*sigh*

I got a reply, but it's the usual "no our problem" BS.

Dear Tim,

Thank you for your message concerning the Comcast High-Speed Internet
service.

I understand that it can be frustrating when your Comcast High-Speed
Internet service does not seem to be operating to standard. There are a
number of possible causes for the sudden drop in download times and Web
page access rates, including*:

1. Lack of memory, such as insufficient RAM, or low available hard
drive (disk) space
2. Size of the host server
3. Full tracking files on the hard drive

LACK OF MEMORY
One cause of perceived slow speeds is lack of memory, such as
insufficient RAM, or low available hard drive (disk) space. If you are
running other programs in the background when connected to Comcast and
the Internet, they may be taking up additional resources needed for
sufficient speeds. If you have more than one browser installed, or are
running more than one browser, this can also take up additional memory.
Our suggestion is to close some of these programs and then proceed.

SIZE OF THE HOST SERVER

The capacity of individual host servers across the Internet will impact
your ability to transfer data. Larger servers with higher processing
speeds will provide faster downloads. Once you leave the Comcast
network, you will be limited by the capacity of the server that manages
the information you are requesting.

CHECKING THE TRACKING FILES (Cache and History)

While browsing the Internet, your computer uses cache and history files
to store specific information about a Web page on your hard drive. These
files enable the browser to find the same pages more quickly when you
access them later.

The cache file stores page information for quick retrieval; a cached
page is accessed more easily than the original page; frequent updates by
the browser ensure you are getting the most recent version.

The history file stores a running list of the sites you have visited in
a given time period. Please remember each time you access a new page,
new information is added to your hard drive that uses valuable space.
Therefore, the cache and history files should be cleared on a regular
basis--daily, if you visit a number of pages. Allowing information to
accumulate in these files will slow your download speed.

If you are not sure how to clear your cache, history, and cookies, I
have included the link to our help site that contains the instructions
with helpful, easy-to-understand illustrations.

Please click on this link to view the detailed instructions clearing
your cache and cookies with graphical illustrations:

http://faq.comcast.net/faq/answer.jsp?name=17896&cat=Browser&subcategory=Internet%20Explorer&CM.src=esupm

To improve the overall performance of your computer, I would suggest you
follow the link I provided below. There are a few different things you
can check, and test on your computer.

http://faq.comcast.net/faq/answer.jsp?name=18159&cat=Computer%20Setup&subcategory=1&CM.src=esupm

If after your Internet Explorer has been reset, cache, history, and
cookies cleared, and you have checked all the items located on the
previous page, please send us an e-mail or chat message to a customer
care specialist for further troubleshooting. To make this session as
quick as possible for you, I suggest you have the answers to as many of
the questions listed below as possible:

1. Have the slow speeds occurred before?
2. Have you been to these sites before?
3. What other services, if any, have you attempted to access, such as
FTP, E-mail, Chat, or other?
4. Does this problem affect your mail or newsgroups?
5. Do the slow speeds occur on a daily basis? If so, have you noticed a
pattern to this, such as, does it happen at the same time of day, and if
so, at what time?
6. What days and times has this problem occurred otherwise?
7. What are the transfer rates you have seen in general?
8. Has this affected only one site, or multiple sites? If it is
multiple sites, what are the names or URL's of these sites?
9. Do you have any ping results or trace routes to the sites that are
slow on a regular basis?

To eliminate any additional hardware, it will also be best if you
disconnect any networking equipment you have, and ensure your computer
is connected directly to your cable modem. After you have completed
that, you will want to End Task on all programs you have open. In
Windows that would include what is in the system tray next to the clock
on the Start Bar. In the Macintosh Operating System, you would want to
close all open windows under the Windows selection on the file bar.
After you only have the Operating System running then you'll want to run
a few tests.

If you are having issues accessing one site, please ping and trace to
that site. Also run a ping to your default gateway. This will give us an
indication of where the problem is occurring. You can reply with the
results of these tests or you can chat with one of our Online Customer
Support Specialists 24 hour a day, 7 days a week at

http://www.comcastsupport.com/chat

If you need instruction on how to run any of these tests, please let us
know and we will send those instructions to you.

*Please note: In addition to the above mentioned items, the connection
you choose (Ethernet/NIC vs. USB) can also have an effect on your
Internet connection speeds. Ethernet is the preferred connection for
prime Comcast High-Speed Internet connection speeds. Connecting via a
USB cable may limit your broadband connection speeds.

To assure the proper tracking of this issue, we have created the
following customer service ticket: 119193982

Please refer to this number should you contact us regarding this same
issue.

Thank you for choosing Comcast. We value your business.

Sincerely,

Christian
Comcast Customer Care Specialist

********************************
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Original Message Follows:
-------------------------

The following information was submitted from the Comcast Web site:
Name: Tim Garrison
Problem: Connection/Speed
Address: **********************
City: Lafayette
State: IN
Zip: 47904
Home Phone: **********
Email: ********@skudd.com
Re: Web Form Submission: Connection/Speed
Browser: Default
OS: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.9b4)
Gecko/2008030714 Firefox/3.0b4
-
Comments:
I have been trying to watch an episode of "Lost" on the ABC.com website,
a legitimate video stream, and I can''t seem to maintain a solid video
stream. I have traced this back to what appears to be a "cap" on my
per-HTTP connections.
The stream has a throughput report, which is showing approximately
260Kbps. This was never an issue before the Insight to Comcast
migration, as I could easily maintain a 1.5Mbps stream and watch the
video in HD with no latency issues.
I have run several traceroutes, which indicate the issue to be within
the first 5 "hops" of my connection, which implies a Comcast issue to
me. I have reset my modem and router, and rebooted my computer, but the
issue persists.
If you would like to see the traceroute results, I would be more than
happy to provide them. I''m just rather upset that I cannot make use of
the 10Mbps connection I am paying for.
IPAddress: ***.***.***.***