Connection problems.

[Chukchi Husky]

For the past couple of weeks I been having problems with my internet connection. Web pages load slowly or sometimes not at all. Whenever I download something it takes a long time to download something small (like a megabyte), which often freezes or even stops completely before finishing. It's most noticable on IRC, where I get connection resets every couple of minutes, and even sometimes right after one happens (and I think I'm unable to see the conversation for a few minutes before the reset).

 

[GoodGame]

Have you installed a firewall?

Do you regularly use anti-spyware / anti-virus?

Also Google "test bandwith" and use some of the sites there to see if you have consistent speed, or speed as your provider advertises.

You can also get some software to optimize your connection settings. I use the one in TuneUp Utilities 2007.

 

[Chukchi Husky]

I don't have a firewall installed, but I have anti-spyware and anti-virus programmes running as a blocker. I don't know what speed I'm supposed to be getting.

 

[Ghost Ranger]

This may not be the case for you, but if your using a router, it could be overheating, and thus causing these issues.

 

[GoodGame]

Still run the bandwidth test on different sites at about the same time to be sure that your connection is consistent. If you can rule that out, try to optimize your system's connection settings, or see if you made any changes to your internet applications (like IE) that may affect speed. If your comp is running at a good speed overall, you can rule out malware also.

 

[Chukchi Husky]

I unplugged the router and modem overnight to see if it helps.


I tried a bandwidth test. On one site I got 2075 kb/s download and 245 kb/s upload. On another site I got 2047 kb/s download and 245 kb/s download. Trything them both again at about the same time I got 1320 kb/s download and 149 kb/s upload, and 1103 kbs download and 141 kb/s upload.

 

[Ghost Ranger]

Question: Who is your service provider?

 

[Chukchi Husky]

Virgin Media.

 

[Ghost Ranger]

Although Virgin Media isn't available in the states, they might use a similar system that Comcast uses... The different "tiers" of service all uses the same type of cable, but the only thing that limits the speed is the modem. So for example, they give you a modem capable of outputting 2mb/s for the 2mb/s service, 4mb/s for the 4mb/s router. Again, I don't know if Virgin Media does the same thing, however, laying in a whole new cable would be a lot more expensive then just sending another router. But, you should look into buying your own router, as for me my connection went up to 20,000 kb/s, and costs less as I'm no longer renting a router from Comcast.

 

[Chukchi Husky]

I already use my own router so the connection can be shared between a couple of computers.

 

[Ghost Ranger]

No, mean modem, not router (although you may have a combination modem+router) (Our router + modem are separate)

 

[croxis]

Judging by the errors we get in the chat (I'm one of the ops there) it doesn't seem to be a bandwidth issue. My guess is that packets are getting dropped some how. Alas I can't think of any utilities off the top of my head to verify that prognosis.

 

[Chukchi Husky]

I don't know if I'll be able to use my own modem.

How do packets get dropped?

 

[croxis]

Either the line to your house is faulty (or if you are using DSL then too far from the DSL hub), faulty or improperly configured modem or router, improper computer settings.

 

[Chukchi Husky]

The modem is on my computer desk, but there's a long amount (around 5 metre I guess) of coax to the hole in the wall. The router was configured with a wizard and I tried to open up ports to play some games over the internet. I don't know about computer settings.

 

[scy12]

Run a bandwidth check. Close the power of the routers-modems and reopen it and run another test. Report here (or to someone else , etc) the results.

 

[warpus]

The modem is on my computer desk, but there's a long amount (around 5 metre I guess) of coax to the hole in the wall.

Try a shorter cable and see if that helps.

Are you using any cable splitters?

 

[Chukchi Husky]

Run a bandwidth check. Close the power of the routers-modems and reopen it and run another test. Report here (or to someone else , etc) the results.

Close the power?

Try a shorter cable and see if that helps.

I can't shorten the cable without physically moving the computer desk closer.

Are you using any cable splitters?

I don't think I'm using a cable test.

 

[scy12]

Close the power?
.

Turn the power off . (Damn English not using words in that way that when i translate them , can be used on that way ...)

 

[Chukchi Husky]

I already turned them off and back on again.