[WXC/VFX] Speed/errors issues

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shermanp

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#14938 26-Jul-2007 22:46

Hi folks.
For the last week or two, my Xnet connection seems to be very slow compared to what it has been.
While my speed seems to stay steady around the 2Mbit/s mark (day AND evening - which is strange, because before this I could get 3-4Mbit/s easy during the day), often at night general web browsing seems to be a very slow (eg: pages take forever to load etc.) Also streaming media seems to be a bit problematic (needing to pause to buffer etc).
Also, looking at the ADSL stats from my router gives some rather worrying numbers.'
The router has be on for: 3 days 7 hours 28 minutes 24 seconds
There are 303 errored seconds
CRC errors: 1137
Data rate: 8128kbps

The SNR margin and line attenuation looks fine at 13-16db and 23.3db respectively.

It seems to be a very large number of errored seconds and CRC errors for the length of time that the router has been on for.
I do have interleaving OFF, however these seem to be the sorts of figures I'd expect after more than a week - not just over 3 days.
Even if these figures are acceptable, I have certainly noticed a significant decrease in my connection quality over the last couple of weeks.

My routers configurations have not changed (as my ADSL router is connected to a wireless router [im connected to that via ethernet cable])
The ADSL router is the DSE XH1173. Wireless router is netgear WGR614 v7
Both routers are rock solid stable and haven't give me any problems.

Am running Windows XP SP2 (fully updated) and using Firefox 2.0.0.5
XP has been reinstalled a couple of times over the last couple of weeks, so whether this has any relavence or not I don't know. I am also using a different firewall (zonealarm as opposed to kerio and comodo that I had used before)

Anyone any ideas as to what the problem could be?
Thanks

maverick

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WorldxChange

#79918 27-Jul-2007 06:11

Can I suggest you call into the helpdesk , they can take a look at yoyr line and see if they can see any issues from the Network side.

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shermanp

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#79940 27-Jul-2007 09:46

Thanks for the reply Phil.
The guy on the helpdesk was very helpful, and my line seems good. He thinks that congestion at the exchange is what's causing rhe minor connection errors. I will monitor this, and I may end up having to get interleaving turned back ON.
As for the speed, he suggested uninstalling zonealarm.
After restarting the computer I did another couple of speedtests and couldn't believe my eyes!!! Connection speed jumped from about 2.44Mbit/s to about 4.18Mbit/s!!!

So now I'm in the market for a new firewall. Anyone any ideas as to an easy to configure free firewall that doesn't effect speeds like this?
The firewall can't be kerio personal firewall, as that conflicts with my DVD-Audio playback.

grant_k

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#79945 27-Jul-2007 10:04

shermanp: So now I'm in the market for a new firewall. Anyone any ideas as to an easy to configure free firewall that doesn't effect speeds like this?

The best idea is to use a router with a Hardware Firewall built in. That way your speed won't be slowed down at all so long as the router is up to the job.

shermanp

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#79947 27-Jul-2007 10:13

Ah, but hardware firewalls don't do jack for outgoing connections.
And as I use internet banking, I really want to know if a keylogger etc suddenly starts trying to connect out...
Also, I can control what programs are allowed to access the net, and when, and to what extent.

grant_k

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#79950 27-Jul-2007 10:33

shermanp: Ah, but hardware firewalls don't do jack for outgoing connections.

That's not true, I have seen some that do...

However, you're right that it's easier to control specific programs via a PC-based firewall. So long as your PC isn't so badly infected that the firewall has been compromised as well

Personally, I just stay clear of any sites that could infect me with spyware and be careful as to what e-mail attachments I open.

Niel

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#79954 27-Jul-2007 10:40

shermanp: Ah, but hardware firewalls don't do jack for outgoing connections.
And as I use internet banking, I really want to know if a keylogger etc suddenly starts trying to connect out...
Also, I can control what programs are allowed to access the net, and when, and to what extent.

Norton Internet Security is good and fast (esp. 2007), just a lot of pop-ups you have to handle until eventually everything is configured (it runs in a learning mode). Will cost you about $70 per year, just note there are a few versions e.g. a 3 license for 3 seperate PCs and a 3 user for 3 users on one PC. A bit confusing as to which one is which, but the package itself is good.

You can never have enough Volvos!

Quic Broadband

Move to New Zealand's best fibre broadband service (affiliate link). Free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE. Note that to use Quic Broadband you must be comfortable with configuring your own router.

shermanp

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#79966 27-Jul-2007 11:25

Thanks for the reply Niel.
However, the LAST thing I want on this computer is anything by the name of Norton/Symantec....
I will look around and try a few out I guess.

Trkstr

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#80274 29-Jul-2007 21:28

Having used a few of the old Norton products in the past, i feel your pain shermanp and desire of avoidance of symantec :P

But, on a rather rainy and rather non-sober (hehe) saturday night in june, i did what i thought was the unthinkable, and installed Norton 360. Its actually surprisingly pretty good. Its much better than any of it's predecessors.

So give that a go. Its a good product. 3 user as well.

Niel

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#80284 29-Jul-2007 22:26

I never liked anti-virus software slowing me down, then 2 years ago I got a "free" 3 month use of Norton Internet Security 2005 and liked it. I renewed for 2006, and there was a significant improvement and I liked it even better. This year I did not renew, due to other reasons. But I did read up on reviews and it was said to be even better with very few pop-ups (2006 was a bit annoying).

Norton 360 seems a good product, but had too many features and personally I'm not interested in it. But if I have to I would go for Internet Security.

You can never have enough Volvos!

wldhrs

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#80290 30-Jul-2007 00:08

Installed Norton 360 a few months ago and it's been ok, although too many features that I don't use, particularly as I'm Firefox not IE.

Anyone had a play with Comodo's firewall? http://www.comodo.com/products/free_products.html and why is it free if it's good?