Hello Rod!

Saturday April 17 1993, Rod Speed writes to Paul Edwards:

 RS> All fine except for one problem, very low download rate. Only 800 cps,
 RS> instead of the typical 1650-1700.

Yes, very disturbing.  The MR light was flashing a lot on my Spirit II, so
I'd say the problem is outside my computer.  Besides, I had transfer rates
with the person before you at >960.  However, I also had problems! Here
is the log:

+ 17 Apr 20:24:42 MAX  Begin, v2.01
: 17 Apr 20:24:43 MAX  Caller at 14400 bps
+ 17 Apr 20:24:44 MAX  Paul Markham calling (U#=1)
# 17 Apr 20:24:44 MAX  Given 61 min.
: 17 Apr 20:25:27 MAX  Download QWK packet
# 17 Apr 20:25:36 MAX  External program: `maxpipe.exe 5 fh pkzip -a
C:\Max\Olr\node00\TENMIN.QWK C:\Max\Olr\node00\*.*'
: 17 Apr 20:25:41 MAX  Return from: `maxpipe.exe 5 fh pkzip -a
C:\Max\Olr\node00\TENMIN.QWK C:\Max\Olr\node00\*.*' (0)
+ 17 Apr 20:26:29 MAX  CPS: 1557 (57634 bytes)  Efficiency: 108%
= 17 Apr 20:26:29 MAX  DL-Z C:\Max\Olr\Node00\Tenmin.Qwk
= 17 Apr 20:26:29 MAX  Free DL: reimbursed 56 Kb
: 17 Apr 20:26:51 MAX  Download QWK packet
# 17 Apr 20:27:00 MAX  External program: `maxpipe.exe 5 fh lha a
C:\Max\Olr\node00\TENMIN.QW1 C:\Max\Olr\node00\*.*'
: 17 Apr 20:27:15 MAX  Return from: `maxpipe.exe 5 fh lha a
C:\Max\Olr\node00\TENMIN.QW1 C:\Max\Olr\node00\*.*' (0)
+ 17 Apr 20:27:44 MAX  CPS: 1478 (39930 bytes)  Efficiency: 102%
= 17 Apr 20:27:44 MAX  DL-Z C:\Max\Olr\Node00\Tenmin.Qw1
= 17 Apr 20:27:44 MAX  Free DL: reimbursed 38 Kb
: 17 Apr 20:28:26 MAX  File area 3 Bbssoft
: 17 Apr 20:28:35 MAX  File area 3 Bbssoft
+ 17 Apr 20:29:43 MAX  CPS: 1426 (14266 bytes)  Efficiency: 99%
= 17 Apr 20:29:43 MAX  DL-Z C:\Bbssoft\Fh.Lzh
: 17 Apr 20:30:07 MAX  Download QWK packet
# 17 Apr 20:30:14 MAX  External program: `maxpipe.exe 5 fh arc a
C:\Max\Olr\node00\TENMIN.QW2 C:\Max\Olr\node00\*.*'
: 17 Apr 20:30:18 MAX  Return from: `maxpipe.exe 5 fh arc a
C:\Max\Olr\node00\TENMIN.QW2 C:\Max\Olr\node00\*.*' (0)
+ 17 Apr 20:31:06 MAX  CPS: 1551 (65142 bytes)  Efficiency: 107%
= 17 Apr 20:31:06 MAX  DL-Z C:\Max\Olr\Node00\Tenmin.Qw2
= 17 Apr 20:31:06 MAX  Free DL: reimbursed 63 Kb
: 17 Apr 20:31:21 MAX  Download QWK packet
# 17 Apr 20:31:36 MAX  External program: `maxpipe.exe 5 fh lha a
C:\Max\Olr\node00\TENMIN.QW3 C:\Max\Olr\node00\*.* /c'
: 17 Apr 20:32:25 MAX  Return from: `maxpipe.exe 5 fh lha a
C:\Max\Olr\node00\TENMIN.QW3 C:\Max\Olr\node00\*.* /c' (0)
+ 17 Apr 20:34:12 MAX  CPS: 1505 (153602 bytes)  Efficiency: 104%
= 17 Apr 20:34:12 MAX  DL-Z C:\Max\Olr\Node00\Tenmin.Qw3
= 17 Apr 20:34:13 MAX  Free DL: reimbursed 150 Kb
: 17 Apr 20:37:33 MAX  File area 3 Bbssoft
+ 17 Apr 20:43:04 MAX  CPS: 1293 (397090 bytes)  Efficiency: 89%
= 17 Apr 20:43:04 MAX  UL-Z C:\Max\File\Uncheck\lw2.zip
# 17 Apr 20:43:22 MAX  External program: `runfb C:\Max\Area.Dat 3 -u'
: 17 Apr 20:43:23 MAX  Return from: `runfb C:\Max\Area.Dat 3 -u' (1041)
+ 17 Apr 20:50:27 MAX  CPS: 1545 (397090 bytes)  Efficiency: 107%
= 17 Apr 20:50:27 MAX  UL-Z C:\Max\File\Uncheck\lw2.zip
# 17 Apr 20:50:39 MAX  External program: `runfb C:\Max\Area.Dat 3 -u'
: 17 Apr 20:50:40 MAX  Return from: `runfb C:\Max\Area.Dat 3 -u' (1041)
: 17 Apr 20:55:08 MAX  Msg.area 4 C_Here
: 17 Apr 20:55:14 MAX  Msg.area 4 C_Here
: 17 Apr 20:56:02 MAX  Msg.area 4 C_Here
! 17 Apr 21:01:03 MAX  Input timeout
+ 17 Apr 21:01:05 MAX  Paul Markham off-line. Calls=9, Len=36, Today=66
: 17 Apr 21:01:06 MAX  End, v2.01 (5)


+ 17 Apr 21:23:01 MAX  Begin, v2.01
: 17 Apr 21:23:02 MAX  Caller at 14400 bps
+ 17 Apr 21:23:08 MAX  Rod Speed calling (U#=2)
# 17 Apr 21:23:10 MAX  Given 31 min.
: 17 Apr 21:23:19 MAX  Download QWK packet
# 17 Apr 21:24:49 MAX  External program: `maxpipe.exe 5 fh pkzip -a
C:\Max\Olr\node00\TENMIN.QWK C:\Max\Olr\node00\*.*'
: 17 Apr 21:25:59 MAX  Return from: `maxpipe.exe 5 fh pkzip -a
C:\Max\Olr\node00\TENMIN.QWK C:\Max\Olr\node00\*.*' (0)
! 17 Apr 21:27:22 MAX  Err
~ 17 Apr 21:27:22 MAX  File transfer aborted
+ 17 Apr 21:27:37 MAX  Rod Speed off-line. Calls=3, Len=4, Today=11
: 17 Apr 21:27:37 MAX  End, v2.01 (5)


+ 17 Apr 21:29:50 MAX  Begin, v2.01
: 17 Apr 21:29:50 MAX  Caller at 14400 bps
+ 17 Apr 21:29:52 MAX  Rod Speed calling (U#=2)
# 17 Apr 21:29:52 MAX  Given 31 min.
: 17 Apr 21:29:55 MAX  Download QWK packet
# 17 Apr 21:30:03 MAX  External program: `maxpipe.exe 5 fh pkzip -a
C:\Max\Olr\node00\TENMIN.QWK C:\Max\Olr\node00\*.*'
: 17 Apr 21:30:06 MAX  Return from: `maxpipe.exe 5 fh pkzip -a
C:\Max\Olr\node00\TENMIN.QWK C:\Max\Olr\node00\*.*' (0)
+ 17 Apr 21:30:38 MAX  CPS: 643 (18658 bytes)  Efficiency: 44%
= 17 Apr 21:30:38 MAX  DL-Z C:\Max\Olr\Node00\Tenmin.Qwk
= 17 Apr 21:30:38 MAX  Free DL: reimbursed 18 Kb
+ 17 Apr 21:31:58 MAX  Rod Speed off-line. Calls=4, Len=2, Today=13
: 17 Apr 21:31:58 MAX  End, v2.01 (5)


+ 17 Apr 21:38:09 MAX  Begin, v2.01
: 17 Apr 21:38:09 MAX  Caller at 14400 bps
+ 17 Apr 21:38:11 MAX  Rod Speed calling (U#=2)
# 17 Apr 21:38:12 MAX  Given 31 min.
: 17 Apr 21:38:15 MAX  Upload QWK packet
+ 17 Apr 21:38:22 MAX  CPS: 416 (416 bytes)  Efficiency: 28%
= 17 Apr 21:38:22 MAX  UL-Z C:\Max\Olr\node00\tenmin.rep
# 17 Apr 21:38:28 MAX  External program: `fh pkunzip -o
C:\Max\Olr\node00\tenmin.rep TENMIN.msg'
: 17 Apr 21:38:28 MAX  Return from: `fh pkunzip -o
C:\Max\Olr\node00\tenmin.rep TENMIN.msg' (0)
! 17 Apr 21:38:29 MAX  Bad date in QWK msg
# 17 Apr 21:38:29 MAX  QWK msg to Paul Edwards, area 1 #4
+ 17 Apr 21:38:36 MAX  Rod Speed off-line. Calls=5, Len=0, Today=13
: 17 Apr 21:38:37 MAX  End, v2.01 (5)



 RS> Not sure what its likely to be, could be you have managed to lock the
 RS> serial port at 9600 instead of say 19200.

You will see that Paul Markham (the guy I get to test this stuff) got a CPS
rate of 1293 for one transfer.  It was actually much worse than that in the
early stages, more like 900-1000.  The MR light was going for all it was
worth. However, towards the end it stopped going on. I haven't had this
problem before, so I don't really know what to think.

I am using a Spirit II.  The COM port is locked at 19200.  I am running
Binkley under OS/2.  I had a couple of other windows open at the time, but
nothing running in them (just OS/2 and DOS box).  I had also selected my
Binkley window as the main one.  Do you use a Spirit II?  If so, did you
notice the MR light? It should have been flashing too.  I decided to try
clearing the modemphone line cable so that it wasn't tangled up
with so many power lines, and we can see if that helps.  I'm not
particularly happy with how long it takes pkzip to pack.  I think I will
change to using info-zip, maybe that is faster.  What do you think of that
aspect?  How does the packing time compare with what you're used to?

Also, your date seemed "wrong" to Maximus.  You can see the error
message it generated.  Could you check the packet next time to see what the
date looks like?  And the time!  Maybe our clocks are out of synch and your
message was ahead of current time?

Well I've had dropouts and errors with a number of people today, so I
daresay I have a problem.  The original problem you had was because of a
lack of file handles.  The program "fh" which you can see in the
logs is what solved the problem.  I'll ring up Telecom to check my line if
the problem doesn't go away. There's no chance it could be something like
OS/2 isn't pushing enough data down the line to satisfy the Spirit II is
there?  I don't think that would be possible with me *sending*.

Anyway, I think what you have done is probably the best bet.  Keep the
number of echos you are collecting from me down until I sort out my
problems.  Any advice on "MR" would be appreciated.  Can you
confirm that there is NO possibility that the problem is with my software
or hardware, and then give me a theory as to the most likely cause (ROM bug
in Spirit II, line from modem to telephone connection getting interference,
which device would cause the interference, problems between me and the
exchange.  It was raining yesterday (after a long absence of rain), maybe
that caused it.  If the problems don't go away, I'll have to do some stress
testing downloading a large file. I'll try locally and with you, both ways.
 Do you reckon it makes any difference who calls who?  I was told for ISD
calls it makes a big difference who originates the call.  BFN.

Paul

--- GoldED 2.40