Troubleshooting bandwidth problem for neighbors.

[mrsilv04]

My neighbors were complaining about "computer" issues. They're good people, and I don't mind helping them... but they have the same level of computer knowledge that my parents have. And honestly, my networking knowledge isn't the strongest either.

I first verified that their laptop was clean. No viruses, no questionable software programs (other than Vista), virus software (Microsoft Security Essentials) was up to date and was running. General browsing performed fine, but trying to play videos on YouTube uncovered all sorts of ugly.

(Next time I go to their house, I'm going to take the portable version of SuperAntiSpyware on a thumb drive, and run it as well).

So, I headed to Speedtest.net. 50 ms ping, download of around .5 Mbps, and an upload of 2.5 Mbps.

OK... no need to go any further than this.

Their internet went dead last summer after a storm, and they called Comcast to come out. Comcast "replaced something", and their internet started working again.

However, I suspect that their wireless router isn't 100%. They claim that their internet "hasn't been the same" since the issue last summer. The wireless router that they're using now is the only one that they've ever had, and was installed in late 2009.

Due to a time constraint, I didn't have the time to look at their wireless router, or at Comcast's cable modem.

At this point, I'm thinking about bypassing their wireless router and connecting my laptop directly to the cable modem, and seeing what happens. That should tell me if the problem is on Comcast's side, or on the customer side.... correct?

 

[Quattro Pete]

I agree. Take the router out of the equation and check the speed then.

 

[sasilverbullet]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
I agree. Take the router out of the equation and check the speed then.


+1 and keep in mind the old comcast router will probably need to be flashed/upgraded

 

[mahansm]

Also, since it's Comcast, their cable modem looks at the MAC address of whatever the next device is and if it's not what's registered with Comcast you get no service. You'll need to either check the MAC address the router is reporting to the cable modem and duplicate it in your laptop or call Comcast tech support and have the recognized MAC address updated.

 

[UNC151]

Originally Posted By: sasilverbullet
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
I agree. Take the router out of the equation and check the speed then.


+1 and keep in mind the old comcast router will probably need to be flashed/upgraded

+2 - something is not "right" with the router.

 

[Scott_Tucker]

Don't forget to reboot the Comcast modem. I was having bandwidth issues recently and a simple reboot cured them.

 

[rjundi]

Steps

0) Bring your own laptop and check speed either by ethernet or wireless
1) Reboot Comcast router and wireless router
2) Connect computer directly to ethernet of wireless router, check speed
3) Connect computer direct to comcast router ethernet (requires Reboot of comast Router)

Also another helpful hint. Comcast offers the Norton Antivirus software free when running on their network. Google Xfinity or Comast Norton download

 

[razel]

An upload of 2.5 mb/s, but a download of .5 mb/s. At 1st I thought those numbered are reversed. If after testing without the wireless router, that download number stays lower than upload, then it's time to give Comcast a call.

Your download speed should never be lower than the upload, unless you're a web or file-share server.

 

[Rand]

Originally Posted By: mahansm
Also, since it's Comcast, their cable modem looks at the MAC address of whatever the next device is and if it's not what's registered with Comcast you get no service. You'll need to either check the MAC address the router is reporting to the cable modem and duplicate it in your laptop or call Comcast tech support and have the recognized MAC address updated.


a reboot(of cable modem) will fix this.