[SOLVED] Sub-optimal speeds (but not limited to SABnzbd)

[Logar]

I've been using SABnzb for a couple of months now, coupled with a cosy 180GB Astraweb account. But there's a problem which I hope you can help me with.

Here's the thing. In the beginning, I was able to max out my download speed up to almost 1500kb/s. Now, something happened, and I'm only able to download at around 950kb/s. This has been going on for a while and I'm concerned.

I tried changing my ports to different numbers. Tried using an SSL-secured version of the server. I even tried using a different nzb client and I'm still only getting 950kb/s. The latter is what tells me that it's not an app-related program, but that either my ISP is somehow limiting me or there's some kind of inefficiency in my LAN network.
The former could be possible. But my ISP, the dutch XS4ALL, was never known as a company to be hard on usenet users. In fact, they offer a news server of their own.
The latter could be possible, but I tried on multiple occasions to reset my router which didn't seem to solve it.

One last thing. I've been trying some online download speed tests, and I'm getting weird results. It tells me I can download at a maximum of approx. 480 kb/s, even though I'm obviously able to download at 950 or more (and no, I didn't run the test while downloading). Here are the results of a test I took just now:

Code: Select all

Last Result:
Download Speed: 3711 kbps (463.9 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 845 kbps (105.6 KB/sec transfer rate)
vrijdag 18 december 2009 13:33:20

There's maybe one more thing to note, and that's the infamous "port was not available" error I seem to find a lot on this forum. Here's the full error message just in case:

Code: Select all

Welcome to SABnzbd.exe 0.4.12

 

    SABnzbd needs a free tcp/ip port for its internal web server.
    Port 8080 on localhost was tried , but it is not available.
    Some other software uses the port or SABnzbd is already running.

    Please restart SABnzbd with a different port number.

    Press Startkey+R and type the line (example):
        "C:\Program Files (x86)\SABnzbd\SABnzbd.exe" --server localhost:8081

    If you get this error message again, please try a different number.


Program did not start!

I doubt this is related to the speeds problem sine I'd been getting the error even when my speeds were still fine.
What do you suggest I try, guys?

Thanks in advance.

[shypike]

You have tried different Usenet software too, I assume.
Why don't you give the XS4ALL helpdesk a call?
You didn't recently install a software firewall?
Have you rebooted your router recently (some get polluted internal administration after a while)?
You're not on wireless and now have very active neighbors on the same channel?

The "port unavailable" error is something else entirely.
It just means that another program is using the port (may another instance of SABnzbd?).
Install the free tool "NetLimiter 2 Monitor" to see which program holds the port
and it also tells you how much bandwidth each program consumes.

[Logar]

Thanks for the reply.

Yes I've also tried the free newsreader Grabit, which produced the same speeds.
Although I am using a software firewall (BitDefender Internet Security), I've tried shutting the firewall off as a test. It didn't affect the speeds.
I did try to reboot the router several times now. What's the proper procedure for this, though? I so far only tried turning it off for 30 seconds before turning it on again. Should I try it for longer?
I'm using wired internet, so no possibility of bandwidth leeching by neighbours.

I suppose one option is to contact my ISP and ask them if the problem lies on their end.
But perhaps the most peculiar thing about this story is the speed test part. How come my speed tests are so far off? Is there a speed test site someone here can recommend? What could cause my connection to become so... confused?

[shypike]

I did try to reboot the router several times now. What's the proper procedure for this, though? I so far only tried turning it off for 30 seconds before turning it on again. Should I try it for longer?

That should be OK for the router.
BTW: may software firewalls also interfere with the use of the "localhost" address.
Check if the firewall isn't causing the "port' problem.

My experience is that shutting down a firewall doesn't remove its influence on the system.
Un-installing is usually the best remedy.
Hey, you're already protected by your hardware router.
Why not stick to the built-in Windows Firewall?

[Logar]

Holy crap, man, it worked!

Rather than simply turning off the BitDefender firewall, I told windows to activate its own instead right away. My download speeds have officially gone back to normal!!

This is so bizarre. I've been using BitDefender from the very moment I installed Windows 7. Maybe an update it downloaded along the way changed the way the firewall works.

In any case, thanks a million for the suggestion. I would never have known otherwise that the bit defender firewall was so intrusive!

This will be a lesson for me in the future.

[shypike]

I can only confirm this article:

http://lifehacker.com/5401453/stop-payi ... ood-enough