PCA Forums

Posted: **Sat Feb 16, 2008 9:44 am**

IE7 / windows media center / SP2

i know this is really broad question, but all pages having been loading very slowly the last few days, including PCA.

i installed the newly released MS patches wed. eve.
@ the same time, i installed cumulative security update for IE [ MS07-069 ] which was released in december, but i had been putting it off because of the listed "known issues" and was afraid i would not be able to get back online.

{ http://support.microsoft.com/kb/942615 }

after i updated, i rebooted and basically just wanted to see if my browser would open, which it did. so i logged off.
the next day, i noticed the slow page loading.

i have no clue if it is related to the update/s, or just coincidence.
i have not installed any new software or hardware.
i have not visited any funky sites; just the sites i always visit and never had a problem with.

i delete temp internet files + cookies daily.
i deleted History.
i flushed the dns.
i ran defrag / avg.
i ran command chkdsk C: /F /R

lappie, and programs on lappie [ dell inspiron ] run fine; it is only the internet connection that is the problem.

any clue where i should start to find out what is going on w/my internet connection/speed? i am on dsl.
{ and no, pls do not suggest firefox ; ) }

thank you : )

Posted: **Sat Feb 16, 2008 9:58 am**

Have you power-cycled (turn off then on) your modem and router? That's the first thing I would do whenever Internet is slow. Even if this is only affecting one computer in the house, it could still be an issue with the router - perhaps a corrupt forwarding table. Routers are just little computers and sometimes they need to be rebooted.

Who's your internet provider? Comcast has been having a lot of issues with their DNS servers which will make pages very slow to come up. I gave up on them and switched to OpenDNS. Simple to do.

Just find your router and follow the instructions here:
https://www.opendns.com/start

Posted: **Sat Feb 16, 2008 11:02 am**

hi FP, and thank you for reply : )

surprisingly, i did turn off/on my modem before i logged on this morning.

my provider is verizon.

there has been a recent change in my set up; i no longer have a separate modem and router.

2 weeks ago, upon powering up, my router's lights did not go on @ all.
i unplugged/re-plugged all router, modem, and ethernet cable/s, rebooted, etc., numerous times, to no avail.
i then connected my ethernet cable directly into the modem. i still could not get a connection at all.
i did this for 45 mins before finally calling my ISP { because i dread calling them } : )

i then remembered they had sent me a Gateway Versalink ADSL Wireless Westell { http://www.westell.com/broadband-home-n ... teway.html ; Model # A90-327W15-06 }.

The rep helped me set it up ( i never inserted the installation CD that came w/it because the rep walked me through it ).
i can connect other PCs to it, if i had any, so i guess it is some sort of modem/router combo?

anyway, it ran perfectly after that and pages loaded swiftly.
this page loading slow-down that i now have started but a few days ago.

is there anything else i can check for before doing what you suggested?
i don't even know where or how to get to router's { if that's indeed what i have } control panel.

i am afraid of messing anything up. i have only the one use-able laptop and if i mess up, i am scr3wed as to getting back online.

Posted: **Sat Feb 16, 2008 2:18 pm**

Yes, that will be a router/modem combo they gave you.

You can just change the DNS address on your individual computer instead of the router. Instructions here: https://www.opendns.com/start?device=windows-xp

If it's still slow, do you have another computer at home you can compare it to? I'd say if it's slow on 2 separate PCs and you've tried OpenDNS then it's probably a packet loss issue and you need to talk to your ISP and get someone out there to actually measure the signal at your end.

For ammunition you can run some speed tests like this one here
to see if you're getting the speed you're supposed to be:
http://www.wugnet.com/myspeed/speedtest.asp

to see if you're getting the speed you're supposed to be.

Also, do you hear any noise on the phone line? Humming, crackle? Any reduction in phone line quality will affect the DSL signal.

Another shot in the dark: Have you installed any new phone equipment since this started (phones, answering machines, fax)? One misbehaved device on the phone line can cause problems.

Posted: **Sat Feb 16, 2008 5:17 pm**

I have Verizon also, and I did have issues in the past with their DSL modem. It would slow down to analog modem speed (56k) and stay there. I was lucky and my buddy that I car pool with had a spare Westell that I barrowed to test if the modem was bad, and sure enough it was bad. As soon as I connected the spare modem, I was getting my usual speed. Called Verizon and they sent me a replacement.

Posted: **Sat Feb 16, 2008 11:17 pm**

thank you, FP : )

no new phone equipment, etc. has been installed. phones are a year old.
there is a little static noise on the portable phone, but it has always been there, and no problems like i am having now with this slow loading occurred until a few days ago.
_____

if it is safe to go online to run speedtest w/an old lappie for which MSoft no longer provides security updates, i can check that out on monday. (i am on a tight schedule tomorrow).

meanwhile, i have had a look @ the opendns link, above, just to check it out;
first i clicked "LAN or High-Speed Internet".
(above LAN, there is Broadband showing "verizon online dsl"; i do not know why it shows as disconnected. maybe that is a prior manual connection?). sorry, i am clueless.

then on to Properties. i am wondering why i cannot view the Connection and Activity status (prior to proceeding to Step 5) as shown in step 4 of the link.
here is screenshot side-by-side; mine is on the right.

i am sorry for all the questions..

meanwhile, i have run 3 speed tests using wugnet.com.
here are the results:

8PM test results 2-16-08:
DL speed: 15.5 Kbps
UL speed: 88.0 Kbps
Max Pause: 12312ms
Quality of Service: 6%

8:08PM tests results 2-16-08
DL speed: 100 Kbps
UL speed: 650 Kbps
Max Pause: 1985ms
Quality of Service: 21%

8:12PM test results 2-16-08
DL speed: 38.5 Kbps
UL speed 83.2 Kbps
Max Pause: 1828ms
Quality of Service: 18%

____

hi Exec; i have no way to test if router/modem is bad. it was straight out of the box when it was set up a few weeks ago and was running smooth as silk.

Posted: **Sun Feb 17, 2008 5:54 am**

Darcy, those speed test numbers are horrible. I assume, like most people, you're paying for at least 1.5Mbit DSL. You're barely getting dialup speeds with a massively high delay. Something is very wrong with your connection.

No problem connecting the old lappy for a test. It'll be behind the router so it's safe.

if you get the same low numbers on the bandwidth test with the other lappy, it's definately a problem with Verizon - either the modem or the line.

I wouldn't worry about OpenDNS - that's not your problem.

Oh, that Broadband connection up top is your old PPPoE DSL login for your old modem. You're not using it anymore and it can be safely deleted. Not going to hurt anything to leave it there though.

Posted: **Sun Feb 17, 2008 11:24 am**

yes, it is very frustrating, FP. i would have posted screenshots, but it would have taken me forever.

Oh, that Broadband connection up top is your old PPPoE DSL login for your old modem. You're not using it anymore and it can be safely deleted. Not going to hurt anything to leave it there though.

ok, thank you, FP : ); i will just leave it there, then.

i ran 2 more speed tests this morning, and "quality of service" ranged from <50, and then down to <38.
despite these slightly higher numbers, my home page { Google }, loaded very slowly from the top down.
except for the power light, the green lights on the modem/router do not always remain steady. { i am sorry, it just occurred to me to look }.

also, i have found the scribblings i made when configuring modem/router w/isp tech.

i do not know if this helps, but here is Log of "All" . i have no clue about the #s. do they confirm speed test numbers more or less?

Date: February 17, 2008
Time: 10:57:46
LOGS Select a log... All Connection System

All Entries CURRENT MODEM STATUS DSL Modem Status....... Up PPP Session Status...... Up Connection Type......... PPPoE Time set from............. Network Time since last boot.... 0 days, 0 hrs: 58 mins: 51 secsEVENTS**********************************************************************Events are listed starting from the most recent.
**********************************************************************SUN FEB 17 15:21:15 2008
DNS: Unknown host: 'wpad.myhome.westell.com'

SUN FEB 17 15:21:14 2008
DNS: Unknown host: 'wpad.myhome.westell.com'

SUN FEB 17 15:03:24 2008
DNS: Unknown host: 'wpad.westell.com'

SUN FEB 17 15:03:22 2008
DNS: Unknown host: 'wpad.westell.com'

SUN FEB 17 15:03:22 2008
DNS: Unknown host: 'wpad.myhome.westell.com'

SUN FEB 17 15:03:21 2008
DNS: Unknown host: 'wpad.myhome.westell.com'

SUN FEB 17 15:03:20 2008
DNS: Unknown host: 'wpad.myhome.westell.com'

SUN FEB 17 14:59:25 2008
Setting System clock to Network time SUN FEB 17 14:59:25 2008

SUN FEB 17 14:59:21 2008
PPP CONNECTED on VPI 0 VCI 35

SUN FEB 17 14:59:13 2008
Connecting session(0): My Connection due to AlwaysOn

SUN FEB 17 14:59:04 2008
US Atten: 15.0 DS Atten: 26.0

SUN FEB 17 14:59:04 2008
US Margin: 10.0 DS Margin: 28.0

SUN FEB 17 14:59:04 2008
US Tx Power: 11.0 DS Tx Power: 16.8

SUN FEB 17 14:59:04 2008
US DSL Rate: 832 kbits/sec DS DSL Rate: 3360 kbits/sec

SUN FEB 17 14:59:04 2008
WanMgr reports DSL is UP

SUN FEB 17 14:58:52 2008
Model Number: A90-327W15-06

SUN FEB 17 14:58:52 2008
Software Version: VER:03.00.63a

SUN FEB 17 14:58:52 2008
Product: WireSpeed Data Gateway Model: 4 Port Gateway

SUN FEB 17 14:58:52 2008
VLYNQ_WLAN: successfully started

end of diagnostic log file

"connection" log:

Date: February 17, 2008
Time: 11:1:37
LOGS Select a log... All Connection System

Connection Entries CURRENT MODEM STATUS DSL Modem Status....... Up PPP Session Status...... Up Connection Type......... PPPoE Time set from............. Network Time since last boot.... 0 days, 1 hrs: 2 mins: 42 secsEVENTS**********************************************************************Events are listed starting from the most recent.
**********************************************************************SUN FEB 17 15:21:15 2008
DNS: Unknown host: 'wpad.myhome.westell.com'

SUN FEB 17 15:21:14 2008
DNS: Unknown host: 'wpad.myhome.westell.com'

SUN FEB 17 15:03:24 2008
DNS: Unknown host: 'wpad.westell.com'

SUN FEB 17 15:03:22 2008
DNS: Unknown host: 'wpad.westell.com'

SUN FEB 17 15:03:22 2008
DNS: Unknown host: 'wpad.myhome.westell.com'

SUN FEB 17 15:03:21 2008
DNS: Unknown host: 'wpad.myhome.westell.com'

SUN FEB 17 15:03:20 2008
DNS: Unknown host: 'wpad.myhome.westell.com'

SUN FEB 17 14:59:21 2008
PPP CONNECTED on VPI 0 VCI 35

SUN FEB 17 14:59:13 2008
Connecting session(0): My Connection due to AlwaysOn

SUN FEB 17 14:58:52 2008
VLYNQ_WLAN: successfully started

end of diagnostic log file

Transceiver statistics:

Transceiver Revision: 01.00.09.00
Vendor ID Code: 4
Line Mode: G.DMT Mode
Data Path: Interleaved
Transceiver Information Down Stream Path Up Stream Path
DSL Speed (Kbits/Sec) 3360 832
Margin (dB) 15.5 10.0
Line Attenuation (dB) 26.0 15.0
Transmit Power (dBm) 16.8 11.0

DSL Connection Information:

Connection Rate (Down/Up): 3360 KBits/Sec by 832 KBits/Sec

Connection Status
In Packets: 5586
Out Packets: 4885
In Error Packets: 0
Out Error Packets: 0

IP Network Address
PPP: ************
Primary DNS: ************
Secondary DNS **************
Ethernet Status:
In Packets: 5378
Out Packets: 6047

ATM NetworkAddress:
VPI: 0
VCI: 35

Firewall Status :
Passed: In: 0 Out: 0
Dropped: In: 0 Out: 0

if there is anything else i can post for you, pls let me know and i will do it monday.
i will also speed test the old lappie tomorrow.

thank you, FP.

Posted: **Mon Feb 18, 2008 10:17 am**

ok,, i ran speed tests w/both machines this morning.

Dell:

9AM:

DL: 31.2 Kbps
UL: 81.0 Kbps
Quality of Service: 30%
Round Trip Time: 37ms
Max Pause: 1672ms

10AM:

DL: 165 Kpbs
UL: 15.5 Kbps
Quality of Service: 5%
Round Trip Time 1078ms
Max Pause: 3000ms

older lappie: { both tests run between 9:20 - 9:30am }

DL: 52.8
UL: 585 Kbps
Quality of Service: 34%
Round Trip Time: 34ms
Max Pause: 1852ms

DL: 56.9Kbps
UP: 521 Kbps
Quality of Service: 24%
Round Trip Time: 1132ms
Max Pause: 1743ms

time to call ISP? and how should i approach, pls?
should i let them connect to my laptop so they can view the speeds for themselves?

thank you,

Posted: **Mon Feb 18, 2008 10:20 am**

It's your connection. At worst even if you have DSL lite you should be getting 500 Kbps downloads.

Call your ISP and tell them you've tested it on two separate PCs and your IT guys says it's the connection.

Posted: **Mon Feb 18, 2008 10:34 am**

ok, will do. thank you : )

Posted: **Mon Feb 18, 2008 12:58 pm**

well, good news, bad news : )

i decided to shut off both my lappie and modem before calling ISP.
when i powered back up, i was met w/a BSOD about a device driver....... !
i shut down and powered back up w/o incident, then called ISP.

the front desk person started putting me through a few steps so they could satisfy themselves; tested my line, said it was "fine". i said, "i think not", and if it isn't resolved i would cancel my service.

when she was satisfied she had done all she could do, and upon my insistence, i was put through to an IT person. i told him the range of speeds i was getting from the speed tests, the super slow page loads i was experiencing, and that i had speed tested 2 computers w/similar results, etc etc.

he said i should be getting 3360 Kbps DL, and 832Kbps UL.

he was suspicious of the modem, and will send a new one out today.

he said he would also arrange to have a check done, to see if there are any circuit errors between them and me; i don't think this is a physical check, { i think they do it from the office, but i am not sure }. they will call me w/their findings tomorrow.

i hope one or the other fixes this.

p.s. the front desk person had me untick "enable third-party brower entensions" in Internet Options > Advanced tab.
should i leave it unticked or set it back?

thank you, FP : )

Posted: **Mon Feb 18, 2008 1:55 pm**

I bet it's the modem.

That one she had you untick is usually on by default, so I'd leave it on to avoid problems. It certainly isn't going to do anything for your connection speeds.

Ummm, and you should be using Firefox anyway

Posted: **Mon Feb 18, 2008 2:42 pm**

I told you I thought it was the modem. That is why I actually bought a spare that someone was selling a few years back. I don't mind spending $20 for a modem that I can use to trouble shoot the problem. BTW - their modems are cheap.

Posted: **Tue Feb 19, 2008 10:50 am**

i am hoping the new modem will resolve the issue; these speeds are pure torture.

{ i will keep mum on firefox comment, FP ; ) }

ok, i have re-ticked the box, thank you

oh. - since i did not set up/configure the last modem, and i REALLY want to avoid having to call ISP again, i guess i better search around in there to find the IP network addresses; they would be the same, i reckon?

i have enough stuff going on @ home, i think if one more thing scr3ws up, i will shoot myself : )