remixnzza
@sbcglobal.net
| [Speed Problem] EL DSL Speed Woes
Hi guys, new here.
I'm using Earthlink DSL, which is advertising speeds up to 1.5 Mbps.
About 2 weeks ago, something happened to my service; when I ran the Speed Test off of Speakeasy, I was getting ~200 kbps. I ended up calling Earthlink, and they were able to "bump" my speed up to ~600 kbps over the phone. What's the deal with that? How are they able to do this without physically checking my line?
I recently ran a TCP optmizier on my computer (WinXP), and now am able to reach ~700 kbps.
My upload seems about right, I'm at around 300 kbps, although I'm not sure what the advertised upload rate is.
What I want to know is if I'm getting ripped off here. I'm paying for 1.5 Mbps, but even after optimizing, I can only get ~700 kbps.
Since it was so easy for them to just "bump" up my speed last time, are they holding out on me? Should I call back and ask for another "bump?" Or is it common to receive speeds at less than advertised? In my case I'm getting less than half of what is advertised.
I'm using a ZyXEL 645M modem, with an ASUS WL-520GU router.
Thanks in advance!
Also, here's a link from speedtest.net -
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Doctor Olds
I Need A Remedy For What's Ailing Me.
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1970 442 W30
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| Which P645 Modem? There is a Bridge only Modem version and there is a UHP version has a PPPoE client embedded in the Firmware. The reason I ask is the steps to get your actual Sync Rate data are different depending on the Model name you read off the bottom label.
With a normal 1.5 Mbps line you should see downloads in the 1100 Kbps to 1275 Kbps range.
Regards,
Doctor Olds
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What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time? |
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remixnzza
join:2009-06-19
Arcadia, CA | reply to remixnzza
Hey Doc,
The model number is Prestige 645M-UHP, ADSL Modem B
There are also some serial numbers etc. if you think it'll help.
Thanks for your help!
-R |
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Doctor Olds
I Need A Remedy For What's Ailing Me.
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| said by remixnzza  :The model number is Prestige 645M-UHP, ADSL Modem B OK, that's the UHP Modem.
»EarthLink DSL FAQ »What is a UHP modem?
Please post the Stats from the ZyXEL. The FAQ below shows you what is needed.
»EarthLink DSL FAQ »How to Get to the Logs, the Diagnostics Page, and the DSL Statistics Page - UHP
You will either need to bypass your Asus Router to connect a single PC directly to the ZyXEL if it is in Bridge Mode and the Asus has been handling the PPPoE and then reset the ZyXEL to take it out of Bridge Mode.
»EarthLink DSL FAQ »How to Reset the Unified Hardware Platform (UHP) DSL Modem
Or you would change the Asus setting for the WAN connection to DHCP instead of PPPoE unless it is already set to DHCP which means you can gain access to the UHP Modem through the Asus without having to then reset the ZyXEL. However, If the Asus was set to PPPoE instead of DHCP then a reset of the Modem may have to be performed if it does not respond on its IP Address.
Regards,
Doctor Olds
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What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time? |
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remixnzza
join:2009-06-19
Arcadia, CA
3 edits | Hey Doc,
I ended up hitting the reset button on the modem, and plugged my computer directly in to get the stats.
Here they are -
ADSL Status
ADSL Connection Up
Re-sync Count 0
ADSL Mode ITU G.992.1(G.DMT)
Downstream Bit Rate 768 Kbps
Upstream Bit Rate 384 Kbps
Downstream Capacity Occupation 90%
Downstream Noise Margin 5.0 dB
Downstream Attenuation 72.5 dB
Downstream Output Power 18.5 dB
Upstream Capacity Occupation 54%
Upstream Noise Margin 16.0 dB
Upstream Attenuation 31.5 dB
Upstream Output Power 9.0 dB
It says my Downstream Bit Rate is 768 Kbps...is this bad? I thought my plan was 1.5 Mbps.
Let me know if you need any other stats, and thanks for all the help! |
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remixnzza
join:2009-06-19
Arcadia, CA | reply to remixnzza
Also, its really weird but I can't access my modem (172.16.0.254) using Internet Explorer 8, it just says Website cannot be found. However, if I use FireFox, the modem page comes up fine. |
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Doctor Olds
I Need A Remedy For What's Ailing Me.
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1970 442 W30
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| said by remixnzza :Also, its really weird but I can't access my modem (172.16.0.254) using Internet Explorer 8, it just says Website cannot be found. However, if I use FireFox, the modem page comes up fine. Yes, IE 7 and IE 8 both do not work with the UHP Modem (can't load the pages/can't run the scripts to save changes), but Firefox, SeaMonkey, the old Mozilla Suite and Opera and IE 6 will work with the UHP Modem without issue.
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What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time? |
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remixnzza
join:2009-06-19
Arcadia, CA
| So Doc, are my stats OK?
Why is my downstream bit rate only showing 768 Kbps? I just confirmed with Earthlink today, and I'm paying for 1.5 Mbps. I asked about my speeds, and they said its common to get are 700 Kbps download speed.
My downstream noise margin also seems kind of bad doesn't it?
It's honestly a little slow for my taste, I may change providers if I can't get higher speeds. |
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Doctor Olds
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| reply to remixnzza
said by remixnzza :ADSL Status ADSL Connection Up Re-sync Count 0 ADSL Mode ITU G.992.1(G.DMT) Downstream Bit Rate 768 Kbps Upstream Bit Rate 384 Kbps Downstream Capacity Occupation 90%
Downstream Noise Margin 5.0 dB
Downstream Attenuation 72.5 dB Downstream Output Power 18.5 dB Upstream Capacity Occupation 54% Upstream Noise Margin 16.0 dB Upstream Attenuation 31.5 dB Upstream Output Power 9.0 dB It says my Downstream Bit Rate is 768 Kbps...is this bad? I thought my plan was 1.5 Mbps. The items in bold indicate a problem. It's not that 768 Kbps is bad, it is currently about all that your line can currently handle/deliver since Capacity is unable to exceed 100% and you are pushing 90% Capacity leaving no real room for improvement (10% of 768 Kbps = 76.8 Kbps so at 100% that would be 768 Kbps + 76.8 Kbps = 744.8 Kbps) but lines at 100% Capacity tend to not be very stable so they have frequent disconnects and real stability issues. Along with the line only having 5.0 dB for the SNR (that is too low and it is normally 10 dB to 12 dB SNR for a stable line) and having a Downstream Attenuation of 72.5 dB which is the highest I've ever seen on a working line (before now the record was 65 dB and your line shows a unreal number compared to what I normally see) so I don't know if that can be fixed. Sometimes yes, sometimes no.
The next step is to test out at your NID and get new numbers on the same thing you just posted. That will tell us how much or how little your home wiring is affecting the DSL signal and its capacity on the outside line back to the DSLAM. Right now it does not look good, but I've seen customers work miracles when testing out at the NID.
»EarthLink DSL FAQ »How do I test at my NID? What does it look like?
A few questions in no order:
*Are you using any long telephone cords or a phone extension cord to the DSL Modem?
*Is the DSL Modem phone line going through a Surge Suppressor/Line surge device like in a UPS or similar device?
*Is there a filter accidentally on the phone line to the DSL Modem?
*Are you using individual Filters on the other jacks for anything that plugs into those jacks or are you using a dedicated modem line aka a home run that is directly connected to a Whole House DSL Splitter/filter installed in or next to the NID?
Regards,
Doctor Olds
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What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time? |
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remixnzza
join:2009-06-19
Arcadia, CA
1 edit | Hey Doc,
Let me answer your questions first -
*Are you using any long telephone cords or a phone extension cord to the DSL Modem? The telephone cord that goes into the DSL modem is about 6-7 feet in length.
*Is the DSL Modem phone line going through a Surge Suppressor/Line surge device like in a UPS or similar device?
Goes straight into the wall.
*Is there a filter accidentally on the phone line to the DSL Modem?
Nope, straight to the wall.
*Are you using individual Filters on the other jacks for anything that plugs into those jacks or are you using a dedicated modem line aka a home run that is directly connected to a Whole House DSL Splitter/filter installed in or next to the NID?
I am using individual filters on the other jacks for regular telephones. My home phone shares a line with my DSL.
So I just tried my modem on a different phone jack in my house, same modem/telephone cord/laptop etc., and I got these stats from the DSL modem -
ADSL Status
ADSL Connection Up
Re-sync Count 0
ADSL Mode ITU G.992.1(G.DMT)
Downstream Bit Rate 768 Kbps
Upstream Bit Rate 384 Kbps
Downstream Capacity Occupation 46%
Downstream Noise Margin 16.0 dB
Downstream Attenuation 69.5 dB
Downstream Output Power 17.5 dB
Upstream Capacity Occupation 52%
Upstream Noise Margin 16.0 dB
Upstream Attenuation 31.5 dB
Upstream Output Power 8.0 dB
As you pointed out earlier, my Downstream Attenuation is still insanely high, but the Noise Margin is now acceptable, and my Downstream Capacity is now 46%.
So I'll be using this jack instead from now on, the other one must be bad, but the attenuation still seems much too high.
It's late here, so I will check the NID tomorrow when I get up.
Thanks for all the suggestions and help! |
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Doctor Olds
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| Wow, that is a huge improvement to go from 90% Occupation on the Downstream to 40% Occupation on the Downstream. Once you get the best possible conditions out of your phone line, then you can call Tech Support back and have Earthlink place your line at the correct 1.5 Mbps Sync Rate Speeds which are 1536 Kbps Downstream and 384 Kbps Upstream aka 1536/384.
The SNR is acceptable at that jack, but the Attenuation is still higher than I think it should be.
I believe you will see even more improvement if you install/have installed a dedicated home run to a jack that is only for the DSL Modem and have a Whole House Splitter take care of the rest of the inside wiring.
»EarthLink DSL FAQ »Can I see an example of a splitter install?
Looks like this:
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What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time? |
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remixnzza
join:2009-06-19
Arcadia, CA
| Hey Doc,
So I tried unplugging all the phones in my house to see if I can get the attenuation down, but its still in the high 60's.
I haven't tried going straight to the NID yet, but I'll let you know what the stats are when I do.
Also, I just got off the line with Earthlink Tech Support (seemed to be the very first tier, they didn't transfer me or anything). They made me clear my internet temp folder etc., ran a few speed tests, and claimed that I needed a new modem. They said they'd ship me a new one for free, only pay for shipping but I'd have to sign with them for another year ???
Is this a scam or is my modem really the problem? I told them how I just want my line put up to 1.5 Mbps, and that my modem is only connecting at 768 kbps, but they kind of just brushed that off and said they'd get me a new modem. |
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Doctor Olds
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| A new DSL Modem will not change the Port Rate settings/Sync Rate settings at the DSLAM. If your current DSL Modem only syncs at 768 Kbps, your new DSL Modem will also sync at 768 Kbps. DSL Modems do not control the DSL Sync Rate/Port Rate as that is set and controlled remotely by the DSLAM. Changing Modems will not change that.
Like I posted, Once you get the best possible conditions out of your phone line, then and only then you can call Tech Support back and have Earthlink place your line at the correct 1.5 Mbps Sync Rate Speeds which are 1536 Kbps Downstream and 384 Kbps Upstream aka 1536/384.
Right Now your line is set at 768 Kbps and locked at that rate in the DSLAM in the Central Office or Remote. It will stay at that speed until your DSL Stats show enough improvement to allow Earthlink to change the settings back to 1536 Kbps.
Your first priority was as I posted above......
The next step is to test out at your NID and get new numbers on the same thing you just posted. That will tell us how much or how little your home wiring is affecting the DSL signal and its capacity on the outside line back to the DSLAM....
Otherwise nothing will change and swapping Modems will only get you the same speeds as you have not corrected the inside wiring issues that are making the line stats look so poor.
Regards,
Doctor Olds
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What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time? |
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remixnzza
join:2009-06-19
Arcadia, CA
| Hey,
Sorry for the long delay, but I just checked my NID and it was the protected type. I've called my phone service (AT&T) to see if they can get me a newer one, and I'm waiting for them to get back to me.
For now, the DSL is the same. Do you think Earthlink will up my sync rate at my current line conditions? Or are they too poor?
ADSL Status
ADSL Connection Up
Re-sync Count 0
ADSL Mode ITU G.992.1(G.DMT)
Downstream Bit Rate 768 Kbps
Upstream Bit Rate 384 Kbps
Downstream Capacity Occupation 46%
Downstream Noise Margin 16.0 dB
Downstream Attenuation 69.5 dB
Downstream Output Power 17.5 dB
Upstream Capacity Occupation 52%
Upstream Noise Margin 16.0 dB
Upstream Attenuation 31.5 dB
Upstream Output Power 8.0 dB
Thanks again Doc! |
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Doctor Olds
I Need A Remedy For What's Ailing Me.
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| Your Downstream Capacity of 46% does show a little room to get a faster speed, but the two concerns are the very high Downstream Attenuation at 69.5 dB and the Downstream Noise Margin of 16.0 dB which would get almost cut in half if you double your speed to 1.5 Mbps instead of 768 Kbps. It wouldn't hurt to ask and then see how stable it is, but there is the chance it would not be viable long term. All you can do is ask. 
Regards,
Doctor Olds
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What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time? |
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