Bandwidth limits on Vista?

verdictx · 11-19-2008, 06:08 PM

My DSL service can handle 6 mps, but I'm capping out at 2 mps after testing against multiple sites (like Speakeasy's speed test).

My roommate and the AT&T technician were able to connect at 6 mps off the same router using the same online speed test sites. I've tried two network cards, one hardwired, the other wireless; both achieve the same speed of 2 mps consistently.

All drivers have been updated, and I have no firewalls running. Does Vista have any settings that would artificially limit my bandwidth? Anything else that might create a bottleneck in my system other than hardware?

Thanks in advance!

(My computer is a beefy gaming rig built this year, I'm assuming that it's not a hardware failure at this point since I have no issues with any other software.)

johnwill · 11-20-2008, 09:03 AM

I have no knowledge of any limitations in Vista in that regard. I have two Vista machines, and they can both hit the full 15mbit speed of my fiber link.

verdictx · 11-21-2008, 04:48 PM

Thanks for putting that theory to rest. Can you think of anything, software or hardware, that would limit my bandwidth somewhere between the router and my internet browser? I don't even know where to begin looking for the source of this problem.

keezel · 11-21-2008, 05:13 PM

Is your network card (or integrated port) gigabit? Are you using CAT-6 cabling or CAT-5e? Are your buddies gaming on the same connection when you do your speed test?

johnwill · 11-22-2008, 03:38 PM

Try this TCP Optimizer and see if you can optimize the connection.

verdictx · 11-24-2008, 09:55 AM

@ keezel: I tried an integrated gigabit port first, then bought a PCI wireless network card. Same result of 2.1 mps almost exactly each time it's tested. Full bars connection; no other users or computers were online, and router is WEP encoded, so no leechers either. Cables are Cat 5; nothing I can see on the cable itself to indicate 5e or not.

@JohnWill: I'll try the optimizer tonight. (btw, just signed up at tech support guy website and realized you were the admin there too!)

Thanks for continued ideas and help!

johnwill · 11-24-2008, 11:05 AM

I get around.

11-19-2008, 06:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
verdictx Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 3 OS: Vista X64 Home	Bandwidth limits on Vista? My DSL service can handle 6 mps, but I'm capping out at 2 mps after testing against multiple sites (like Speakeasy's speed test). My roommate and the AT&T technician were able to connect at 6 mps off the same router using the same online speed test sites. I've tried two network cards, one hardwired, the other wireless; both achieve the same speed of 2 mps consistently. All drivers have been updated, and I have no firewalls running. Does Vista have any settings that would artificially limit my bandwidth? Anything else that might create a bottleneck in my system other than hardware? Thanks in advance! (My computer is a beefy gaming rig built this year, I'm assuming that it's not a hardware failure at this point since I have no issues with any other software.)

11-20-2008, 09:03 AM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 40,997 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Bandwidth limits on Vista? I have no knowledge of any limitations in Vista in that regard. I have two Vista machines, and they can both hit the full 15mbit speed of my fiber link. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

11-21-2008, 04:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
verdictx Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 3 OS: Vista X64 Home	Re: Bandwidth limits on Vista? Thanks for putting that theory to rest. Can you think of anything, software or hardware, that would limit my bandwidth somewhere between the router and my internet browser? I don't even know where to begin looking for the source of this problem.

11-21-2008, 05:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
keezel Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Atlanta Posts: 11 OS: Ubuntu (Intrepid Ibex); XP	Re: Bandwidth limits on Vista? Is your network card (or integrated port) gigabit? Are you using CAT-6 cabling or CAT-5e? Are your buddies gaming on the same connection when you do your speed test?

11-22-2008, 03:38 PM	#5 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 40,997 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Bandwidth limits on Vista? Try this TCP Optimizer and see if you can optimize the connection. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

11-24-2008, 09:55 AM	#6 (permalink)
verdictx Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 3 OS: Vista X64 Home	Re: Bandwidth limits on Vista? @ keezel: I tried an integrated gigabit port first, then bought a PCI wireless network card. Same result of 2.1 mps almost exactly each time it's tested. Full bars connection; no other users or computers were online, and router is WEP encoded, so no leechers either. Cables are Cat 5; nothing I can see on the cable itself to indicate 5e or not. @JohnWill: I'll try the optimizer tonight. (btw, just signed up at tech support guy website and realized you were the admin there too!) Thanks for continued ideas and help!

11-24-2008, 11:05 AM	#7 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 40,997 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Bandwidth limits on Vista? I get around. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience