DSL speed drop...router puked

Steve-O · Post by **Steve-O** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 10:41 am

My DSL speed has recently dropped dramatically. This drop was in conjunction with a router problem. I have a Linksys BEFSR41 Broadband/DSL Router. It has three ports and an uplink port. I'm using all three ports and at some point, one port went bad. I tested computers, cabling, and the problem always followed the port. At the same time, I noticed my DSL speed had dropped to a crawl. With 512MB download, I was getting a throughput of around 52-57kbps on sustained downloads. Now it has dropped to as low as 7kbps! Naturally, I wrote the ISP and it's seven days now with no response, so I wrote them another e-mail today. I didn't mention the router problem, because they immediately refuse to help if they know you have a router or hub. They provide support for only one computer and modem, so I just asked them to check my discreet DSL port before it hits the T3. If I just replace the router, am I likely to return to my normal DSL speed? Thanks for any suggestions you might be able to offer. Later...

willieej2002 · Post by **willieej2002** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 10:52 am

You will want to first connect your modem directly to the closest computer in the house. If your speed improves, your router could be the issue..especially since it has that one bad port. If your speed improves once you directly connect, consider purchasing a new router.

-Willie

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 12:41 pm

Steve-O wrote: I'm using all three ports and at some point, one port went bad. I tested computers, cabling, and the problem always followed the port. At the same time, I noticed my DSL speed had dropped to a crawl.

That right there seems to point to it's failing. At the same time you lost a port, your speeds dropped. Most likely a partial hardware failure in the router.

The beauty of them being so inexpensive...if it croaks, simply pickup another one.

Steve-O · Post by **Steve-O** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 2:22 pm

Thanks to you both for a speedy reply. Yes, I did try connecting the DSL modem directly to the PC, but I could not access the Internet at all. The router was supplying IPs via DHCP, so I thought that might be the reason I couldn't connect; my ISP was expecting to see the WAN IP and instead, the computer was holding the discreet IP hosted by the router. So I power cycled the DSL modem while it was directly connected to the PC. It came up and passed diag, but still would not connect to the net. I checked my LAN connection in Control Panel, and it said it had been up for 17 days, X hours and X minutes, so even the power cycle didn't renew the IP. Any ideas on how to get the ISP to drop my current IP and automatically issue another? thanks again...

willieej2002 · Post by **willieej2002** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 4:31 pm

Do you have a static WAN IP? If so you will need to configure your PC to use the static WAN IP. Also, you may want to try a reboot....

Steve-O · Post by **Steve-O** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 9:08 pm

No static IP. It's assigned by the ISP and changes at various times. I haven't figured out when or why it changes, but it does. Do you know how I can force a change? thanks...

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 9:18 am

[quote="Steve-O"]Thanks to you both for a speedy reply. Yes, I did try connecting the DSL modem directly to the PC, but I could not access the Internet at all. The router was supplying IPs via DHCP, so I thought that might be the reason I couldn't connect]

The ISP does not see your computers LAN IP, they only see the WAN IP obtained by your router.

The ISP governs your WAN IP lease time. When it's up...it's up, you get a new WAN IP. Sometimes you can get a new WAN IP simply by disconneting and reconnecting in your routers web admin. Kinda depends on how your ISP is setup. Sometimes if your lease it not over yet, if you disconnect, reconnect, you may get the same WAN IP. Again, up to the ISP, nothing you can do will force them to go against how they're setup.

So you have PPPoE DSL?

Steve-O · Post by **Steve-O** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 9:49 am

Hey Stoner,
No PPPoE, just plain old residential ADSL. I'll try disconnecting the router, modem, and rebooting PC for a new lease. Thanks...