Help! Terribly slow broadband connection.
 

Hi there. I have a broadband connection which according to the isp, should atleast download at 512Kbps speed. However, i've been using the connection for around 3 years now, but I NEVER had experienced anything close to that speed when downloading anything. But sometimes, quite rarely, some downloads will start at crazy high-speed rates but will slow down considerably after a moment.

The internet in my house is shared by few pcs, and we use an ethernet switch, a wireless router and a adsl router to connection all pcs. There are quite a number of wires connected to the router, which i don't dare to disturb, but can it be because of the sharing itselfs thats making the internet to slow down? One more thing, most of the pcs are not used most of the day, only 1 pc that monitors the camera system, and mine.

I really hope someone could help me on this, its becoming such a problem downloading anything nowadays. Here's a link to my ISP package -
-http://www.streamyx.com.my/get_streamyx/get_streamyx.php?id=getstreamyx_package_standard

and here's my speedtest results-URL=http://www.speedtest.net]http://www.speedtest.net/result/244092144.png[/URL]

how old are the routers etc.?

Urm...i thought so. So, u reckon this may be due to the router? I don't know, i guess it's a couple of years old. However, its quite a good branded one, d-link, and cost quite heavy too.

Are you connected through a wire or through wireless?

<--- ISP EMPLOYEE (flashes credentials n stuff)

ok so 99 times out of 100 that I get this phone call from the customer blaming the ISP, it's not our fault, but that's just because of the nature of our setup, but I digress.

what you want to do to test your bandwidth, 1st of all, is disconnect your entire network, and take your least problematic computer and directly hardwire it to the modem with a cat5 cable.

Run the speed test like that, and you do this to remove all the sharing, the variables such as failing routers or poor quality cables (unless the one you're using is poor too but, meh)

if that fails to raise your speeds, I suggest calling the ISP but don't come across as accusory, it may very well be the modem is failing, or that you just need to have (heres where my terminology may vary) have your circuit rebuilt/refreshed

how far away are you from the ISP, physically? if you are on the outskirts of the coverage area, that could explain it.

That's my thought. As a former ISP tech support dude (my credentials are in my other pants), I know that when the problem isn't CPE, it's due to signal degradation. DSL has a maximum range and the rule of thumb is that the further you get from the CO the worse the signal gets. That's not set in stone, though; any number of factors could cause poor signal or high noise, either of which could potentially cause very slow speeds. I notice you're in Malaysia and I really, truly don't meant to stereotype, but how is the quality of the telecom grid in general? Are your phones clear, or is there static on the line?

On your end, there are a few basic things we can run down to see if they're causing the problem. Your router probably isn't causing the issue, but it is possible, so doing a basic test could help. When you disconnect everything from the line, make sure it's everything, including any and all phones, fax machines or whatever else. While you're at it, make sure they all have filters installed; an unfiltered device can generate huge amounts of noise in the frequencies used by DSL, making the connection either incredibly slow or severing it entirely. At any rate, once we've narrowed it down to one computer connected directly to your DSL modem connected directly to an outlet, we can get the clearest possible picture. If you get acceptable speeds with that setup, you can begin re-introducing devices one by one until you find whatever's causing the issue.

Given that your ping time is in excess of 4 seconds, I'm inclined to believe that the problem here is noise on the line. The next step is to figure out whether it's coming from you (and can therefore be readily fixed) or if it's coming from somewhere... out there.

exactly.

also, is this cable or phone line internet? it's possible you might need a new line ran from the pole to your residence, or maybe you're not using a 1000 mhz splitter (if you're splitting a cable line). maybe you have several splitters in place in the basement, or apt building that you're not even aware of? your ISP should be able to send someone out to troubleshoot this.

phoneline internet means dial up right? If thats the case, no. Mines broadband,and i'm connected through wires.

The phoneline in malaysia, atleast where i live anyway, is alright;nvr experienced any probs with the phone unless i didn't pay my bills.

1 more thing, whats a filter u mentioned about martian? Is it a physical component or some settings regarding the modem?

Anyhow, i'll try the direct cable connection tomorrow and post the results. Until then, thanks for ur suggestions,really appreciate it.:)

If you're on DSL and you have other devices (telephones etc) connected to the same line as the modem, those devices will usually require filters. The filter basically acts as a bandpass, cutting the phone off from all frequencies above a certain point to keep them from interfering with the modem's signal. A filter is a physical device and is usually small and rectangular, maybe 6-8 cm in length.

Wikipedia article.

And an image:

http://members.cox.net/elangenb/images/rjdiagram.jpg

Last time something like this happened to me, it really was the modem. Issue wasn't speed but random connection drops.

no....residential broadband will either be cable, or DSL. DSL runs through phone lines, cable through the same cables as your cable TV.

old phone lines will work, just like your internet works. but that doesn't mean that older lines running from the pole to your residence are going to give you the speeds you should be getting.

hoping you have a filter or splitter issue instead of a line/modem issue..