Roadrunner Internet Issues

Retarp · Jan 24, 2006, 08:43 PM

Hello all, I didn't think this would fit in any other catagory so I put it here in the windows forum.

I have Time Warner Roadrunner here in Ohio. If I plug my cable modem into my computer or into my g/f's computer, which are both windows XP, I have full bandwidth 4.5M/450k (up/dn). If I plug the modem into my linux or windows 2000 boxes my connection gets nerfed down to 1M/256k.

I have called once to customer support only to be told my modem is set to the proper bandwidth settings.

Does anyone have any other suggestions or an inside contact to Time Warner so I don't have to deal with customer service? It's really starting to get under my skin that I have to unplug the rest of my network from the internet just to get full bandwidth to my XP computer.

Yousaif · Jan 25, 2006, 10:51 AM

Sounds like the machine that gets the slow speeds needs to be optimized for a broadband connection. Try running the tests here: http://www.dslreports.com/tweaks

Are you running your Linux box as your router? Or do you have a separate router that you run?

Retarp · Jan 25, 2006, 09:20 PM

Thanks for the reply.

I apologize, for my post being too vague. I was frustrated and angry when I wrote that. Hopefully this will help out

Yes the Linux box is a router. An old Pentium 233 that I have Coyote Linux installed on. I've been using it as a broadband router for about 1 & 1/2 years now. I had Wide Open West as my ISP, and thier 3M/256 service was perfect. I moved about 3 months ago and had to switch to Time Warner. With the roadrunner I cannot get over 1.6M/256k when I use my router. I know the router is not the issue, as it always worked perfect before and I haven't changed anything.

Since my bandwidth was always low I called customer service and asked what the settings to the modem were. The custormer service rep on the phone said my modem was set to the correct bandwidth.

What threw me for a loop was the discovery that I can plug it into a single computer and get my full bandwidth. Or so I thought until I plugged it into my windows 2000 machine (P4 1.8Ghz) and that only gets 900k down!!!! If I plug the modem back into the router then the windows 2000 machine gets a 1.2-1.6M down bandwidth, just like the rest of the network.

Windows XP computers = full 4.5M/450k bandwidth
Windows 2000 computer = 900k/256k
Coyote Linux router = 1.6M/256k
*I used dslreports.com & toast.net to determine bandwidth

One last detail: I've always rented my modem from the cable companies.

What I really want to know is how a different OS could be detected by my ISP and change my modem settings? Am I going to have to buy my own and hack the firmware so I can see what the hell they are doing?

EDIT: Just ran the Tweak Test on dslreports.com and passed with flying colors.

Yousaif · Jan 27, 2006, 12:57 AM

Quote:

What I really want to know is how a different OS could be detected by my ISP and change my modem settings? Am I going to have to buy my own and hack the firmware so I can see what the hell they are doing?

There's really no way they can do that unless they have software installed on your machine.

Since I work for a cable ISP I can tell you that the issue is probably your hardware. You may not want to believe it, as you said, "its always worked fine before," but to be perfectly frank with you (which is how I wish I could be with the people that call me for support) just because it always worked fine before doesn't mean it still works fine.

If you get full bandwidth hooked up to your Win XP machine, then the bandwidth is there, its your other boxes that aren't able to take full advantage of it.

riles9262 · Jan 27, 2006, 02:05 AM

Well, the cable modem or rr head end cannot configure your speed per machine/os/internet device. Since I work for them I should know

If you can get near to full bandwidth with one comp, you should as well through your router or other pc's. First off, i'd start with updating the nic drivers in the comps, make sure they're set to an automatic duplex mode, or force it to 10full duplex to test. Also, make sure to reset (power cycle) the modem after swapping connections.

[hobo]eclipse · Jan 27, 2006, 04:56 AM

retarp u in north east ohio by chance?? 4.5 down on 3 rigs here, all XP

Retarp · Jan 27, 2006, 11:11 PM

[hobo]eclipse, I'm in the greater Columbus area.

riles, I'm glad to hear from an insider that they don't do that. I worked for a dial up ISP call center for about 2 months.....I couldn't take it anymore that I had to lie to the customers all the time.

I'm going to re-load my linux box with another copy of Coyote Linux and see if that helps. It boots off a floppy so I can make as many different flavors as I wish

[hobo]eclipse · Jan 27, 2006, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retarp

[hobo]eclipse, I'm in the greater Columbus area.

cheers fellow Ohioian!

Retarp · Jan 28, 2006, 04:16 PM

Hello folks,

I configured a new Coyote Linux using the same settings and that did not work at all. In fact my bandwidth dropped to just 900k/256k. Then I went ahead and swapped the assignments of the 2 nics in the router to try that. Booted it and booya! I have my full 4.5M/450k bandwidth!

Makes no sence unless there is some sort of memory somewhere about what mac addresses have connected and what settings to give them.

Well all is good for now except a wierd DNS conflict issue I have with one of my computers (the windows 2000 machine).

Jan 24, 2006, 08:43 PM	#1
Retarp DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 119 Rep Power: 0	Roadrunner Internet Issues Hello all, I didn't think this would fit in any other catagory so I put it here in the windows forum. I have Time Warner Roadrunner here in Ohio. If I plug my cable modem into my computer or into my g/f's computer, which are both windows XP, I have full bandwidth 4.5M/450k (up/dn). If I plug the modem into my linux or windows 2000 boxes my connection gets nerfed down to 1M/256k. I have called once to customer support only to be told my modem is set to the proper bandwidth settings. Does anyone have any other suggestions or an inside contact to Time Warner so I don't have to deal with customer service? It's really starting to get under my skin that I have to unplug the rest of my network from the internet just to get full bandwidth to my XP computer.

Jan 25, 2006, 09:20 PM	Thread Starter #3
Retarp DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 119 Rep Power: 0	Thanks for the reply. I apologize, for my post being too vague. I was frustrated and angry when I wrote that. Hopefully this will help out Yes the Linux box is a router. An old Pentium 233 that I have Coyote Linux installed on. I've been using it as a broadband router for about 1 & 1/2 years now. I had Wide Open West as my ISP, and thier 3M/256 service was perfect. I moved about 3 months ago and had to switch to Time Warner. With the roadrunner I cannot get over 1.6M/256k when I use my router. I know the router is not the issue, as it always worked perfect before and I haven't changed anything. Since my bandwidth was always low I called customer service and asked what the settings to the modem were. The custormer service rep on the phone said my modem was set to the correct bandwidth. What threw me for a loop was the discovery that I can plug it into a single computer and get my full bandwidth. Or so I thought until I plugged it into my windows 2000 machine (P4 1.8Ghz) and that only gets 900k down!!!! If I plug the modem back into the router then the windows 2000 machine gets a 1.2-1.6M down bandwidth, just like the rest of the network. Windows XP computers = full 4.5M/450k bandwidth Windows 2000 computer = 900k/256k Coyote Linux router = 1.6M/256k I used dslreports.com & toast.net to determine bandwidth One last detail: I've always rented my modem from the cable companies. What I really want to know is how a different OS could be detected by my ISP and change my modem settings? Am I going to have to buy my own and hack the firmware so I can see what the hell they are doing? EDIT: Just ran the Tweak Test on dslreports.com and passed with flying colors. Last edited by Retarp; Jan 25, 2006 at 09:26 PM.*

Jan 27, 2006, 02:05 AM	#5
riles9262 Driverheaven brewmaster Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 4,842 Rep Power: 72 System Specs	Well, the cable modem or rr head end cannot configure your speed per machine/os/internet device. Since I work for them I should know If you can get near to full bandwidth with one comp, you should as well through your router or other pc's. First off, i'd start with updating the nic drivers in the comps, make sure they're set to an automatic duplex mode, or force it to 10full duplex to test. Also, make sure to reset (power cycle) the modem after swapping connections. __________________ A beer a day keeps the doctor away.

Jan 27, 2006, 04:56 AM	#6
[hobo]eclipse ...just bummin 'round Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 2,907 Rep Power: 112 System Specs	retarp u in north east ohio by chance?? 4.5 down on 3 rigs here, all XP

Jan 27, 2006, 11:11 PM	Thread Starter #7
Retarp DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 119 Rep Power: 0	[hobo]eclipse, I'm in the greater Columbus area. riles, I'm glad to hear from an insider that they don't do that. I worked for a dial up ISP call center for about 2 months.....I couldn't take it anymore that I had to lie to the customers all the time. I'm going to re-load my linux box with another copy of Coyote Linux and see if that helps. It boots off a floppy so I can make as many different flavors as I wish

Jan 28, 2006, 04:16 PM	Thread Starter #9
Retarp DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 119 Rep Power: 0	Hello folks, I configured a new Coyote Linux using the same settings and that did not work at all. In fact my bandwidth dropped to just 900k/256k. Then I went ahead and swapped the assignments of the 2 nics in the router to try that. Booted it and booya! I have my full 4.5M/450k bandwidth! Makes no sence unless there is some sort of memory somewhere about what mac addresses have connected and what settings to give them. Well all is good for now except a wierd DNS conflict issue I have with one of my computers (the windows 2000 machine).