Slow Broadband Speed

[Michaelk]

Hi Lads,

I have a 3 mb broadband wireless from Eircom in Ireland. I can achieve speeds up to 2500 mbps on a Nokia N95, and the same on the PS3, but can only get 100 - 500 mbps on the laptop!

Any ideas as to whats wrong?

I am running XP SP3!

 

[mikepg]

Plagiarized:


How can I increase my internet speed?

There are many reasons for slow internet; we list the most common problems and the best solutions. For a quick fix to slow internet speeds try subscribing to Onspeed, a clever bit of kit that can speed a broadband connection up 5 fold and a dial-up connection up to 10 fold.

If you are unsure of your internet speed, use our speed tester to see what speed your connection is running at.

Browser: This is a common reason for a slow connection and a relatively easy one to fix. Internet explorer is the most common internet browser and some of the older versions don't download web pages in the most efficient way. If you are on Internet Explorer version 6 or lower than upgrade to version 7. Alternatively try one of the other web browsers such as Firefox or Opera.

If you have upgraded from dial-up to broadband your computer may not realise this and may still be trying to dial up every time you go online. If you browser is Internet Explorer to fix this: go to 'tools', select 'Internet Options' and then pick Connections and make sure that 'Never dial a connection' is selected then click 'apply' and then 'OK'.

Don't share your internet connection: If you have a wireless broadband connection you should ensure it is password protected. If it's not neighbours could connect to your broadband. This not only slows down your internet speed but is also a security risk.

Routers: you may be able to adjust your router to increase your connection speed, check the manual or speak to the router manufacturers to do this as it differs from one make of router to another. If you have a cheap router or one that has been provided free with your broadband connection upgrading to a better router could increase speed and have other benefits including a higher level of security features. Routers can be ordered online from retailers like PC World, Comet or Dixons.

Position your Wireless router in the right place: If you have wireless broadband try and position your router away from walls, above ground level and away from metal objects.

Remove unwanted applications: Applications like messenger, real player, VoIP (internet call applications like Skype), BBC iplayer and many more use bandwidth. If you don's use these applications remove them or make sure they don't automatically run when you turn your computer on. In addition to speeding up your broadband connection by freeing up bandwidth this could speed up your computer.

Call your internet provider: and if they can't help speed up your connection it may be time to switch provider

Onspeed: Onspeed is one of the easiest ways to boost your internet speed and is usually much cheaper than upgrading to a faster broadband package. Onspeed is a yearly subscription service that compresses data allowing your broadband connection to increase up to 5 times and dial up connection up to 10 times. More information on Onspeed can be found at the Onspeed website.
Switch Provider: Use our post code checker to find alternative broadband suppliers in you area.

 

[john1215]

Hi Lads,

I have a 3 mb broadband wireless from Eircom in Ireland. I can achieve speeds up to 2500 mbps on a Nokia N95, and the same on the PS3, but can only get 100 - 500 mbps on the laptop!

Any ideas as to whats wrong?

I am running XP SP3!

Hi,

This may not be relevant as I'm in the UK and standards could be different in Ireland but, your connection is only wireless inside your home. Your home to the exchange is a cable connection, there can be any number of reasons for a slow connection due to cable problems, line noise is one, any noise picked up from outside can cause speed issues. At my home the cable connecting me to my exchange runs underground and noise from the road where the cable runs can effect the speed/signal.
Also there is something called a contention ratio that can affect your connection. The contention ratio (often 50:1 means that there can be 50 other subscribers sharing the bandwidth of your connection at the exchange so that it is feasible that there could be 50 other people using the connection at the same time.
Businesses use connections during working hours so during 0900-1700 your connection could be slower so keeping your use outside these times could help.
I would suggest that you might start with your ISP to get the line checked and work from there.

I've suffered speed problems in the past and my reply is based on my personal experiences.

john1215

john1215

 

[Michaelk]

Thanks for the advice

Thanks lads,

I took the big step of re-formatting my hard drive and reinstalled windows XP Pro SP3, and everything now looks good.

Thanks again!

 

[hughguzzi]

I heard there were plenty of problems with service pack 3 !!! so stuck with sp2.
Also on advice of this forum I ditched int exp and went with mozilla firefox- definately quicker loading up and moving to new pages and quick to get used to. Even though Ive got a hardwired (far less probs than wireless !!) router shared with 2 sons pc's still get good speed.
Funnily enough, we had major speed issues with toucan a few months ago, they did various test and said it was all ok but sent BT in to test lines. they said all ok but speed only ok when BT was here !! same thing happened a week later. But then as if by magic speed went up and has remained at 3-4 mb/sec ever since. So after all advice above the provider still can improve things ( look forward to the magical up to 8 mb/sec I pay for though !!)
Seems to be loads of great experts on this forum .....well done gs'ers !!