My Computer man has suggested lowering BB speed...

fiscalfreckles

Basically, pc has periodically been running very slow, dropping connection etc. Impossible to watch i-player or anything like that as it just jumps from frame to frame.

I have cleaned up the system (de-fragmenting etc) as best I know how, had the system fully checked by a pc maintenance guy and he has suggested that I ring Orange and ask them to reduce my BB speed.

Now, I only get about 3.2 (although the deal is "up to 8mb") . He reckons it is impossible to get higher than 4mg in this area, and that droppping back to 2mg would give a smoother and more reliable connection, with minimal noticeable differance in optimum speed.

But, the guy at Orange refused to do this and said it wouldn't help.

I do trust my maintenance guy, and don't really trust Orange, so should I persist with asking them to lower the speed? Has anyone done this & can give me any tips on what to say etc?

penrhyn

Your router will synchronise with the exchange at the optimum speed. Capping your speed will reduce the performance of your system even further.
The starting point is to investigate why you are getting drop outs.
First off could you post your router statistics. Then repeat them with the router plugged in to your Master sockets test connector.
Tips on how to do this below.
http://www.kitz.co.uk/adsl/frogstats.php
http://www.kitz.co.uk/adsl/troubleshooting.htm

There may be other issues if your PC is running slow.
PS please confirm if the problem exists with both wired and wireless connections.

fiscalfreckles

penrhyn wrote: »

Your router will synchronise with the exchange at the optimum speed. Capping your speed will reduce the performance of your system even further.
The starting point is to investigate why you are getting drop outs.
First off could you post your router statistics. Then repeat them with the router plugged in to your Master sockets test connector.
Tips on how to do this below.
http://www.kitz.co.uk/adsl/frogstats.php
http://www.kitz.co.uk/adsl/troubleshooting.htm

There may be other issues if your PC is running slow.
PS please confirm if the problem exists with both wired and wireless connections.

Thanks but that is what the pc guy has checked already. I don't have wireless at all.

penrhyn

Care to post your router statistics?

iniltous

Sounds like you techie guy is suggesting rather than be on a rate adaptive adsl , where the line rate can vary depending on various factors (mainly quality of line), asking to go onto a fixed rate adsl, in this case 2Mb, where the line rate is fixed ,so speed wont move up if line condition good, but wont move down if line condition worsens, however ISP's wont want the hassle of doing this (as you have already found)...they may not even have the option of offering a fixed rate service,
Why not investigate why you have a poor connection rather than just settling for a fixed rate, have you done the usual stuff like trying router in the master socket test port (if fitted), changing filters etc...sound like you have eliminated your PC as the problem so the 'fault' must be else where, have you always had this problem or is it something thats just started happening ?

fiscalfreckles

penrhyn wrote: »

Care to post your router statistics?

I don't really know how to do that, and that is what the pc guy has checked out anyway. Thanks for the interest, but that wasn't really what I was asking. Perhaps I didn't explain very well, but see below.

iniltous wrote: »

Sounds like you techie guy is suggesting rather than be on a rate adaptive adsl , where the line rate can vary depending on various factors (mainly quality of line), asking to go onto a fixed rate adsl, in this case 2Mb, where the line rate is fixed ,so speed wont move up if line condition good, but wont move down if line condition worsens, however ISP's wont want the hassle of doing this (as you have already found)...they may not even have the option of offering a fixed rate service,
Why not investigate why you have a poor connection rather than just settling for a fixed rate, have you done the usual stuff like trying router in the master socket test port (if fitted), changing filters etc...sound like you have eliminated your PC as the problem so the 'fault' must be else where, have you always had this problem or is it something thats just started happening ?

Yes, we have explored all of the above and your first paragraph describes exactly what the guy has suggested. As he can't find a reason for the poor connection his experience tells him that its the speed locally that is the problem. He has come across this before in the area and it seems quite common. So, by his rationale the only things to try are to stabilise the Orange connection by lowering its speed or to switch to Virgin - which I can't do just yet until the Orange contract ends, so wanted to try the speed cap for now. As I am only getting 3.1 anyway, we don't think it will be too much slower than now. (He thinks it will actually seem faster as it won't keep dropping)

I understand a bit more now why Orange are reluctant (or maybe incapable?) of doing that; the pc guy made it sound like a quick phonecall to them would sort it. I'll try asking them again now I have a bit more info, thanks.

It has been worse than it used to be since we "upgraded" (Hah!) our Orange BB package. Wish I'd never bothered. I didn't realise how location dependant it all is.

penrhyn

I posted links to enable you to post your router statistics.
As you are happy with what your computer guy has told you why not get them to contact Orange on your behalf?

fiscalfreckles

penrhyn wrote: »

I posted links to enable you to post your router statistics.
As you are happy with what your computer guy has told you why not get them to contact Orange on your behalf?

Yes, I know & thank you, but that has all been checked - several times - over the last few weeks.

I was asking really if anyone was in the same position & how best to approach Orange.

DUTR

I am getting over 9mbs from a 10mbs connection


If the OP is paying a premium for up to 8 meg, he would be better off paying for up to 2 meg and getting his 2meg

penrhyn

Hello Orange, my router has been resetting itself a lot recently, the internet lamp changes colour and flashes as it tries to reconnect.
I have micro filters in all my telephone sockets, I'm not running the router from an extension and I've tried plugging it into the master test socket with no improvement.
I've listened to the phone line and there are no pops crackles or other noise.

I've had a friend looking at my download noise margin and its only xxdb, i believe this is why I have problems.
Could you lower my download sync speed from xxxxkbps, to see if it improves.

fiscalfreckles

DUTR wrote: »

I am getting over 9mbs from a 10mbs connection


If the OP is paying a premium for up to 8 meg, he would be better off paying for up to 2 meg and getting his 2meg

Indeed! Especially now as I have been told it is impossible to exceed 4mb in this area.

(I'm a she BTW)