Tracert, Lags, etc

[Kubie]

As posted on another forum, lags in communication can be caused by telco lines and/or ISP. I ran some trcerts to my ISP and found that there 11 hops. Also, just before the 11th hop, there are "connection timed out" notices. Is this where my lags are happening? I believe this is my ISP's problem but want to make sure before I embarrass myself. Sarge & Reboot, I don't blame you if you're getting tired of this subject. Carlgif

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Too Soon Oldt--Too Late Schmardt.

[SARGE]

Carl, that's alot of "hops" just to get to ISP. Mine goes right to wt.net, however, it then shows 4 hops using something called alternet. A great program called NETMEDIC is now free. It shows all kinds of goodies, in real-time. Hops to each site, throughput, retrieval rate between sites, session summary, etc.
http://www.ins.com/software/medic/index.asp

[Kubie]

Hi Sarge, I looked at Netmedic and found out that it doesn't work with IE5.0. Anyway, that's what it said. Seems strange.
Carlgif

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Too Soon Oldt--Too Late Schmardt.

[reboot]

Yes, it's an ISP problem. You should let them know the hop # and the indentity of the server that's timing out.
If possible, it's time to switch ISP's to a truly local one.
Some ISP's may have a "local" dial-up #, BUT it simply connects to an 800 type service and you're really dialling up to a server 3000 miles away in another state/province, thus you have 11 hops to your ISP.

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Who needs a life?, I have internet!
Cheers, Jim
Jim & Sue's Free Files | Jims Modems

[Kubie]

Hi Again Reboot. I emailed my ISP and as yet they havn't responded. Yes, I believe its time for a change. I really want cable, but won't be available in this little farm town of 200,000 people for 6 mos to a year.
Thanks reboot. You have confirmed what I have been thinking.
Carlgif

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Too Soon Oldt--Too Late Schmardt.

[SARGE]

Carl, visit http://www.thelist.com and check on some ISP's in your area cose. A town of 200,000 surely has some.

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"Don't be so open-minded that your brains fall out"

[Kubie]

Sarge, I've been looking and there are 3 ISPs in town. None of them offer a free trial or money back garuntee(sp). They all want 20.00 to 30.00 set up fee. I ran the ATO tests on H/terminal and they all connect at 44000 to 45333. Right now I'm asking around to see who is using them to get an idea how good they are. BTW, start my new job today. Carlgif

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Too Soon Oldt--Too Late Schmardt.

[SARGE]

Carl, good luck, keep me posted on job

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"Don't be so open-minded that your brains fall out"

[Kubie]

Signed up with a new ISP today. Software is in the mail. I ran a ping to earthlink a few times and out of 4 packets, I never got 4 back. I would send one and at the most two packets back. I hope with a new email address I won't have to start all over here at PC Mechanic.
Carlgif

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I started out with nothing and I still have most of it!

[glc]

Why wait for the software? Just set up the DUN with their dialup number and your login.

[Kubie]

I'm connected with a new ISP and many problems are now non-existent. Only 3 hops to ISP, pings at 100-105ms and so far curteous, knowledgable tech support.
I want to thank everybody for all their help over the last few months. Someday, maybe I'll beable to pass it on.
Carlgif

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I started out with nothing and I still have most of it!

[danzigrules]

thank god i have cable now:-) If and when you can get it go for it!! It is GREAT!! good luck

[Kubie]

danzigrules, You better believe I'll get cable when its available. AT&T is swapping some coverage areas with Cableone and when AT&T gets in here, maybe cable pc will follow closely behind.
Carlgif

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I started out with nothing and I still have most of it!

[SARGE]

Carl, which ISP you with now?

[Kubie]

Hi Sarge. I signed up with "inreach.com". They are based out of Stockton, Calif., about 30 miles north of here. One thing I've noticed using the ATZ command in H/term is that this is a flex connection. I wish I knew what was best, V90, flex, etc. What do you think?
Carlgif



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I started out with nothing and I still have most of it!

[glc]

carl - I have found that flex seems to be the best way to go on marginal phone lines - I get a solid 38 to 42K here flex but V.90 is almost impossible to get over 28.8, same isp.

[Kubie]

glc,
I tried both numbers they gave me and the one for flex works best. Highest connect has been 48000, but most of the time 44000. How long have you used inreach and how do you like it? I still havn't cancelled Earthlink because that office is open only certain hours and they were kind enough to tell me that I had a 16 minute wait before someone could help. Another reason for leaving.
Carlgif

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I started out with nothing and I still have most of it!

[SARGE]

Carl, whichever floats your boat - go with it. Remember, 56k is trial & error, as we both learned.

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"Don't be so open-minded that your brains fall out"

[glc]

carl - I think you misunderstood my post. I do not use Inreach. I was saying that Flex seems to work better on marginal phone lines to *any* ISP that uses Flex compatible terminal equipment. My primary ISP uses the Ascend MAX which is Flex compatible. I have 2 modems - an old Hayes Flex-only modem, and a V.90 Sportster. I am 17000 feet from the CO, and in an old neighborhood with ancient lines on poles shared with the power and TV cable lines. I dont even have a demarc box on the house, just an old Bell lightning arrestor, so I think I am lucky to get the speeds that I do. Under these conditions, Flex seems to work best.

[Xayd]

Well Carl, I still use the local ISP that I used to work for, and their support while good on average (I should know, huh? Used to be one of em), takes about 30-45 minutes to get. But then again, I've never had a pop go down on me for more than 5 minutes, and can't remember a bog down in speed or a busy signal.

Ya really just gonna have to try em for a month and see what happens. It's easy to have a crappy service and alot of people to support it, or a decent service and not alot of people to support it. Depends on the business philosophy of the company, really.

Xayd

[Kubie]

glc, You are right! I did misread your post. Your description of you telco sounds like you are lucky to get a connection at all.
Xayd, It looks like I'll have to try a few ISPs til I find one that has the best of both worlds. (probably impossible) I'm sure that in working for an ISP, you must have run into some real winners.
Carlgif

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I started out with nothing and I still have most of it!

[This message has been edited by Carlgif (edited 06-18-2000).]

[Xayd]

Well, from my experience Carl, I'll say this...

You mentioned one that charged a setup fee and didn't give any "free trials".

I'd wager that the one who charges the most up front is gonna be the most reliable. The local ISP I worked for charged a 25 dollar setup and charged you pro rate for your first month. Even if you signed up on the 29th you got a bill for the 30th and 31st. But ya know what? We wouldn't have gotten away with those charges if we weren't fast and reliable. Only when you get a reputation as a speedy and reliable service can you get away with those setup fees.

Xayd

[Confused]

Thanks Carl. Yes I am looking for SupraExpress. I had replied to a thread 4 or 5 days ago about my greed in buying a Diamond when I saw it at computer show for $20.00 and then found out the difference between SupraMax and SupraExpress. As PT used to say, "There's one born every minute".
Chas

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I may not be much, but I'm all I think about.

[reboot]

FYI, USR/3com modems are X2/V90, and DO NOT support Flex at all, ever, period.

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Who needs a life?, I have internet!
Cheers, Jim
Jim & Sue's Free Files | Jims Modems

[Confused]

Been following this thread. My home is about 22 yrs. old, with me about 3+ mile of cable to CO. My old ISP ( local telco ), I would connect 33-36K, but would get disconnected a lot. Use a USR 56K V90 Winmodem. Went with current provider about a year ago and connection is rock solid, but never above 28.8, most times 26.4. The tell me all their modems are 56K. How would I go about trying to connect using "flex"? Am bidding on a SupraExpress at ebay, in hopes I can improve my connect speed. Thanks Chas

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I may not be much, but I'm all I think about.

[Kubie]

confused, I can't help you with your existing modem as far as flex is concerned.
Make sure you are bidding on the Supra Express ext. or int. Stay away from the "PRO" or "MAX". I'm sure someone will post here to clear up my explanation.
Good Luck.
Carlgif

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I started out with nothing and I still have most of it!

[Confused]

Thanks Reboot. Maybe eventually I'll get a SupraExpress.
Chas