Slow speeds

[AppleSauce]

Hello,

I'm on the 10MB service, ever since yesterday night my download speeds have been terrible, it's been like it throughout today too. I'm getting less than 2MB download speeds and a lot of drop-outs.

I've heard people complain about speed drops but only during busy times, I'm pretty sure I live in a low subscribed area as not many people can get cable around here plus I always get excellent pings.

I live the the S7 area of South Yorkshire, I've been getting speeds like this for the past few days:
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2008/10/32.png

Here are my line stats:

Name
WebSTAR DPX100

Receive Power Level
11.57 dBmV

Transmit Power Level
39.00 dBmV

Downstream Status
Operational

Channel ID
0

Downstream Frequency
331250000 Hz

Modulation
QAM256

Bit Rate
10240000 bps

Power Level
11.62 dBmV

Signal to Noise Ratio
32 dB

Upstream Channel
The data shown in the table below provides information about the signal being transmitted to the network from your cable modem.

Upstream Status
Operational

Channel ID
1

Upstream Frequency
18800000 Hz

Bit Rate
512000 bps

Power Level
39.00 dBmV


Few days before hand I was getting 1.2mb/s download speeds.

Anyone else experiencing slow speeds in the South Yorkshire area?

[whydoIneedatech]

You need to call up Tech Support and see about getting that modem replaced as with those old DPX100 the frequency tends to drift, yours is presently 331250000 Hz it should be 331000000 Hz and even if reset it may not change or if it does it will revert back eventually.

This will be the prime cause of any issues you are having.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tech Support is open 24/7 on the numbers below.

For help with your TV or Phone and for Broadband Technical Support:

Call Product Support/Faults on 151 option 3 from your Virgin Media Phone. It's absolutely free.

Or call 0845 454 1111 from any other phone line.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[AppleSauce]

Just rang VM support up, they told me it was a fault in my area, they checked my modem but apparently everything was fine.

They just gave me a Reference number, and told me to ring back and quote it if things persist.

[Ignitionnet]

IIRC there's a congestion problem in S7, however they apparently didn't check your modem too well - congestion doesn't make it disconnect but being off frequency will.

Another excellent service from VM support. :(

[AppleSauce]

I do live in the S7 area, as for congestion I'm not too sure.. even at 1am yesterday I was getting bad speeds.

Been trying to download this game off steam for the past 2 days now, when I leave it overnight I come back in the morning to find my internet has disconnected.

Just have to be patient I suppose.

[whydoIneedatech]

I do live in the S7 area, as for congestion I'm not too sure.. even at 1am yesterday I was getting bad speeds.

Been trying to download this game off steam for the past 2 days now, when I leave it overnight I come back in the morning to find my internet has disconnected.

Just have to be patient I suppose.
Ring up tomorrow and speak to someone again as that frequency will be causing connection issues and they should swap out your modem.

A Frequency fix for Scientific Atlanta DPX100 modems

Click the link and you will get a popup telling you " set successfully"
Close the message box and your modem will reboot and lock on to the correct frequency, this should help until your new modem turns up.

http://192.168.100.1/gscan.cgi?freq=0

[AppleSauce]

After doing what you said whydoineedatech i am now getting my full speed again, was like an instant fix.

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2008/10/31.png

Thanks, will phone up again later on.

[whydoIneedatech]

After doing what you said whydoineedatech i am now getting my full speed again, was like an instant fix.

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2008/10/31.png

Thanks, will phone up again later on.
Did the frequency change if so just tell them you have to keep resetting it once a day to get your connection back up to speed.

[AppleSauce]

Did the frequency change if so just tell them you have to keep resetting it once a day to get your connection back up to speed.

Yes, the following changed:

Downstream Frequency from 331250000 Hz to 339000000 Hz
Upstream Frequency from 18800000 Hz to 29200000 Hz

[whydoIneedatech]

Yes, the following changed:

Downstream Frequency from 331250000 Hz to 339000000 Hz
Upstream Frequency from 18800000 Hz to 29200000 Hz
The Downstream has changed to the stronger signal in your area and is fine, the Upstream actually ranges up and down, so do not take any notice of frequency changes there.

[ontheball]

My downstream frequency is only 330750000 Hz and upstream is 46200000 Hz on a 10meg connection. Downstream power level 0.6 upstream power level 45.0dbmv.

[whydoIneedatech]

My downstream frequency is only 330750000 Hz and upstream is 46200000 Hz on a 10meg connection. Downstream power level 0.6 upstream power level 45.0dbmv.
What modem do you have as the downstream frequency is incorrect on 330750000 Hz and will be causing you issues with your connection.

[ontheball]

Its the ambit 255

[whydoIneedatech]

Its the ambit 255
Are you EX-NTL or EX-Telewest

[ontheball]

Ex-Ntl

[Ignitionnet]

339MHz = second downstream frequency. In some areas where a single downstream isn't enough capacity a second downstream has been implemented. Modems range onto 331MHz (Ex-Telewest) and then may be kicked to 339MHz for load balancing purposes :)

[ontheball]

Thanks for the help. I saw in this thread a frequency fix that applesauce used to kick his frequency to 339 and now hes getting 10mb. Is there a similar fix for the ambit 255 or do I need to get a tech to replace modem.

---------- Post added at 09:39 ---------- Previous post was at 09:27 ----------

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2008/10/23.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

[Ignitionnet]

Ambits don't usually frequency drift - please post the stats from your modem.

[AppleSauce]

Not phoned up VM as of yet for a new Modem, Modem not drifted off Frequency again, does anyone know how long it normally takes for a modem to arrive? do VM send a technician to fit it or do they just post the modem over?

Thanks.

[ontheball]

Yep heres the stats

Downstream Lock : Locked
Downstream Channel Id : 7
Downstream Frequency : 330750000 Hz
Downstream Modulation : QAM256
Downstream Symbol Rate : 6952 Ksym/sec
Downstream Interleave Depth : taps12Increment17
Downstream Receive Power Level : 0.0 dBmV
Downstream SNR : 36.4 dB

Upstream Lock : Locked
Upstream Channel ID : 4
Upstream Frequency : 46200000 Hz
Upstream Modulation : QAM16
Upstream Symbol Rate : 2560 Ksym/sec
Upstream transmit Power Level : 42.0 dBmV
Upstream Mini-Slot Size : 2

Maximum Downstream Data Rate : 10240000
Maximum Upstream Data Rate : 512000
Maximum Upstream Channel Burst : 1600

---------- Post added at 19:03 ---------- Previous post was at 19:01 ----------

My power level has dropped from 0.6 to 0 as well

[HaroldT]

Perhaps one of you experts can help an octogenerian out ?

I am on 20mbs with an Ambit modem that has a sticker saying 256. When installed in April Speedtest was showing between 16 & 20 mbs like clockwork until mid August when my morning check showed 18500 mbs [for the last time] and the evening 8500 kps. Since then, apart from the very odd occsasion 10 mbs but mainly 7 mbs and less. This is part one of my problem.

I haven't been idle. I have twice used 151, to India, unfortunately, because my hearing. On the first occasion I got as far as downloading "100MB_zero[2].bin" - "100MB_zero.bin" - "100MB_nonzero.bin" but was thwarted because no matter how India tried to take me on further we failed. My second try was thwarted my a terrible line. I have nothing but admiration for the very patient India technical staff.

Any ideas ? Is there any way I can get into a UK based 151 [Scotland ?} -

HaroldT

[whydoIneedatech]

Perhaps one of you experts can help an octogenerian out ?

I am on 20mbs with an Ambit modem that has a sticker saying 256. When installed in April Speedtest was showing between 16 & 20 mbs like clockwork until mid August when my morning check showed 18500 mbs [for the last time] and the evening 8500 kps. Since then, apart from the very odd occsasion 10 mbs but mainly 7 mbs and less. This is part one of my problem.

I haven't been idle. I have twice used 151, to India, unfortunately, because my hearing. On the first occasion I got as far as downloading "100MB_zero[2].bin" - "100MB_zero.bin" - "100MB_nonzero.bin" but was thwarted because no matter how India tried to take me on further we failed. My second try was thwarted my a terrible line. I have nothing but admiration for the very patient India technical staff.

Any ideas ? Is there any way I can get into a UK based 151 [Scotland ?} -

HaroldT
If you want a UK based call centre then ring 150 and speak to Customer Services and tell them your age and that you have problems with your hearing which makes speaking to a Indian call centre difficult and can they put you through to a UK centre..

You could try this speed test below.

------------------------------------------------------------------

If you are a Virgin Media customer then the best speedtest is from the link below.

Have you tried going to this link to check your speeds http://gamefiles.virginmedia.com/

click on blueyondergames>demos>then click on at least 2 large files around 400/500 mb and save them to your desktop, and then wait a couple of minutes then write down the transfer rates on the files that are running > times them by 8 and you will get a truer download speed.

Remember to stop and delete the files.



i.e : 250kbps X 8 = 2MB, 500kbps X 8 = 4MB, 1250kbps X 8 = 10MB, 2500kbps X 8 = 20MB
-----------------------------------------------------------

[HaroldT]

Hi 'whydoIneedatech'

Many thanks - I finally got a result via 150 and being transfered to an India expert who spoke with clarity. Mine wasn't a frequency fault after all it was a compatibity 'difficulty' with my Avast! anti-virus. He took me to 'safe mode', isolated avast! and I saw 19322 kbps for the first time since mid-August.

I have now uninstalled avast!; is there a way I can make this compatible with Virgin and Vista 64bit HP, or is there a good alternative virus checker ?

Best wishes .....

HaroldT

[Ignitionnet]

Those numbers look good ontheball apart from that you are showing a slightly odd downstream frequency.

That said, you are running on settings that I've not seen on anyone's signal reports before so I'm not going to pass comment as I simply don't know!

[whydoIneedatech]

Hi 'whydoIneedatech'

Many thanks - I finally got a result via 150 and being transfered to an India expert who spoke with clarity. Mine wasn't a frequency fault after all it was a compatibity 'difficulty' with my Avast! anti-virus. He took me to 'safe mode', isolated avast! and I saw 19322 kbps for the first time since mid-August.

I have now uninstalled avast!; is there a way I can make this compatible with Virgin and Vista 64bit HP, or is there a good alternative virus checker ?

Best wishes .....

HaroldT

The are many different free Antivirus and Firewalls available such as the ones below.

AVG8 http://free.avg.com/download?prd=afe

The 2 below I have on my daughters Vista laptop.

Avira http://www.free-av.de/en/download/1/avira_antivir_personal__free_antivirus.html

Comodo personal firewall http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/

[2real]

Hi there, I've also been having some erratic speeds lately and I am also on the 10mb service which was recently upgraded in the Haringey area listed on the upgrade schedule page.

Here are the stats from my modem

Frequency 339000000 Hz Locked
Signal to Noise Ratio 38 dB
Power Level 6 dB
Channel ID 4
Frequency 41000000 Hz Ranged
Power Level 34 dBmV

The latest speed test I did was as follows:

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2008/10/19.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

However, this was pretty good compared to the 2 megs I was getting before with about 60-75 ping with no downloads or anything. Found it a bit strange, but it has been a recurring issue.

---------- Post added at 16:22 ---------- Previous post was at 16:20 ----------

I just saw the last post...I also have avast running, I'll just check with it turned off. I'll buy kaspersky if it fixes the speed problems.

---------- Post added at 16:27 ---------- Previous post was at 16:22 ----------

I forgot to mention my modem is the motorola SB5100 and I use a direct ethernet cable connection to my Buffalo WHR-G54S router.

[Ignitionnet]

Signals are fine, I believe Haringey is suffering a little from oversubscription - can you pop a traceroute on the thread?

[HaroldT]

Hello 'whydoIneedatech'-

I have taken your advice and installed Avira, two days ago actually, and it is behaving with decorum.

My 20 mbs Broadband is now producing between 17 & 21 mbs consistently while Avira, having completed a full virus check stands guard.

My thanks again, no further communiques will posted, unless ..........

HaroldT

[whydoIneedatech]

Hello 'whydoIneedatech'-

I have taken your advice and installed Avira, two days ago actually, and it is behaving with decorum.

My 20 mbs Broadband is now producing between 17 & 21 mbs consistently while Avira, having completed a full virus check stands guard.

My thanks again, no further communiques will posted, unless ..........

HaroldT
Nice one;)

[Fingers]

Signals are fine, I believe Haringey is suffering a little from oversubscription - can you pop a traceroute on the thread?

I am also in Haringey and have had very slow and erratic d/l speeds since July. I raised a call in August about it, girded my loins for the pain that is the VM helldesk diagnosis routine and was pleasantly surprised to find the UK based guy very nice and helpful. I was able to prove the erratic and very slow d/l speeds to him in real time. He logged onto the UBR I am connected to but didn't find it overloaded so he escalated to second line.

Anyway, he found an internal VM fault reference for one of the Haringey UBR's (UBR7 I think). This UBR has TX faults and is scheduled to be replaced in November sometime. There is no fix until this is done. However, VM have given me a £27 per month discount off my XL broadband bill for the inconvenience. Well done to VM for that!

What UBR are you on?