winger94
join:2008-04-15
North Freedom, WI
| New CT DSL customer, slow/nonexistent daytime speeds
New to this forum, thought I'd post my story.
Been an internet user since 1998, dialup user until November of 2005 when I got Wildblue satellite. I hated the latency, but it did the trick. Got the letter from Centurytel in Feb that I finally qualified for the extended service DSL. They came out, tested me, said it would work, but I was going to be restricted to 256kb DL. I agreed to have it installed even thought it was slower than what I had with Wildblue. I had my doubts about the DSL reliability, so I didn't cancel my satellite right away. I used it for probably 6 weeks or more, never had a glitch. Until I told my neighbor about it. We are at the very end of a dead-end road. Supposedly the furthest customers to the east of the city (maybe 21-22k feet??)
The very day that he was hooked up, I noticed the problems starting. I didn't realize he was hooked up until I complained to him about it. I told him he better wait for a week or so until they fix mine. He said "too late, I got hooked up 3 days ago". Hmmm... Same day mine went bad...
I've had days where it has been down for 6-8 hours according to my log on the Westell.
This past weekend it was down both days until maybe 4:00 or a little later, then it hooks up rock solid until I go to bed. Last night when I got home, it was barely connected (linked at 128 upload, 320 download). I rebooted the modem, it came back up at the same speed until it went offline again at 9:30, then came back up rock solid at 608kb DL, 320kb UL until I went to bed.
This am, it started trying to connect at 5:55am, never hooked up until 6:30am, but it would go down every 62 seconds. Why every 62 seconds? I have no idea. Ok, so a few times it was 63 or 64 seconds, but averaged 62 seconds according to the log. It got better by 9:30 am, but has been offline several times before the noon hour.
Here's my latest tranceiver stats:
Transceiver Revision: 5.2.2.0
Vendor ID Code: 4
Line Mode: G.DMT Mode
Data Path: Fast
Transceiver Information Down Stream Path Up Stream Path
DSL Speed (Kbits/Sec) 128 320
Margin (dB) 4.5 7.0
Line Attenuation (dB) 63.5 31.5
Transmit Power (dBm) 10.0 11.9
The guy was out here last Friday, said he found a mouse nest in the ped about half way up my road (road is .7 mile long to my ped at the end of my driveway). He says it all looks good up here, he can't understand why I'm having problems. I've checked all the inside things, and have a homerun all the way to the new NID that they installed outside my house. I even ran a cord to the NID to bypass the house wiring, same results.
I made ANOTHER call last night to tech support to say I'm offline AGAIN. I'm worried that they'll come out here and tell me that I just can't have DSL, and I'll have to re-sign up with satellite, probably with a new 2 year contract. This sucks! Help!!!??? |
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dsldude08
Premium
join:2008-01-03
La Crosse, WI
 ·CenturyTel Inc.
| Based upon the stats you posted here, it seems like your download is slower than your upload, be sure to mention that if it is the case when you do a speed test.
The reason the extended is available to you is because you are between 18,000ft and 23,000ft. The service has to be tested at first by a tech when installed to check the signal quality. If you are having ongoing issues, it may very well be possible that you won't be able to have it due to the quality being so erratic. The only real way here is to have a tech come out again and see what he/she can do. 
--
"We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution."
- Abraham Lincoln |
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winger94
join:2008-04-15
North Freedom, WI
| reply to winger94
Just spoke with the repair guy, he said he checked the cable that runs to my house, traced it back to roughly the 15,000' mark, found mouse nests in several peds so he cleaned them all up. Also found 3 peds with scotchlocks that weren't pinched properly. They had the meter on my NID, was reading very low until he fixed the very last ped, then the meter shot right up to an acceptable level (whatever that was/is). So now it's up to me to put it through the paces and see if it goes offline tonight. He's going to call me back tomorrow to see how it went. The tech has been EXCELLENT to work with.
I knew from the beginning that I might not even be able to get DSL due to my distance. I just hope that this fixes it. With any luck, this will also fix the problems that my neighbor is having too. |
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dsldude08
Premium
join:2008-01-03
La Crosse, WI | That is always good to hear. I'm glad you are getting resolution for this matter. Post back with your updates if you will please.  |
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tstolze
Premium
join:2003-08-08
O Fallon, MO | reply to winger94
Just curious, could you post your modem stats for use again? Thanks!
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Ofallon, Mo Weather |
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winger94
join:2008-04-15
North Freedom, WI
| reply to winger94
After I got home last night, I read the log from the modem. It was going up and down every 62-64 seconds again. But at least this time it's always come back on at 608 DS and 320 US. Even this morning when I checked it, it was still going up, showing the stats, then it goes offline at around 62 seconds give or take a second or two.
Here's this morning's numbers:
Transceiver Revision: 5.2.2.0
Vendor ID Code: 4
Line Mode: G.DMT Mode
Data Path: Fast
Transceiver Information Down Stream Path Up Stream Path
DSL Speed (Kbits/Sec) 608 320
Margin (dB) 7.0 8.0
Line Attenuation (dB) 63.5 31.5
Transmit Power (dBm) 13.9 11.9 |
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tstolze
Premium
join:2003-08-08
O Fallon, MO
·CenturyTel Inc.
 ·Charter Pipeline
| Not sure what Centurytel has in the system for issues like this, you are on the edge of service as stated and also by your modem stats.
My Dad has similar stats through ATT and they have his account locked to 364/364. Anything higher and he gets constant disconnects, even at the lower tier he has issues 3-4 days a year.
I am sure we will get feedback from others with more "inside" information.
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Ofallon, Mo Weather |
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Icon
Time Keeper
Premium,VIP,MVM
join:2004-01-07
Kimberling City, MO
| You should probably have them provision your dl speed at 512k, which would help your noise margin slightly, and also take you off fast path and put you on an interleaved noise profile. It may take getting to a local tech for them to actually know what you're talking about, unless you get someone who is knowledgeable enough to make the changes. |
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winger94
join:2008-04-15
North Freedom, WI
| reply to winger94
A little update:
Been monitoring my system for several weeks now, I've tried a Westell wireless modem borrowed from my neighbor (moved out recently), rewired my computer room with cat3 from the NID to my modem, been dropped from the 608/320 speeds to a 320/160 setup. Nothing has helped much with the exception that it doesn't drop nearly as much as it used to with the higher speeds. I put my 6100 Westell back online tonight, and I just finished the inside wiring, so I'll be calling the tech tomorrow to give him an update. I've asked about the interleaved option, he was going to check into it after I rewired my house. Is the cat3 going to be enough? I could not find any cat5 in a small spool, so I opted for the cat3. It appears that it really didn't improve anything anyways over the original wiring that was there prior to today.
Here's my current stats:
Transceiver Revision: 5.2.2.0
Vendor ID Code: 4
Line Mode: G.DMT Mode
Data Path: Fast
Transceiver Information Down Stream Path Up Stream Path
DSL Speed (Kbits/Sec) 288 160
Margin (dB) 7.5 11.0
Line Attenuation (dB) 63.5 31.5
Transmit Power (dBm) 10.6 11.1
At one point, he had changed me to a different switch in the office, but it made my upload margin go into the toilet (download margin DID improve though). He put me back to the original switch, now my download is bad again.
He's mentioned splitting my signal to a dsl only pair, still waiting to see if it will come to that.
Any ideas? |
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chd176
join:2003-01-10
Winfield, AL
·CenturyTel Inc.
edit:
May 8th, @11:31PM
| reply to winger94
I'm not really sure if this would help. I was put on a NID filter the day my DSL was install (so I wouldn't have to use the inside dsl filters). So maybe someone can chime in and see if it would be worth trying. Here is what mine looks like
basically you have all of your voice lines going to...well voice and then a dedicated line (mine is cat3 as well) going from the NID filter labeled "data" to the modem. |
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Time Keeper
Premium,VIP,MVM
join:2004-01-07
Kimberling City, MO
| reply to winger94
said by winger94  :I've asked about the interleaved option, he was going to check into it after I rewired my house. Is the cat3 going to be enough? I could not find any cat5 in a small spool, so I opted for the cat3. It appears that it really didn't improve anything anyways over the original wiring that was there prior to today. Tell the tech that a CO tech can change the profile to interleave, or the programming dept. can do it as well.
Cat 3 is fine as long as it's twisted pair. You won't really see any performance difference between it and cat 5.
said by winger94 :He's mentioned splitting my signal to a dsl only pair, still waiting to see if it will come to that. Any ideas? Didn't you mention earlier that you tried running a long base cord from the NID directly to your modem, and the stats stayed the same? If that's so, then a NID splitter really won't help much if any. Can you take a peek inside your nid and maybe take a picture of it? Or tell me the make/model if you can? |
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winger94
join:2008-04-15
North Freedom, WI
| reply to winger94
Here's the pic, my camera is on the fritz, poor focusing. |
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Icon
Time Keeper
Premium,VIP,MVM
join:2004-01-07
Kimberling City, MO
| OK, that's the newest NID we use, and they are more "broadband friendly" than the older Corning models like the pic a few posts up. They are rated for higher throughput speeds, and are the best option when you're on a very long loop like you are.
And you already have a splitter installed in it, so you have no need for any inside filters, presuming it's all wired correctly. |
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winger94
join:2008-04-15
North Freedom, WI
| reply to winger94
I made sure I wired it properly. The cat3 wiring that I used is twisted too. Today, here's my numbers:
Transceiver Revision: 5.2.2.0
Vendor ID Code: 4
Line Mode: G.DMT Mode
Data Path: Fast
Transceiver Information Down Stream Path Up Stream Path
DSL Speed (Kbits/Sec) 320 160
Margin (dB) 14.0 11.0
Line Attenuation (dB) 63.5 31.5
Transmit Power (dBm) 11.6 11.1
The 14.0 on the download margin is the highest it's ever been since I've been tracking it. But the problem is, it doesn't stay like that. I can check it 15 minutes from now and it'll be 5.0 or 6.0
I just pulled a sample of my log:
SAT MAY 10 13:52:15 2008
Setting System clock to Local time SAT MAY 10 13:52:15 2008
SAT MAY 10 13:52:15 2008
Time set from Primary SNTP server: tock.usno.navy.mil
SAT MAY 10 13:52:13 2008
PPP CONNECTED on VPI 8 VCI 35
SAT MAY 10 13:52:12 2008
Connecting session(0): My Connection due to Manual Connect
SAT MAY 10 13:52:03 2008
LAN PC Unable to communicate with DNS Server. (error = 'connection timed out', count = 3)
SAT MAY 10 13:52:02 2008
PPP DISCONNECTED on VPI 8 VCI 35 : PPP commanded down
SAT MAY 10 13:52:02 2008
Disconnecting session(0): My Connection due to dsl Restart
SAT MAY 10 13:51:53 2008
US Atten: 31.5 DS Atten: 63.5
SAT MAY 10 13:51:53 2008
US Margin: 11.0 DS Margin: 13.0
SAT MAY 10 13:51:53 2008
US Tx Power: 11.1 DS Tx Power: 11.6
SAT MAY 10 13:51:53 2008
US DSL Rate: 160 kbits/sec DS DSL Rate: 320 kbits/sec
SAT MAY 10 13:51:53 2008
WanMgr reports DSL is UP
SAT MAY 10 13:51:29 2008
WanMgr reports DSL is Down
SAT MAY 10 09:30:48 2008
Setting System clock to Local time SAT MAY 10 09:30:47 2008
SAT MAY 10 09:30:48 2008
Time set from Primary SNTP server: tock.usno.navy.mil
SAT MAY 10 09:30:46 2008
PPP CONNECTED on VPI 8 VCI 35
SAT MAY 10 09:30:46 2008
Connecting session(0): My Connection due to AutoConnect request
SAT MAY 10 09:29:50 2008
US Atten: 31.5 DS Atten: 63.5
SAT MAY 10 09:29:50 2008
US Margin: 11.0 DS Margin: 5.0
SAT MAY 10 09:29:50 2008
US Tx Power: 11.3 DS Tx Power: 10.2
SAT MAY 10 09:29:50 2008
US DSL Rate: 160 kbits/sec DS DSL Rate: 256 kbits/sec
SAT MAY 10 09:29:50 2008
WanMgr reports DSL is UP
SAT MAY 10 09:29:31 2008
WanMgr reports DSL is Down
SAT MAY 10 09:28:33 2008
LAN PC Unable to communicate with DNS Server. (error = 'connection timed out', count = 3)
SAT MAY 10 09:28:31 2008
PPP DISCONNECTED on VPI 8 VCI 35 : PPP commanded down
SAT MAY 10 09:28:31 2008
Disconnecting session(0): My Connection due to PADT received
SAT MAY 10 09:28:31 2008
Received PADT for session id 11363
SAT MAY 10 08:41:02 2008
DNS: Unknown host: 'wpad.westell.com'
SAT MAY 10 08:41:02 2008
DNS: Unknown host: 'wpad.myhome.westell.com'
FRI MAY 09 20:11:15 2008
Setting System clock to Local time FRI MAY 09 20:11:13 2008
FRI MAY 09 20:11:15 2008
Time set from Primary SNTP server: tock.usno.navy.mil
FRI MAY 09 20:11:13 2008
PPP CONNECTED on VPI 8 VCI 35
FRI MAY 09 20:11:12 2008
Connecting session(0): My Connection due to Manual Connect
FRI MAY 09 20:11:03 2008
PPP DISCONNECTED on VPI 8 VCI 35 : PPP commanded down
FRI MAY 09 20:11:03 2008
Disconnecting session(0): My Connection due to dsl Restart
FRI MAY 09 20:10:54 2008
US Atten: 31.5 DS Atten: 63.5
FRI MAY 09 20:10:54 2008 US Margin: 11.0 DS Margin: 11.0
FRI MAY 09 20:10:54 2008
US Tx Power: 11.1 DS Tx Power: 12.5
FRI MAY 09 20:10:54 2008
US DSL Rate: 160 kbits/sec DS DSL Rate: 320 kbits/sec
FRI MAY 09 20:10:54 2008
WanMgr reports DSL is UP
FRI MAY 09 20:10:35 2008
WanMgr reports DSL is Down |
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winger94
join:2008-04-15
North Freedom, WI
| reply to winger94
Update:
Still having intermittant issues on my line. Especially when the lightning started up the other night. Spoke with the tech after they put me on a different switch in the office the other day, he states they are not sure how to change my setup to an interleaved profile. He said all of their installs are on the fast profile.
So as I type this, what will interleaved give me? What is it going to prevent or allow to happen?
I've been told that the local office supervisor is more or less telling the techs to stop wasting time trying to get me fixed. The main tech has had a few thoughts about what to do next (like rerouting the line to my house where it goes thru a small section of overhead cables near the office in town. Thinks it might be thin wire and picking up noise?) He's been trying VERY hard to get my system working. I do appreciate it too!!!! |
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Time Keeper
Premium,VIP,MVM
join:2004-01-07
Kimberling City, MO
| With your attenuation that high (63+), you can almost expect some issues with a solid connection. Even though your signal margin is decent at 13-14, the sheer length of the circuit you're on is playing a factor. I still believe interleave may help some, but may not be a final fix.
Any CO tech can log into your DSLAM and change the line mode to Interleave, or the programming dept. can do it as well. If you'd like me to help you out, IM me your contact info (name, number, city/state) and I'll have it changed tomorrow. |
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dsldude08
Premium
join:2008-01-03
La Crosse, WI | reply to winger94
You can IM either myself or Icon to see if we can get more information about this. Please include a good contact number.
Thanks! |
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winger94
join:2008-04-15
North Freedom, WI
| As of a few minutes ago:
Transceiver Revision: 5.2.2.0
Vendor ID Code: 4
Line Mode: G.DMT Mode
Data Path: Fast
Transceiver Information Down Stream Path Up Stream Path
DSL Speed (Kbits/Sec) 320 160
Margin (dB) 12.5 13.0
Line Attenuation (dB) 63.5 31.5
Transmit Power (dBm) 11.6 11.3 |
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dsldude08
Premium
join:2008-01-03
La Crosse, WI
·CenturyTel Inc.
| Thanks, keep posting the stats. The more we have, the more we can show what's going on and track it. Btw, this is being looked into more so than what I spoke to you about last. I will give you updates as I receive them. Hang in there!
--
"We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution."
- Abraham Lincoln |
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winger94
join:2008-04-15
North Freedom, WI
| Looks like I lost connection 3 times this afternoon. Here's my log:
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THU MAY 29 19:34:08 2008
Setting System clock to Local time THU MAY 29 9:34:08 2008
THU MAY 29 19:34:08 2008 Time set from Primary SNTP server: tock.usno.navy.mil
THU MAY 29 19:34:05 2008 PPP CONNECTED on VPI 8 VCI 35
THU MAY 29 19:34:05 2008 Connecting session(0): My Connection due to Manual Connect
THU MAY 29 19:33:56 2008 PPP DISCONNECTED on VPI 8 VCI 35 : PPP commanded down
THU MAY 29 19:33:56 2008 Disconnecting session(0): My Connection due to dsl Restart
THU MAY 29 19:33:47 2008 US Atten: 31.5 DS Atten: 63.5
THU MAY 29 19:33:47 2008 US Margin: 13.0 DS Margin: 9.0
THU MAY 29 19:33:47 2008 US Tx Power: 11.3 DS Tx Power: 12.0
THU MAY 29 19:33:47 2008 US DSL Rate: 160 kbits/sec DS DSL Rate: 320 kbits/sec
THU MAY 29 19:33:47 2008 WanMgr reports DSL is UP
THU MAY 29 19:33:28 2008 WanMgr reports DSL is Down
THU MAY 29 19:05:59 2008 Setting System clock to Local time THU MAY 29 19:05:59 2008
THU MAY 29 19:05:59 2008 Time set from Primary SNTP server: tock.usno.navy.mil
THU MAY 29 19:05:57 2008 PPP CONNECTED on VPI 8 VCI 35
THU MAY 29 19:05:57 2008 Connecting session(0): My Connection due to AutoConnect request
THU MAY 29 19:01:59 2008 PPP DISCONNECTED on VPI 8 VCI 35 : PPP commanded down
THU MAY 29 19:01:59 2008 Disconnecting session(0): My Connection due to PADT received
THU MAY 29 19:01:59 2008 Received PADT for session id 2297
THU MAY 29 18:54:17 2008 Setting System clock to Local time THU MAY 29 18:54:16 2008
THU MAY 29 18:54:17 2008 Time set from Primary SNTP server: tock.usno.navy.mil
THU MAY 29 18:54:14 2008 PPP CONNECTED on VPI 8 VCI 35
THU MAY 29 18:54:14 2008 Connecting session(0): My Connection due to Manual Connect
THU MAY 29 18:54:03 2008 Disconnecting session(0): My Connection due to PADT received
THU MAY 29 18:54:03 2008 Received PADT for session id 2771
THU MAY 29 18:54:00 2008 PPP DISCONNECTED on VPI 8 VCI 35 : PPP commanded down
THU MAY 29 18:54:00 2008 Disconnecting session(0): My Connection due to dsl Restart
THU MAY 29 18:53:51 2008 US Atten: 31.5 DS Atten: 63.5
THU MAY 29 18:53:51 2008 US Margin: 12.0 DS Margin: 8.0
THU MAY 29 18:53:51 2008 US Tx Power: 11.3 DS Tx Power: 11.4
THU MAY 29 18:53:51 2008 US DSL Rate: 160 kbits/sec DS DSL Rate: 320 kbits/sec
THU MAY 29 18:53:51 2008 WanMgr reports DSL is UP
THU MAY 29 18:53:14 2008 WanMgr reports DSL is Down
THU MAY 29 18:48:57 2008 Setting System clock to Local time THU MAY 29 18:48:56 2008
THU MAY 29 18:48:57 2008 Time set from Primary SNTP server: tock.usno.navy.mil
THU MAY 29 18:48:55 2008 PPP CONNECTED on VPI 8 VCI 35
THU MAY 29 18:48:54 2008 Connecting session(0): My Connection due to AutoConnect request
THU MAY 29 18:30:03 2008 PPP DISCONNECTED on VPI 8 VCI 35 : PPP link layer failure
THU MAY 29 18:29:55 2008 US Atten: 31.5 DS Atten: 63.5
THU MAY 29 18:29:55 2008 US Margin: 12.0 DS Margin: 11.0
THU MAY 29 18:29:55 2008 US Tx Power: 11.3 DS Tx Power: 11.1
THU MAY 29 18:29:55 2008 US DSL Rate: 160 kbits/sec DS DSL Rate: 320 kbits/sec
THU MAY 29 18:29:55 2008 WanMgr reports DSL is UP
THU MAY 29 18:29:35 2008 WanMgr reports DSL is Down
THU MAY 29 09:42:47 2008 DNS: Unknown host: 'wpad.myhome.westell.com'
THU MAY 29 09:42:47 2008 DNS: Unknown host: 'wpad.myhome.westell.com'
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And all this happened about the same time as usual, around 6:30. Why 6:30? Usually when it says "WanMgr reports DSL is Down", it seems to coincide with a low upstream or downstream margin (less than 6 or 7). Doesn't look like the case tonight. But we have had a small amount of rain. Barely enough to wet the grass. Might've been enough to cause the problems??? |
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