Internet problems, ISP screwing me?

[Rambaron]

I've had cable internet for 3 years now, its been reliable, fast, and I’ve never had any problems with it whatsoever. Just lately they switched my Lan City modem for a Webstar. Immediately upon setting it up I noticed that my internet was significantly slower. Pages loaded at a slower pace and my downloads crawled. But perhaps the most disturbing of all was my now inability to game online. I’d play for just minutes and suddenly my connection would mysteriously drop.

Foolishly thinking that there was a problem with the modem I returned it to receive another Webstar. Once again after installing this new modem, the same problems persisted. I’ve complained numerous times about this problem with the ISP, only get receive the cold shoulder. I have performed numerous scans on my computer to find spy ware and other hidden nasties, but have found nothing. Please I have done all that I can, any information would be much appreciated.

Thank you,

 

[DragonQ0105]

What Broadband service do you use?

What Speed did you sign up for (e.g. Telewest Blueyonder Broadband provides 128Kbps, 256Kbps, 768Mbps, 1.5Mbps, 3Mbps)?

Also, try a Download speed test (I recommend

http://bandwidthplace.com/speedtest),

and note what value you get - run it at least 3 times with no other internet activity (that's firewalls, downloads, other web pages open etc.).

Lastly, do you use a Firewall? If so which one? Norton, Zone Alarm etc? If you do, try another Firewall to see if that helps...

 

[Rambaron]

ok it is 3mpbs and i am not running any firewalls i do have a linksys router. never had problems before but it does the same thing even if im connected directly to the PC. any other ideas..



thanx

 

[BadBigBen]

Hi there, I would suggest the following:

deinstall driver for modem and reinstall them...

then set your MTU to 1492, TCP windowsize to 32767, TCPRecvSegmentsize to 32767, Default TTL to 64, GlobalMaxTcpWindowSize to 32768...

Run Sysedit... under SystemINI below the line [386enh] add the following line: IrqX=4096 (as a seperate single line only where the X equals the IRQ Number of the USB port or the Irq of the NIC card in use is... this sets the cache for these at 4096 bytes...

this should set your connection at optimum settings...

Ben


If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer...

 

[Rambaron]

hmmm, to tell you the truth, you lost me after Hi there.

 

[DragonQ0105]

Download this:

http://www.speedguide.net/files/TCPOptimizer.exe

Run it and make sure "Cable Modem" is selected at the top, then select "Optimal Settings" at the bottom.

Choose "Apply Settings", then when it asks to reboot, do so. Is there any improvement?


P.S. This program automatically chooses the settings as described by BigBadBen

 

[Rambaron]

Wow, put so simply, I have to go, so i'll try it tomorrow. Thanks everyone, for the help, special thanks to DragonQ0105 who has solved all 3 problems i've posted.

Thanks all

 

[arad33]

Hi guys

What would be the appropriate settings for my point to point wireless broad band? I'm getting lots of dropped packets. I get a connect of 512kb or more but my downloads take longer than they should. I tried the tcp otimizer program but I had so many dropped packets that the program couldn't get a maxmtu.

thanks

 

[DragonQ0105]

Wireless Broadband can be bad if you have interference (e.g. any other electrical appliance in the area), and so is not recommended unless you need to use the internet a lot in different rooms on a laptop.

For desktops, Cable is a lot faster and more reliable than wireless, so is preferred.

I would suggest looking at your ISP's website for a troubleshooting or FAQ section to see if there's anything there about lost packets over wireless conenctions. Try google also to see if anything comes up.

 

[cdogg]

Rambaron,

The suggestion of setting the MTU to 1492 is not needed unless your connection is using PPPoE which is most common in DSL connections not cable.

Also, the suggestion to use the TCPOptimizer shouldn't be needed since you mention that the problem didn't exist before. If it's the same ISP just different modem, then it's probably a setting within the modem itself and not a setting in Windows that's causing the problem. 3mbps average download speeds is excellent! Dropped connections are almost always a problem on the ISP side, not the PC side. Be persistent and insist that they send a tech on site to test the connection (assuming that the problem is easily duplicated).

Finally, this is a hardware forum. Your question might be better suited in one of the network forums. Look in this list for future reference:

http://www.tek-tips.com/forumlist.cfm

arad33,

Even though it is a wireless connection, hopefully the modem or router you're using has an ethernet port as well. The best thing you can do at this point is test your PC over ethernet to see if it has the same problems. That will tell you if it's the wireless connection. If it is, you'll want to take it up with the manufacturer or supplier of the wireless device (which may or may not be your ISP provider).


~cdogg
[tab]"All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind";
[tab][tab]- Aristotle
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[satrow]

The only electrical appliances likely to interferere with Wireless networking are Dect telephones and microwave ovens.

Andy.

 

[BadBigBen]

Hola,

glad you got it sorted out...

Ben

PS - sorry for the technical chinese, at the time didn't know where to find the TCPoptimizer progs...

If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer...