sure what you mean by this

i have a Virginmedia modem 256 the latest one
just wondering what level [speed] of service do you have M L XL[18£ 25£ £37 ]
going on your reply
BG: I clocked in at 1080kpps download 187 kbps upload looks like you have 2mb correct me if wrong

will wait for reply and try find a solution after ok

Originally Posted by brucegriffin

Simon:
I live in Poole too, specifically Upper Parkstone. We were long-time subscribers to ntl., and we experienced relatively few problems with them. We have been very dissapointed with the performance of our Virgin internet service, and especially so with thier customer support.
Anyhow:
CF:Hi bruce, seems you do have a few issues ehh
ok firstly what modem are you using ntl 200 , vm 255/256 ? etc
BG:NTL Home 200…we,ve had it for about 5 years

CF:goto http://192.168.100.1/ root root if required
check signal levels namely these 3

Downstream Receive Power Level : -1.5 dBmV nearer it is to 0 the better
Downstream SNR : 33.7 dB around the same ideal

Upstream transmit Power Level : 48.5 dBmV below 50 best
BG:OK . This is all gobbledygook to me but here goes:
Downstream Receive Power Level: -8.4dBmv
Downstream SNR: 28.7 dB
Upstream TransmitPower Level: 48.0dBmV
Is this good?

CF:there my levels on 20mb 256 modem
BG: Not sure what you mean by this

CF:also try using the tcp optimizer see if it helps has for me personally
http://www.speedguide.net/files/TCPOptimizer.exe

see the documentation for how too use if needed http://www.speedguide.net/tcpoptimizer.php

BG: I will look into tcp. Optimizer after I hear from you concerning the transmit/receive data…if you are kind enough to reply!


CF:finally try some speedtests
one is here at CF ^ above http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/speed.php
another is at www.speedtest.bbmax.co.uk [personal fav]
BG: I clocked in at 1080kpps download 187 kbps upload

All of the above tests were done on a six month old Toshiba laptop with a Vista OS. The computer was connected via ethernet directly to the modem, and none of the other computers in my house were powered.

Simon thanx very much for replying to my original post. I find this stuff very confusing, and dealing with the Virgin folk by telephone very frustrating.
Sincerely , Bruce Griffin/Dorset
__________________
Simon stainer

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You could try this below if you are on Vista

http://www.speedguide.net/read_articles.php?id=2574
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

[ikthius]

Originally Posted by brucegriffin

Simon:
I live in Poole too, specifically Upper Parkstone. We were long-time subscribers to ntl., and we experienced relatively few problems with them. We have been very dissapointed with the performance of our Virgin internet service, and especially so with thier customer support.
Anyhow:
CF:Hi bruce, seems you do have a few issues ehh
ok firstly what modem are you using ntl 200 , vm 255/256 ? etc
BG:NTL Home 200…we,ve had it for about 5 years

CF:goto http://192.168.100.1/ root root if required
check signal levels namely these 3

Downstream Receive Power Level : -1.5 dBmV nearer it is to 0 the better
Downstream SNR : 33.7 dB around the same ideal

Upstream transmit Power Level : 48.5 dBmV below 50 best
BG:OK . This is all gobbledygook to me but here goes:
Downstream Receive Power Level: -8.4dBmv
Downstream SNR: 28.7 dB
Upstream TransmitPower Level: 48.0dBmV
Is this good?

CF:there my levels on 20mb 256 modem
BG: Not sure what you mean by this

CF:also try using the tcp optimizer see if it helps has for me personally
http://www.speedguide.net/files/TCPOptimizer.exe

see the documentation for how too use if needed http://www.speedguide.net/tcpoptimizer.php

BG: I will look into tcp. Optimizer after I hear from you concerning the transmit/receive data…if you are kind enough to reply!


CF:finally try some speedtests
one is here at CF ^ above http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/speed.php
another is at www.speedtest.bbmax.co.uk [personal fav]
BG: I clocked in at 1080kpps download 187 kbps upload

All of the above tests were done on a six month old Toshiba laptop with a Vista OS. The computer was connected via ethernet directly to the modem, and none of the other computers in my house were powered.

Simon thanx very much for replying to my original post. I find this stuff very confusing, and dealing with the Virgin folk by telephone very frustrating.
Sincerely , Bruce Griffin/Dorset
__________________
Simon stainer

in the address bar of the browser put in http://192.168.100.1 then press enter. Username is root password is root to see the modem settings........ This is the configuration of your modem, be careful not to change anything.

look in the links/tabs (depends on modem) and find what was said above.

post back and more people could help see if there is a problem with your modem.

welcome by the way

[brucegriffin]

Thanx to everybody who has replied.
Nere's the configuration of my modem (I think):
Cable Modem Configuration

Type : Ambit ETH/USB Combo Cable Modem Cable modem : Ambit Cable Modem
MAC address : <deleted> IP address : 10.100.<deleted>
Serial number : <deleted> Board ID : E08C004.00.00_EU03
Software version : 2.67.1016 Hardware version : 1.15
Boot Code version : 3.13.2 Web Based Configuration Pages version : 1.0.2
USB AdaptorName : USB Cable Modem USB MAC address : <deleted>
USB vendor ID : 0bb2 USB product ID : 6098

our internet plan with Vigin is M (I think)

Thanx again everybody

Sincerely, Bruce in Dorset

Edit Rob: Mac Address and some other bits deleted to protect your own privacy - the unscrupulous could make use of it

Originally Posted by brucegriffin

Thanx to everybody who has replied.
Nere's the configuration of my modem (I think):
Cable Modem Configuration

Type : Ambit ETH/USB Combo Cable Modem Cable modem : Ambit Cable Modem
MAC address : <deleted> IP address : 10.100.<deleted>
Serial number : <deleted> Board ID : E08C004.00.00_EU03
Software version : 2.67.1016 Hardware version : 1.15
Boot Code version : 3.13.2 Web Based Configuration Pages version : 1.0.2
USB AdaptorName : USB Cable Modem USB MAC address : <deleted>
USB vendor ID : 0bb2 USB product ID : 6098

our internet plan with Vigin is M (I think)

Thanx again everybody

Sincerely, Bruce in Dorset

Edit Rob: Mac Address and some other bits deleted to protect your own privacy - the unscrupulous could make use of it

You need to post the Downstream page and the Upstream page none of the above details which Rob has deleted for you.

[brucegriffin]

Apologies everybody...I really have a hard time understanding exactly what you mean a lot of the time. Is this what you wanted?

Maximum Downstream Data Rate : 2048000
Maximum Upstream Data Rate : 200000
Maximum Upstream Channel Burst : 1600
Modem Capability : Concatenation Enabled, Fragmentation Disabled, PHS Disabled
Maximum Number of CPEs : 1

Or maybe this:

Downstream Frequency : 586750000 Hz
Downstream Modulation : QAM256
Downstream Interleave Depth : taps12increment17
Downstream Receive Power Level : -8.7 dBmV
Downstream SNR : 29.2 dB
Cable Modem Status

Upstream Status

Upstream Channel ID : 4
Upstream Transmit Power Level : 49.50 dBmV
Upstream Symbol Rate : 2560 Ksym/sec
Upstream Frequency : 46200000 Hz
Upstream Mini-Slot Size : 2
Cable Modem Status
Downstream Status


Thank you. sincerely Bruce in Dorset

[looper35uk]

Originally Posted by brucegriffin

Apologies everybody...I really have a hard time understanding exactly what you mean a lot of the time. Is this what you wanted?

Downstream Frequency : 586750000 Hz
Downstream Modulation : QAM256
Downstream Interleave Depth : taps12increment17
Downstream Receive Power Level : -8.7 dBmV
Downstream SNR : 29.2 dB
Cable Modem Status

Thank you. sincerely Bruce in Dorset

Hi Bruce

Looking at this from a service technicians point of view.

Downstream Receive Power Level : -8.7 dBmV (borderline)
Downstream SNR : 29.2 dB (borderline)
Upstream Transmit Power Level : 49.50 dBmV (boaderline)

These three atrributes are very borderline. I like to have the signal to noise ratio (SNR) above 30dB and my downstream power level between -4dB to +2dB. I always find a discrepancy between the diagnostic page and my signal meter (and it has been calibrated) of about 2dB.

Give faults a call and get them to send a tech out.

[Axegrinder]

Upstream Transmit Power Level : 49.50 dBmV (boaderline)

That power level is fine, 55dbmv is borderline.

All the other will need looking at by a tech.