Fluctuating Internet

[jrojas]

I'm having sporadic problems with the internet.  When it occurs, it seems to just hang there for 10 seconds or more and then "turn on" to load pages.  I've run speedtests from speedtest.net and get wildly different results.  Here are some of them:

http://www.speedtest.net/result/630456447.png

http://www.speedtest.net/result/630469410.png

http://www.speedtest.net/result/630471291.png

Notice these were all taken a few minutes apart from each other.  The Verizon router is only about 20 feet away and according to the signal on my iMac, it is always full bars.  I'm running the latest OS, Snow Leopard and using Firefox.

When I called tech support, his only answer was that wireless is not guranteed and wouldn't even suggest what could be causing it or things I can try to solve the problem!    I'm hoping to find more useful advice and help from the community. 

[dslr595148]

#1 For testing reasons, try connecting to the router by wire to see if the issue still exist.

#2 If the issue does not exist when using a wired connection, then we know it is a wireless issue.

#3 On the other hand: If the issue still exist on the wired connection, we know the problem is somewhere else.

a) In the router itself ?

b) Elsewhere on the net ?

[cjacobs001]

See    http://forums.verizon.com/t5/FiOS-Internet/Verizon-MI424WR-Router-limited-wireless-prefer-hardwire/m...   and

http://forums.verizon.com/t5/FiOS-Internet/Intermittent-Wireless-Function/m-p/56996#M6268   and

http://forums.verizon.com/t5/FiOS-Internet/Not-getting-the-speed-I-pay-for/m-p/3618#M429

and try the Broadband Tuner from Appledotcom

[abhi_col]

1]how far are u from the router? 15-20 feet should be ok

and make sure that your laptop doesn't fall in the radio shadow. radio shadow means the antennae on your router only broadcasts signal in circular rings from the antennae. the antennae will never broadcast signal from its tip so the whole area on the tip of the antennae falls in a shadow.

For example, if your router is in basement and your laptop is on first floor and if the antennae points directly upwards towards the laptop, the imac may have problems connecting.

2]make sure ur router is not near any electronics like TV, phone, microwave oven etc. it interferes with the router signal.

3]if u still have problems, post it here and i will teach u how to change channels on ur router.

Please do speed tests on speedtest.verizon.net. The traffic on other speedtest websites is not controlled by verizon.

[jrojas]

Thanks for the replies. 

The router is indeed close to a television.  So was my prior router, but it was a different manufacturer.  I moved the router and will be monitoring it for the next few days.  I'll post the results.

[jrojas]

Nope, the TV was not it. 

I moved the router and the sporadic service continues.  I did notice that when it occurs, the internet and wireless lights flash like mad.  It even happened while on a laptop just 7' away from the router.

[dslr595148]

#1 Besides your Mac, do you have any other computers?

For example: Windows, Unix/Linux - based, game consoles?

#2 What is the exact brand, model, and hardware version of the router?

For example: (Brand) Actiontec, (Model) MI-424-WR, (Hardware) Verison C.

[jrojas]

I do have a laptop, Xbox, and PS3, but I'm the only one who uses them and keep them off when not in use.  I don't think they're causing any traffic that will slow it down.  The brand and model of the router is: Actiontec, MI424-WR Rev. 3.

BTW: I appreciate everyone's patience in helping to solve this.

[abhi_col]

So, now is it currently intermittant connection or low speeds?

[jrojas]

It's always been slow speed, but it just seems to hang there for a while and then after waiting, it has a moment where it works and loads the page.  It's happening now, so I ran another speedtest.

http://www.speedtest.net/result/644303542.png

I also ran Verizon's FIOS speedtest and received worse results: 2.131mb download.

I don't know if it means anything, but the ping according to speedtest.net is higher than usual.  

I've been trying to avoid connecting it via an ethernet cable, but I may have to.  A 25' cable from best buy is like $30 and I'll have a bright orange cable cutting across a high traffic room.  What I know for sure is I did not have this problem until switching to Verizon.  When it works, it's great, but for these moments, it is incredibly frustrating.

[MelRaff]

Do you ever get messages from your browser that indicate it's unable to load a page?  If so, it's possible that you're having DNS issues.  But that's assuming that the problem remains if you're using ethernet cable, rather than wireless.  Did you ever test that type of connection to the router to see if it eliminated the problem?

[jrojas]

MelRaff, I have not tested the connection to find if it is a DNS issue.  What is the process?

abhl_col, I test on both: speedtest's and verizon's.  Results are usually about the same and I post both results. 

I haven't braved the Christmas crowds yet at BestBuy to pick up the cable but will soon.  Like I said in the original post, the problem is sporadic, but presently it is more consistent.  The weather is also currently rainy and windy.  It may be a only a coincidence, but is there a way to find if it is the connection outside the house?

[MelRaff]

Well, I think there are two things that would help narrow down what's going on. 

First is to try a cable connection to the router, instead of wireless.  If the problem goes away, then it's almost surely centered on the wireless connection, and you can start figuring out what might be interfering with it or going wrong with it.  If it continues with a cable connection, then the problem is more likely to be either the router or a problem between the router and the internet (such as a DNS issue). 

The second thing that could help narrow down the problem is the EXACT symptom.  Does the browser always connect properly, just slower sometimes than others?  Is it simply a difference in the speed test results from one time to another?  Or do you get actual error messages on the browser?  If the last, what browser and what messages, exactly?

[MelRaff]

By the way, if you don't have an ethernet cable, you can get one at just about any hardware store.  No need to fight your way into and out of Best Buy.

[jrojas]

Thanks for the tip on obtaining the cable.  I'll certainly visit a hardware store first.  In the meantime, the symptom is as follows:

• The browser usually connects.  In rare situations, it times out completely while waiting for server to reply.  It happens with Firefox, Safari, and the new Google Chrome.
• The problem seems to be wildly varying speeds.  It is most evident when downloading.  I've seen it go from downloading at 2 megabytes per second and then drop to 20 kilobytes per second.  A 20MB file may take anywhere from 10 seconds to download up to 20 minutes.  It usually won't take that long because just a few seconds at normal speeds will shave off a considerable amount when the speed drops.  These results are consistent with Speedtest's dial graphic.  The needle swings left to right while testing, rarely settling in one place.  

• While surfing, the experience is what you'd expect: it downloads some images normally and then the page simply hangs while it downloads the rest at 1/10 the speed or slower.  In some cases, it times out.

I will be getting the cable this week.  Let me know if there is anything I left out.  

[jrojas · Accepted solution]

It was the wireless half.  I ran it hardwired with no problem for a week.  I then turned off Verizon's wireless off and connected my Apple Airport.  I've had no problem for three weeks and consistently receive at 20-25mbps.  I must say, however, I'm not too keen on being forced to use their router.  Clearly it is an inferior product to the airpot.  The option is nice -- and the price is right -- but I don't like that I must.  I don't know what havoc (if any) this will cause with Firewalls, but so far I'm fine.  

Thanks to everyone that offered suggestion and troubleshooting tips.  

[abhi_col]

Please do speedtest on verizon speedtest