NTL/Virgin Cable Modem trouble... Need help please...

Question

Hello,
I am a new NTL user, meaning I got the confirmation letter from NTL and then when they came to install it, the entire package turned into Virgin. They promised me a 10mb line which they say I have and a week into my TV and broadband cable modem experience, they dropped the Sky Channels. I wasn't too happy about that. But I wouldn't mind so much if only my internet was as stable as they said it would be.
I am new to Cable Modems and I have always had ADSL, which I think is much more stable compared to my cable modem.
I have a supposed 10MB line and a little blue box with a strange thick wire going into it and an ethernet cable going out of it into my new Airport Extreme (Flat one).
My problem is this, aside from the fact that I constantly have drop outs and sometimes complete loss of signal, the Airport is in a fixed place no more than 3 meters from my MacMini Core Duo.
I also don't think I have a steady 10MB line, cause when I try to download files from Apple or their trailers, it is VERY slow. I came from a 4MB ADSL and it was REALY FAST! So why is Cable slower?
Am I doing something wrong here? The entire set up from Virgin was more or less non existent and they didn't help much on the phone.
How can I have a more stable line and get at least 4 MBs out of the 10MBs they claim I have....
It jumps high during a download and a few seconds later it drops to the point it simply isn't worth it...
I would appreciate any info you could give.
Here is my set up : Apple Airport Extreme Control Panel
AIRPORT
Summary :
Base Station Name : Airport Extreme
Base Station Status : Normal (GREEN)
Version : 7
Serial No. XXXXXXXXXXXX
Airport ID : XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX
Ethernet ID : XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX
Wireless Mode : Create a wireless network
Network Name : Nostromo
Wireless Security : WPA/WPA2 Personal
Channel : 13 (Automatic)
Wireless Client : -
Connecting Using : Ethernet
IP Address : (numbers etc)
Wireless :
Wireless Mode : Create a wireless network
Network Name : Nostromo
Radio Mode : 802.11n (802.11b/g compatible) (I am on a MacMini Core Duo so I don't know if I can choose any other as I don't have an updated Airport inside of it... At least I don't think so)
Wireless Security : WPA/WPA2 Personal
Wireless Options :
Region : The UK
Multicast Rate : 1MB
Transmit Power : 100%
WPA Group Key Timeout : 1 hour
(Nothing else is ticked off)
Access Control : (I have no idea if this is correct but do I have to have this enabled?)
Mac Address Access Control : Timed Access
Wireless Mac Addresses :
(Default) Unlimited (This is there by default and cannot remove it so I set it to NO ACCESS)
Then the other one is my own MacMini set for Everyday all day.
NETWORK
Internet Connection :
Connecting Using : Ethernet
Configuring IPv4 Manually (otherwise I wasn't able to get online at all)
IP Address : XXXXXXXX (numbers)
Subnet mask : XXXXXXXX (numbers)
Router Address : XXXXXXXX (numbers)
DNS Server(s) : Empty
Domain Name : Empty
Ethernet WAN Port : Automatic (Default)
Connection Sharing : OFF (Bridge Mode) (Can I even have more macs online?)
ADVANCED
IPv6 mode : Link-local only
Any info would be really appreciated as I have spent soon 3 weeks to figure out how to have a stable and fast line and it isn't... Sometimes pages load like I was on a 56k modem!
Please... Help...
PS. the NTL Modem is called NTL 250 that is all it is a tiny blue modem of sorts...
I am on a MacMini Core Duo which version of Airport card is in it I don't know and don't even know where to look for the info on it. But All I do know is that I often experience drops in my signal and sometimes a total loss of connection...
Thanks

Answer 1

Hi.
I've been a Telewest - now also Virgin Media customer for many years, and have been using their 10mb connection for over a year now ( are you aware that in May they're upping it to 20mb)
The speed of the connection is quite erratic, but for me has improved since xmas.
Here is a site that will check your speed, if you still have problems, call them up, and even though they're not very Mac friendly, insist that they come round and check it.
http://www.thinkbroadband.com/speedtest.html
By the way, I called them when they lost Sky, and threatened to leave - they gave me a 20 quid/month discount - give it a go!