Broadband Technical Help Required

H

Happy Jack

On a break
Joined
May 5, 2003
Messages
97
Location
Northants
Hi all

Been having a spot of bother with my Broadband over the course of the last two months. I'm currently using Tiscali Broadband with a max speed of 1.1Mb.

I don't have a problem with general Internet useage, that's fine, my problem over the last couple of months has been access to gaming sites. I play quite a lot of online poker and recently have been really struggling to access the sites. I click on the icon on my desktop and the poker site pops up, but whenever I try and log in, or do anything (watch a table without logging in, for example), it freezes up.

Weirdly enough, this has only been happening since October/November time - I had no problem playing online poker before then. I generally have the most trouble early-mid evening which I know is the peak time for Broadband use. Once it gets to 10.30pm-ish it becomes less difficult to access, although I still keep having problems. This suggests to me that my Broadband speed is too slow.

I have run a speed test during my problematical hours and it usually tells me that my speed is anywhere between 400kb and 700kb - is this too slow to be trying to play poker online? If so, why have I only had problems in the last couple of months when I haven't changed my provider in over a year? Is it worth me spending a couple of pounds extra a month to beef up my Broadband, or would you suggest I change my provider? I do all of the normal stuff to try and boost my speed, such as clearing out my temp files, cookies etc.

All suggestions gratefully received!
 
Happy Jack.

Your speed is fine, and considering your getting between 400kbs - 700kbs compared to a normal dial-up of 56kbs that cant be the issue and it seems they have upgraded your speed from 1mb to upto 8mb for free. As im on 8mb BB and get the same download speeds in general.
I suggest its to do with a firewall your using or if your using IE as your browser something to do with security in internet options under tool on your browser.

Try moving the sliders and checking each time you set to a different level, also in tools internet options click advanded and reset default.

If that dont work try looking at Java. If you have it uninstall and reinstall and if you have'nt got it get it free from there site as that might be the problem too.

These are the 1st thing i'd be looking at if i were in your shoes so i hope it helps.
 
As I understand it some of the major broadband providers are restricting access to certain computer ports at peak times. These are the ports that are commonly used by file-sharing programmes such as Kazaa, BitTorrent etc. The obvious reason being to reduce load on the network, plus they are not going to get too much stick for throttling what is 99% of the time an illegal practice.

Unfortunately it seems that these ports are also used by some of the more popular gaming applications - Betfair Poker being one of them.

My suggestion would be to try a few different gaming sites. It seems to me that it very much depends on the app.
 
JACK clean out your cookies mate in IE. and clean out your old files too and reduce your security under tools for the duration when your trying to access the poker sites(your firwall if using X-P will guard you on a temporary basis) and put it back to DEFAULT level after using it, and reboot your p-c .

Another little extra for most users occasionally (while on the web) is to left click your connection ie. two screens on-in your taskbar (known as Local Area Connection LAN for short) and do a repair periodically this keeps your connection working at a max per your- the value of MBPS youv'e paid for?or get...... ;)

P.S THOSE ON CABLE JUST LEFT CLICK THE TWO SCREENS AND IT GIVES YOU AN OPTION, GENERAL OR SUPPORT choose the latter you'll then see your ISP number but go down further and click on repair, it will automatically go through the repair process just press close and get out of there............. ;) :) job done.... :P
 
You could try a system restore, choosing a restore date prior to when it started to go slow. If that doesn't work or you lose something you've installed after that date you can undo the restore. Click All Programs | Accessories | System Tools | System Restore.
 
I think betsmate is on to it, it sounds like a throttle on the port that this particular poker app uses.

Stuff like cookies etc would only make a difference if there was a problem with general browsing.

Find a provider that doesn't throttle. These may be more expensive though.

I use Nildram. Pricey but no problems with either Bet365 or PartyPoker for me.
 
Thanks fellas, I think Betsmate & Cybrandian have hit the nail on the head. I'm going to upgrade my Tiscali package to their 8mb service (it's only a couple of quid a month) and if that still doesn't work I'll knock that on the head and look for an alternate provider.
 
Just watch that you don't tie yourself into another 12 month contract by changing your T&Cs Jack.

I use Sky which excellent in all other respects and very cheap - but have the same problems as you on Betfair Poker.
 
Originally posted by Happy Jack@Jan 15 2007, 09:08 PM
Thanks fellas, I think Betsmate & Cybrandian have hit the nail on the head. I'm going to upgrade my Tiscali package to their 8mb service (it's only a couple of quid a month) and if that still doesn't work I'll knock that on the head and look for an alternate provider.
Click to expand...
Hey ?

You said your speed is anywhere between 400kbs and 700kbs. Why do you feel the need to upgrade. As ive said im currently on upto 8mb with BT and get near enough the same speeds.

Your speed is not the issue. And weather you upgrade or not it will still make no difference if your port is blocked on the router. All you need to do is open the ports if that is the problem.
 
If betsmate's correct, it's an ISP-level issue - nothing you can do about it short of switching to another ISP who don't do port-throttling.
 
As Gareth says above.

If however you do think that ports are being blocked on your PC just temporarily turn off your Firewall (Windows XP one as well as any others you might have McAfee, Norton, ZoneAlarm etc.) and see if you have any joy. Remeber to turn it back on again afterwards though.
 
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