DSL Hesitations

[JAGeorge72]

Hello! I just switched over to Verizon DSL from Charter Pipeline cable internet. (Charter's prices vs. speeds were just ridiculous.......their cable TV prices were getting way too high, so I switched to Dish Network. To keep their Pipeline internet service you either had to pay a $20.00 monthly fee on top of the internet charges & modem rental, or keep their lowest priced cable package, which was like $14.50 .....at best, it would have cost me nearly $50.00 a month for 256 down, 128 up internet!!)

Anyway........I am 16,200 feet from the CO, so Verizon could only offer me 768 down. In the one day I've been using it, I'm getting very close to the provisioned down speed. That makes me very happy! The only problem..........occassionally when trying to load a site, or my homepage, there is a long hesitation. The little 2-computers icon by my clock doesn't indicate any activity? Sometimes I'll double-click Internet Explorer, and it will read: Finding site www.yahoo.com ......but no internet activity, as indicated by the 2-computer icon.

Anyone else get hesitations like this? It doesn't do it all the time, but it has happened enough already to make me ask. Anyone have a solution or some suggestions?
Thanks!

[The_Undertaker]

Try downloading the registry tweak for ppoe
http://www.speedguide.net/downloads.php

[JAGeorge72]

Does this registry tweak do anything different than what is done with the TCP/IP Optimizer? I already used the Optimizer for DSL/PPPoe. Do I need this tweak as well?

[mnosteele52]

Welcome to Speedguide:D, please read here (http://forums.speedguide.net/showthread.php?s=&postid=643301#post643301) so that we can properly help you, please read it carefully since it will most likely answer any questions you may have. If after reading it you still need help please post the answers to the questions at the top.:D :cool:

[JAGeorge72]

Answers to questions:

1. DSL w/ PPPoe

2. Verizon, 768/128

3. TCP properties for IP = xxxxxxxxxxxxx ()
Browser/OS = Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows 98; Win 9x 4.90)
Notes: Read the Analyzer FAQ if the above is not your IP address.

TCP options string = 020405860103030201010402
MTU = 1454
MTU is not fully optimized for broadband. Consider increasing your MTU to 1500 for better throughput.
MSS = 1414
MSS is not fully optimized for broadband (although it might work well for slower connections). Consider increasing your MTU value.

Default Receive Window (RWIN) = 255552
RWIN Scaling (RFC1323) = 2 bits (scale factor of 4)
Unscaled Receive Window = 63888

For optimum performance, consider changing RWIN to a multiple of MSS.
Other values for RWIN that might work well with your current MTU/MSS:
520352 (MSS x 46 * scale factor of 8)
260176 (MSS x 46 * scale factor of 4)
130088 (MSS x 46 * scale factor of 2)
65044 (MSS x 46)
bandwidth * delay product:

Your RcvWindow limits you to: 10222.08 kbps (1277.76 KBytes/s) @ 200ms
Your RcvWindow limits you to: 4088.832 kbps (511.104 KBytes/s) @ 500ms
MTU Discovery (RFC1191) = ON
Time to live left = 56 hops

TTL value is ok.
Timestamps (RFC1323) = OFF
Selective Acknowledgements (RFC2018) = ON
IP type of service field (RFC1349) = 00000000

4. Windows ME

I always use AdAware & Spybot S&D. Since turning on my DSL, the Spybot "Check for updates" button causes the program to hang. If I run Spybot with the current version, I get a few Windows Registry Problems related to Verizon......"Wrong App Path". What does that mean?

[JAGeorge72]

Also.........the TCP Analyzer says my MTU is 1454, but when I start up the TCP Optimizer, it says my MTU is 1492 (for "current setting") Why is that?

[mnosteele52]

OK first you need to read here (http://dslnuts.com/pppoe.shtml)[ on how to fix your MTU, you are correct in that it should be 1492. Once we set it properly we can optimize the rest of your settings.

:cool:

[JAGeorge72]

Okay.........sorry for the delayed response, but I was away.

I followed the steps above, and here's what I have now:

TCP properties for IP = xxxxxxxxxxxxx ()
Browser/OS = Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows 98; Win 9x 4.90)
Notes: Read the Analyzer FAQ if the above is not your IP address.

TCP options string = 020405ac0103030201010402
MTU = 1492
MTU is optimized for PPoE DSL broadband. If not, consider raising MTU to 1500 for optimal throughput.
MSS = 1452
MSS is optimized for PPPoE DSL broadband. If not, consider raising MTU to 1500 for maximum throughput.

Default Receive Window (RWIN) = 255552
RWIN Scaling (RFC1323) = 2 bits (scale factor of 4)
Unscaled Receive Window = 63888

RWIN is a multiple of MSS
Other values for RWIN that might work well with your current MTU/MSS:
511104 (MSS x 44 * scale factor of 8)
127776 (MSS x 44 * scale factor of 2)
63888 (MSS x 44)
bandwidth * delay product:

Your RcvWindow limits you to: 10222.08 kbps (1277.76 KBytes/s) @ 200ms
Your RcvWindow limits you to: 4088.832 kbps (511.104 KBytes/s) @ 500ms
MTU Discovery (RFC1191) = ON
Time to live left = 56 hops

TTL value is ok.
Timestamps (RFC1323) = OFF
Selective Acknowledgements (RFC2018) = ON
IP type of service field (RFC1349) = 00000000



What next?

[mnosteele52]

OK great, now that your MTU is right we can optimize the rest of your settings. Use the following settings in the TCPOptimizer:

Download the TCP Optimizer (http://www.speedguide.net/files/TCPOptimizer.exe) and try the following settings.

Settings tab:

select - DSL PPPoE
check - custom settings
network adapter selection - your NIC
check modify all adapters
maxmtu - 1492
TTL - 128
TCP Receive Window - 31944
MTU Discovery - yes
Black Hole Detect - no
Selective Acks - yes
Max Dup ACKs - 3
TCP 1323 Options - uncheck both boxes

Other Settings tab:

Max Connections per Server - 8
Max Connections per 1.0 Server - 10
Lan Browsing Speedup - optimized

Then select "Apply Changes" and reboot to take effect.

VERY IMPORTANT TO DO THE FOLLOWING

1. Under your Configuration tab for your Network settings make sure you have only the needed protocols.

2. Install the vtcp 386 patch and the NDIS Update from here (http://dslnuts.com/patch/index.html).

3. Open IE and select tools - internet options - connections - LAN settings, make sure NOTHING there is checked.

4. Make sure you have the latest drivers for your NIC from the manufacturer. Set your NIC duplex mode to 10mb half duplex for Cable, for DSL it is ISP dependent unless you are using a router, if so then set it to 100mb full duplex for both Cable & DSL (the instructions are in my Help & Tips link (http://forums.speedguide.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=73799)). If you are using a router make sure you have the latest firmware.

5. Clear your temporary internet files.

6. Power cycle your modem, unplug it for atleast 15 seconds.

7. Download and update then do a scan with SpyBot 1.2 (http://beam.to/spybotsd) & Ad Aware 6.0 (http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download) to remove any spyware then install and update SpywareBlaster (http://www.wilderssecurity.com/spywareblaster.html) to stay spyware FREE. YOU MUST USE BOTH AD AWARE & SPYBOT TO ENSURE YOU ARE SPYWARE FREE SINCE ONE FINDS WHAT THE OTHER MISSES.

8. Make sure you do the faster web page tweak in my Help & Tips link (http://forums.speedguide.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=73799).



:cool: :D

[JAGeorge72]

Okay.......The Optimizer changes are done.

The other steps I probably need a little help with.
Step 1. I'm not sure what I need & what I don't?! Here is what's listed in Network/Config:

Client for Microsoft Networks
Dial Up Adapter
iVasion PoET Adapter
Realtek RTL8139(A)- based PCI Fast Ethernet Adapter
NDISWAN -> iVasion PoET Adapter
NETBEUI -> Dial-up Adapter
NETBEUI -> Realtek RTL8139(A)- based PCI Fast Ethernet Adapter
TCP/IP -> Dial-up Adapter
TCP/IP -> Realtek RTL8139(A)- based PCI Fast Ethernet Adapter

Let me know which ones I can delete!

Step 2. The vtcp 386 patches listed are not for Windows ME. Is there one I should download anyway, or leave it alone?

Step 3. The only thing checked was "Automatically Detect Settings" ..............I UNchecked it.

Step 4. Found & downloaded latest driver. How do I install it? There are 3 files: netrtl.cat, netrtl.inf, & rtlnic5.sys .....what do I do with them?? And as far as setting the duplex thing........ I do not have a router. Just have Verizon DSL w/PPPoe. I'm guessing I select "Realtek RTL8139(A)- based PCI Fast Ethernet Adapter", and go to the "advanced" tab. Which mode do I select?


Okay...........let me know what to do here!!! Sorry for the dumb questions, but I don't know too much about this stuff.

......and more importantly, will this fix my hesitation?? All these changes are making me nervous!! Thanks!!!!

[mnosteele52]

1. Leave all those things.

2. Sorry I assumed you had 98.

3. Good, that should be unchecked.

4. Just go to your device manager (right click on my computer - properties - device manager) and select your NIC and select update driver and direct it to where you saved those files. As for the proper mode, trial and error since DSL can be any mode, just see what works the best.

:cool:

[JAGeorge72]

Okay...........I've gone through all the steps, with some mixed results.

I've done about 15 minutes of browsing & downloading ......and here's what I've found:

The Good:
* Web pages DO seem to load a bit faster.

The Bad:
* The hesitation is still there.

* When starting up the computer, my DSL now takes over a minute before it actually connects to the internet. It connected immediately before. I didn't have this problem until this step: http://dslnuts.com/pppoe/winpoet.htm

* Download speeds actually are a bit slower. Before tweaking, when downloading later in the evening, I'd get initial bursts of sometime over 300 kilobytes/sec, and it would gradually taper off to about 89/90 kilobytes/sec. Now.......they start off around 50 kilobytes/sec, kick up to about 130 kilobytes/sec, the taper off quickly to the upper 80's.

So...... should we undo everything? If the hesitation is still there, then my other settings were better. Or........ do you still have something up your sleeve?? :P
Thanks!

[mnosteele52]

Leave your settings as is, your caps are 768 kilobits or 96 kilobytes, so when you are downloading a file it is shown in kilobytes and you are at 90% of your caps which is excellent. The burst of speed you saw before was data being buffered to your RWIN, not your actual data transfer rate and a RWIN of 255552 is ridiculous for your connection. Have you tried all the NIC duplex modes? What firewall are you using?

:cool:

[JAGeorge72]

You mean my downloads weren't finishing faster, even though the transfer rate was higher? Hmm......... I didn't actually time them, so I guess I don't really know.

Using Zone Alarm.....free version

I had my NIC Duplex on Auto-negotiation. I can try them all.
I also noticed a lot of different options under "properties" now too.......but didn't touch any.

There is one called "receive buffer size", and the value is 64 kbytes. What's that? Didn't touch it, just curious.

[mnosteele52]

HMM Zone Alarm, I would HIGHLY recommend getting rid of it, it is a resource hog and will slow your connection down. I would suggest using Outpost of Sygate they are MUCH better.

:cool:

[JAGeorge72]

Ahhh........I've had good luck with Zone Alarm. I'd hate to change. Are the others free?

So about my DSL taking over a minute to connect......
Can I change that "TunnelMode" setting back? That really sucks that it takes so long to connect.

[mnosteele52]

It's up to you what you want to do, I have given you my suggestions. Just don't ask for help if you aren't going to listen, it's just wasting my time.

I recommend things for a reason, not just because I personally like or dislike something.


:o

[JAGeorge72]

Originally posted by mnosteele52
Just don't ask for help if you aren't going to listen, it's just wasting my time.


What are you talking about? I've followed all your instructions up to this point. I am still testing the different duplexes.

.....I have asked twice now about why my internet now takes over a minute to connect, but no answer.

Have other DSL/Zone Alarm users had hesitations (like I mentioned in my original post), and found that by switching firewalls, their problem was fixed?

My speeds were never a problem.

[JAGeorge72]

When I click on a link to a random website, and don't see any modem (2-computer icon) activity for 20, 30 seconds..........I find it hard to believe it's my firewall. Especially when it happens only one out of every 15-20 clicks.