Help Diagnosing WiFi or Internet Issue

8 years ago

I have internet via DSL at 10mbit/sec. Whenever I check Speakeasy for speed, I see ~9.8 mbit/sec and upload of only 0.87 mbit/sec or so. Years ago, with far less download speed, I got 1.24 upload (now .87). I suppose this is irrelevant but I thought I'd start there anyway. My real issue is that I get very poor page loading off and on from minute to minute. Sometimes, pages won't load at all and I get 'no internet' messages. I spend much of my computer time on Gardenweb or E-bay, often on a seller who provides ~10 pics of each item +extra add pics. When things are good, all pics load right up and gardenweb loads fine. When poor, either I get no ebay loads at all or just the first picture only and textual gardenweb won't load fast or at all either. The erratic nature of my slowdown has made it difficult for me to isolate the problem.

Initially, I assumed that my WiFi router might be bad or perhaps I have a bad cable. My provider had me check that a direct connection from DSL modem to computer was OK. Actually, I haven't double checked that, because it was during my first experience with a 'no connection' situation. The direct connection worked at that moment. Now that I know that this is intermitant, I will have to spend time with the modem first. I suppose the weak link could be there at the modem or its cable or perhaps even the cat5 cable or jack.

The WiFi router is probably not the issue because I got a replacement and it made no change. An hour ago, I thought it might be old browsers. I am on a win10 laptop, but also a win7 desktop by the router and modem. I had never used the new win10 Edge browser and it ran great for a half hour. I was all ready to learn to upgrade or reinstall my firefox and chrome when I double checked and found that I was again slowed down with Edge. That half hour was the longest period without an issue for a couple weeks.

If I find an issue with the DSL router section, I guess I am home free, but if not, are there any computer apps/tools or places to look that could help me isolate my page load, no connection problem?

Comments (8)

Elmer J Fudd
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Yes, 1.24 vs .87 on upload is an irrelevant difference.

Intermittent page loading can be caused by the originating site, the PC, or other factors. Are you seeing this on all sites, or just a few?

What kind of PC are you using? Do you have a separate modem and router or a combined unit? How old are these pieces? What is the wifi signal strength shown? Are there many other "homes" nearby (are you in a condo or urban apartment situation)?

Try the direct wired connection to the PC (as suggested by your internet provider) and report back what happened. Remember to turn off the wifi network connection on the PC when you do that.
chas045
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Well, we will see, but it turns out that the direct ethernet connection did have the same off and on problems. My provider is sending out a newer modem. He said that my old modem was too slow for my 10 meg connection. Of course, it had been working reasonably well until a couple weeks ago. The tech also said that they had increased my speed up to 11 from the 10. Perhaps that was just over the ability of the modem to handle.

In case this is only part of, or not the problem: the modem is perhaps 9 years old and I have two separated Cisco N routers that both responded the same. WiFi strength is 4-5 out of 5. The net book is two years old, but the desktop was originally a Dell Vostro running Vista, that was upgraded to win7 before I got it. We are out in the country, but in a community with ~110 single family homes, each on a couple acres. However, fortunately our house is probably the third closest (1000 ft) from the DSL hub.
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Elmer J Fudd
8 years ago
Two routers? Both on at the same time? Please explain more.

As with the upload stats, 11 is essentially the same as 10.
User
8 years ago
Do you have a Password Setup for your Routers Network. If your connection is unsecure you could have neighbors using your connection for free! If someone else is using your connection this could definitely slow your speed down.

BTW, Microsoft Edge is very slow loading Webpages. You can Scroll Down on the page until the whole page is done loading! Did you say you have Firefox? If so, you could also try a different Bowser (maybe Google Chrome).

Snidely asked lots of good Questions. Knowing the answers to his questions could help in figuring out the problem!

You could take your NetBook to a nearby McDonald's, Wendy's, Burger King, Etc... and see if your having the same type of problem on there Free WiFi. If you're still having problems on their networks the problem could be in the computers themselves!
chas045
Original Author
8 years ago
Hi Snidely, originally I said 'The WiFi router is probably not the issue because I got a replacement and it made no change.' That is the source of the Two routers and not at the same time.

Oh, now I see why you asked about them being connected!, it was my 'separated router statement in the last post. You had asked if the modem and router was in one unit. No they are not. However, the replacement modem from the provider tomorrow will have a built in router if I want to use it.

Yes, I have a secure WiFi and password on WEP I think.
User
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Hopefully the new modem/router will take care of the problem. I would just use the Built-In Router. Too much of a hassle to try and Disable the Built-In Router! Just make sure you have a Secure Password Set up.

You may also want to check around the internet to see if your ISP is trying to pull a Comcast. The New Comcast Modem/Routers are set up to use your modem to share with other Comcast Customers. Comcast doesn't tell you about this but when someone is close to your Network they'll see an Xfinity SSID (Hotspot) that's Unsecured. This person can then use your Connection to access the internet. This connection is separate from the connection you're using that is secured! It's a Dual Band Router and they have it set as a Guest account without your knowledge. Not 100% sure but I believe you must be a Comcast Customer to be able to use this Guest account (think they'll ask for your Comcast Info).

Here is a link that can tell you about what Comcast has done: Xfinity WiFi, and how to shut this feature off! You don't have to let your modem broadcast a Hotspot!

I haven't had very good luck with the New Modem/Routers (keep dropping connections) so I just have a Modem and I use my own Router. I have a Linksys EA6400 Dual Band Router and I have a Guest Account set with an easy to remember Password. The other Account Password is much harder to remember. I use the Guest Account forthe Guests at my house! Everyone always asks right away, what's your password? They want to connect their Phones, Tablets and Laptops!
chas045
Original Author
8 years ago
As far as I can tell, it WAS the old modem. The new one seems to be fine So Far. Yes, I am using the built in WiFi on the new modem. Now I just have to go around and reset my home devices.
User
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I can't tell you how much a PITA that is around here! I have 5 Laptops, 1 MacBook Pro, 1 Desktop (that's hooked up) 3 Tablets, 3 Smartphones, 2 Printers, 1 Smart TV and 3 Chrome Cast. I'm sure I'm leaving something out!

Wishing you all the luck with your new modem! Mine is finally working much better after many months of swapping out Comcast Modem/Routers. I finally got everything just where I wanted it and my Linksys WRT54G Router stopped working after many, many years of service. I had a brand new Linksys WRT54G Router but it didn't work right out of the box. Had to get online and order a new Linksys EA6400 Router. This new Linksys Router is awesome and working great!

Help Diagnosing WiFi or Internet Issue

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Elmer J Fudd

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