Really Slow Internet?

Mr. Beck · 05-12-2008, 05:09 PM

Hello everyone!
During the last few weeks, I have experienced problems involving a very slow internet connection. I run WinXP Pro and use Firefox.
My connection is Wireless network card -> Signal Booster -> Wireless Router -> Modem -> Comcast Broadband cable line. Real word download speeds never exceed 100kbps for more than a few seconds, and is usually below 10kbps. However, Speedtest.net reports only slightly below normal speeds. The problem is intermittent, and sometimes I have practically no connection at all. This not only affect http, but torrents as well.
Power cycling the router/modem sometimes works temporarily, as does disabling/re-enabling the network card.
I keep my computer clean: malware, cookies, ect. are all regularly checked. Pinging Google shows reasonable times.
Any Ideas?

johnhook · 05-12-2008, 08:17 PM

Mr. Beck,

Has this always been a problem? If not, when did your speed slow down and what did you install or change with your PC (new software, hardware, drivers, settings, etc.) prior to the slowdown?

Have you added or moved around any cordless telephones or other wireless devices in your home? Have you expanded your cable service in anyway - extra converter boxes/TVs, Digital Voice service, etc?

You mentioned torrent. While this site has a strict policy against supporting P2P fileshare software - I can say that NOTHING will suck the bandwidth out of a PC faster than P2P software like Bittorrent. Try completely disabling/uninstalling this software and see if your speed improves.

Let us know.

- John

Mr. Beck · 05-12-2008, 08:35 PM

I have changed no hardware, and and think of no software changes that correlated with the onset about a week and a half ago.

As for P2P, I turn the programs off whenever I'm not actually using them. And who's to say I ever downloaded anything illegal?

I was posting here due to me not being able to locate the problem within any of "the usual suspects". My best idea so far was some flaky hardware...I got the router used, and the signal booster is a few years old. I'm probably wrong, but is there any way I can test my hypothesis?

johnhook · 05-12-2008, 09:31 PM

Mr. Beck,

If your router has wired Ethernet connections - try connecting your PC directly to the router via wired connection. See how this works. This would at least confirm if the router itself is working - although there could still be wireless settings on the router at fault. If you haven't changing anything on the router or performed a "factory reset" - then it's probably not the router.

- John

05-12-2008, 05:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
Mr. Beck Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 2 OS: Windows XP Pro	Really Slow Internet? Hello everyone! During the last few weeks, I have experienced problems involving a very slow internet connection. I run WinXP Pro and use Firefox. My connection is Wireless network card -> Signal Booster -> Wireless Router -> Modem -> Comcast Broadband cable line. Real word download speeds never exceed 100kbps for more than a few seconds, and is usually below 10kbps. However, Speedtest.net reports only slightly below normal speeds. The problem is intermittent, and sometimes I have practically no connection at all. This not only affect http, but torrents as well. Power cycling the router/modem sometimes works temporarily, as does disabling/re-enabling the network card. I keep my computer clean: malware, cookies, ect. are all regularly checked. Pinging Google shows reasonable times. Any Ideas?

05-12-2008, 08:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
johnhook Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 810 OS: MS SBS 2003 SP2	Re: Really Slow Internet? Mr. Beck, Has this always been a problem? If not, when did your speed slow down and what did you install or change with your PC (new software, hardware, drivers, settings, etc.) prior to the slowdown? Have you added or moved around any cordless telephones or other wireless devices in your home? Have you expanded your cable service in anyway - extra converter boxes/TVs, Digital Voice service, etc? You mentioned torrent. While this site has a strict policy against supporting P2P fileshare software - I can say that NOTHING will suck the bandwidth out of a PC faster than P2P software like Bittorrent. Try completely disabling/uninstalling this software and see if your speed improves. Let us know. - John __________________

05-12-2008, 08:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mr. Beck Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 2 OS: Windows XP Pro	Re: Really Slow Internet? I have changed no hardware, and and think of no software changes that correlated with the onset about a week and a half ago. As for P2P, I turn the programs off whenever I'm not actually using them. And who's to say I ever downloaded anything illegal? I was posting here due to me not being able to locate the problem within any of "the usual suspects". My best idea so far was some flaky hardware...I got the router used, and the signal booster is a few years old. I'm probably wrong, but is there any way I can test my hypothesis?

05-12-2008, 09:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
johnhook Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 810 OS: MS SBS 2003 SP2	Re: Really Slow Internet? Mr. Beck, If your router has wired Ethernet connections - try connecting your PC directly to the router via wired connection. See how this works. This would at least confirm if the router itself is working - although there could still be wireless settings on the router at fault. If you haven't changing anything on the router or performed a "factory reset" - then it's probably not the router. - John __________________