Internet Speed..really slow Cable

[Trevor Schell]

Hi!

My Internet provider is Shaw Cable.
I was currently subscribed to Shaw Highspeed
which advertises download speeds of 5 MBps

I just upgraded to Highspeed Extreme which
advertises download speeds of 7 MBps
They also exchanged my ancient Motorolla
Cyber Surfer Cablemodem with a brand new
Motorolla SB5101 Surfboard Cablemodem.

My problem is that my download speeds
,when runnning some speed tests from various websites,
is always UNDER 1 MBps..:huh:

Previously with the old modem and regular Highspeed
I always achieved over 3 MBps consistantly when running these tests.

So,,What could be the problem?
Where is my bottleneck?
Could I have a defective modem?
I have a 3Com Eithernet card..Could that be a problem? :scratchhead:
Also, I have a wireless network set -up too.
So everything is running through my Lynksys 54G Wireless Router.

Thanks for any help.
If I can't get it fixed, then I will be giving Shaw a call
to come and check things out.

[Kevin P]

Trev... go to 192.168.100.1 in your browser. This takes you to your modem's diagnostics page. From there, click on the Signals tab. Copy and paste that info, and post it here. This will tell you if it's your signal strength or noise that's causing your problem.

To rule out your router or wireless network, try plugging one of your PCs directly into the modem and see what kind of speed you get.

[Trevor Schell]

Trev... go to 192.168.100.1 in your browser.

That page does not display for me Kevin!

[Azeke]

Trevor, try 192.168.1.1 and look at your router menu settings. If you use wireless B this could affect your speeds. As Kevin suggested try plugging directly into the modem via the RJ45 and then check your bandwidth. Also check your Ethernet card settings. You can also call your ISP and have them check some things out for you. Just my quick thoughts.

Check your Bandwidth here:

Bandwidth Meter speed test


BTW, Shaw was rated the number 2 Cable ISP, as of December 2005. Wow, 7 mbs that's impressive, that exceeds the speed of 2 X T1s.

Good luck,

Azeke

[toddw]

I have found that Cnet BW check to be way off.

I have an 8mb/s line, and Cnet's BW test doesn't work for me.

Use Speakeasy's for a far more accurate test: http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/

Please post results..

todd

[Gordon Moore]

My Internet provider is Shaw Cable.
I was currently subscribed to Shaw Highspeed
which advertises download speeds of 5 MBps

I just upgraded to Highspeed Extreme which
advertises download speeds of 7 MBps
They also exchanged my ancient Motorolla
Cyber Surfer Cablemodem with a brand new
Motorolla SB5101 Surfboard Cablemodem.

They advertise but will never guarrantee, one of the drawbacks of cable. Could be heavy use that day by everyone on your block?

[PewterTA]

Stupid question, but are you getting good signal strength from your router to the computer? That could possibly be limiting things.

Another thing to check for is the modem needs a really good signal strength. You should be able to access the modem's configuration page by looking at your router and it should give you access to the modem's webpage (should give you an IP address, or some hint at it, normally 192.168.1.1 is the router and the modem is 192.168.100.1)...but each modem/router is set up differently. Once you find your way in there, it should tell you what kind of strength from the main hub (shaw cable's hub). If you have any splits in the cable (ie multiple TVs), you need the modem on the FIRST split of the cable (closest to the outside poll). Sometimes they will work, but if they are in the second Y split of the cable, you get really slow speeds. Also make sure it's really good RG6 cabling as well going to the modem.

[Trevor Schell]

Thanks for the troubleshooting solutions guys!
I will try them out.
Try a direct connection etc..when I get a chance.
Once I do this, I will post my findings/ results...
Thanks,

[Trevor Schell]

I have found that Cnet BW check to be way off.

I have an 8mb/s line, and Cnet's BW test doesn't work for me.

Use Speakeasy's for a far more accurate test: http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/

Please post results..

todd

I like the Speakeasy Download test..
It shows you the performace while performing the test.
Something that the other websites tests do not do.

My Best results so far was 6231 kbps for downloading
and I consistantly get a 945kbps+ on my upload speeds.

This is after swithching the cables around in my splitter.
I also upgraded my Router to the Linksys SRX which may have helped.

[Trevor Schell]

Stupid question, but are you getting good signal strength from your router to the computer? That could possibly be limiting things.

Another thing to check for is the modem needs a really good signal strength. You should be able to access the modem's configuration page by looking at your router and it should give you access to the modem's webpage (should give you an IP address, or some hint at it, normally 192.168.1.1 is the router and the modem is 192.168.100.1)...but each modem/router is set up differently. Once you find your way in there, it should tell you what kind of strength from the main hub (shaw cable's hub). If you have any splits in the cable (ie multiple TVs), you need the modem on the FIRST split of the cable (closest to the outside poll). Sometimes they will work, but if they are in the second Y split of the cable, you get really slow speeds. Also make sure it's really good RG6 cabling as well going to the modem.

Thanks,
I do have a split to my basic cable in my office.
I switched the cables on the splitter and it seems like it made a difference.
Thanks for the tip!!:T