Help with a slow PC

[BigJamesGTI]

I just had broadband installed and its very very slow. I used to have AOL 56k dial up at my old house and that was running quicker than the PC is now with cable.

For example I use winmx, whenever I was online with the 56k dial-up the d/l speed was around 4 K/s and I always thought that broabdand would be a lot quicker but my d/l speed now starts off at say 8 K/s then drops to 0.6. The time between loading pages on websites is more than double.

Im going to buy more RAM today, Ive got 128 but Im going up to 256.

Im crap with PC's so in the simplest of terms "why is my PC running so slowly now I have cable?"

Thankyou.

 

[Shannon]

RAM has nothing to do with your internet speed. Nothing except your phone line and modem have anything to do with your internet speed. WinMX is a P2P program, meaning you download off other users. You can't expect to get good speeds from WinMX if the person you are downloading off has a crap internet connection.

Also, are you using any programs that use the internet while you surf? Like, do you use WinMX and surf at the same time. My guess is that some program/s you are using are accessing the internet and using all your bandwidth - hence the slow download times.

If that is the case, you might want to get your hands on a bandwidth limiter (like NetLimiter) and restrict the amount of bandwidth these apps are using.

 

[TSi_Shiftz]

Seriosuly if your downloading multiple songs from WinMX, than yes as I know from experience your BW goes to crap. I have roadrunner and my connection speeds will usually stay in the 20's with WinMX.

If you have roadrunner call their national help dexk and have someone come out and check you wiring for reverse signal, since that is what RR runs on.

 

[emad]

test your speeds with a browser and dsl reports. More than likely, you purchased the "lite edition" broadband which allows only a max of 128kbps downstream (15k/sec)

 

[BigJamesGTI]

Originally posted by Shannon
RAM has nothing to do with your internet speed. Nothing except your phone line and modem have anything to do with your internet speed. WinMX is a P2P program, meaning you download off other users. You can't expect to get good speeds from WinMX if the person you are downloading off has a crap internet connection.

Also, are you using any programs that use the internet while you surf? Like, do you use WinMX and surf at the same time. My guess is that some program/s you are using are accessing the internet and using all your bandwidth - hence the slow download times.

If that is the case, you might want to get your hands on a bandwidth limiter (like NetLimiter) and restrict the amount of bandwidth these apps are using.

I dont really use the programs at the same time so that I can get a fast download time.
It was only £20 so not too expensive !!

The PC guy said I had a really really old processor - my PC make is "mint" and he also said that is really old, so I might just scrap my tower and get a new one.

Its running a bit better now, like between pages etc but its still a slow d/l time on WinMX.

Are there any other sites/programs like winMX that would be a bit more reliable ??

Originally posted by emad

test your speeds with a browser and dsl reports. More than likely, you purchased the "lite edition" broadband which allows only a max of 128kbps downstream (15k/sec)

Where can I test my d/l speed ??

Thanks for your help.

 

[Solid Fro]

http://www.dslreports.com/stest

You need to find out what programs are running in the background. Like Shannon said, they maybe taking up bandwidth. Also, go to Settings in WinMX and configure it for a cable connection.

Note: Nothing is wrong with your PC. That 'PC Guy' wanted to shake more money out of you and WinMX is one of the best P2P programs and is very reliable.

 

[BigJamesGTI]

Your download speed : 129157 bps, or 126 kbps.
A 15.7 KB/sec transfer rate.
Your upload speed : 58140 bps, or 56 kbps.

So thats it then - its "bearable" which is OK I suppose.

I fixed my problems with winMX too. I was connected at primary instead of secondary !! FOOL !! So Im up at 20 or so kbp/s.

What is spyware and how do I find out if Ive got it and what can I do to get rid of it ??? I use adaware 6.0 does that check for spyware ???

Thanks

 

[Solid Fro]

It's not necessarily spyware. It could be legit programs taking up bandwidth.

When you signed up for cable broadband, what speed did this company promise you?

 

[BigJamesGTI]

I just checked with g/f cos she sorted it out and we are on the lowest one - 150K.

I think that'll be getting upgraded.