SABnzbd status idle while connected to internet on a Mac

[Noob82]

Hi guys,
I'm new to using usernets and newsgroups but after having 4 days of successful downloads averaging just over 1mb/s I now have an almost constant idle status (usually will start downloading at up to 400kb/s then slow down and stays at idle). Any suggestions on what would be causing this?

[shypike]

Do you have a commercial Usenet provider?
How many "connections" did you set for the provider?
Are you sure your NZBs are within the providers retention time?

[Noob82]

I'm using Astraweb which was recommended to me as my only usenet and get my NZB's from NZB Matrix
I set 20 connections but usually only have 6 or 7 items in queue
Not sure what you mean by retention time, can you put it in noob talk?

[Noob82]

Just went to test server option in server configuration and came up with error message - 502 Your per-user connection limit reached
is this related?
Just tried to test server again and it came up fine
as a side note, my downloads have been averaging just under 200kb/s for the last hour while my connection speed is averaging 1.6mb/s

[shypike]

Retention time is the time that AstraWeb keeps the articles.
If the NZB is too old, the effect will be that SABnzbd waits for the server
to say it doesn't have the goods. This might be time-consuming.

The 502 message means you set the amount of connections too high.
For some servers it's useful to set the option "Disconnect on empty queue" in Config->Options to off.

[Noob82]

Thanks for clarification, the retention time for Astraweb is 911 days and the oldest age of NZB is 664 days old.
I have changed the connection limit to 10 and confirmed the "Disconecton empty queue" is selected and will see what difference it makes

[shypike]

664 days still makes me a bit suspicious.
Have they reached 911 yet or are they promising it?
What happens with more recent jobs?

[Noob82]

tried changing to a file that was 150 days old and didn't go any faster, currently on a file 350 days and sitting on idle. At first I was able to download anything regardless of age but now nothing?
Astraweb are saying they have a current retention of 911 days but i have no way of confirming. Actually just saw on website that retention time is still increasing beyond 800 days which is still within age of files I am trying to download

[shypike]

No, the 150 job should work fine. It must be something else.
Upto 2 months ago I was using it without problems.
You've been very quiet about details.
Operating system? Amount of memory? Anti-virus, firewall software?
What's your ISP speed?
Have you tried an alternative Usenet client?

[Noob82]

Running a mac using OSX 10.5.8, have a 300gb HD with about 100gb free, not using any anti-virus or any firewalls I know of. My ISP speed is up to 10mb/s however the fastest I have had is 4-5mb/s.
However, I think the issue may be coming from my modem or internet provider as I have started having major connectivity issues with the internet over the last 24 hours.
Am downloading anti-virus software however been told that very few viruses for mac so far but easiest thing to rule out.
Going to get my hands on another modem to rule that out then pester my ISP if no better.
Once connection issue fixed if am still having issues will sign up to free usenet and check their files to rule that out.
Once I have gone through all that or if I isolate the issue I will post an update.
Thanks for the help, hopefully it is just my modem.

[Noob82]

It was just the modem causing the issues it seems after all that but thanks for the help.