Slow downstream speed and data light always blinking NYC

Slow downstream speed and data light always blinking NYC
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Forums » US Cable Support » RCN » Slow downstream speed and data light always blinking NYC

claygreenber @ 6th Nov 07:59PM:
Slow downstream speed and data light always blinking NYC

Hello.

In the last week, my download speed, which should 10 Mbps has been quite slow, sometimes getting as low as 2.8 Mbps, according to the Speakeasy test. I also have seen the "Data" light on the modem blinking constantly...something that has never happened before. I am aware of the FAQ on this site about why the light might blink even when computer is off, but could there be any other explanation. And could this be connected to my slow speeds?

I also noticed that, if I unplug the cable connection from the modem, but leave the computer connection, the data light still blinks.

I'm running a Mac, and my modem MAC address is: 00:08:0d:02:3e:48

Thank you for your help!
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nickcatal @ 6th Nov 09:11PM:
Re: Slow downstream speed and data light always blinking NYC

Try

»ny.speedtest.rcn.net/

And post your results and the info on that page (except your IP address)
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claygreenber @ 7th Nov 12:17AM:
Re: Slow downstream speed and data light always blinking NYC

Download #1
------------------------------------------------------------------
File size transferred : 3.02 MB (3167484 bytes)
Total time taken : 3.47 seconds (3475 milliseconds)
Throughput : 911.0 KB/sec [Kilobyte-per-second]
= 0.91 MB/sec [Megabyte-per-second]
= 7288.0 Kbps [Kilobit-per-second]
= 7.29 Mbps [Megabit-per-second]

Upload #1
------------------------------------------------------------------
File size transferred : 3.02 MB (3167484 bytes)
Total time taken : 32.02 seconds (32019 milliseconds)
Throughput : 98.0 KB/sec [Kilobyte-per-second]
= 0.1 MB/sec [Megabyte-per-second]
= 784.0 Kbps [Kilobit-per-second]
= 0.78 Mbps [Megabit-per-second]

Your Modem Mac 00:08:0d:02:3e:48
Forward Frequency 735000000
Return Frequency 24816000
Forward Modulation qam256(4)
Modem TX Power 44.7 dBmV
Foward Signal to Noise 32.9 dB
Downstream Ratelimit 11000000
Forward Power Level 9.4 dBmV
Upstream Ratelimit 800000
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anon @ 7th Nov 12:45PM:
msg deleted

deleted by a moderator
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Laurie @ 7th Nov 04:09PM:
Re: Slow downstream speed and data light always blinking NYC

Also in NYC took test to compare. Speed about the same

Major differences:

Modem TX Power 44.7 dBmV (Me: 33)
Forward Power Level 9.4 dBmV (Me: *0*) ----you should be at 0 too

Go to test page and read "explanation of the above terms"
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AndyD2k @ 7th Nov 04:24PM:
Re: Slow downstream speed and data light always blinking NYC

Don't think that matters. Go here and the rates you're comparing are all within spec...

»ny.speedtest.rcn.net/newtest/

And RCN tech went over line quality on mine and they say nothing it's wrong.

It's just a saturated network and they know it
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srr2 @ 7th Nov 04:31PM:
Re: Slow downstream speed and data light always blinking NYC

said by Laurie :

Modem TX Power 44.7 dBmV (Me: 33)
Forward Power Level 9.4 dBmV (Me: *0*) ----you should be at 0 too

Neither of these is relevant to speed. There's nothing at all wrong with 9.4dBmv forward power -- as long as the modem front end isn't saturating, which it won't at this level. The transmit power is mostly a function of the physical interconnect and things like splitters in the circuit. 33dBmv is good, indicative of good wiring and few splitters. 44dBmv is getting up there but still well within the range of normal operation. If I were the OP, I might have a look at my premises wiring just to see if there are any degraded connections.
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claygreenber @ 7th Nov 05:18PM:
Re: Slow downstream speed and data light always blinking NYC

Thanks for all the feedback. The strange thing is that I've had service with RCN now since late July. I've always gotten at least 9Mbps downstream when I've done tests in the past, even at peak times like evenings and weekends. And, also, I specifically noticed that the Data light never flashed unless I was uploading or downloading data myself.

Now, the light is always blinking and my speeds are down. Does anyone think these could be connected? I've tried rebooting the modem already and there is no difference.
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srr2 @ 7th Nov 05:31PM:
Re: Slow downstream speed and data light always blinking NYC

There's always "background noise" coming in. Things like broadcast packets, script kiddie probes, etc. I see anywhere from 600byte/sec to 3kbyte/sec incoming during periods of inactivity. There's nothing to be done about it.
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Laurie @ 7th Nov 07:47PM:
Re: Slow downstream speed and data light always blinking NYC

Oh, I read on that RCN site that you want to be as close to 0 (or neg number) as possible, and only wanted to call attention to his 9.4 as possibly being indicative of the kind of connection or splitter issue outlined in the RCN explanation.

I was just comparing the stats of my "working" modem to his, thought maybe seeing what was materially different might help pinpoint where the problem might lie.

BTW srr2: Good call. I have no splitter in my setup. :)
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anon @ 7th Nov 09:45PM:
msg deleted

deleted by a moderator
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BackStJoe @ 10th Nov 10:06AM:
Re: Slow downstream speed and data light always blinking NYC

The new constantly blinking light is fairly annoying...I keep thinking someone is trying to hack into my computer. What is the deal with it?
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lilhurricane @ 10th Nov 10:52AM:
Re: Slow downstream speed and data light always blinking NYC

»RCN Forum FAQ »Why is my modem activity light constantly flashing

..for those that haven't read the FAQ.
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srr2 @ 10th Nov 12:09PM:
Re: Slow downstream speed and data light always blinking NYC

said by BackStJoe :

The new constantly blinking light is fairly annoying...I keep thinking someone is trying to hack into my computer. What is the deal with it?

Nobody cares about your computer. No one is going to waste their time "hacking" into it. Really. If the light bothers you, put a small piece of electrical tape over it.
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