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Post by budgall on Jun 5, 2018 22:17:13 GMT -5
I use Adblockplus. I agree its the best. I have Windstream DSL internet and around Christmas time they replaced my old modem with a new one that has a built in router. So I don't know how to use it like my previous Netgear for updates, etc. Would it help to reboot it anyway? Do you have any documentation for your modem/router? Using a browser you should be able to log onto your modem/router and have it check for updates. What is make and model number of the modem/router? On my router I type the IP address 192.168.1.1 press enter,on the login screen I enter my router user ID and password and again press enter. I am now inside the router where I get lots of options including notice of available firmware updates and the chance to update the firmware. My router is an ASUS RT-AC68R. Your modem/router may be different but the process to check and update firmware should be similar to mine. |
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Post by budgall on Jun 6, 2018 14:06:01 GMT -5
I visited the Windstream website to learn more about the DSL internet services they provide but in order to get full access to the site I needed to be a subscriber or someone requesting services which required providing a street address which I choose not to do. I browsing the parts of the website I could access they mention available DSL speeds of 1 Mbps, 2 Mbps and 6Mbps, it also seemed to say that speeds of 6+ Mbps were available. Those speeds are not very good. Judy directed you to www.speedtest.net/ and asked you to run the speed test and report back. The Windstream website also has a speed test link. I would be interested in seeing the results from both links. Also what speed (package) are you paying for? It appears they offer multiple choices. When using a DSL internet connection a huge factor in your speed is the distance between your residence and the phone company hub. DSL technology is distance sensitive, it means your residence must be within a certain distance (about 18000 feet)away from the local phone company hub (Also called a central office or public exchange). A chart I found on the internet shows the following: < than 5000 feet You will have little trouble getting all speeds of DSL 5000-10600 feet You may have trouble getting the highest speeds on offer 10600-15000 feet The danger zone for DSL speeds pinned back steadily until they reach 192k for 15,000 feet. 15000-18000 feet In this range, ADSL is normally still available, although it may be restricted to 300-500k speeds 18000-22000 feet ADSL is not available. The Windstream website did mention that a reboot/restart of your modem/router is a good thing to do if you are having speed issues. Its simple to do, just unplug it, wait a minute and then plug it back in. The website also said that Windstream will update the modem/router when and if updates to the firmware become available automatically, no user actions needed. You should visit the Windstream website support section as they have a section which talks about slow internet connections. |
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debbier
Junior Member
Posts: 95
Former World Start Member: Yes
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Post by debbier on Jun 6, 2018 14:42:32 GMT -5
Thanks for the information budgall. I'll check out the Windstream site. I did use the link Judy provided to check my internet speed and it was over 6mps. That's what I'm paying for. I've noticed over the years since I first got the DSL, when there was less traffic, my internet was much faster. Windstream told me my speed would slow down as other people switched to DSL.
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Post by budgall on Jun 6, 2018 15:09:09 GMT -5
Thanks for the information budgall. I'll check out the Windstream site. I did use the link Judy provided to check my internet speed and it was over 6mps. That's what I'm paying for. I've noticed over the years since I first got the DSL, when there was less traffic, my internet was much faster. Windstream told me my speed would slow down as other people switched to DSL. I think that's your answer to your internet slowing down, 6 Mbps is not fast, add users and then taking in consideration of the distance to the hub will equal a slow internet connection. |
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Post by jholland1964 on Jun 6, 2018 15:32:21 GMT -5
Thanks for the information budgall. I'll check out the Windstream site. I did use the link Judy provided to check my internet speed and it was over 6mps. That's what I'm paying for. I've noticed over the years since I first got the DSL, when there was less traffic, my internet was much faster. Windstream told me my speed would slow down as other people switched to DSL. Oh my goodness. Is Windstream DSL your only option? As budgall said, your 6 mbps isn't fast and it is almost 5 times slower than my cable speed and I don't pay for the highest speed.
Of course if that is your only option then of course you just have to make the best of it. Keep your computer cleaned up, if you see constant slowing then do the reboot/restart of the modem that budgall mentioned.
Keep us in the loop as to how things are going.
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MrBill
Member
Posts: 165 
Former World Start Member: Yes
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Post by MrBill on Jun 7, 2018 0:17:21 GMT -5
I visited the Windstream website to learn more about the DSL internet services they provide but in order to get full access to the site I needed to be a subscriber or someone requesting services which required providing a street address which I choose not to do. I browsing the parts of the website I could access they mention available DSL speeds of 1 Mbps, 2 Mbps and 6Mbps, it also seemed to say that speeds of 6+ Mbps were available. Those speeds are not very good. Judy directed you to www.speedtest.net/ and asked you to run the speed test and report back. The Windstream website also has a speed test link. I would be interested in seeing the results from both links. Also what speed (package) are you paying for? It appears they offer multiple choices. When using a DSL internet connection a huge factor in your speed is the distance between your residence and the phone company hub. DSL technology is distance sensitive, it means your residence must be within a certain distance (about 18000 feet)away from the local phone company hub (Also called a central office or public exchange). A chart I found on the internet shows the following: < than 5000 feet You will have little trouble getting all speeds of DSL 5000-10600 feet You may have trouble getting the highest speeds on offer 10600-15000 feet The danger zone for DSL speeds pinned back steadily until they reach 192k for 15,000 feet. 15000-18000 feet In this range, ADSL is normally still available, although it may be restricted to 300-500k speeds 18000-22000 feet ADSL is not available. The Windstream website did mention that a reboot/restart of your modem/router is a good thing to do if you are having speed issues. Its simple to do, just unplug it, wait a minute and then plug it back in. The website also said that Windstream will update the modem/router when and if updates to the firmware become available automatically, no user actions needed. You should visit the Windstream website support section as they have a section which talks about slow internet connections. While this use to be pretty true, it is different in today's world. The Telco's are running what they call "Slicks" (which is like a repeater) out of their offices which are Fiber fed and require commercial power at the end to get that slick up and running and then hooking it to copper cable the rest of the way to the customers house. I am about 4 miles which about 21,200 feet from the Telco's office. All I could get was Dial up until they started putting slicks in and now I get right at 8Mbps on DSL, which is what I am paying for. If I was closer to the slick, I could get more speed. I am about 5,600 feet from the slick. The can put these slicks miles from the Telco's office because of the fiber technology. The next community over from ours is feed with fiber for about 13 miles or so. They actually have a switch there for the phone numbers, but the DSL is fed from the other Telco office in the town I live in or was when I was doing contract work for them. Things like this change daily if not more often. |
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Post by budgall on Jun 7, 2018 1:16:48 GMT -5
First time I have ever heard of "Slicks". I've had a cable internet since it became available in my area (I was installation #7) so any advances to DSL technology I have not keep up with. We don't know the "Slick" technology is available from debbier's ISP. In any event the 6+ Mbps she gets is still a slow internet connection.
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Post by bigbarney on Jun 7, 2018 3:31:02 GMT -5
One of the benefits of living in a city?
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MrBill
Member
Posts: 165
Former World Start Member: Yes
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Post by MrBill on Jun 7, 2018 15:31:53 GMT -5
Thanks for the information budgall. I'll check out the Windstream site. I did use the link Judy provided to check my internet speed and it was over 6mps. That's what I'm paying for. I've noticed over the years since I first got the DSL, when there was less traffic, my internet was much faster. Windstream told me my speed would slow down as other people switched to DSL. I think that's your answer to your internet slowing down, 6 Mbps is not fast, add users and then taking in consideration of the distance to the hub will equal a slow internet connection. And noise on the line will also make a difference. To much noise and it will slow it to a crawl. Noise that the human ear can't hear. They have special meters that can hear/see the noise and they can find out where the noise is coming from and fix it. Been there done that many times for customers before I retired. |
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MrBill
Member
Posts: 165
Former World Start Member: Yes
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Post by MrBill on Jun 7, 2018 15:36:05 GMT -5
First time I have ever heard of "Slicks". I've had a cable internet since it became available in my area (I was installation #7) so any advances to DSL technology I have not keep up with. We don't know the "Slick" technology is available from debbier's ISP. In any event the 6+ Mbps she gets is still a slow internet connection. That may be all that they can push to her location from the Office or Slick.
She said that the "Dell Support assistant came up telling me my system was running slow and it did a scan but would get stuck on the memory part of the scan so I ESC out of it". The tells me it is scanning her system only as it would have no idea what her speed is that she is paying for would be when she is on line.
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Post by budgall on Jun 7, 2018 18:00:39 GMT -5
One of the benefits of living in a city?
or near Silicon Valley  |
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MrBill
Member
Posts: 165
Former World Start Member: Yes
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Post by MrBill on Jun 9, 2018 0:20:02 GMT -5
One of the benefits of living in a city?
Stay in the city. Gives us country folks a lot more room.  |
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debbier
Junior Member
Posts: 95
Former World Start Member: Yes
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Post by debbier on Jun 9, 2018 16:38:11 GMT -5
I'm not sure how far away I am from what would be the MAIN DSL source in my small town. As far as I know the Windstream office is in the next town which is over 20 miles away. I've checked on other internet providers in my area and I don't think I can get anything faster with cable/satellite, etc. I intend to check with friends to see what internet service & speed they have to know if my options have improved any since last I checked in my area.
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Post by jholland1964 on Jun 9, 2018 16:44:16 GMT -5
Cable is usually much faster than DSL. Do you have cable TV? If so there is a good chance that you can bundle the two services, TV & Internet and save money. I bundle my cable internet with my phone. I have satellite TV but have no desire to go to satellite internet because it is not as fast as my cable internet.
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debbier
Junior Member
Posts: 95
Former World Start Member: Yes
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Post by debbier on Jul 4, 2018 16:50:33 GMT -5
I'll be checking with friends to see who uses cable internet in my area and see what my options are to switch. I have a Youtube channel and I need a fast upload speed.
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