What could be wrong with my network or ISP?

Check for a trojan or root kit virus. When your system is being used as a bot and busily sending email for a spammer it does tend to slow down.

@Darkscribe: Already done. I’m paranoid about computer security, so I know it’s not infected :)

@bomyne That is the most common cause of a major slowdown other than a problem with the ISP. The loss of bandwidth due to mass mailing. If you are sure that is not the case, then you need to talk to Dodo.

What is your ping time to Google? I use that a test, usually with me it is 43ms.

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6002]
Copyright© 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\#####>ping google.com

Pinging google.com [209.85.171.100] with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 209.85.171.100: bytes=32 time=313ms TTL=243
Reply from 209.85.171.100: bytes=32 time=373ms TTL=243
Reply from 209.85.171.100: bytes=32 time=368ms TTL=243
Reply from 209.85.171.100: bytes=32 time=314ms TTL=243

Ping statistics for 209.85.171.100:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 313ms, Maximum = 373ms, Average = 342ms

C:\Users\####>

I had suspected an ISP problem, but I want to try and figure out if it’s a network issue first… Switching ISPs is not cheap.

Average 342. That is almost dial-up speed. Is this normal?

I’m australian. pings of 300 to 600 are normal for australians :)

Should note that I’m on a 1.5mbps/256kbps broadband service.

@bomyne You don’t have to switch, contact the Telecommunications Ombudsman and complain about a lack of service. They will give you a case number and contact with Dodo who will make a real effort to fix your problem. Failing to provide a service that is fit for the purpose for which it was purchased is an Australian Trade Practices Act no-no. It carries a huge fine. Even Telstra jumps for the Ombudsman.

When I was on Telstra, it worked just fine [/random]. Same with Optus and Westnet.

Do you have a link or phone number? I want to try dealing with Dodo technical support first but I have been told they aren’t that good.

@bomyne I am Australian too, and I disagree. I usually get an average of around 42ms in Brisabne, Sydney and Melbourne using Telstra/Bigpond cable or ADSL2.

@bomyne No, I have never had dealings with Dodo.

I don’t live in the metropolitan… and even if I did, I wouldn’t expect Perth to have as good a service as Sydney or Brisbane :)

“No, I have never had dealings with Dodo.”

I actually mean the Ombudsman :) We did Dodo cause it was 100gb peak 100gb offpeak for 69.99… That and my dad chucked a fit when Westnet wanted to send a tech out… Regreting it now…

@bomyne Out of curiosity I just checked my ping time to Google using my BlackBerry tethered as a modem. It averages 180. The BlackBerry is 3G.

@bomyne No, the Ombudsman’s Office is different in every state. It will be on Telsta White pages.

Okay, thanks. I’ll contact them if dealing with Dodo doesn’t work.

Out of curiousity, if it was the router, is there anything on it that could be configured incorrectly that I can check?

@bomyne it is possible, but unlikely in that it would have always been a problem, not a slow-down issue. Some older Netcomm routers do have a problem where they need to be re-set every now and then, usually because of dropped connections, not slow-downs. If it is WiFi and you have interference that could cause a slow down. You can try changing channels.

Fair enough.

I don’t suppose there is a regulation about how much they can charge for a disconnect fee? To be honest, I am not very happy with the service Dodo is providing.

1) the money comes out automatically… there is no bill or, like westnet, post office payment card
2) and if you are right about this issue being an ISP thing, that makes it problem 2.

@ I am not sure about that, but the Ombudsman will help. If it is for lack of service they cannot charge anything. If they fix it you will be stuck with the contract conditions, if not, then you should have no penalty. It depends on your state law.

Thanks for your help :)

A couple of questions:

Did you try to reboot the gateway and or router?
Is it wireless? if so, can you hardwire a cable to the computer?
Have you tried any other machines on the same network?

@Rottenit: Yes, I rebooted the router… I even shut it down for 30 minutes. Surprisingly, that solved the problem for… 5 minutes.

No, I can’t hardwire it to this computer as it’s in another room (I’m getting a very strong signel according to windows and Mum’s LT which is next to the router has the same problem)... as Mum’s LT is next to the router, I’m going to go over and test that bit of advice as soon as I’ve posted this.

And yes. I’ve tried mum’s LT which is barely capable of running the game, hardware wise, but it keeps getting the same problems as I do.

EDITED to sound less rude, I hope. Not trying to sound rude :)

No luck. It took 3 attempts to get to the authenticator code screen, 2 attempts to get to the character select screen and then the blue bar got to the end and disconnected me from the server. I gave up.

Sigh. I spoke to Dodo technical support (they are open 24/7 apparently) to no luck. All they did was have me download a 98MB file to “test” my speed… with no actual help… <.<

Why do I get the feeling she was reading from a script?

Is any of your other internet use have issues that you notice or is this tied to WOW?

No prob, you didnt come across as rude :)

@rottenit No, it’s just WoW. I do notice that my bit torrent is a bit slow (I get 175KB/s for HTTP downloads, but bit torrent is 7KB/s max… and the app has all it’s limitations removed)

Could that indicate a problem?

Im not sure how this will work down there but could you run this:

http://www.dslreports.com/linequality

Also, in WOW can you select a different server to test?

Still waiting on that test to complete.

I’ve already tried a different server in the US and even tried WoW-Europe. I was okay for about 5 minutes when connected to the EU realms.

I assume this is what I post to you?

http://www.dslreports.com/linequality/nil/2526885