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Getbig Main Boards => Gossip & Opinions => Topic started by: leonp1981 on March 11, 2009, 08:27:57 PM

Title: Slow ass internet
Post by: leonp1981 on March 11, 2009, 08:27:57 PM
Not sure which board this belongs on, so here it is.

My hard drive was getting full on my laptop (it's only a 30Gb, old machine) and was slowing down the computer, so I bought an external 250Gb harddrive.  I transferred all my pics, My Documents, iTunes music files over to this. 

Whether it's a coincidence or not, but now my internet has gone ridiculously slow.  I'm on Broadband, which tells me I'm connected at 100Mbps, however I've been downloading some songs off iTunes, and getting some updates for stuff, and my download speed has dropped to 10Mbps?  The last song I downloaded said 17kbps!
 
I bought Optimize from PCPitstop, and RegCure, but neither seems to have done anything, so do any GetBiggers have any good ideas before I pay any more money out to get it looked at.

What's going on?
Why's it so slow?
Does it have anything to do with the external harddrive?
And what can I do to speed it up?
Title: Re: Slow ass internet
Post by: 240 is Back on March 11, 2009, 08:31:02 PM
go to ebay and get a new refurbished dell for $399.
Title: Re: Slow ass internet
Post by: jetpower on March 11, 2009, 08:34:48 PM
OLPC
Title: Re: Slow ass internet
Post by: leonp1981 on March 11, 2009, 08:47:32 PM
go to ebay and get a new refurbished dell for $399.

I'm gonna get a new machine, but probably not for 6 months or so yet.  I just want to get this one to keep going for a bit.  Are there any settings anywhere I can play with to get better internet speed?
Title: Re: Slow ass internet
Post by: 240 is Back on March 11, 2009, 08:53:30 PM
I'm gonna get a new machine, but probably not for 6 months or so yet.  I just want to get this one to keep going for a bit.  Are there any settings anywhere I can play with to get better internet speed?

you can do the usual stuff... delete stuff, uninstall, and all that... but today's computers (the cheap ones) suck.  If youre gonna keep them cheap, as i do, ya gotta get new every now and then.
Title: Re: Slow ass internet
Post by: leonp1981 on March 11, 2009, 08:57:48 PM
you can do the usual stuff... delete stuff, uninstall, and all that... but today's computers (the cheap ones) suck.  If youre gonna keep them cheap, as i do, ya gotta get new every now and then.

It's a 5 year old Samsung laptop, was pretty decent when I bought it, and I've never really had any problems with it until now.  Just wish it would speed the hell up, I can't watch any vids on YouTube now either, it shows 2 seconds then takes 20 seconds to load the next bit!

 >:(
Title: Re: Slow ass internet
Post by: TechnoViking on March 11, 2009, 08:59:05 PM
Switch to dial up with netzero...Super fucking fast ;)
Title: Re: Slow ass internet
Post by: kiwiol on March 11, 2009, 09:19:25 PM
It could be spyware, it could be your system, it could be your connection or anything, really. Do an online speed test and see what sort of speed you are connecting at. Talk to your ISP.
Title: Re: Slow ass internet
Post by: leonp1981 on March 11, 2009, 09:21:34 PM
It could be spyware, it could be your system, it could be your connection or anything, really. Do an online speed test and see what sort of speed you are connecting at. Talk to your ISP.

I'm gonna ring the ISP tomorrow, but it's a call centre in Dubai, India so who knows what help they'll be.  I've got AVG's anti spyware stuff, cos I had a problem with that in the past.  I'll go find somewhere to check my speed.
Title: Re: Slow ass internet
Post by: leonp1981 on March 11, 2009, 09:25:51 PM
Just checked it.  I'm with BT, my test said:

Download - 0.16Mb    ISP Average - 2.92Mb
Upload - 0.37Mb       ISP Average - 0.44Mb

So, it's officially fooked!

I'll ring them tomorrow and see how far I get.

Thanks for the replies!
Title: Re: Slow ass internet
Post by: leonp1981 on March 11, 2009, 09:35:22 PM
lol I know someone on here knows that place

Haha, yeah, I thought I'd stick that in there. 

They annoy the shit out of me at the call centre.  They answer the phone with "Heeello, my name ees Peter..." and you're thinking "Bullshit, your name's Abdullah Mohammad Jafar Ahmad Nazeem Nasser Suleymane..."  And then they haven't got a clue what you're talking about.  Aargh, I'm getting pissed off just thinking about talking to them.
Title: Re: Slow ass internet
Post by: gordiano on March 11, 2009, 09:37:39 PM
It's a 5 year old Samsung laptop, was pretty decent when I bought it, and I've never really had any problems with it until now.  Just wish it would speed the hell up, I can't watch any vids on YouTube now either, it shows 2 seconds then takes 20 seconds to load the next bit!

 >:(

5 years? It's due for this type of thing, dude....sorry.  :-\
Title: Re: Slow ass internet
Post by: leonp1981 on March 11, 2009, 09:47:42 PM
5 years? It's due for this type of thing, dude....sorry.  :-\

Yeah, I know it's getting on a bit.   :D

It's just that it was fine a couple of days ago.  From full speed ahead to dead in the water.
Title: Re: Slow ass internet
Post by: 240 is Back on March 11, 2009, 09:53:00 PM
Yeah, I know it's getting on a bit.   :D

It's just that it was fine a couple of days ago.  From full speed ahead to dead in the water.

could be some part of the drive failed.  did it get louder?
Title: Re: Slow ass internet
Post by: Krankenstein on March 11, 2009, 09:55:01 PM
Yeah, I know it's getting on a bit.   :D

It's just that it was fine a couple of days ago.  From full speed ahead to dead in the water.

Take your windows CD and use n-Lite to create a 'scaled down' version of the install disk.  Make sure everything you want off of the damn thing is off of it (pics, music, etc).  Wipe it the fook clean using the n-lite install CD you made.  Look around for suggestions on what you need to make a scaled down install disk.  Also, check to make sure you done have too many processes running at start up...(start>run>type msconfig.....go to start up tab and look to see for unnecessary start up items).  Also...why buy shit?  CCleaner, Malwarebytes, and AVG are free and do a damn good job at keeping computer safe.

You could also look to see how much a 60 - 100gb hard drive would be.  Remember...windows is a read/write hog!!!
Title: Re: Slow ass internet
Post by: kiwiol on March 11, 2009, 09:55:13 PM
Yeah, I know it's getting on a bit.   :D

It's just that it was fine a couple of days ago.  From full speed ahead to dead in the water.

If you want to rule it out of the equation and prevent getting stalled for a couple of days by your ISP, take it to another place like a friend's house or a cyber cafe and see if you are getting full speed. If you do, then it's definitely something to do with the ISP. If it's slow there too, then it's a problem with the laptop. You can also try the same connection in your place with another PC or laptop if you have one.
Title: Re: Slow ass internet
Post by: leonp1981 on March 11, 2009, 09:56:28 PM
could be some part of the drive failed.  did it get louder?

Nope, nothing.  The only thing that happened around the same time is this external harddrive.  It's plugged into a USB1 port, so I expected it to be a bit slower downloading iTunes to it maybe, but everything else is still on the laptop's harddrive. 

I'll have to talk to the dumbass's in India, I think.   :-\
Title: Re: Slow ass internet
Post by: 240 is Back on March 11, 2009, 09:57:14 PM
unplug that drive.  see if it improves?


(if you're WRITING to a serial usb drive via I-tunes, that could be a major issue - usb is a slow.  12 mbps at best?
Title: Re: Slow ass internet
Post by: leonp1981 on March 11, 2009, 09:59:51 PM
Take your windows CD and use n-Lite to create a 'scaled down' version of the install disk.  Make sure everything you want off of the damn thing is off of it (pics, music, etc).  Wipe it the fook clean using the n-lite install CD you made.  Look around for suggestions on what you need to make a scaled down install disk.  Also, check to make sure you done have too many processes running at start up...(start>run>type msconfig.....go to start up tab and look to see for unnecessary start up items).  Also...why buy shit?  CCleaner, Malwarebytes, and AVG are free and do a damn good job at keeping computer safe.

You could also look to see how much a 60 - 100gb hard drive would be.  Remember...windows is a read/write hog!!!

My brother-in-law said he'd do a full wipe and re-install when I see him next month, which I'm hoping will do something.  I'll check the processes and see what's going on there.  I've got AVG and I used CCleaner as well, I bought the other stuff to see if it made any difference, which it did, but only to my wallet.   :'(

I've got the external harddrive now, but the slowness seemed to start when I got that.

Thanks for the reply.
Title: Re: Slow ass internet
Post by: leonp1981 on March 11, 2009, 10:00:44 PM
If you want to rule it out of the equation and prevent getting stalled for a couple of days by your ISP, take it to another place like a friend's house or a cyber cafe and see if you are getting full speed. If you do, then it's definitely something to do with the ISP. If it's slow there too, then it's a problem with the laptop. You can also try the same connection in your place with another PC or laptop if you have one.

I might try that when I get chance.
Title: Re: Slow ass internet
Post by: leonp1981 on March 11, 2009, 10:03:14 PM
unplug that drive.  see if it improves?


(if you're WRITING to a serial usb drive via I-tunes, that could be a major issue - usb is a slow.  12 mbps at best?

Yeah, I've got like 12Gb of songs on iTunes, so I put the music files onto the new HD to clear up the space.  I've changed the folder settings in iTunes so it knows where to get the files from, but when I download songs now, they're going to the external HD, which takes ages.  If the download speed is reduced for the songs, would it affect the download speed for other things, even if they weren't going to the external HD?
Title: Re: Slow ass internet
Post by: jetpower on March 11, 2009, 10:04:47 PM
Get one of these:



I play WoW on mine all the time. It's cheap (for a GetBigger) and easy (for a GetBigger) to set up.
Title: Re: Slow ass internet
Post by: 240 is Back on March 11, 2009, 10:28:41 PM
Yeah, I've got like 12Gb of songs on iTunes, so I put the music files onto the new HD to clear up the space.  I've changed the folder settings in iTunes so it knows where to get the files from, but when I download songs now, they're going to the external HD, which takes ages.  If the download speed is reduced for the songs, would it affect the download speed for other things, even if they weren't going to the external HD?

it may be hella confusing for your system, to try to send files from the web, thru i-tunes, via a serial wire.

Maybe unplug it, restart your computer, and try downloading and surfing without itunes started.  If it fixes it, then you know to use i-tunes on limited function.  Restart to be sure tho
Title: Re: Slow ass internet
Post by: dustin on March 12, 2009, 12:44:15 AM
Did you bother to do a speed test? Try speedtest.net and see what your results are. If they're not on par, call your ISP's tech support line and let them take a look into things. It could very well be an area issue or poor signal to the modem.

If you've got a DOCSIS cable modem then reseat the coax cables (unscrew the mofos at both ends, every end of the splitter if you have one of those too) then power cycle the modem and see what happens. Try repairing your connection too. And if you have a router, bypass it and run another speed test. Routers are notorious for having shitty default settings, especially if you're using wireless... so that could be your problem too.

Honestly, it can't be anything too crazy. Your best bet is to run a speed test, try those simply steps I outlined and call a TSR from your provider.
Title: Re: Slow ass internet
Post by: CalvinH on March 12, 2009, 07:07:52 AM
Sorry but your computer hates you :(
Title: Re: Slow ass internet
Post by: Krankenstein on March 12, 2009, 08:02:43 AM
I hav the AVG free version also.  I know the free version dosn't check for rootkits.  How big of a problem could this be in that it dosn't check for rootkits?

That, I do not know.  I do know that my computer actually ran better when I wiped it clean and moved from v.7 to v.8  You can also do a search for "ewido online trojan scan" and see whats all on your computer.  Again, I wipe my computer clean every 6 - 9 mos.  One thing though...MAKE SURE you have your necessary drivers before doing so.  Get your ethernet controller, LAN, networking, etc drivers so you can access internet and update others.  I use driveragent.com to update mine every so often and keep them current.  I simply download then, and replace them on my dvd-rw with all necessary stuff.
Title: Re: Slow ass internet
Post by: K-1 on March 12, 2009, 08:11:07 AM
Not sure which board this belongs on, so here it is.

My hard drive was getting full on my laptop (it's only a 30Gb, old machine) and was slowing down the computer, so I bought an external 250Gb harddrive.  I transferred all my pics, My Documents, iTunes music files over to this. 

Whether it's a coincidence or not, but now my internet has gone ridiculously slow.  I'm on Broadband, which tells me I'm connected at 100Mbps, however I've been downloading some songs off iTunes, and getting some updates for stuff, and my download speed has dropped to 10Mbps?  The last song I downloaded said 17kbps!
 
I bought Optimize from PCPitstop, and RegCure, but neither seems to have done anything, so do any GetBiggers have any good ideas before I pay any more money out to get it looked at.

What's going on?
Why's it so slow?
Does it have anything to do with the external harddrive?
And what can I do to speed it up?


ISP could be messing around with your circuit and/or itunes site could be lagging...therefore you think you've done something wrong to your system but you haven't. It happens.

Go to speedtest.net and test your connection speed. Your ISP could have backed down on your download speed and compensated it by increasing upload.....again...it happens. Give them a call and tell them you are lagging on the download side...etc (good luck with that also)
Title: Re: Slow ass internet
Post by: leonp1981 on March 12, 2009, 12:58:22 PM
Thanks for all the replies guys, I'm gonna work my way through all your idea's and see if I can get this thing back up to speed.  I'll report back later!
Title: Re: Slow ass internet
Post by: leonp1981 on March 12, 2009, 06:03:49 PM
Well I've just transferred all of the iTunes music files back onto my laptop, and disconnected the external HD.  My download rate has increased from 0.16Mb to 1.8Mb!  I just downloaded some stuff off iTunes, it did 21Mb in under 2 mins.  So, I haven't a clue why, but that external HD was screwing up my internet.  Today's lesson:  external HD is only for stuff I don't need to be using regularly!

Thanks for the help guys, I'm gonna start saving for a new machine now.
Title: Re: Slow ass internet
Post by: spinnis on March 12, 2009, 06:08:10 PM
I bought a 1TB  HD lol, dont have to worry about filling it up at least.
Title: Re: Slow ass internet
Post by: leonp1981 on March 12, 2009, 06:10:03 PM
I bought a 1TB  HD lol, dont have to worry about filling it up at least.

I looked at those when I got mine, but I'd never fill that much in 10 years.  It's taken me 5 years to fill my 30Gb harddrive, so I bought an extra 250Gb.
Title: Re: Slow ass internet
Post by: Captain Equipoise on March 12, 2009, 06:10:11 PM
Are you using a wireless router? someone is probably stealing your internet... do you have a firewall up !?
Title: Re: Slow ass internet
Post by: spinnis on March 12, 2009, 06:12:25 PM
I looked at those when I got mine, but I'd never fill that much in 10 years.  It's taken me 5 years to fill my 30Gb harddrive, so I bought an extra 250Gb.

lol, if you have a 100mbit internet connection and downloads at about 9mb/s, it loads up pretty damn fast   ;D
Title: Re: Slow ass internet
Post by: leonp1981 on March 12, 2009, 07:28:12 PM
Are you using a wireless router? someone is probably stealing your internet... do you have a firewall up !?


Nah, no wireless.  It's sorted now, something to do with that damn external HD.  Won't be using that for anything other than pics now.
Title: Re: Slow ass internet
Post by: HTexan on March 12, 2009, 09:02:06 PM
i been having router problems too. My AirPort Extreme only works wireless on 5ghz n only band. fucking apple and their buggy update. >:( >:(