Internet constantly slow... WHY?!

random456

Just something I thought of- apart from the computer problem, is anyone else on your network downloading large files when you are using your computer, as I am on Virgin and this grinds my computer to a halt.

brunlea99

Too many people are jumping to conclusions on here. Your problem could be one of several or indeed a mixture. You will need to investigate each one.

Firstly:

"Also, when I shut the laptop down, it very often (about 95% of the time) starts to shut down, then cuts to a blue screen saying there is an error, and starts dumping memory. I have no idea why it does this. Is it my computer? Or, more likely, is it me?!"

You do indeed have a problem with your laptop. This could be caused by several issues - normally it is a hardware driver compatibility issue. Have you added any new hardware recently - or did this start when you got the shut down problems initially. How old is the laptop - how much memory. You also state:

"It doesn't seem to just extend to the internet either, though other programs are better. If I go from being online to playing a game, then the game runs slowly."

Again this points to a problem with the laptop itself - it could be faulty memory.

Without sorting out the problem with the laptop you cannot begin to investigate if there is a problem with your internet connection. There may be nothing wrong with it at all.

Internet speed issues are complex and varied - again people jump to conclusions regarding spyware and virii. It could possibly be your wireless network connectectivity. It could be one of many factors but as I say you need to sort out your laptop first.

Jake'sGran

ormus wrote: »

think youve answered your own question. its the lappy not the internet connection.
have you tried all the options in the security sticky at the top here?
i would try hijackthis esp and have a look at what comes up.
run adaware too, and poss ccleaner to have a general clean up.
another option is to restore your OS to when/last time it was running ok.

I just started reading about this problem and I think your's was the best advice. When I had similar problems a couple of months ago I found the System Restore put things right.

C_Ronaldo

I know VM were doing some work on the network, not sure if its still on going mind

ElegantlyWasted

Thanks everyone for your replies

Thor - VM annoy me on so many levels, this is just another one to add! *Can't wait to move house and get a new contract!*

Ormus - This laptop's been nothing but trouble since I got it. I'm so not surprised that it's developed another problem. It's been one thing after another! I bought it from a now defunct company, (don't know if I can mention the name) so I can probably just learn from it, and save for a new one.

Albertross - I have 1Gig of RAM. According to the speed test, I have 70kbps download speed, and 31kbps upload. Is this good?! TY for the VM update too.

Roddydogs - Tell me about it Fortunately, there are some clever computery bods out there who can decipher it's elaborate codes.

Zahc - Those tech guys have never let me down yet

Titeascramp - Vermin Media strike again *sigh*

Pumpa - I thought this might be part of the problem too, but I've just had a weekend with only me and OH in house (I have two other housemates), only my computer on, and it was still as slow.

Brunlea - I do think the laptop is at least some of the problem. It's not very old, 18 months-ish. It has 1GB RAM, 100GB HDD, all kinds of supposed good things. It's not been great since I bought it to be honest, but the company I bought it from has since gone bankrupt (tells you something right there, doesn't it! Never go for a bargain!).
I think the internet does have something to do with it, if I don't connect at all, but just use the laptop for gaming, or work, then it's fine. I haven't installed any new hardware.


I'm off to make a list of all the things to download and run, and do them tomorrow, even though it's looking very likely that my poor little computer is the real problem. I think the System Restore is the probably the best option from what people have said on here. Would that just put the laptop back to factory settings?

Thanks all for your help

NovaBlack_2

if you go to the gadget show website http://gadgetshow.five.tv/jsp/speed_test.htm

ther are currently running a big campaign to get enough pl to make ISPs provide adequate speeds. Apparently its a masive con as 'up to 8 mb' and phrases used that are similar are VERY misleading and only about 1 in 1000 custmers is getting close to that speed.

Everyone should join up n make ISPs change their ways

albertross_2

Your download speed is similar to dial-up, so not good. Try rebooting your modem and router.

alphawoo

id go with aol. they updated my 1mb to 2mb. al though i was paying for 2mb, 1mb was availble in my area. i thought it was nice that they cared enough to upgrade me.