Internet Issues

[Daviid]

Not sure whether this should be under "Windows XP" or not.

 

I've just bought a new custom build Windows XP computer.

 

4GB RAM, 3GHz dual core processors etc.

 

Problem is the internet runs really slowly, takes ages to load websites, yet programs on my computer load in seconds. Just to confirm this is definantly a problem with the internet and its for virgin to sort?

 

Thanks in advance.

[Daviid]

http://www.speedtest.net/result/689004446.png

 

Thats pretty bad tbh.

[Match]

OK go here

 

Speedtest.net - The Global Broadband Speed Test

 

click on begin test and wait for it to finish.

 

when you get the results panel click on the copy direct link box at the bottom,

 

then open the reply box here and click on the insert Image icon, paste the direct link into the box

 

and could you tell us what your estimated connection speed should be, you should get something like this

 

http://www.speedtest.net/result/688996270.png

 

Mines (Bleep) but my problem is with the BT exchange I'm connected to and not happy about,

Edited January 20, 2010 by Match

[Match]

sorry beat me to it, what is your estimated connection speed 1Mb, and are you aware of Virgins fair usage policy?

[Daviid]

http://www.speedtest.net/result/689016631.png

 

Thats what it is as of now, i did one of those tests earlier, it was at 0.4 download speed then. I guess it varies between peak times.

[Daviid]

They say we are paying for the M package which is 2MB i believe. I've never had such a slow connection problem before though. Im not aware of that policy.

[Daviid]

What i will put out there is that the modem i currently have is around 8-9 years old. We had it installed by NTL Home when broadband first became popular. Do you think that might be the problem?

[Match]

First off you should be aware of this

 

Virgin Media Broadband:Traffic management - & Traffic management

 

Second an old router isn't going to help, newer technology will always be faster and more stable, secure etc

 

the second speedtest you did shows 1.8Mbps which is what you should be expecting from a 2Mbps, this will drop depending on time as obviously at peak times there is going to be more people using the available Bandwidth.

[Daviid]

http://www.speedtest.net/result/690089199.png

 

That is todays speed test.

 

I think we need to have a word with virgin about getting a new router. I might enquire about upgrading our speed too.

[Match]

seems that that's about all you can do at the moment other then threaten or change ISP

[muppet rebecca]

Daviid have fun because when we first got broadband the hadn't switched the switch for it to go to our house. Took us a year to get it sorted however they seem to be improving now. Just be persistant with them and keep an eye out for them waffling. They do that to try and put you on the wrong track so to speak.

[Tootech]

Just been reading through this lot......

 

Your new computer...did it replace an older one that utilised the same broadband connection?

 

If so, how was the Internet with the old PC?

 

Also, your speed is too low, way down on an acceptable service. Is it slow 24/7 or is at peak times?

 

What is model of your router? You will no doubt be using ADSL max, not the old fixed rate ADSL, your router could well be an issue. I've seen it on the new BT 20MB connection, a standard ADSL router is awful, add a BT hub or business hub and it flies.

 

It is worth considering other problems too - check your telephone number on the ADSL checker for a guide to what speed you should expect. There's no point asking Virgin to upgrade if you can't actually get more than 1MB/s say.

 

BT Broadband ADSL Checker

[Match]

Just been reading through this lot......

 

Your new computer...did it replace an older one that utilised the same broadband connection?

 

If so, how was the Internet with the old PC?

 

Also, your speed is too low, way down on an acceptable service. Is it slow 24/7 or is at peak times?

 

What is model of your router? You will no doubt be using ADSL max, not the old fixed rate ADSL, your router could well be an issue. I've seen it on the new BT 20MB connection, a standard ADSL router is awful, add a BT hub or business hub and it flies.

 

It is worth considering other problems too - check your telephone number on the ADSL checker for a guide to what speed you should expect. There's no point asking Virgin to upgrade if you can't actually get more than 1MB/s say.

 

BT Broadband ADSL Checker

 

Correct me If I'm wrong

 

Virgin = Fiber-optic Cable?

 

ADSL = BT Phoneline Copper Cable, Fiber-optic Cable if your lucky?

 

so all the ADSL and ADSL2+ info is irrelevant to Virgin Cable Broad band and only relevant to any one using a BT Phone line?

[muppet rebecca]

thats what I was just thinking match also on the link you posted the virgin XXL sized internet has a downstream of 50MB and an upstream of 1.5MB. I would say that's pretty good if you can get it mind. I'm the medium and the broadband is pretty fast compared to telephone ADSL lines. My mums partner has a BT hub so he can work from home and our virgin connection is faster than his Tootech.

Daviid just needs to ring them up and have a chat with them. They should be alright now there virgin there a lot better than when they were ntl:home. As for the modem if it's anything like the tv box they were suppose to replace with there own named one. Just something I think I'd mention.

[Tootech]

Correct me If I'm wrong

 

You are!! :)

 

Virgin do both. Where I live, I have cable, DN32 area, also in the DN38 area they have cable. Two major towns.

 

All of the other towns and villages locallly don't have cable and they can use Virgin ADSL as part of the phone package.

 

Broadband wherever you live - Broadband - Virgin Media

 

Perhaps I assumed too much, guess we will find out soon.

[Match]

You are!!

Perhaps I assumed too much, guess we will find out soon.

Ironically, I once had an ADSL Virgin Media Package, although then it was called telewest, and then Upgraded to the Blueyonder Broad Band.

 

I had assumed that it was no longer available.

Edited January 22, 2010 by Match

[Daviid]

Hello all.

 

I gave Virgin a call Friday lunch time, after 35 minutes on the phone to the senior engineer he suspected it was my computers fault. When I said it did it on my old computer and my laptop he decided to send an engineer to the house. Suprisingly 3 hours later the engineer was at my door. He replaced my old modem:

 

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g130/tommyd1258/Home310510.jpg?t=1264269782

*Picture from google.

 

He replaced it with a new Virgin modem. While he was here he looked at our TV which was apprently loose so we now have a better TV picture too.

 

This is my new speed test:

 

http://www.speedtest.net/result/692293852.png

 

Clearly I must have the M 10mb package. Thanks for all your help. :)

 

David.

[Match]

Thanks for letting us know :)

 

Just for Information here is a reply I received after contacting Ofcom over my ADSL BT (Grrrrr) line problems, useful link for anyone thinking that ADSL2+ is the answer to their slow connection !!!

 

It would seem that BT is only good for those close to the exchange or in a Fiber Optic area

 

As far as we know BT will not reroute people to other exchanges, we've known people try to get this to happen but with no success.

 

At certain distances (the distance that gives ADSL speed of 4Mbps) ADSL and ADSL2+ provide the same speeds, see the graph at:

 

Internode :: Residential :: Broadband :: ADSL :: Extreme :: Performance

 

So this explains why you get no advantage switching to an ADSL2+ supplier.

 

It would seem that Virgin is your only choice for higher speeds. You can take Virgin's internet service without having to take their TV or telephone services as well, click here for full details