Semi-on topic: DSL line specs...

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: amdfanboy
Ping shouldn't be that high ever, I get 45 average while listening to streaming radio.

Yeah, it sucks.

The thing is, on DSLreports.com, people can't stop talking about how great Bell South is. I hope I'm not in the fringe range of their service.

 

[AFB]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42

Originally posted by: amdfanboy
Ping shouldn't be that high ever, I get 45 average while listening to streaming radio.

Yeah, it sucks.

The thing is, on DSLreports.com, people can't stop talking about how great Bell South is. I hope I'm not in the fringe range of their service.

They may just have a misconfigured router or somthing, give them a call.

 

[bunker]

C:\>ping www.google.com -t

Pinging www.google.akadns.net [216.239.41.99] with 3

Reply from 216.239.41.99: bytes=32 time=19ms TTL=242
Reply from 216.239.41.99: bytes=32 time=19ms TTL=242
Reply from 216.239.41.99: bytes=32 time=20ms TTL=242
Reply from 216.239.41.99: bytes=32 time=20ms TTL=242
Reply from 216.239.41.99: bytes=32 time=19ms TTL=242
Reply from 216.239.41.99: bytes=32 time=20ms TTL=242
Reply from 216.239.41.99: bytes=32 time=19ms TTL=242
Reply from 216.239.41.99: bytes=32 time=19ms TTL=242
Reply from 216.239.41.99: bytes=32 time=19ms TTL=242
Reply from 216.239.41.99: bytes=32 time=20ms TTL=242
Reply from 216.239.41.99: bytes=32 time=19ms TTL=242
Reply from 216.239.41.99: bytes=32 time=20ms TTL=242
Reply from 216.239.41.99: bytes=32 time=19ms TTL=242
Reply from 216.239.41.99: bytes=32 time=19ms TTL=242
Reply from 216.239.41.99: bytes=32 time=19ms TTL=242
Reply from 216.239.41.99: bytes=32 time=19ms TTL=242
Reply from 216.239.41.99: bytes=32 time=19ms TTL=242
Reply from 216.239.41.99: bytes=32 time=19ms TTL=242
Reply from 216.239.41.99: bytes=32 time=19ms TTL=242
Reply from 216.239.41.99: bytes=32 time=20ms TTL=242
Reply from 216.239.41.99: bytes=32 time=19ms TTL=242
Reply from 216.239.41.99: bytes=32 time=19ms TTL=242
Reply from 216.239.41.99: bytes=32 time=19ms TTL=242
Reply from 216.239.41.99: bytes=32 time=19ms TTL=242
Reply from 216.239.41.99: bytes=32 time=19ms TTL=242
Reply from 216.239.41.99: bytes=32 time=19ms TTL=242
Reply from 216.239.41.99: bytes=32 time=19ms TTL=242
Reply from 216.239.41.99: bytes=32 time=19ms TTL=242
Reply from 216.239.41.99: bytes=32 time=20ms TTL=242
Reply from 216.239.41.99: bytes=32 time=19ms TTL=242

I stopped it because I didn't want to run it any longer.

I'm on Bellsouth.

 

[bunker]

Oh, also for your testing/comparisons:

C:\>tracert forums.anandtech.com

Tracing route to forums.anandtech.com [168.143.107.163]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

1 6 ms 6 ms 6 ms adsl-80-64-1.asm.bellsouth.net [65.80.64.1]
2 6 ms 7 ms 6 ms 209.149.96.1
3 7 ms 6 ms 6 ms 209.149.96.230
4 7 ms 6 ms 6 ms axr00asm-1-3-1.bellsouth.net [65.83.237.2]
5 7 ms 6 ms 6 ms pxr00asm-0-0-0.bellsouth.net [65.83.236.0]
6 8 ms 8 ms 7 ms so-1-0-0.gar1.Atlanta1.Level3.net [67.72.8.5]
7 8 ms 7 ms 7 ms so-6-0-0.gar2.Atlanta1.Level3.net [209.247.9.161]
8 7 ms 8 ms 8 ms so-0-3-0.bbr2.Atlanta1.Level3.net [209.247.11.225]
9 20 ms 21 ms 20 ms so-0-1-0.bbr2.Washington1.Level3.net [64.159.0.230]
10 21 ms 21 ms 21 ms so-7-0-0.edge1.Washington1.Level3.net [209.244.11.14]
11 21 ms 21 ms 21 ms p16-1-0-3.r21.asbnva01.us.bb.verio.net [129.250.9.161]
12 21 ms 21 ms 21 ms p16-4-0-0.r02.asbnva01.us.bb.verio.net [129.250.2.63]
13 21 ms 21 ms 21 ms ge-1-1.a00.asbnva01.us.ra.verio.net [129.250.26.97]
14 21 ms 21 ms 40 ms ge-3-5.a00.asbnva01.us.ce.verio.net [168.143.105.78]
15 19 ms 19 ms 20 ms subscriber.anandtech.com [168.143.107.163]

Trace complete.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42

Originally posted by: amdfanboy
I think you better have a talk with your ISP in the morring. If your phone line was bad, you wouldn't have had such a good trace route. Ask you ISP WTF is going on. Make sure to e-mail them the pings you posted. Most game servers will kick you for a ping of 250, you had pings close to 2000. Yes, thousand. For comparison, my average ping is 45. Tell your ISP to just say no. Crack and gaming doesn't mix.

Those high pings happened when I was loading webpages, or doing anything else on the internet. The pings are fine when I just let it run by itself.

I miss my cable modem.

That is really bizzare.

Have you tried the connection on a different computer? It almost sounds network/windows/software related. Try it on another system that has been optimized for broadband, and hook the computer directly to the DSL, no router or anything.. see how that works.

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: Eli
That is really bizzare.

Have you tried the connection on a different computer? It almost sounds network/windows/software related. Try it on another system that has been optimized for broadband, and hook the computer directly to the DSL, no router or anything.. see how that works.

This computer was on broadband for years, and is hooked directly in to the DSL. I also tried the internet in Debian, and I get the same thing.

I switched out NICs as well. Same deal.


Edit: I just had 200 pings fail to microsoft.com.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42

Originally posted by: Eli
That is really bizzare.

Have you tried the connection on a different computer? It almost sounds network/windows/software related. Try it on another system that has been optimized for broadband, and hook the computer directly to the DSL, no router or anything.. see how that works.

This computer was on broadband for years, and is hooked directly in to the DSL. I also tried the internet in Debian, and I get the same thing.

I switched out NICs as well. Same deal.


Edit: I just had 200 pings fail to microsoft.com.

Ok, then something isn't right with your line, simple as that.

When I first got cable, I had the exact same symptoms. Horrible pings at random times, bad packet loss, etc..

I called, bitched, moaned.. had several techs out, never got it fixed.

Then one day I had a flashlight, and I noticed that the old copper cable jack was all green and corroded. I never saw it before because it was back in a dark corner. I took a wirebrush to it, and problem solved.

With DSL, it's bad lines in your place, a bad filter somewhere.. something is causing intereference. You should have 0 CRC errors, really.

 

[Chaotic42]

I think I may know what's wrong.


I took the phone jack out of the wall, and the wires are at least 500 years old. The freaking insulation is cracking, and if you touch the wire in the right place, you lose the signal. Not only that, but there is some caulky-goo stuff in the jack.

:sigh:

 

[Eli]

Can you try another jack in the house?

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42

I think I may know what's wrong.


I took the phone jack out of the wall, and the wires are at least 500 years old. The freaking insulation is cracking, and if you touch the wire in the right place, you lose the signal. Not only that, but there is some caulky-goo stuff in the jack.

:sigh:

Yikes, I was going to suggest my "No Wire Home Run" but with wire like that you better run a new wire to where your phone lines comes to the house.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42

Originally posted by: amdfanboy
Ping shouldn't be that high ever, I get 45 average while listening to streaming radio.

Yeah, it sucks.

The thing is, on DSLreports.com, people can't stop talking about how great Bell South is. I hope I'm not in the fringe range of their service.

I'm on BellSouth and it is rock solid, my first Hop is 17 MS.

Modem trained at 1.5 down and 256K Up

Get Solid 1472K down after overhead and 220K after overhead. Never goes down and never drops.

So it is possible.

 

[aircooled]

Unfortunately with DSL, your distance from a main hub is critical. You are probably too far away to get good service.

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

I'm on BellSouth and it is rock solid, my first Hop is 17 MS.

Modem trained at 1.5 down and 256K Up

Get Solid 1472K down after overhead and 220K after overhead. Never goes down and never drops.

So it is possible.

Yeah, but you're in a different part of the country. I'd like to know how other people in my area are doing speed wise.

 

[Chaotic42]

:sigh:

It just keeps getting worse and worse.

 

[Chaotic42]

Ok, an update.

The line in my room died. The jack just messed up, not long after my last post.

The BS dude is coming out to fix it, and they said they may have to charge me. Yeah, right. I'm not paying for that.

Anyway, I'm using another jack and it seems to be better. Not perfect, but better. I'm getting 102KB/s from Microsoft, which is pretty good considering that I couldn't ping them three days ago.

 

[kranky]

It would probably be cheaper to buy and setup wireless networking from a good phone jack than to pay the phone guy to fix a bad phone jack.

 

[Chaotic42]

Wow, my line specs are just barely above the worst allowed level. Check this out from the log:

--

WED MAR 17 02:35:20 2004 PPP CONNECTED on VPI 8 VCI 35

WED MAR 17 02:35:20 2004 Connecting session(0): My Connection due to AutoConnect request

WED MAR 17 01:51:54 2004 Disconnecting session(0): My Connection due to PADT received

WED MAR 17 01:51:54 2004 PPP DISCONNECTED on VPI 8 VCI 35 : PPP commanded down

WED MAR 17 01:51:54 2004 Disconnecting session(0): My Connection due to timeout

TUE MAR 16 23:46:46 2004 PPP CONNECTED on VPI 8 VCI 35

TUE MAR 16 23:46:46 2004 Connecting session(0): My Connection due to AutoConnect request

TUE MAR 16 23:46:34 2004 PPP DISCONNECTED on VPI 8 VCI 35 : PPP commanded down

TUE MAR 16 23:46:34 2004 Disconnecting session(0): My Connection due to dsl Restart

TUE MAR 16 21:10:30 2004 DNS: Unknown host: 'burns.thefinaldimension.org.launchmodem.com'

TUE MAR 16 21:10:30 2004 DNS: Unknown host: 'burns.thefinaldimension.org'

TUE MAR 16 20:46:26 2004 PPP CONNECTED on VPI 8 VCI 35

TUE MAR 16 20:46:26 2004 Connecting session(0): My Connection due to dsl Restart

TUE MAR 16 20:46:22 2004 Disconnecting session(0): My Connection due to PADT received

TUE MAR 16 20:46:22 2004 PPP DISCONNECTED on VPI 8 VCI 35 : PPP commanded down

TUE MAR 16 20:46:22 2004 Disconnecting session(0): My Connection due to Restart Command

TUE MAR 16 20:46:09 2004 PPP CONNECTED on VPI 8 VCI 35

TUE MAR 16 20:46:09 2004 Connecting session(0): My Connection due to dsl Restart

 

[BillGates]

Your SNR at 4 is terrible - but this depends on the type of DSLAM you're connected to. If it's a Lucent DSLAM, that is a bad number. (you generally want it to be above 9) One thing you could do is test your modem at the NID (the gray box in the back of your house where the phone line comes in) to see if the stats improve. It sounds like your internal wiring sucks, so you'd likely see a difference. Your ISP would likely request that you do this before they roll a truck or replace your modem.

PM me if you have more DSL questions - but your ISP is ultimately the one that can help you the most.

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: BillGates
Your SNR at 4 is terrible - but this depends on the type of DSLAM you're connected to. If it's a Lucent DSLAM, that is a bad number. (you generally want it to be above 9) One thing you could do is test your modem at the NID (the gray box in the back of your house where the phone line comes in) to see if the stats improve. It sounds like your internal wiring sucks, so you'd likely see a difference. Your ISP would likely request that you do this before they roll a truck or replace your modem.

PM me if you have more DSL questions - but your ISP is ultimately the one that can help you the most.

I live in an apartment, so my options here are limited. I guess they just have crappy phone lines. Is there any kind of amplifier I can buy to boost my signal?

 

[BillGates]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42

Originally posted by: BillGates
Your SNR at 4 is terrible - but this depends on the type of DSLAM you're connected to. If it's a Lucent DSLAM, that is a bad number. (you generally want it to be above 9) One thing you could do is test your modem at the NID (the gray box in the back of your house where the phone line comes in) to see if the stats improve. It sounds like your internal wiring sucks, so you'd likely see a difference. Your ISP would likely request that you do this before they roll a truck or replace your modem.

PM me if you have more DSL questions - but your ISP is ultimately the one that can help you the most.

I live in an apartment, so my options here are limited. I guess they just have crappy phone lines. Is there any kind of amplifier I can buy to boost my signal?

If you boost the signal, it's going to boost the noise/interference along with it - that would likely make problems worse.

Start by checking at other phone jacks if you can at least do that, make sure all phones, answering machines, fax machines, dialup modems, satellite systems, etc are all filtered. You want to try to rule out as many potential inside wiring issues as you can and let the ISP test it to the NID outside if it goes that far. They're responsible for the line up to that point - and who knows, maybe there IS a line issue causing the poor stats on the line well before it gets to your house. (they can check for bridge taps, load coils, and other devices that can artifically increase your distance and cause a poor signal).

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: BillGates

If you boost the signal, it's going to boost the noise/interference along with it - that would likely make problems worse.

Start by checking at other phone jacks if you can at least do that, make sure all phones, answering machines, fax machines, dialup modems, satellite systems, etc are all filtered. You want to try to rule out as many potential inside wiring issues as you can and let the ISP test it to the NID outside if it goes that far. They're responsible for the line up to that point - and who knows, maybe there IS a line issue causing the poor stats on the line well before it gets to your house. (they can check for bridge taps, load coils, and other devices that can artifically increase your distance and cause a poor signal).

Could I not boost the signal, then filter it again?

Bell South wants $100 if it's inside stuff. I'm going to call them tomorrow and tell them to come fix it, but only worry about their end.

 

[BillGates]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42

Originally posted by: BillGates

If you boost the signal, it's going to boost the noise/interference along with it - that would likely make problems worse.

Start by checking at other phone jacks if you can at least do that, make sure all phones, answering machines, fax machines, dialup modems, satellite systems, etc are all filtered. You want to try to rule out as many potential inside wiring issues as you can and let the ISP test it to the NID outside if it goes that far. They're responsible for the line up to that point - and who knows, maybe there IS a line issue causing the poor stats on the line well before it gets to your house. (they can check for bridge taps, load coils, and other devices that can artifically increase your distance and cause a poor signal).

Could I not boost the signal, then filter it again?

Bell South wants $100 if it's inside stuff. I'm going to call them tomorrow and tell them to come fix it, but only worry about their end.

I wouldn't count on any booster type stuff - only Radio Shack sells crap like that. There are probably some sweet telco repeaters or something you could buy but it wouldn't be practical in your situation. Let Bell South check out their end of things - they have test equipment that can get the SNR at the NID and see if there are errors accumulating on the line. If it's clean for them, the next step is a contact to your landlord (if other phone jacks in the apartment all have the same issue) - hopefully he/she will be helpful!