Posted: 5/19/2010 4:09:36 AM EDT
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We have a hard wired computer upstairs and one downstairs.
We use a D-Link (standard type) of router and have AT&T DSL with their recommended Motorola modem. It works ok, but when both computers are being used, the router(?) slows down, (i.e., new screens are slow to load, etc.) Are there better routers that would alleviate this problem? Or, could this problem be something else? (Or, is this just something I have to live with? The devices work, they just slow down when we are both using the computers at the same time.) Thanks for any info. |
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Quoted: Quoted: It's most likely your dsl bandwidth. We run five laptops, two desktops, a PS3, and a Wii, all on our wireless. With no issues. So what? OP what speeds are you supposed/are getting with your DSL? http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/ Post results. |
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Ok, please explain a little to this old guy.
The computers run very fast when used alone but when both are downloading, changing screens, they slow down to an irritating level sometimes. Are you saying the DSL service has limited amounts of bandwidth and when more computers are being used at the same time this just plain limits the download speeds? (We have the best service plan our provider provides [i.e., it's called their "elite" plan].) |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
It's most likely your dsl bandwidth. We run five laptops, two desktops, a PS3, and a Wii, all on our wireless. With no issues. So what? OP what speeds are you supposed/are getting with your DSL? http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/ Post results. Will do. Thanks. Hold on, I'm doing the test now. |
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Ok, Speedtest gave these results:
Download speed - 5.16 Mbps Upload speed - 0.60 Mbps (Is this way too low?) (ETA: This is with only one computer turned on. My wife is at work and not on the upstairs computer, I'll do that one also, with both on, when I get back from taking food to my father. I leave in about 25 minutes.) |
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Quoted:
It might not be a bad idea to see if there is a firmware upgrade for your router. These sometimes fix issues you didn't even know existed. DD-WRT is a really great firmware upgrade for your router, made my LinkSys a hell of a lot faster. See if you can find your router in their database (DD-WRT Router Database). Just make sure that you follow their instructions EXACTLY if you're going to flash your old firmware, you can easily turn your router into a nice paperweight if it's done wrong. |
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Quoted:
Ok, please explain a little to this old guy. The computers run very fast when used alone but when both are downloading, changing screens, they slow down to an irritating level sometimes. Are you saying the DSL service has limited amounts of bandwidth and when more computers are being used at the same time this just plain limits the download speeds? (We have the best service plan our provider provides [i.e., it's called their "elite" plan].) Yes, every connection to the Internet can be visualized as a soda straw: some are bigger than others and the bigger the straw the faster you can pull in the sweet stuff.  Also as with a straw, if two users are on the same straw, they have to share the maximum amount of stuff from the straw (since the straw can physically carry only so much).
There are some other factors that have an effect (like ping times), but the first priority is to establish the size of the pipe. Can you point us to a link from your provider describing your plan? Also, the speed test link posted earlier in this thread (www.speedtest.net is another one) is helpful in determining your actual (vice advertised) speed. This is the first link in the testing. Are you using wireless on one or both machines with the problem? Is PC2 wireless or wired? Is one PC faster than the other when the problem presents itself? PC1 –– router –– DSL modem –– Internet PC2 ––-/ ( <–– wireless or wired?) Assuming a wireless connection, the next suspect (in my opinion) is the stability of the wireless connection. In my experience, wireless can be rather finicky. You may need to change the channel of the wireless network to try to find a "cleaner" channel with less interference that may affect your wireless bandwidth. Another suspect is some "malware" doing bad things and consuming your bandwidth. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
It might not be a bad idea to see if there is a firmware upgrade for your router. These sometimes fix issues you didn't even know existed. DD-WRT is a really great firmware upgrade for your router, made my LinkSys a hell of a lot faster. See if you can find your router in their database (DD-WRT Router Database). Just make sure that you follow their instructions EXACTLY if you're going to flash your old firmware, you can easily turn your router into a nice paperweight if it's done wrong. This is an option, but is not one I would recommend until there is an indication the router is the problem. Also, there is no amount of programming that cause the router to make your Internet speeds any faster than your provider's pipe to your home. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Ok, please explain a little to this old guy. The computers run very fast when used alone but when both are downloading, changing screens, they slow down to an irritating level sometimes. Are you saying the DSL service has limited amounts of bandwidth and when more computers are being used at the same time this just plain limits the download speeds? (We have the best service plan our provider provides [i.e., it's called their "elite" plan].) Yes, every connection to the Internet can be visualized as a soda straw: some are bigger than others and the bigger the straw the faster you can pull in the sweet stuff. Also as with a straw, if two users are on the same straw, they have to share the maximum amount of stuff from the straw (since the straw can physically carry only so much).
There are some other factors that have an effect (like ping times), but the first priority is to establish the size of the pipe. Can you point us to a link from your provider describing your plan? Also, the speed test link posted earlier in this thread (www.speedtest.net is another one) is helpful in determining your actual (vice advertised) speed. My service is AT&T Elite IIRC. It is the best service they offer in my area. I live about one mile from the "terminal" station. This is the first link in the testing. Are you using wireless on one or both machines with the problem? Is PC2 wireless or wired? Is one PC faster than the other when the problem presents itself? PC1 –– router –– DSL modem –– Internet PC2 ––-/ ( <–– wireless or wired?) Assuming a wireless connection, the next suspect (in my opinion) is the stability of the wireless connection. In my experience, wireless can be rather finicky. You may need to change the channel of the wireless network to try to find a "cleaner" channel with less interference that may affect your wireless bandwidth. Another suspect is some "malware" doing bad things and consuming your bandwidth. Thanks for the info. Both computers are hard wired and the the setup is as you state (except PC2 is hardwired.) I'm going to get into PC2 and see if it has some issues. (It is the wife's computer who knows absolutely nothing about keeping a computer cleaned up, etc. She makes me look like a rocket scientist when it comes to computers and I am an idiot when it comes to computers). I'm going to use the CCleaner, Malaware, defrag, etc., on that computer and see what the heck is going on. It might be something in her PC that is causing this problem. (It has gotten worse over time.) |
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I'm going to use the CCleaner, Malaware, defrag, etc., on that computer and see what the heck is going on. It might be something in her PC that is causing this problem. (It has gotten worse over time.) I recommend starting with Malwarebytes and moving forward with the other tools if Malwarebytes doesn't resolve anything. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
I'm going to use the CCleaner, Malaware, defrag, etc., on that computer and see what the heck is going on. It might be something in her PC that is causing this problem. (It has gotten worse over time.) I recommend starting with Malwarebytes and moving forward with the other tools if Malwarebytes doesn't resolve anything. I ran CCleaner, Malware and downloaded a registry cleaner (freeware version). PC2: 400mb temporary memory, etc., cleaned; 240 malware "files" removed and; you won't believe this but the wife had 744 registry "files" that were not needed. I can't blame it all on the wife however. The registry cleaner (freeware) also removed 246 registry "files" from my computer also. Made a WORLD OF DIFFERENCE. Thanks for everyone's help. |
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how old is your DSL modem?
Just replaced a Cable modem (from 2004) with a new one. Speeds went from 11Mbs to 26Mbs. Had another one doing 5Mbs. Replaced the router there, again, 25Mbs. However, DSL & Cable are not the same. If you can, connect your DSL directly to one computer, and check your speed again. If it's significantly higher, your router may be limiting the signal. (If you have a combined router/modem device, this won't work.) Good Luck! |
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Quoted:
how old is your DSL modem? Just replaced a Cable modem (from 2004) with a new one. Speeds went from 11Mbs to 26Mbs. Had another one doing 5Mbs. Replaced the router there, again, 25Mbs. However, DSL & Cable are not the same. If you can, connect your DSL directly to one computer, and check your speed again. If it's significantly higher, your router may be limiting the signal. (If you have a combined router/modem device, this won't work.) Good Luck! It's brand new. But you are right, if cleaning up the computers didn't help, or they weren't really that "dirty', I would have worried the modem was going bad. I checked the speeds for both computers and they are pretty much the same. Thanks for the response though, I'll remember the advice. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I'm going to use the CCleaner, Malaware, defrag, etc., on that computer and see what the heck is going on. It might be something in her PC that is causing this problem. (It has gotten worse over time.) I recommend starting with Malwarebytes and moving forward with the other tools if Malwarebytes doesn't resolve anything. I ran CCleaner, Malware and downloaded a registry cleaner (freeware version). PC2: 400mb temporary memory, etc., cleaned; 240 malware "files" removed and; you won't believe this but the wife had 744 registry "files" that were not needed. I can't blame it all on the wife however. The registry cleaner (freeware) also removed 246 registry "files" from my computer also. Made a WORLD OF DIFFERENCE. Thanks for everyone's help. CCleaner has a pretty good registry cleaner in it...also can use it to see what all is being started on start-ups. |