dsl slowing down

chernojr · 10-24-2009, 06:52 PM

I have 10M service which was excellent for a couple of years. Last week and a half the service slows as the day progreses. If I check the speed at 6am it is around 10.4M. Around 4pm it might be 5M by 8pm it is down to 1M. ISP provider tells me they are delivering close to 11M to the modem. They sent a tech to check service at the phone interface outside house and told me the line is ok. The modem seems to get hotter to me as the day progresses. About a month ago I had a problem with the service slowing down and I could restore faster speed by rebooting the modem. That is not the case this time. This problem occurs even if I connect the computer directly to the modem bypassing the router. I think the modem might be failing but Isp is telling me that it would just stop working not become intermittent. They first blamed it on my broadband connection to my dishnetwork receiver but this can't be the case if the only thing connected to the modem is 1 computer. They say they can't help me unless they send someone inside to look at my setup @75 dollars an hour. Nothing has changed with my setup and I still think the modem is suspect. It is a Thompson speedtouch st536. It is supplied by my ISP but I am thinking of just getting one at Bestbuy to see if it solves the problem.
Anybody have ideas?
Or have a modem they would suggest to try?
Thanks for your help
JC

**johnwill** · 10-25-2009, 10:54 AM

This sounds like the classic case of high traffic causing a problem. The high usage periods are in the afternoon and early evening, and it's a very common complaint to see speeds slow in that period when the ISP network is overloaded.

This this PingTest in the morning during the fast period, and again when it's slow, and post the results here.

Here's a sample from my site:

chernojr · 10-25-2009, 03:13 PM

I just tried an experiment. My speed was down to less than 1M early this afternoon. I unplugged the modem for an hour to let it cool off. When I rebooted it I had speed above 10M. As the modem heated up during use the speed started dropping again.

ebackhus · 10-25-2009, 06:35 PM

Electronics work better when cool it's a known fact and you're proving it once again. If the ISP won't replace the modem then I'd get one from Best Buy.

**johnwill** · 10-26-2009, 08:48 AM

Try directing a small fan directly on the modem and see if that solves the problem. If so, I'd get back on the ISP to give you a working modem!

10-24-2009, 06:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
chernojr Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: PA Posts: 5 OS: Vista	dsl slowing down I have 10M service which was excellent for a couple of years. Last week and a half the service slows as the day progreses. If I check the speed at 6am it is around 10.4M. Around 4pm it might be 5M by 8pm it is down to 1M. ISP provider tells me they are delivering close to 11M to the modem. They sent a tech to check service at the phone interface outside house and told me the line is ok. The modem seems to get hotter to me as the day progresses. About a month ago I had a problem with the service slowing down and I could restore faster speed by rebooting the modem. That is not the case this time. This problem occurs even if I connect the computer directly to the modem bypassing the router. I think the modem might be failing but Isp is telling me that it would just stop working not become intermittent. They first blamed it on my broadband connection to my dishnetwork receiver but this can't be the case if the only thing connected to the modem is 1 computer. They say they can't help me unless they send someone inside to look at my setup @75 dollars an hour. Nothing has changed with my setup and I still think the modem is suspect. It is a Thompson speedtouch st536. It is supplied by my ISP but I am thinking of just getting one at Bestbuy to see if it solves the problem. Anybody have ideas? Or have a modem they would suggest to try? Thanks for your help JC

10-25-2009, 10:54 AM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,874 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: dsl slowing down This sounds like the classic case of high traffic causing a problem. The high usage periods are in the afternoon and early evening, and it's a very common complaint to see speeds slow in that period when the ISP network is overloaded. This this PingTest in the morning during the fast period, and again when it's slow, and post the results here. Here's a sample from my site: __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

10-25-2009, 03:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
chernojr Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: PA Posts: 5 OS: Vista	Re: dsl slowing down I just tried an experiment. My speed was down to less than 1M early this afternoon. I unplugged the modem for an hour to let it cool off. When I rebooted it I had speed above 10M. As the modem heated up during use the speed started dropping again.

10-25-2009, 06:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,318 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	Re: dsl slowing down Electronics work better when cool it's a known fact and you're proving it once again. If the ISP won't replace the modem then I'd get one from Best Buy. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

10-26-2009, 08:48 AM	#5 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,874 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: dsl slowing down Try directing a small fan directly on the modem and see if that solves the problem. If so, I'd get back on the ISP to give you a working modem! __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience