In recent days I'm noticed a potentila issue with my broadband at home.

On Thursday before we left for wwork I noticed the SYNC light was out on the router, I thought nothing much of it because by the time we got back that evening it was on again. It seems they've been doing something and our speed has jumped from 2.1meg to 5.6meg:thumbup:

Now I suspect that has nothing to do with the problem but it could, so I thought I;d mention it.

While browsing web pages, like briskoda, I can click a link and IE stops dead, the flag thing in the top right corner keeps moving but nothing happens. Eventually it'll say I have a connetion error.

Each time this happens I get the following in my router's log:

2007.12.16 15:43:58 **TCP FIN Scan** 192.168.1.2, 2047->> 70.87.98.34, 80 (from PPPoE1 Outbound)

192.168.1.2 is my PC.

So whats it mean and what is causing it? I've run a virus scan with Avast and a full spyware scan with both AdAware and Search & Destroy. Nothing came up.

A couple of weeks ago I started using eMule and had to open two ports to get it to work (as per ScoobyChris's instuctions). I've since closed them and the problem is still there.

Any ideas?

EDIT: The router (3Com wireless) has an option in the firewall called "TCP FIN Wait" that is currently set to 5 seconds, if that means anything??

If your on ADSL and your line speed has been re-graded, the modem and gubbins at the other end of the line will be trying to make you a bras profile.. testing to see what the highest stable speed your line can handle... you may find the connection being a bit iffy for up to a week until its settled down and finalised the profiling.

It might also be worth making sure your router has the latest firmware.. as the TCP FIN is basically a form of portscanning, can be used by software to scan IP addresses to find open ports.

im guessing your isp has upped your limit for you

Might pay to disconnect and reconnect a few times a day.....had something very similar on plusnet...........each time you do this the isp will be working out your speed...and as said above it will (or should) sort itself out over the next couple of weeks....mine now works fine but was a right pita for a while

It might also be worth making sure your router has the latest firmware.. as the TCP FIN is basically a form of portscanning, can be used by software to scan IP addresses to find open ports.

Not strictly true, a TCP FIN is a connection close notification. You can use it for port scanning but I have no idea why in goodness name they would be using something as high up as the TCP layer to be setting the grade for what is in effect layer 2 of the stack.

Have you tried turning the box of for 15 minutes and then turning it back on? This will usually force the exchange to drop your connection between you and the ISP and bring up a clean one when you next connect. Might be worth a try

Have you tried turning the box of for 15 minutes and then turning it back on? This will usually force the exchange to drop your connection between you and the ISP and bring up a clean one when you next connect. Might be worth a try

Been there, tried that, restarted the router several times, turned it off at the wall a few times etc.

Still just as bad.

I dont really want to phone my ISP because the first thing they'll say is "use the USB modem we sent you" and I'll then end up sat on the stairs using the web all the time.

Easiest way to get to the bottom of it is to rule out things one at a time. Does the problem happen with the USB modem? If it doesn't it is likely something on the router. Disable the h/w firewall and see if the problem still happens. Try wired instead of wireless. Step through every configuration panel. Flash the router with the latest firmware.

A few months back, my router started dropping connections for no reason. Tried everything above after having BT line test, etc which came back as no problem. Replaced with a new router and now working swimmingly.

Chris

Something else I've experienced - both on two ISPs ---(unless i've misread the position) - have decided that at the highest speed the latency needs to be "INTERLEAVED" -which increases the ping time over "FAST" --a PITA if playing games ,also something I noticed whilst browsing. Click on a site (favourite/bookmark) and w a i t .Guru in deepest Asia swore blind it didn't change things - but I saw the difference.

Something else I've experienced - both on two ISPs ---(unless i've misread the position) - have decided that at the highest speed the latency needs to be "INTERLEAVED" -which increases the ping time over "FAST" --a PITA if playing games ,also something I noticed whilst browsing. Click on a site (favourite/bookmark) and w a i t .Guru in deepest Asia swore blind it didn't change things - but I saw the difference.

Interleaving is a setting which is supposed to increase the stability of the connection and has a slightly higher maximum (potential) speed. The alternative (older) method is called "Fastpath" - pings are indeed lower on fastpath but some ISPs (such as SKY/Easynet/UKOnline) cannot switch you 'back' to Fastpath - however they can/will change your latency setting ("Max Delay to 8") if requested (if you can get through to tier 3 support!) which can minimise the ping issues.

Chris - the router doesnt actually drop the connection - you can get things going again by simply closing IE and starting it up again.

Do you get the same thing with Firefox or Opera?

Thanks Kaiserb - always wondered what it did - problem first came to light with UKoffline(my opinion is in the name change)

--after line drop problems( ONLY PROBLEM AT THAT TIME ) , I tried several solutions - 2 PC on line -both with problem,so not PC related.Tried BT router -showed up line /ADSL probs - but connected on Fast. After UKoffline's meddling set to interleaved with fast connection /high data rate but poor overall speed --once reset (threat of cancellation due breach of contract works well) --speed was up /time delay down .Unfortunately UKofline had problems with ADSL equipt in BT premises nationwide and lost customers in droves. .

BT did exactly the same thing -same problems till reset to Fast.