fyregirl

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Thank you coolbuster, I'll take a look at it!      I did read an article yesterday that talked about MTUs and adjusted the size down until the point at which they stopped fragmenting, about 1280 down from 1400.  It really hasn't had any affect I'm afraid. I'll keep on it though.  Terrier, all that.

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Actually, truth be told I'm not the 'unloading' type.  I do intend to keep calling them back until the mystery tech gets back to me, but I am a usually a believer in more flies with honey.  I'm not above asking for a supervisor though if it gets far enough.  Of course, it's sometimes frustrating when you get a different person and personality on the phone every time you call.  It would be nice, and more effective I think, if one could start a rapport.  However, I guess that's just how many places handle their support calls these days.  And that's a whoooooole other conversation. 

Thank you for the reply and the welcome Mudmanc4.

You asked:  "What is your network layout as far as routers and or switches?"

The network layout is pretty simple.  The phone line from the DSL jack goes into the modem from the ISP (which is also the phone company so double whammy) and it's connected to a D-Link 801.11g wireless router.  It could probably stand to be upgraded but I dont' think it's causing the issue.  Two of the computers run wirelessly from that router and the third, my work computer, has a direct ethernet connection from the wireless router to the computer.  I do notice some slowdown on the router speed further across the house but for the most part it seems to be running at 54kbps which I think is standard for that router. 

"I would as you say " light a fire " , chances are, there is a line issue. Your DSL speeds should not be fluctuating that much unless there is other internal network activity " slurping " up the bandwidth."

I do notice that when I VPN into my office, the speed on that computer goes WAY down but it doesn't seem to change the fluctuations on the other machines in the house.  Also, this issue occurs even when the work computer is not connected to VPN so I don't think that's "slurping" up bandwidth to a degree it would be a problem.  That said, I'd sure like to know if there are any ways to speed up the VPN speed.  A traceroute shows that my office is sending the data through 19 jumps to get it there and back.   

"If the lines inside the house are properly installed, and clean, and you know this as a fact, as the ISP is not liable for this, your phone company would be if you have this insurance."

We're not sure about the inside lines, but the ISP is also the phone company and we do have the insurance.  THey should be able to fix this no matter if the problem is inside or out.   

"Just keep on them about this, persistence  pays off. "

Plan on doing just that, thanks. I am glad to see an agreement with my thought about the actual lines.  I put in two calls today and the "local internet technician" is supposed to be calling me to make an appointment and come out.  They're going to love me until they get here.   

Thank you for the thoughts and if anyone has ideas about VPN speeds I'd love to hear those as well!