Computer internet connection question

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07-23-2010, 16:03
SAnd

Computer internet connection question

How can I determine which is slow- my computer or my internet connection?

I have a HewlettPakard computer running Vista and Internet Explorer8. My internet line is a DSL.

My internet download speed has decreased to about half of what it was a year ago when I bought my computer. I have done everthing I can to speed it up but nothing has helped. That makes me think it mught be the computer.

I have also had problems with the phone lines so I am wondering if that could be the problem.

How do eliminate one or the other as the source of the problem? The only way I know is to hook up another computer.

Thanks
07-23-2010, 16:40
DocMedic

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAnd

HewlettPakard computer

Theres your sign. I kid i kid :)

Ur Internet provider can throttle your DL's. I'm not sure about DSL, but with cable if theres alot of people on at one time, they'll Throttle them down just so everyone will stay at the same speed.
07-23-2010, 17:22
Ah Pook

http://www.speedtest.net/

Wireless? Hardline? Is the router box working properly? The router on my wireless set-up craps out once a year. Is the provider not keeping up with the bandwidth? More users=slower speeds.
07-23-2010, 17:35
SAnd

I'm running a hard line. The speed varies a little depending on the time of day.

I'm trying to figure out if it's my probem (computer) or thiers (internet provider). My internet provider is Qwest.
07-23-2010, 17:56
Byte Stryke

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAnd

I'm running a hard line. The speed varies a little depending on the time of day.

I'm trying to figure out if it's my probem (computer) or thiers (internet provider). My internet provider is Qwest.

Free trial
http://www.purenetworks.com/product/speedmeterpro/

as far as qwest goes:
has this always been a problem?
have you restarted your modem?
are there other network appliances in the system?
you mentioned you are hard wired... is that with the USB Connection or on a NIC?
what speed is the NIC, Type of Cable? Possible EMI sources?
digging deeper as its twisted pairs.. how old is the building?
how far is the switch?
These are all contributing factors.

and Yes, running your 9 year old cat5 behind the refrigerator is a bad idea. (I kid)

:D
07-23-2010, 18:00
Hoosier

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAnd

The speed varies a little depending on the time of day.

Let me guess, it gets bad around 6:30pm on weekdays, and then again around 8:30?

I'm guessing the DSL in your area is oversold.

H.
07-23-2010, 18:08
Ah Pook

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAnd

My internet provider is Qwest.

Answer found.
/thread

[LOL]
07-23-2010, 19:52
esaabye

speedtest.net is a good test site, then get someone with a laptop to test from your house or check with someone next door to compair.
07-23-2010, 21:11
rforsythe

If you have bad phone lines that can definitely contribute to speed issues. I was having the same thing and Qwest got it taken care of.

Go into your modem WAN status and see what the following values say:
Number of Retrains
Number of Retrains Elapsed Time
Near End CRC Errors (I/F)
Far End CRC Errors (I/F)
Near End CRC(Within last 30 mins)(I/F)
Far End CRC(Within last 30 mins)(I/F)
Near End RS FEC (I/F)
Far End RS FEC (I/F)
Near End FEC(Within last 30 mins)(I/F)
Far End FEC(Within last 30 mins)(I/F)
Discarded Packets(Within last 30 mins)
SNR Margin (Downstream/Upstream)
Attenuation (Downstream/Upstream)

If you don't have some of those that's fine, just paste up your modem stats that you have.
07-23-2010, 22:22
trlcavscout

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocMedic

Theres your sign. I kid i kid :)

Ur Internet provider can throttle your DL's. I'm not sure about DSL, but with cable if theres alot of people on at one time, they'll Throttle them down just so everyone will stay at the same speed.

Cable doesnt throttle them unless you are maxing out a set amount of bandwidth in a set period of time, it takes ALOT of HD movie downloading or similar before it becomes an issue, and if your being throttled most of the time you never know as you dont see much of a difference. The only node/area I have ever seen with bandwith problems was around UNC and only certian times of the year and that was due to a poor design problem and has since been fixed.

As far as Qwest there is several casues if it is on there end, the best test is to hook up a laptop to your modem and see what its getting. Speed tests will vary from one minute to the next and sometimes give false reports, they are useful in checking for packet loss problems though. You could use some dos prompt commands to check which will bypass your browser and what not. continuous ping test, trace route etc are useful in checking speed problems.

I have seen (on Comcast) through the same modem and router, a questionable desktop with XP get 8 down and 4 up constantly while the new laptop with win 7 was getting 113 down and 5 up constantly.
07-23-2010, 22:59
Byte Stryke

Quote:

Originally Posted by trlcavscout

I have seen (on Comcast) through the same modem and router, a questionable desktop with XP get 8 down and 4 up constantly while the new laptop with win 7 was getting 113 down and 5 up constantly.

usually that is a difference between NICs, system specs as well as processes.

its probably something simple like they've oversold DSL in the area, he's over 100yds from the switch and old lines in his area.
07-24-2010, 00:31
SAnd

Thanks for all your help.

Thanks for all your help. I have very little computer skills. I couldn't find the moden stats. The only thing I have is the download rate varies fro .3 to to .4 Mb/s and upload is in the low .20 Mb/s range and the ping is in the mid 70s. I have a DSL phone line connection. When I bought this computer about a year ago I was getting twice that rate - .7 to .8 Mb/s download rate. I first noticed it had dropped about 6 weeks ago.

I know I have old wires and equipment in my area and I am at least a block from the nearest junction box. My phone has gone out 3 times in the last 2 years. Every time I called Qwest they said that the line tested good from thier end. All 3 times it was thier problem. I was wanting to make sure my end was ok before I called them.

Everyone around me has a cable internet connection.

I'll scrounge up a laptop and hook it in to my modem to test it. This will be a good excuse to buy a laptop.

Thanks again for all your time and effort to help me.