Slow Cable Modem after speed increase

[msny]

I use buckeye express with a Linksys WRT64G router and a Motorola SB4100 cable modem. The provider has just increased from 1.5 mbps to 3.5 mbps down and 384 Kbps up. After running DSL reports performance tests I get 2.1 mbps tops, never higher at anytime of the day. I called them and there going to come out to check the line. There saying I should get at least 3 to 3.2 mbps even when busy.

Is there anything I can do with my computer, router or cable modem setup ? (No registry tweeks please, I just want the basic service to work as advertised)

Links:
http://www.buckeyeexpress.com/bci_html/indexpages_html/bexpress.html
http://performance.buckeye-express.com/

Thanks !

 

[punisher]

Most of those Java based applets are junk for testing a connection. Mine runs 370KB/s (3meg) down and the test you posted pegged my connection at 1.4 meg down. I went to download SP2 from Microsoft as a quick speed test and got 375KB/s sustained. Download a real file from someone who has the server/connection capacity before you take your complaints too far.

 

[SimGuy]

Ran the same test from that page as well on my connection (5000/800) and scored a measly 1754/639. Running the same test on the Rogers or Cogeco speed tests nets me 4850/793, so I wouldn't put much faith in those "speed tests."

On the older Rogers Express network (3000/384), I was lucky to get 2200. On a good day it was 2000 simply because the node I was on was heavily overloaded and congestion just killed everyone's throughput.

Sounds like it could be a similar situation for you.

Just because it advertises up to 3500 Kbps doesn't mean you'll always get it, as line conditions, CMTS backbone connection utilization and node congestion will all contribute to a slower connection.

 

[msny]

Just because it advertises up to 3500 Kbps doesn't mean you'll always get it, as line conditions, CMTS backbone connection utilization and node congestion will all contribute to a slower connection

Right, agreed that there will be some flux in all connections.
Thanks fro your reply but that was NOT my question. I simply want to
know if there is anything in my setup that might be holding things back
that I can correct ?

 

[Orinthical]

I simply want to know if there is anything in my setup that might be holding things back that I can correct ?

Not really... but if you haven't reset your modem since they upgraded then I'd give that a shot. To properly reset your modem you should disconnect the power cord from the wall for at least 15 seconds then allow it to come back up. Sometimes even though the firmware on the modem has been upgraded and/or the routers being upgraded on their end, the modem needs a reset to make it acknowledge the new speeds.

If that doesn't work and assuming you have all other information correct (i.e. DNS servers, etc.) and are not using any exhaustive protection systems that might be crimping your bandwidth, it's probably on their end.

Try the MSN Speed Test: http://tech.msn.com/downloads/speedtest.armx

While I have 3.0/384 here it only shows me at 2.4 on MSN. The -fact- is that I know I have consistently hit 3.0 or even 3.3 downloading off of my newsgroup server... so again, don't place much faith in the online speed tests. =)