Internet speed drop from 4mb to 800kbps?

jakedavi · 10-19-2009, 09:48 AM

Hello, I'm in need of a little help..

I have been with TalkTalk for a couple of years, every smoothly so far. But recently over the last 4 weeks my connection speed has dropped dramatically from 4mbps to just 1mb and under!

I cannot understand why this is happening, there's nothing wrong with the exchange and everything is fine their end.

I have tested my connection at my NTE5 Test Socket (by removing the faceplate off the front of the master socket), and the speed is as it should be.. 4mbps+ and is always connected. But after putting the faceplate back on I try the master socket and extensions but they just won't connect like it does in the test socket.

I've spoken to TalkTalk and they suggest it's an internal wiring problem, does anyone know what type of problem this would be? As when the speed drops it's always very accurate like 960kbps or 860kbps.

What could be the problem? Help would be much appreciated!

Regards, JakeDavi.

jakedavi · 10-24-2009, 02:33 PM

Alright no ones replied but I'm just going to say I've morealess worked it out. It's just to do with my internal wiring, master socket - extensions.

Probs no need to reply. Thanks.

**johnwill** · 10-24-2009, 02:59 PM

Purchase a DSL splitter and install it at the telco NID (Network Interface Device). This is the place the telephone lines come into your home wiring, usually either in the basement or outside near the other utilitiy connections. Run a direct line from the DSL port on the splitter directly to the DSL modem. Connect all of the other phone instruments to the telephone output of the DSL splitter. All of the DSL analog side wiring should be CAT3 or better twisted pair from the telco service entrance to the DSL/ADSL modem. You can use one of the twisted pairs in CAT5 cable if you have that on hand. The splitter I've used in the past is the Wilcom PS-36, it's good for any DSL/ADSL service worldwide.

This is as good as it gets for DSL installations, and will usually solve in-house wiring issues.

clyde123 · 10-25-2009, 10:20 AM

Jakedavi, see this link : http://www.thinkbroadband.com/faq/se...radsl.html#235
About three quarters down the page, you'll see a picture and instructions how to chop the bell wire inside your NTE5 master socket. Hopefully this will help.
By explanation, the bell wire is not required in most home situations nowadays, and in fact it can act as an aerial and introduce interference and thus slow connections.
This applies to UK telephone wiring. I believe it is not relevant to North American wiring.

**johnwill** · 10-25-2009, 10:34 AM

Interesting, I never knew that there was a 3rd wire in UK installations.

You're correct, this isn't an issue for telephone wiring in North America.

jakedavi · 10-26-2009, 05:14 AM

Thanks for the reply, but I seem to have a slight problem here. It sounds so easy.

You see it says at TB to remove the Orange wire as that is the bell wire. Well in my case, I remove it, and the 2nd extension socket upstairs doesn't work!! Even though the downstairs 1st extension does..? I am very confused so I put it back into place.. I added pictures over at my ISPs forum. You can view them here:

http://www.talktalkmembers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25288&page=3

clyde123 · 10-27-2009, 03:33 AM

Hi Jakdavi, yes as shown, the wiring at the master socket is indeed a mess.
Firstly, there seems to be two extension cables running from the master socket. Can you tell whether this is one cable to each extension ? Or something else ?
I'm trying to figure out if there is any cable connection between the downstairs and the upstairs sockets.
Secondly, it would be interesting to know whether a telephone works in the upstairs socket with the orange wire removed. What pin number was the orange connected to anyway ?
If you're getting top speeds when connected to the test socket then the problem definitely lies in your internal wiring.
I respect what is said on the talktalk forum that they're not happy about messing about with the bellwire, but certainly on the thinkbroadband forum there is no doubt that move is recommended. And you've noticed a speed improvement by doing this, so ....
Getting back to basics, you really only need pins 2 and 5 connected between the master socket and the extensions. 2 to 2, and 5 to 5.
The filter is required for the telephone, but not required for the modem/router. It's purpose is to filter out telephone noise which would interfere with the broadband signal.
I'm concerned you say the test socket gives good speed, but the master socket drops off after 5 minutes or so. I would be tempted to try a replacement faceplate on the master socket, if you can borrow one from a friend maybe.
In your pic, the master socket, there is an orange wire in pin 5 : that concerns me. It could be that is the wire that runs to upstairs, and therefore should be connected to pin 5 upstairs.

jakedavi · 10-30-2009, 09:55 AM

Hey,

I'm not sure wether its one cable to each extension. But with the orange wire removed from pin no. 5 in the master socket, the upstairs doesn't work.

I think thats a brill idea of trying another faceplate on the master socket. I feel that the problem could well lie in there as it's being very odd.

Also you say the orange pin5 could run upstairs, well with that orange removed from the upstairs extension, it still works.... strange. I'm gunna try get another faceplate. ;)

Cheers.

jakedavi · 11-17-2009, 02:21 PM

Hello again!

Thought I'd reply to let you guys know whats happening.

Basically I've bought a replacement master socket (a BT one) and replaced the faceplate on my current box with the faceplate that came with this new one.

No luck, speed is still the same (around 1.8mb). Would the problem be with the actual box behind the faceplate? OR something else within the house...

Any other help or input with this would be much apprenticed.

Thanks!

10-19-2009, 09:48 AM	#1 (permalink)
jakedavi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 35 OS: Win Vista	Internet speed drop from 4mb to 800kbps? Hello, I'm in need of a little help.. I have been with TalkTalk for a couple of years, every smoothly so far. But recently over the last 4 weeks my connection speed has dropped dramatically from 4mbps to just 1mb and under! I cannot understand why this is happening, there's nothing wrong with the exchange and everything is fine their end. I have tested my connection at my NTE5 Test Socket (by removing the faceplate off the front of the master socket), and the speed is as it should be.. 4mbps+ and is always connected. But after putting the faceplate back on I try the master socket and extensions but they just won't connect like it does in the test socket. I've spoken to TalkTalk and they suggest it's an internal wiring problem, does anyone know what type of problem this would be? As when the speed drops it's always very accurate like 960kbps or 860kbps. What could be the problem? Help would be much appreciated! Regards, JakeDavi.

10-24-2009, 02:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
jakedavi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 35 OS: Win Vista	Re: Internet speed drop from 4mb to 800kbps? Alright no ones replied but I'm just going to say I've morealess worked it out. It's just to do with my internal wiring, master socket - extensions. Probs no need to reply. Thanks.

10-24-2009, 02:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,623 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Internet speed drop from 4mb to 800kbps? Purchase a DSL splitter and install it at the telco NID (Network Interface Device). This is the place the telephone lines come into your home wiring, usually either in the basement or outside near the other utilitiy connections. Run a direct line from the DSL port on the splitter directly to the DSL modem. Connect all of the other phone instruments to the telephone output of the DSL splitter. All of the DSL analog side wiring should be CAT3 or better twisted pair from the telco service entrance to the DSL/ADSL modem. You can use one of the twisted pairs in CAT5 cable if you have that on hand. The splitter I've used in the past is the Wilcom PS-36, it's good for any DSL/ADSL service worldwide. This is as good as it gets for DSL installations, and will usually solve in-house wiring issues. __________________ 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, 10:20 AM	#4 (permalink)
clyde123 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Glasgow Posts: 397 OS: xp sp2	Re: Internet speed drop from 4mb to 800kbps? Jakedavi, see this link : http://www.thinkbroadband.com/faq/se...radsl.html#235 About three quarters down the page, you'll see a picture and instructions how to chop the bell wire inside your NTE5 master socket. Hopefully this will help. By explanation, the bell wire is not required in most home situations nowadays, and in fact it can act as an aerial and introduce interference and thus slow connections. This applies to UK telephone wiring. I believe it is not relevant to North American wiring.

10-25-2009, 10:34 AM	#5 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,623 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Internet speed drop from 4mb to 800kbps? Interesting, I never knew that there was a 3rd wire in UK installations. You're correct, this isn't an issue for telephone wiring in North America. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

10-26-2009, 05:14 AM	#6 (permalink)
jakedavi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 35 OS: Win Vista	Re: Internet speed drop from 4mb to 800kbps? Thanks for the reply, but I seem to have a slight problem here. It sounds so easy. You see it says at TB to remove the Orange wire as that is the bell wire. Well in my case, I remove it, and the 2nd extension socket upstairs doesn't work!! Even though the downstairs 1st extension does..? I am very confused so I put it back into place.. I added pictures over at my ISPs forum. You can view them here: http://www.talktalkmembers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25288&page=3

10-27-2009, 03:33 AM	#7 (permalink)
clyde123 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Glasgow Posts: 397 OS: xp sp2	Re: Internet speed drop from 4mb to 800kbps? Hi Jakdavi, yes as shown, the wiring at the master socket is indeed a mess. Firstly, there seems to be two extension cables running from the master socket. Can you tell whether this is one cable to each extension ? Or something else ? I'm trying to figure out if there is any cable connection between the downstairs and the upstairs sockets. Secondly, it would be interesting to know whether a telephone works in the upstairs socket with the orange wire removed. What pin number was the orange connected to anyway ? If you're getting top speeds when connected to the test socket then the problem definitely lies in your internal wiring. I respect what is said on the talktalk forum that they're not happy about messing about with the bellwire, but certainly on the thinkbroadband forum there is no doubt that move is recommended. And you've noticed a speed improvement by doing this, so .... Getting back to basics, you really only need pins 2 and 5 connected between the master socket and the extensions. 2 to 2, and 5 to 5. The filter is required for the telephone, but not required for the modem/router. It's purpose is to filter out telephone noise which would interfere with the broadband signal. I'm concerned you say the test socket gives good speed, but the master socket drops off after 5 minutes or so. I would be tempted to try a replacement faceplate on the master socket, if you can borrow one from a friend maybe. In your pic, the master socket, there is an orange wire in pin 5 : that concerns me. It could be that is the wire that runs to upstairs, and therefore should be connected to pin 5 upstairs.

10-30-2009, 09:55 AM	#8 (permalink)
jakedavi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 35 OS: Win Vista	Re: Internet speed drop from 4mb to 800kbps? Hey, I'm not sure wether its one cable to each extension. But with the orange wire removed from pin no. 5 in the master socket, the upstairs doesn't work. I think thats a brill idea of trying another faceplate on the master socket. I feel that the problem could well lie in there as it's being very odd. Also you say the orange pin5 could run upstairs, well with that orange removed from the upstairs extension, it still works.... strange. I'm gunna try get another faceplate. ;) Cheers.

11-17-2009, 02:21 PM	#9 (permalink)
jakedavi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 35 OS: Win Vista	Re: Internet speed drop from 4mb to 800kbps? Hello again! Thought I'd reply to let you guys know whats happening. Basically I've bought a replacement master socket (a BT one) and replaced the faceplate on my current box with the faceplate that came with this new one. No luck, speed is still the same (around 1.8mb). Would the problem be with the actual box behind the faceplate? OR something else within the house... Any other help or input with this would be much apprenticed. Thanks!