[ale] Diagnostic help needed

[Ron Frazier]

Hi Sean,

I'm have Comcast service.  I just ran a test at 
http://www.speedtest.net.  You can use them but I would stick to speed 
testing and not use their PC optimization tests, etc.  I got 21 Mbps 
down and 4 Mbps up, which is pretty typical for me.  Regarding your last 
sentence, the technician should KNOW where to look when he comes.  Once 
he's gone, you can do some further testing yourself.  One basic strategy 
is to eliminate everything between your PC and the cable modem.  First 
make sure you have a software firewall running in your PC.  I would 
never recommend connecting a PC DIRECTLY to the internet without a 
firewall running.  Take the PC down near the modem if possible.  Turn 
off or disconnect any wireless connections.  Using the prefab LAN cable 
(as opposed to homemade) that came with the cable modem, connect the 
cable modem DIRECTLY to your PC.  Your PC should get an IP address from 
the modem and have direct unfettered access to the internet.  Then, run 
your speed test.  You may also wish to check that the coaxial cable 
running from the cable modem to the wall outlet is tight on both ends, 
not crimped, etc.  Actually, the connectors should be crimped on, the 
wire should not be crimped or severely bent.  If the speed test works 
then, you can start moving your PC further away from the modem.  Try 
connecting it with a LAN cable to a port on your router.  Then, try 
wireless, etc.  If, at some point, performance suffers dramatically, you 
may have found the culprit.  Be aware that cable internet performance 
will vary depending on how many users in the area are online.  However, 
in general, you should get numbers similar to mine if you're on the same 
pricing package.  Also, be aware that the speed may drop down to about 
16 Mbps for long downloads and that depends on whether the remote server 
can keep up that speed.  I've downloaded many Ubuntu ISO's where the 
remote server could only send 1-2 Mbps and I knew my system was working 
fine.  (In that case, find a better mirror server.)

By the way, I had a scenario once where my download speed was 
fluctuating widely and occasionally dropping badly.  It took 4 visits 
from the techs and me INSISTING that something was wrong.  Finally, they 
found a nail had been driven through the cable out on the power pole.  
Depending on the wind, it would either work or not.  Once that was 
replaced, everything was fine.

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Ron

On 1/14/2012 9:27 AM, Drifter wrote:
> Abandoned Speakeasy and its DSL connection through Covad and AT&T.
> Went with Comcast as the (slightly) lesser of evils -- the other being
> AT&T.
> Comcast technician was scheduled to arrive between 9-11 am on Thursday.
> He arrived at 10:55 and insisted he was on time.
> I was not amused.
> Technician did his job: installed a cable "modem" that provides internet
> and VOIP, thus allowing us to cut all our ties to Ma Bell.  When the
> installer left Thursday at 1 pm  Speed tests showed 20 mbs down and 3.7
> mbs up. Much better. :)  That was Thursday afternoon.
>
> Friday morning a friend came over and helped me rewire the cat-5 cable as
> I needed to move the router down next to the cable "modem." (Friend is
> MUCH better at wiring new plugs on the end of cat-5 cable than I will ever
> be.)  When my friend left Friday afternoon a speed test still showed
> similar numbers throughout the house. All seemed good.
>
> After lunch Friday I noticed that download speeds seemed to be lagging so
> I ran another test (using Speakeasy's test). Speeds had dropped to<3
> coming down but had increased to>4 going out.  WTF?  By Friday night
> download speeds had dropped to<2 and uploads were humming ~4.
>
> I am clueless.  I whined and Comcast is sending out another technician
> late this afternoon.  Only guess I have is that the "modem" has a fubar
> component.
>
> Thoughts would be appreciated.  It would be nice if I knew where to tell
> the Comcast guy where to look.
>
> Sean
>
>    

-- 

(PS - If you email me and don't get a quick response, you might want to
call on the phone.  I get about 300 emails per day from alternate energy
mailing lists and such.  I don't always see new messages very quickly.)

Ron Frazier

770-205-9422 (O)   Leave a message.
linuxdude AT c3energy.com