Hey TGN friends!! Please help me with my connection :D

[Redink]

So, I have this dilemma. I have a say... old DSL modem, how old? I don't know the year but it's been awhile. I'll update the name or model of it when I get home from school.
My connection sucks so bad I can't even watch Netflix downstairs and stream you tube upstairs. It's really bad and I wanna be ready for some Netflix action while pwning newbs on BF3 with great connectivity.

Anywho, the question is... Is my connection based off of how good my modem is? I was planning to get a new one but one of my "tech" friend said I just needed to upgrade because I have 1.5 mbps. So I called Qwest and I upgraded to 3.0 mbps and I can't even see a difference. Is 3.0 not fast because I still can't watch Netflix and Youtube at the same time after upgrading to it.
Thanks guys so much!
Hi Stilla!

[CptainCrunch]

Re: Hey TGN friends!! Please help me with my connection

It can be based on your modem, yes. However, you need to see what you have now. Go to speedtest.net and see what speeds you are getting.

DSL is also based on how good your phone lines are as well as distance to the DSL central point by the phone company. So if you live in an old(er) home, have bad wiring, or are far from the dmark, then a new modem may not help.

Crunch

[CptainCrunch]

Re: Hey TGN friends!! Please help me with my connection

Also, if you are getting the 3.0 Mbps, it could be computer related. Viruses, spyware, outdated drivers, slow harddrive. You'd be surprised how quick you use up the bandwidth.

Crunch

[Redink]

Re: Hey TGN friends!! Please help me with my connection

Thanks Crunch, always helpful as usual!
I will definetley post my modem up and also try that speed test you speak of and also I'm planning to rewipe my computer soon so hope that will help too! Oh and I don't have any wireless router, could that also be one reason too? I use my modem as a wireless.
Thanks again and sorry I don't know too much about computer issues. >.<

[CptainCrunch]

Re: Hey TGN friends!! Please help me with my connection

Wireless is slower than wired. Do you know if its 802.11b or g?

Crunch

[Redink]

Re: Hey TGN friends!! Please help me with my connection

Okay, here are the specs... I think it's the correct one. >.<

2wire 2071HG-D Qwest
Modem Specifications:

* Supports Microsoft® Windows® 98SE, Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows XP, Windows Vista™, Mac® OS-X
* ADSL and ADSL2+ compatible
* Includes full featured router
* Supports 2-wire broadband applications via Qwest ACS solution
* Four port 10/100 auto-detecting/auto-sensing Ethernet switch
* One USB 1.1 PC port
* Wireless 802.11b and 802.11g built-in
* 2-wire HyperG Wireless built-in
* 10 Wireless power settings up to 400mW



I really want to know if it's just my connection or my modem.
I also did the speed test on the maker's website www.2wire.com and it told me I was running 1.8 mbps.

Here's my result on where you told me to go.
89ms ping
1.81 mbps download
0.53 mbps upload

[Shawn Zipay]

Re: Hey TGN friends!! Please help me with my connection

Few things:

1. Call them and say your router is acting up and that you'd like a new replacement. Given how old your router is, they should send you a new one at no charge.
2. If they upped your speeds, it sometimes takes about a day or more, depending how good your ISP is, to get up to speed.
3. Wireless plays a rather large role, which again ties into #1. If you don't have a good router (or even a good wireless card on your machine) it'll be much worse than usual for wireless.

I think the big issue right now is that the router is old and may not support faster speeds. I know when we bumped up our speeds on Verizon they had to send us a new router/modem because our old one just wouldn't work (they said).

Plus DSL isn't the best tech out there anyway, so there will still be some slowdown when using network intensive services like Netflix alongside anything else.

[Redink]

Re: Hey TGN friends!! Please help me with my connection

Few things:

1. Call them and say your router is acting up and that you'd like a new replacement. Given how old your router is, they should send you a new one at no charge.
2. If they upped your speeds, it sometimes takes about a day or more, depending how good your ISP is, to get up to speed.
3. Wireless plays a rather large role, which again ties into #1. If you don't have a good router (or even a good wireless card on your machine) it'll be much worse than usual for wireless.

I think the big issue right now is that the router is old and may not support faster speeds. I know when we bumped up our speeds on Verizon they had to send us a new router/modem because our old one just wouldn't work (they said).

Plus DSL isn't the best tech out there anyway, so there will still be some slowdown when using network intensive services like Netflix alongside anything else.

When you say router do you mean my modem?
I up my speed a month ago
And not just netflix, but sometimes browsing a youtube video that is on 360p has buffer too.

and if you do mean router should I go buy a 60 bucks router instead of using the modem's wireless itself?

[Shawn Zipay]

Re: Hey TGN friends!! Please help me with my connection

To be fair, Youtube has been God awful lately. I only get good speeds there during off peak hours (around 1-4AM my time).

And if it's DSL, you have to go through your provider for a new modem/router. I'm assuming you have a modem/router combo and not two separate devices? Even still, contact your provider. Chances are they can get you a new bit of hardware that may end up helping.

[Redink]

Re: Hey TGN friends!! Please help me with my connection

Ok, I'll try that too Zips! Thanks, but this thread can still be open for discussion cause I haven't found a solution yet. >.>

[Vreki]

Re: Hey TGN friends!! Please help me with my connection

My connection sucks so bad I can't even watch Netflix downstairs and stream you tube upstairs. It's really bad and I wanna be ready for some Netflix action while pwning newbs on BF3 with great connectivity.

Not even?
I would just like to point out that video is some of the most bandwidth intensive you can do.
Having two simultaneous video streams on a connection like that is a bit optimistic.

Regarding ADSL, I had my ISP upgrade my ADSL line a couple of times without informing me first, and each time I started getting lots of disconnections because the line couldn't handle the higher speed.
My ISP would actually measure the line quality if you complained about poor connection, you could try that.

And I would not be surprised to learn that the haven't sold you 3Mbs, but "Up to 3Mbs", they are very fond of that particular trick.

[Redink]

Re: Hey TGN friends!! Please help me with my connection

Not even?
I would just like to point out that video is some of the most bandwidth intensive you can do.
Having two simultaneous video streams on a connection like that is a bit optimistic.

Regarding ADSL, I had my ISP upgrade my ADSL line a couple of times without informing me first, and each time I started getting lots of disconnections because the line couldn't handle the higher speed.
My ISP would actually measure the line quality if you complained about poor connection, you could try that.

And I would not be surprised to learn that the haven't sold you 3Mbs, but "Up to 3Mbs", they are very fond of that particular trick.

Up until this point you had me
Regarding ADSL, I had my ISP upgrade my ADSL line a couple of times without informing me first, and each time I started getting lots of disconnections because the line couldn't handle the higher speed.
My ISP would actually measure the line quality if you complained about poor connection, you could try that.
I will try to google those and see if I can do what you said Vreki and thanks, I never knew they could mislead you like that up to 3mbs. Going to give them a call now.

[Vreki]

Re: Hey TGN friends!! Please help me with my connection

You said Qwest, right?
Like I suspected, they are using the "Up to" loophole:

[Redink]

Re: Hey TGN friends!! Please help me with my connection

Okay, thanks all for the help! Qwest came out here today to check on my outer phone line incase there was interference.
Today they came and now I'm running 2.5 mbps. Is that still fast?

[CptainCrunch]

Re: Hey TGN friends!! Please help me with my connection

Its faster than your 1.8.

And yeah, with overhead on your computer, the 2.5 sounds better and probably a lot closer than the 1.8 you were getting. If it was me, I would be satisfied with that. I dont know your setup and how you have everything done, but its a lot better

Crunch