How do I confirm low internet speed is computer problem

cepheus

I'm getting only 0.25mB/s internet speed on my computer which is about a tenth of normal. Connecting directly using the Ethernet cable makes no difference either, although not sure if settings need to be changed.

O2 have been unable to resolve the problem last night however, they are sending me a new router.

I remembered this morning the computer had a knock a week ago, so I took it down to my local Tesco cafe today and could only get 1mb/s there.

I've carried out what diagnostic checks there are and it comes up OK. Is there any other method I can use, and is is worth sending away for repair/opening up to see if there is anything loose before buying a new laptop? It is coming up to 3 years old, out of warranty, and the USBs sockets for external keyboard and mouse have been dodgy for a while.

John_Gray

cepheus wrote: »

How do I confirm low internet speed is computer problem?

You try another computer or laptop, ethernet-connected to the router (which I hope you have recently power-cycled)!

JamesK10

Eliminate your AV software as well, if you use any version of Avira and the version is not deemed new enough, their client may throttle the connection (see the modern Free AV article thread for my full post about it).

Other reasons for slowdown? Do the boring housework. Run Disk Cleanup and get rid of all temp internet files, if over 100Megs that could affect general performance. If you already did that then Google Auslogics Disk Defrag and download the free version, run that, then use something like ESET NOD 32's online virus scanner which works as an ActiveX control (only available on the US side of the site) - needless to say, delete whatever it finds.

After that, a dead router's a possibility but as John Gray says, you'd need to eliminate that with a different PC altogether. Best of luck and let us know what you find.

closed

first step is to find the connection speed in the router settings, if it's low, it's nothing to do with the pc/laptop.

artbaron

Very much doubt it's the laptop or the router. It could be your exchange or possibly you have a virus that's taking up your bandwidth (use bitmeter or similar to find out). Without router stats little more can be said.

cepheus

O2 have been carrying out work on the exchange last week, that's why I phoned them up. Then again I dragged the computer off the table and it fell on the carpet, amazed to see everything apparently work after that crash!

The Tesco might be a different exchange but it's only a mile away. Couldn't find anyone there with another computer.

Back to my house: from the O2 box it says
Bandwidth (Up/Down) [kbps/kbps]: 962 / 2,330

Using this site http://www.speedtest.net/
Ping 104ms 0.24 mbps download 0.17mbps upload

http://www.broadbandspeedchecker.co.uk/#
0.535mbps download 0.246mbps upload
very intermittent in this site though, sometimes the dial rockets up

The fastest speed I have ever had is around 2.5mbps due to the distance from the exchange.

I have an old disconnected tower PC upstairs, but since the upstairs telephone socket is dodgy I don't use it a lot. The downstairs one has been fine and stable until the last week at around 2mbps that's why I've been using wireless to my laptop.

closed

http://www.speedtest.bbmax.co.uk/

have you been asked to try plugging the router in the bt test socket (if you have one under the main bt socket faceplate)

GunJack

...and new microfilter??

cepheus

Don't think I have a test socket.

could try swapping microfilters for some old ones.

I've downloaded codebox.

grumpycrab

Find out you IPprofile by going to
http://speedtest.btwholesale.com/
Then :-
1. select Yes and Begin Test
2. speed displayed should be as already tested
3. select Further Diagnostics, enter phone number then select Run Diagnostic Test
Your IPprofile should be 2.5 (assuming that's the fastest your line has ever run at).

http://bt.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/9760/~/what-is-my-broadband-%27ip-profile%27-and-why-is-it-important%3F

cepheus

0.22 upload 0.1 download from bt test

The Performance Tester is currently unable to run a speed test for your broadband connection. Please try again shortly, however if this problem persists, raise the issue with your service provider.