boom boom boom

[darkoshi]

Fireworks noise. At least one of my dogs has been acting like the world is coming to an end, and she doesn't know what to do. I had to put them both outside earlier because the small one's non-stop barking at the noise was starting to drive me batty, and I had to cook the vegetables. Otherwise I wouldn't have time to cook them til next weekend, and they'd go bad.

Interestingly, outside (probably in the garage), she stopped barking.

I went outside to check on them a little while ago, and to look at the fireworks which were getting louder. Going back inside, they forced their way in the door with me. Inside, the little one started barking again, in between running around. They both appear to have calmed down now.

.

I succeed at many things, but I feel like a failure too.
The table's a non-stop mess of stuff.
I recorded mediocre audio of the cicadas and katydids (that is what the night-time tree critters are) on Thursday/Friday, but didn't have time to edit/post it.
I put up curtain rods for my mom. I put up a shelf in the kitchen.
I wanted to finally switch to the new laptop. Like the last times, I only managed to finish the "backup my data" step. Now it's almost 1am and by the time I'll have time for it again, I'll have updated a bunch of files again, so I'll have to start back over at the "backup my data" step.
I cooked the dang vegetables and made a salad with most of the cucumbers.
We went to the Santee again on Saturday. Road trips almost always leave me with headaches, and this was no exception.

I took a shower. I made lunches. I vacuumed. I washed some clothes. I swapped some light-bulbs. Oh. The boxes. I need to decide what to do with all the old incandescent bulbs. It's not like I'm going to start using them. So I might as well give them away. But should I keep some maybe, and if so how many, and which ones?
I cleaned out the cooler and washed the dog food bin.

My internet has a sporadic speed and connection problem but I don't have time to deal with it. Is there a way to determine/prove that it's a provider problem versus a modem problem? I'm afraid if I call TWC about it, they'll say that since I'm using my own modem instead of leasing one of theirs, that it must be due to my modem.

I need to sign up with a doctor but I don't have time to deal with it.

I need to start going to bed early enough to get enough sleep. but i don't but i don't

Comments

[marahmarie]

But should I keep some maybe, and if so how many, and which ones?

I'm keeping all the incandescent bulbs I swapped out for LEDs, just in case (just in case what, I don't know. Just, just in case). I don't know if you should or want to keep yours. You could sell them at a yard sale, donate them, or ...

Is there a way to determine/prove that it's a provider problem versus a modem problem?

Yes, if you know what your direct and wifi speeds should be there (assuming you use your connection over wifi, and the modem TWC provides you is also your wifi router).

First test your direct speed (connected via LAN cable) and compare to the speed TWC is supposed to give you (according to this article, you should direct test every computer and device to make sure it's not just the devices themselves causing the issues; other tips are at the link, as well, such as to check and make sure you haven't gone over any data caps and gotten throttled by your ISP in return).

If this speed is close to where it should be, your modem is probably OK. If not, then step 2: make sure that or another device (smartphone, tablet, whatever) is connected to your wifi. Do either an online speed test or download an app for that (I don't use Android; on Windows we have a few branded and Microsoft's own speed test apps). Compare to what you know is your usual wifi speed. This should be pretty close to dead accurate: if it's off by even more than, I'd say, 5mbps, something's wrong.

What's wrong: if your direct speed was good, then something in or nearby your house is interfering with wifi signal. If your direct speed was slow but your wifi is OK, then it's still probably not your modem. If just wifi or both direct and wifi are slow, it might be your modem.

TWC is probably never going to give you a better modem than one you can buy yourself. If your modem uses older technology then what TWC currently offers, then you might want to switch to theirs, or buy a newer modem. With your new (as yet unused) laptop, this will be more important, because the current tech it will likely look for and support is wireless ac, but older modems will only support signals through g/n at best. Newer modems also have dual-band technology with two channels (2.4gHz and 5gHz) and switching these around can help with signal issues.

And while, even after looking it up a while back for my own modem issues, I still have no idea what DOCSIS does, that standard is up to v. 3.0, as well, and if yours is a lower number then TWC might inform you that's causing an issue, as well (which happened to me a while back with Comcast; I was using 2.0; their system was looking for 3.0).

This article has some tips in addition to what I'm saying: http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/4-things-to-seriously-consider-when-purchasing-a-new-cable-modem/

If you do replace your modem with another that you buy, then you just want to make sure it's compatible (I never realized some might not work with certain providers, but the article explains that, too).

Personally, I use Comcast's modem but only because they gave me the huge one I needed both hands to carry out of their store that day that you can run Microsoft off of. I love the damn thing, even if I do have to rent it. It's got ac/dual-band, DOCSIS 3.0, and I've never had a lick of trouble with my signal since using it.

Also, any other cable companies in your area? TWC sucks donkey balls. When I used it I was supposed to get something like 5mbps down but every time I'd test it'd come out to like 900k and their customer service was, at best, indifferent as well as completely clueless. I used them for maybe about a year, less than 10 years ago. Never again, not if I don't absolutely have to.

[darkoshi]

It happens on multiple devices, and even when I connect a computer directly to the modem with a cable (as opposed to going thru the wi-fi router like usual). So I'm pretty sure it's either the provider or the modem.

It only happens occasionally though, and only started recently. I need to check the modem pages; it might have troubleshooting info. I seem to recall seeing something somewhere like that.

I suppose it could be the ISP throttling us, though I'm not sure that would result in the slow-fast-slow speeds we've seen when the problem has occurred. It's something I can ask about if I call TWC.

I've checked around, and the current plan I've got is a pretty good deal compared to the rest. So I'd rather get the problem fixed, than switch providers. But I'll just have to see if it's fixable or not.

[lhexa]

Yeah, July 4th is an ordeal for most dogs.

Also, hello. I'm trying to find more people to follow here, and you're a friend of a friend.

[darkoshi]

Hello!

[randomdreams.livejournal.com]

I sooooooooo hear you on needing to go to bed earlier.

There are upload/download speed testers, but it's not obvious to me that they localize whether your modem or the isp is the problem.