MSN Connection Speed Drop
Karl
happen? Any ideas?
StephenB
1. Noise on the phone line at your location - anywhere from the wire plugged
into your modem, the wall jack, the house wiring, the wiring to the pole, the
line in the street, something in the local telco switching location, etc.
2. A problem at the POP where you dial into. The phone number your modem calls
is a POP or point of presence. If the modem bank that takes you call is
experiencing problems it can cause slower connections.
The first thing to do is to contact MSN Support who can check the POP and/or
give you a different number to try. If that does not solve it, you'll want to
schedule a service call with your phone provider.
http://support.msn.com for your support options.
-steve
"Karl" <kar...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>My connection speed went from close to 50 kps to 33.2 kps. Why would that
>happen? Any ideas?
--
Stephen Boots
MVP Windows Live
Windows Live OneCare/Live Mesh/MSE Forums Moderator
sbo...@mvps.org
Karl
helped. I can dial into other things and that's fine. I checked the modem
and that didn't work.
I think I just need to switch service providers. It's a shame since MSN
worked so well.
They told me this about my modem too:
Your modem settings could also be causing this issue. Please optimize
its performance by following these steps:
1. Click 'Start' then 'Control Panel'
2. Click on the following:
a. 'Phone and Modem Options'
b. 'Modems' tab, select your modem then click
'Properties'
c. 'Modems' tab, set Maximum Port Speeds to '57600'
d. 'Advanced' tab, check Extra Initialization
Command for correct modem strings
If you are not sure of your Modem Strings, please
contact your computer / modem manufacturer for assistance or you may
also consult the following Web sites, which provide non-Microsoft
resources for modem initialization strings: http://www.modemhelp.org
<http://www.modemhelp.org/> and http://56k.com/inits/. Write down any
incorrect modem strings for future reference, and then remove them.
e. Type the appropriate modem initialization string
f. 'Change Default Preferences'
g. Change 'Flow Control' to 'Off'
h. Click OK twice
3. Click 'OK' on System Properties
4. Close Control Panel
We appreciate the opportunity of providing you assistance.
"StephenB" <sbo...@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:cvd646th5efb3dj6e...@4ax.com...
StephenB
and the speed recently dropped, I don't think I'd put the modem high on the
suspect list yet.
If an alternate local number didn't help, try other numbers, even if they may be
toll calls. Please do continue to work with support - especially since you are
making a faster connection to other services.
-steve
Karl
disabling the security software that you get with MSN and it still is slow.
They basically said try turning off the virus scanner, firewall, etc. and
then just call the McAfee and the others since it CAN'T be MSN!
Time to SWITCH from MSN!
"StephenB" <sbo...@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:p9r946la046mk4fc0...@4ax.com...
Daveswizard
will not be any better with another provider.
Unplug every other phone or equipment from all phone jacks and try
connecting to see if speed changes. If it does, plug them back in 1 at a time
to narrow down which is causing problems. It could possibly be the modem but
the only way to test it is to change it to a new one.
If you have another phone jack available, try hooking computer to different
jack and try again. Also if you have a different/new phone cord try using it
to see if connection speed improves. Shorter the cord the better.
Many/most service providers offer a 30 day free trial period. If you find it
is not on your end, you may want to try someone else using a free trial and
maintain your MSN account while trying them to see if connection speeds are
better. You may find they are not or use the same numbers MSN does. You may
not find anyone with a faster connection and wish to stay with MSN. Some
providers do not supply a good accelerator and actual browsing is slower.
"Karl" wrote:
> .
>
StephenB
other possible causes, not to pass blame. However, it seems like they are moving
to that a bit too quickly.
The problem could still be at your end, so I agree with the response I just read
from Daveswizard on how to check for that.
You can also continue poking at support. If you are certain that you only
experience the bad connection speed with MSN, provide the details of that to
Support and request that your case be escalated.
-steve
Karl
go to 38.6Kbps when I switch between them.
I wanted an 800 number to TEST out my speed, but they never answered THAT
request of mine. I don't expect to KEEP it just wanted to try it.
"StephenB" <sbo...@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:f3ec461vst36io3u2...@4ax.com...
Karl
get 38.6Kbps, like I can switch BETWEEN them and get different speeds...all
of them low.
I think the problem has to be at MSN's end.
I might try AOL....I hate AOL, but they are cheap. Like 9.99/month.
Now with MSN I use just a MANUAL connection, not the MSN Explorer. (Before
you suggest it, MSN Explorer is also slow)
"Daveswizard" <Daves...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:675A6B72-6DCC-4F7A...@microsoft.com...
BeritB [MSFT]
I would be interested in finding out which area code/prefix you are dialing
from and which access phone numbers you are using. I can ask my team to see
if there are any issues going on with those numbers.
If you would like to send this information to my microsoft.com email address
(beritb), I would be glad to look into this for you.
Take care,
Berit Benson
Community Leader, MSN Explorer/Internet Access
--
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
"Karl" wrote:
> My connection speed went from close to 50 kps to 33.2 kps. Why would that
> happen? Any ideas?
>
> .
>
StephenB
Based on what you telling me now, with a variety of MSN connection numbers, I
think your issue is most likely more local than the MSN POP. It could be a
simple as the wiring or jacks on your end, or it could be a local telco issue
from you to the switching office.
MSN doesn't have an 800 number for POP service, as far as I know, Karl.
-steve
Karl
Why would one number be higher than another if it was wiring in my house.
(the same wiring was there last month and speeds were higher)
"StephenB" <sbo...@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:ai1f46thukt04p9rq...@4ax.com...
Karl
then SOME would rise to 38.6Kbps, like 412 471 3535 (FOR NOW) it'll go back
to 33.2 when I reconnect I bet though, it usually does that.
Yesterday 412 251 0040 was 24Kbps!
(412) 715-0004 Pittsburgh PA
(412) 251-0040 Pittsburgh PA
(412) 281-6857 Pittsburgh PA
(412) 943-9004 Pleasant Hills PA
(412) 567-4676 Pittsburgh PA
(412) 281-5328 Pittsburgh PA
(412) 471-3535 Pittsburgh PA
Does MSN offer DSL anymore? I think I'll have to switch soon.
"BeritB [MSFT]" <Berit...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:88EC4ABA-640F-4BC7...@microsoft.com...
StephenB
that the problem is at the POP. Berit will have to check that out.
The problem may also be in the telephone company lines.
It could be local to you, including in your house. Wires and jacks can go bad,
and so can the modem.
You didn't answer my question about what other numbers/services you connect to
*today* that still connect at a higher speed.
Check with your phone company about the availability of DSL to your location.
You will be much happier with DSL if it is available, even if it is the
slowest/cheapest DSL package available. It will still be considerably faster
than dial-up.
-steve
"Karl" <kar...@yahoo.com> wrote:
--
BeritB [MSFT]
Thank you for the information. I have passed this along to my co-worker who
handles the access numbers, and she is checking on them.
MSN no longer offers DSL service, but if you do switch to a broadband
provider you can update your MSN subscription and remove the internet access
portion. You will still be able to use the MSN Explorer and all of its
features, but the monthly cost will be less.
Take care,
Berit
"Karl" wrote:
> .
>
Karl
contracts right now. I was hoping to move soon.
As for currently. 412-471-3535 was at 33.2 this morning. Then 412-281-5328
right AFTER I saw that speed I tried this number and it is 38.6. This
number 412-281-6857 was 34.6. And 412-251-0040 was 33.2.
USUALLY all of them go at 33.2.
Oh these numbers don't uniformly stay at these speeds. They usually drop to
33.2 (and sometimes lower) and if I'm lucky they shoot way up to 38.6 if I'm
lucky.
They did say they escalated my issue with support....STILL all I heard was
someone would get back to me within 3 days!
I hope that answers your number question.
"StephenB" <sbo...@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:skmh46pnal5u3kpsk...@4ax.com...
Karl
"BeritB [MSFT]" <Berit...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:0DA01908-BD7B-4DA8...@microsoft.com...
> Hi Karl,
>
> Thank you for the information. I have passed this along to my co-worker
> who
> handles the access numbers, and she is checking on them.
>
> MSN no longer offers DSL service, but if you do switch to a broadband
> provider you can update your MSN subscription and remove the internet
> access
> portion. You will still be able to use the MSN Explorer and all of its
> features, but the monthly cost will be less.
Why would I want to do that? I really don't understand why anyone would
KEEP MSN just to get access to what the virus checker and spyware? I can
buy those directly and would be loads less money I'm sure!
I know I have access to Verizon DSL. They let you choose MSN or Yahoo. No
one can answer this though. If I choose MSN would I be able to download
Virus Guard or Spysweeper like I do now?
BeritB [MSFT]
The MSN subscription offered through Verizon does include the McAfee
AV/Firewall software along with the Webroot AntiSpyWare software.
I would like to get some more information about your dial-up issues. Can
you tell me when you first noticed the connection speed drops? Also, it
would be helpful to get your area code and prefix. I would appreciate it if
you could email me this information to my microsoft.com account (beritb). I
would greatly prefer that this information not be posted in a public
newsgroup.
Thanks,
"Karl" wrote:
> .
>
Karl
Because Verizon told me that I would HAVE to buy Verizon's Virus Checker and
MSN's Virus scanner would NOT be available.
This would be MSN DSL with Verizon in Pittsburgh for a NEW SUBSCRIBER.
my area code is 412 and prefix is 881
these drops I noticed maybe 10 or 14 days ago. It could have been longer
though since I haven't been using the computer much
"BeritB [MSFT]" <Berit...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:7258BAD7-3B03-4DB4...@microsoft.com...
Karl
switched to 412-281-6857 which is 38.6
"Karl" <kar...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:eDQ9Gry...@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
StephenB
However, you don't need either Virusguard or Spywseeper from MSN or whatever
Verizon is offering. I would imagine the Verizon wants to sell you their product
as they get a cut of the subscription charge from the vendors they are
partnering with.
Microsoft Security Essentials offers excellent protection from malware for
*free* to all users of Genuine Windows.
http://microsoft.com/security_essentials
Be sure to review this before installine MSE:
http://social.answers.microsoft.com:80/Forums/en-US/msestart/thread/bf757e6a-e320-4a67-92bc-767e6acb26c4
-steve
"Karl" <kar...@yahoo.com> wrote:
--
Karl
and they tested my phone line and it tests out perfectly fine.
"BeritB [MSFT]" <Berit...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:7258BAD7-3B03-4DB4...@microsoft.com...
Daveswizard
(Qwest) told me that it tested fine. 2 months later it totally went bad and
they had to come out and switch lines for me. When I finally ordered DSL from
Qwest last november it took them 3 days and 5 different technicians to repair
my phone line (what they called conditioning) for me to be able to use the
DSL.
My normal connection speed was 24k and every now and then I would get lucky
with a 28k connection all the years I was on dial-up. What the phone company
considers tested fine is that it works within certain parameters to allow you
to make phone calls. That is all they care about and is all that is required.
So you can take what they tell you with a grain of salt.
"Karl" wrote:
> .
>
Karl
"Daveswizard" <Daves...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:A2DD4F5B-58BC-4857...@microsoft.com...
> I had a phone line tested because my connection speed was dropping and
> they
> (Qwest) told me that it tested fine. 2 months later it totally went bad
> and
> they had to come out and switch lines for me. When I finally ordered DSL
> from
> Qwest last november it took them 3 days and 5 different technicians to
> repair
> my phone line (what they called conditioning) for me to be able to use the
> DSL.
> My normal connection speed was 24k and every now and then I would get
> lucky
> with a 28k connection all the years I was on dial-up. What the phone
> company
> considers tested fine is that it works within certain parameters to allow
> you
> to make phone calls. That is all they care about and is all that is
> required.
> So you can take what they tell you with a grain of salt.
Makes sense. What I can't figure is some numbers are 33.2 then I try
another and it's 38.6 then another and it's back to 33.2. Most of them are
33.2....once I actually got 40!
Yeah it COULD be the line. It seems to me to be MSN's connection point.
Maybe it's both?
Maybe it's birds sitting on the phone line :)! I remember one professor in
college telling that's what ATT Long Lines told his IT department WAY BACK
in the late 1970s
Karl
"Karl" <kar...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:uXjnRnYL...@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>
>
> "Daveswizard" <Daves...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:A2DD4F5B-58BC-4857...@microsoft.com...
>> I had a phone line tested because my connection speed was dropping and
>> they
>> (Qwest) told me that it tested fine. 2 months later it totally went bad
>> and
>> they had to come out and switch lines for me. When I finally ordered DSL
>> from
>> Qwest last november it took them 3 days and 5 different technicians to
>> repair
>> my phone line (what they called conditioning) for me to be able to use
>> the
>> DSL.
>> My normal connection speed was 24k and every now and then I would get
>> lucky
>> with a 28k connection all the years I was on dial-up. What the phone
>> company
>> considers tested fine is that it works within certain parameters to allow
>> you
>> to make phone calls. That is all they care about and is all that is
>> required.
>> So you can take what they tell you with a grain of salt.
Here's what they told me:
"our Product Team is already aware of the issue. Unfortunately, we currently
have no estimated time when this will be resolved."
I got this just this morning. What's the "ISSUE"
Maybe it really is birds on the lines? Maybe trolls?
At least they are aware of the problem....so at least it's not me!
HOPEFULLY???
Karl
problem with MSN. They told me ONCE it's a maintenance issue. So I just
wanted to know....what does that mean.
NO ANSWER.
I got an email from Shay and then NOTHING.
MSN just doesn't value it's customers I guess!
"BeritB [MSFT]" <Berit...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:7258BAD7-3B03-4DB4...@microsoft.com...
Karl
problem with MSN. They told me ONCE it's a maintenance issue. So I just
wanted to know....what does that mean.
NO ANSWER.
I got an email from Shay and then NOTHING.
MSN just doesn't value it's customers I guess!
"BeritB [MSFT]" <Berit...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:7258BAD7-3B03-4DB4...@microsoft.com...
StephenB
Have you sent an email to Berit as she requested some time back regarding your
issue? She works for Microsoft and *will* help.
Her address is in her reply to you.
-steve
"Karl" <kar...@yahoo.com> wrote:
--
Karl
Berit did mention MSN partnered with Verizon. But that must be in some
other market not in Pittsburgh
"StephenB" <sbo...@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:s7rj565fs7ca20870...@4ax.com...
Karl
Berit did mention MSN partnered with Verizon. But that must be in some
other market not in Pittsburgh
"StephenB" <sbo...@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:s7rj565fs7ca20870...@4ax.com...
Karl
Berit did mention MSN partnered with Verizon. But that must be in some
other market not in Pittsburgh
"StephenB" <sbo...@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:s7rj565fs7ca20870...@4ax.com...
StephenB
As far as Verizon/MSN partnerships, I know it isn't available in my area any
longer either.
I don't know what specific maintenance issue Support was referring to, but I
would imagine that it means that they are aware of an issue with the node that
you are dialing into and they need to fix it. Until then you'll experience the
slower speeds. That would seem to confirm what you were saying all along that it
isn't a problem with your end or even the local Telco.
Karl
"StephenB" <sbo...@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:i7pr56tr0106t2n3u...@4ax.com...
> Okay.
> As far as Verizon/MSN partnerships, I know it isn't available in my area
> any
> longer either.
> I don't know what specific maintenance issue Support was referring to, but
> I
> would imagine that it means that they are aware of an issue with the node
> that
> you are dialing into and they need to fix it. Until then you'll experience
> the
> slower speeds. That would seem to confirm what you were saying all along
> that it
> isn't a problem with your end or even the local Telco.
> -steve
>
I think dial up itself is just not that important. Most people must have
broadband I guess. I was trying to hold off, but I gather Verizon dropped
the whole commitment thing. So maybe it's just time to switch.
I'll miss MSN though. I wanted to stick with them.
I just wish there was more competition among broadband companies.
StephenB
I agree. If it is available to you, there are generally only two choices - DSL
from the local Telco/Regional Telco or cable from the cable TV company. There
isn't much competition in most areas, unfortunately.
-steve
Daveswizard
also no longer partners with MSN in my area and have their own rip-off home
page of MSN. After I activated my DSL I called Qwest customer technical
support and asked if they could transfer my MSN account to the Qwest account.
They did it with no problem.
So now I still have what looks like the exact same MSN I had on dial-up but
on steroids with the speed of browsing. I still have my same MSN home page
and all of the dash board just like I had while on dial-up. The only thing
that changed was I was using the MSN10 browser and it automatically
downgraded by its self to the MSN9.6 browser.
So if you do go DSL, you may be able to keep and use the MSN browser just
like it is now. The only thing you lose is any time you have left on the
dial-up. They completly take over your account from MSN. And a word of
advice, cancel your MSN account just before you do that as MSN will not talk
to you even to tell them to stop charging your credit card once you switch it
over. I had to go through Qwest to tell them to stop charging me.
You can have both at the same time though. I did for a couple of days just
to make sure the DSL was going to work out before asking Qwest to be able to
use my MSN account.
"Karl" wrote:
> .
>
Karl
Qwest were you able to still use Virus Guard (MacAfee) and Spyweeper?
I was told by MSN, if I switched to Verizon, since they don't partner I
would have to still PAY for MSN's service AND pay for Verizon's DSL to get
Virus Guard and Spysweeper.
It's amazing Verizon doesn't have people on staff to answer these questions.
But at least Verizons customer service people I have talked to seem to be in
the US. Usually when I speak to MSN's people I'm talking to the Philippines
or some other foreign country
I don't want to use MSN explorer, just the virus and spyware software. I
guess I just have to lose that and buy it or download something else. I
certainly won't pay $5 a month for what Verizon wants!
"Daveswizard" <Daves...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:E5B632D2-96FD-4FF7...@microsoft.com...
Karl
yesterday at MSN who is the escalated level 2.5 .... what ever that means.
He had me update my modem driver.
Now my connection is usually 37.2, 38.6, and it tops out 40 Kbps. I was
lucky once and I got 41.2 kbps!
Still I got higher speeds around a month or two ago. The support guy told
me that's it, that's all they can do.
"Karl" <kar...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:eiefdffJ...@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
Daveswizard
have this on one of my computers that had never been connected to MSN
dial-up. The other one I still use the McAfee that was supplied with the MSN
dial-up. The spysweeper stopped working/updating so I downloaded a free
anti-spyware (iobit sercurity 360)
and I am using that. I make no claims or endorsements about the use of
IObit. Use at your own risk.
I suspect that since McAfee seemed to be on a yearly renewal cycle I will
eventually have to go to the Norton supplied by Qwest. I don't know when
spysweeper stopped working as I never really used it and used other programs
instead as they scanned faster. But if I remember correctly it continued to
work until it's renewal also came up.
"Karl" wrote:
> .
>
StephenB
Remove any security software you are currently running, and then download and
install the free Microsoft Security essentials for malware protection -
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/resources.aspx
You may need to use a cleanup tool to remove your prior security software:
http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/msestart/thread/407bf6da-c05d-4546-8788-0aa4c25a1f91
Be sure to review this post:
Check list for installing Microsoft Security Essentials -
http://social.answers.microsoft.com:80/Forums/en-US/msestart/thread/bf757e6a-e320-4a67-92bc-767e6acb26c4
-steve
"Karl" <kar...@yahoo.com> wrote:
--
Karl
"StephenB" <sbo...@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:mn1c66l6bbqvjap2c...@4ax.com...
Karl
updated spysweeper once and it stuck on an anti-virus as well and I didn't
want 2 AVs on my system at once.
Defender was ok. They say MS's Security Essentials work pretty good.
I guess I'll just get something like McAfee that will be a cheap with an
upgrade. I used to pay for these for years so I can get the upgrade
versions cheaper I guess.
"Daveswizard" <Daves...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:AEBE0547-C735-4FEC...@microsoft.com...
StephenB
Yes. It includes the protection of Windows Defender and adds antivirus.
-steve
"Karl" <kar...@yahoo.com> wrote:
--