10M Apple AE wireless drastically slow since Thursday

loopyfilms · 27-05-2012, 21:16

I'm living in SE18 london area and use an Apple Airport Express for wireless, connected to a NTL 200 cable modem.
I typically had speeds from 3Mbps to 9Mbps on my broadband M supply according to "Thinkbroadband" speed tests.
Since Thursday it has been 0.2 - 1.8 Mbps, no matter how many times I reset the modem and router.

Virgin reported problems "accessing some websites" in my area from Friday until this evening, but that is now resolved. Connecting directly with an ethernet cable I am getting 4 - 9 Mbps, so it looks like the AE is the problem. But it passes all diagnostics and appears to be working fine, except for the terrible speeds.
BTW I notice that my IP number is different when I connect directly compared to via the AE.
Is there something that Virgin could have done to the network that is affecting my router?
Or is my modem possibly the problem. Should I be kicking off to replace my 9 year old NTL200 modem?
Any advice appreciated.

thenry · 27-05-2012, 21:47

call up for an early boost. youll probably get the modem replaced.

ip change is fine.

have you tried wired tests through the router? changed the wifi channel? a complete reset? looked for firmware updates for the router?

also test via > www.speedtester.bt.com

**Stuart** · 27-05-2012, 22:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by thenry

call up for an early boost. youll probably get the modem replaced.

ip change is fine.

have you tried wired tests through the router? changed the wifi channel? a complete reset? looked for firmware updates for the router?

also test via > www.speedtester.bt.com

Loopyfilms, please be aware, however, if you do call for an early speed boost, you may be signing yourself up for another contract.

Also, what computer do you have? Do you have any other devices using the Wireless? The reason I ask is that I believe the Airport Express is capable of using 5GHz connections for wireless in addition to the 2GHz ones used by a lot of other makes. If your computer is a Mac, and you don't use any other devices on the Wireless network, you may be able to switch it to 5GHz which is likely to give better performance.

Failing that, try changing the channel the Router uses.

loopyfilms · 27-05-2012, 22:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by thenry

call up for an early boost. youll probably get the modem replaced.

ip change is fine.

have you tried wired tests through the router? changed the wifi channel? a complete reset? looked for firmware updates for the router?

also test via > www.speedtester.bt.com

Cheers.
Yes done wired tests as described. Also tried different channels, tried 5Ghz but signal couldn't get through floor. No new firmware updates either.
So nothing could have changed at exchange or in system to affect router?
I'll as for new modem - supposedly going to be getting speed upgrade in July anyway.

thenry · 27-05-2012, 22:38

as Stewart mentioned above be wary of a new contract being pushed. If that happens then get your VM deal sorted in 1 call.

have you trird deleting your saved networks on your wireless systems then off-on try connect?

loopyfilms · 27-05-2012, 22:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuart

Loopyfilms, please be aware, however, if you do call for an early speed boost, you may be signing yourself up for another contract.

Thanks for the warning!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuart

Also, what computer do you have? Do you have any other devices using the Wireless? The reason I ask is that I believe the Airport Express is capable of using 5GHz connections for wireless in addition to the 2GHz ones used by a lot of other makes. If your computer is a Mac, and you don't use any other devices on the Wireless network, you may be able to switch it to 5GHz which is likely to give better performance.

Failing that, try changing the channel the Router uses.

2009 iMac - Core 2 Duo.
I tried 5Ghz and the AE seemed happy but iMac couldn't see it. iMac sits about 8 feet under router and there aren't any pipes etc in floor/ceiling, but it seems 5Ghz couldn't get through the floor.
Have tried channels 4, 6, 11 on 2.4Ghz with no improvement.
Weird the way this suddenly happens one day?
was also using ipad in same room as iMac, but that is buggered now using ethernet.
Thinking of getting powerline adapter - http://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-TL-P...8072343&sr=8-1
But can't get ethernet for that and wireless feed from ancient modem at same time, so would also need wireless adapter

thenry · 27-05-2012, 23:03

how many systems cannot see your apple routers wifi network? have you tested a phone or anything to make sure the wifi side is working. it could just be a glitch of some sort on the system your trying to connect.

loopyfilms · 29-05-2012, 10:55

I had the same problems with the iPad where wireless was concerned.
Problems were all resolved by yesterday afternoon. Direct ethernet connection speed had dropped to less than 1Mbps Sunday evening and were still the same yesterday morning. When I got home I reset the modem yet again, reset the AE yet again, and managed to get around 4.5Mbps wireless no problem. This morning it was around 5Mbps.
So I reckon it must have been related to the DPI shenaniggans that affected everyone over the weekend, as nothing else has changed!
When problems suddenly occur with my BB it always turns out to be caused by VM

Thanks for the help anyway