Confused with Speed Problems

[Obs3rv3r]

Hey everyone,

I'm more or less a noob when it comes to these things, I'm on the SKY Max package and I wanted to boost my internet download speed which is currently at around 520kbps. So I did a search on the internet and came across something on SkyUser leading me to try out the Test Socket. And bingo my speed almost doubled to around 1MBs!

I thought my problems were solved, however, the next day I tried it and sadly it went back to the same speed. I thought it may be Sky capping my connection, so I rang up and the guy on the other end told me it could be something physical on my end which I find it hard to believe as I have everything installed properly ; Sagem router, microfilter plugged into the Test socket, plus it doesn't explain my speed almost doubling for a few hours.

Anyway, I needed help, so I guess this is the right place to ask, these are my stats, currently connected to the Test Socket:

Connection Speed 5022 kbps 796 kbps
Line Attenuation 41.0 db 22.7 db
Noise Margin 7.3 db 13.0 db

Shouldn't I be getting around 5MB/s, why are my download speeds so low?:S

[Isitme]

You are syncing at 5Mbs, which is a bit low for your attenuation but as you are in the Test socket, the problem must be on your external line. Unless you have noise on your voice line, it is almost impossible to get anything done about that.

With a sync of 5Mb you should get an actual download speed of 4 to 4.5 mbps. If you are not getting that, boot into Safe Mode with networking and test your speed on Sky User - Broadband Speed Tester post your result. Speedtests should be done using a wired connection, not wireless. Also let us know what OS you are using.

[Obs3rv3r]

Thanks for your reply.

I booted into Windows 7 on Safe Mode with Networking, wired connection into Test socket, it gave me the following results:

Downstream - 4240
Upstream - 657

Any suggestions?

[Obs3rv3r]

I think I'm confusing Kbps with KB/s in download speed :|

Feel stupid now....

Is there a way to improve my sync speed, sorry for the basic question but how do I test the noise on my phone line?

[Isitme]

You can check you line for noise by plugging a corded phone into the Test socket and dialing 1 digit to clear the dial tone. Listen and you should hear nothing except maybe a very quiet hiss. On a BT line you can dial 17070 option 2 and listen, not sure if this works with Sky lines.

Unless you have noise on your external line there is not much you can do. You can try phoning Sky and ask them to check your line, but they are never too keen to do this.

[Obs3rv3r]

Okay, tested the noise on the phone line, everything seems normal, expected hissing.

Called Sky one last time, they said I should get sync speeds around 8/9 Mbps they've put me on DLM.

Hope they decide to boost my speeds.

Is it okay if I leave things hanging and connect through the test socket or will I need to eventually install a faceplate?

[Isitme]

Using the Test socket disconnects your extensions, if you can get by without them there is nothing to stop you continuing to use it. A filtered faceplate would be tidier.