Talk Talk internet connection crippled when I download files

Cool_Mint

Whenever I use software such as Firefox Download Helper to download files (not even large files, just 100 or 200Mbs) my Talk Talk internet connection fails! Is it deliberate or a fault?

I am 99.9% certain there are no problems at my end and the connection works okay when I remove or disable all download utilities.

KillerWatt

Cool_Mint wrote: »

....the connection works okay when I remove or disable all download utilities.

Obviously a software issue then.

Mark_In_Hampshire

Fails, or just slows to a crawl? Do you have to reconnect it (restart the modem, for example)

Some ISPs traffic shape/throttle certain protocols, notably P2P applications, and downloads from certain sites.

That's quite common. What isn't so common is for the precise nature of the traffic management to ever be made clear to the customer.

Does it work OK with everything else e.g. browsing, downloading say a PDF from a website...

Do you have any security software which is blocking the application?

Cool_Mint

Thanks Mark.

The connection cuts out completely and comes back after a while; sometimes it will go dead for 2 minutes, sometimes for 10 minutes and sometimes up to 3 hours.

This only happens when I use download-programs such as YouTube Downloader, Download Helper or MegaUpload. I have recently moved home and I had the exact same problem of the TalkTalk connection dropping at my old address as I do at my new address.

I can stream videos no problem (it's a 5Mb connection) but if I try to download anything bigger than around 50MB I risk losing the connection; the bigger the file I download the more likely it is to fail.

Mark_In_Hampshire

At first glance, it might sound like a fault with the exchange equipment.

But the telling part is that it did the same at your last place.

That then leads me to think it's more likely to be a fault with your computer/network as (can you confirm) those are the same equipment as before.

Is it the same modem/router as before?

Do you have another PC or laptop that you can try to reproduce the problem on?

When it drops, does the modem "SYNC" light go out, then begin flashing and eventually come back, or does it stay lit all the time?

Cool_Mint

It's a different modem/router, I was previously using a Netgear but at my new address I used the standard TalkTalk modem/router and then changed it for a Belkin - which I am using now. It's not the computer at fault or the modem/router as far as I can tell, when the problem occurs it affects all computers on the connection; I tried my Windows 7 PC, a laptop, a netbook and an older PC running Windows XP.

The modem/router is set up on a normal PPPoA type connection (not PPPoE) and the firewall is on normal factory settings.

Mark_In_Hampshire

Does it drop the sync / session, though?

Can you access the router and see if there is a log file showing the connects and disconnects?

Might this be relevant - I didn't initially see it as a Talk Talk specific issue, but some of these people appear to:

http://paler.com/forums/message-view?message_id=3905

Cool_Mint

I can't find a log file except the security log file which only shows today. I think it's time for me to change my ISP! I'm open to suggestions. Thanks again Mark.

KillerWatt

If everything is fine when you

Cool_Mint wrote: »

I am 99.9% certain there are no problems at my end and the connection works okay when I remove or disable all download utilities.

then you have just proved it is a software related issue.

I'm guessing that when you say it works when you disable or remove ALL download utilities that you have more than one installed?

If so, it is quite possible that one is conflicting with another.