dan4info
@comcast.net
|  [Cable] Comcast 16/2, but laptopA only 2/2, laptopB 20/4!? Arrr
I could really use some help here! I've tried a couple tweaks already but still no luck. Here's the problem, I recently upgraded my Comcast hi-speed internet service to the "16Mbps download/2Mbps upload" speed. I have 2 laptops at home, laptopA which is newer (T61 which I use all the time for work and personal use) and an old Dell (laptopB) that my wife uses occasionally. Both are running on WinXP. The old laptop is able to recognize/exceed the new hi-speeds but my newer one (laptopA) seems like it's being limited somehow to only 2Mbps down (the upload speed seems good though at 2.5Mbps). I would greatly appreciate any suggestions on how to tweak this laptop as it's the one I could really use the speed with. Here are my current stats:
1. »/tweakr/block:···a=normal
2. Location=NY: 
Speakeasy results for Location=Chicago:
Download Speed: 1971 kbps (246.4 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 2431 kbps (303.9 KB/sec transfer rate)
3. n/a
4. Cable, Comcast, Motorola Surfboard SB6120
5. n/a
6. n/a
7. WinXP
8. 16,000kbps Download/2,000kbps Upload
9. For work, I often use a vpn but have disconnected it for all testing purposes (using direct connect to modem for now).
10. I have also disconnected my Linksys wireless router (WRT45G w/firmware v4.21.1) for testing purposes.
11. n/a
I would really appreciate any help here as I've wasted too many hours trying to figure this out myself thus far.  |
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Irish Shark
Play Like A Champion Today
Premium,MVM
join:2000-07-29
Las Vegas, NV
| Re: [Cable] Comcast 16/2, but laptopA only 2/2, laptopB 20/4!?
• This is not a tweaking issue. The tweak settings are fine.
• Do you have a SW firewall on the box? Zone Alarm?
• Check the NIC duplex settings. Auto or 100 full, or 100 half.
--
"You can observe a lot by watching". Yogi Berra |
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dan4info
@comcast.net
| reply to dan4info
First off, thanks for the quick response Irish Shark! 
By NIC settings, do you mean right-clicking on my Local Area Connection | Properties | Configure | Advanced | "Link Speed & Duplex" = [Auto Detect, etc.]? If so, mine's set at "Auto Detect", should I change that to one of the others you mentioned?
Also, could you point me to a good FAQ or help me how to determine if/where I might have a SW firewall, etc.? Not sure how to go about tracking this down.
Thanks again!
- Dan -
p.s. Also, if I may ask, (and after I get this issue resolved) would you recommend I lose the Linksys wireless router (WRT54G w/firmware v4.21.1 ... which is getting pretty long in the tooth these days I suppose) and get a newer one (maybe a Wireless N router) or should this router be able to handle the 16Mbps/2Mbps bandwidth? |
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Irish Shark
Play Like A Champion Today
Premium,MVM
join:2000-07-29
Las Vegas, NV
| • Yes that is what I meant for the NIC. Auto is usually the preferred setting, but sometimes devices do not play well together and we have to have adjust it. Try setting the NIC duplex to 100/full and if that does nothing try 100 half. If neither fixes the problem, set it back to auto.
• The SW firewall is a program that is added to the OS just like any other program. ie .. Word, Excel, Firefox, etc.... Open explorer and go down to Programs and see what is there.
• The WRT54G is still a good router. I have one and it can do 30mb without an issue. You may want to look into using Tomato for the FW instead of the Linksys FW.
--
"You can observe a lot by watching". Yogi Berra |
|
dan4info
@comcast.net
| reply to dan4info
Thanks again ... you are the best! 
The culprit for me was "Symantec Protection Agent". Once I disabled that, bingo! How about this for a 16/2 service:
From Speakeasy.net Location=Chicago:
Download Speed: 20818 kbps (2602.3 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 8495 kbps (1061.9 KB/sec transfer rate)
That's 20/8 baby!!!
Irish Shark, this one is baked red hot and ready to serve. Thanks again for your help.
- Dan -
p.s. Not sure if I need to start a new thread for this but here's a follow-up question. The 20/8 speed works assuming I don't use my work vpn. However, with the vpn on, speed is drastically reduced to 4/1. I understand that's the nature of the beast but figured it couldn't hurt to ask. So, does anyone know of a way to improve the speed for when the vpn is on?! |
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Karlinhos
join:2009-02-13 | i got a question, why is he attaining much higher speeds than he's subscribing to? |
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Irish Shark
Play Like A Champion Today
Premium,MVM
join:2000-07-29
Las Vegas, NV
| said by Karlinhos  :i got a question, why is he attaining much higher speeds than he's subscribing to? Comcast has PowerBoost which uncaps your connection for a few seconds/minutes; then it goes back down to normal.
--
"You can observe a lot by watching". Yogi Berra |
|
Irish Shark
Play Like A Champion Today
Premium,MVM
join:2000-07-29
Las Vegas, NV
| reply to dan4info
That’s about as good as it gets. It isn’t going to get much better than that. Put a fork in it you’re done.
--
"You can observe a lot by watching". Yogi Berra |
|
Irish Shark
Play Like A Champion Today
Premium,MVM
join:2000-07-29
Las Vegas, NV
| reply to dan4info
said by dan4info :
p.s. Not sure if I need to start a new thread for this but here's a follow-up question. The 20/8 speed works assuming I don't use my work vpn. However, with the vpn on, speed is drastically reduced to 4/1. I understand that's the nature of the beast but figured it couldn't hurt to ask. So, does anyone know of a way to improve the speed for when the vpn is on?!
You can try a lower MTU (1400) and see what that does. That much speed drop is not normal.
--
"You can observe a lot by watching". Yogi Berra |
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