why is my dsl slow?

[lendingheart]

i have 3 computers on a router.... and usally it does fine... right now it is SLOOOOOOW i did a bandwidth test and im getting like 117kbps, it should be at least 256, and it was 267 a minute ago when i tested it.... why is it doing this?

what can i do about it?

[starwars1948]

I got my DSL about six months ago so I'm not an expert but I will just throw out some very basic troubleshooting steps.


Is anyone else downloading anything on your two other computers?


Is the network wired or wireless? If it is wireless make sure to use security and passwords. In fact change the passwords often since someone could use your wireless connection thus slowing down the speed.


Sometimes you need to "reboot" your router and modem. Just unplug the power to both the router and modem and leave them off for about 30 seconds then reconnect them. For me rebooting seems to fix most of my problems, so make sure to give that a try.


Scan for any virues/spyware/malware that can slow your computer and possibly be downloading or uploading data to the internet. Be sure to run the scan on your other computers as well.


For me certain times of the day affect the speed. At night around 7 to 10 PM my connection speed seems a little slower.



Again I'm no expert but those are just some steps I use to diagnose my connection sometimes. Hopefully someone else can help you.

[logosone]

i have 3 computers on a router.... and usally it does fine... right now it is SLOOOOOOW i did a bandwidth test and im getting like 117kbps, it should be at least 256, and it was 267 a minute ago when i tested it.... why is it doing this?

what can i do about it?

How far away are you from the main source of the signal (cable, phone office building)? Installer told me (when I had DSL) that the farther away the weaker the signal. They also claim to have an elaborate network of boosters and stations that are supposed to improve it, but i question the service you really get unless it's in a major metropolitan area where they have thousands of paying customers and are more likely to have efficient service provision.

[starwars1948]

How far away are you from the main source of the signal (cable, phone office building)? Installer told me (when I had DSL) that the farther away the weaker the signal. They also claim to have an elaborate network of boosters and stations that are supposed to improve it, but i question the service you really get unless it's in a major metropolitan area where they have thousands of paying customers and are more likely to have efficient service provision.


Yes that is true as well. When you are closer to your provider's central office the faster your speeds will be. That is the downside of DSL because when you are far away from the central office your speeds will be slower or you may not even be able to get DSL.

I know my DSL is supposed to be 3Mbps but my real speed averages about 2.5Mbps or so.

[ghetto guy]

DSL is only 756Kbps (or something like that) usually, unless your provider offers faster services. (in Molalla, the slowest speed is 6Mbps) Check the settings on your router, it might be set to limit bandwidth. You might want to plug one computer directly into the wall (bypassing the router, but not the modem if you have one). Check for viruses and malware. If your running wireless, then make sure you have good signal strength between the computer and the router.

AVG Free (http://free.grisoft.com/ww.download?prd=afe) (good AV)
Spybot S&D (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html) (Anti spyware)
Speedtest.net (http://www.speedtest.net/)

[logosone]

Yes that is true as well. When you are closer to your provider's central office the faster your speeds will be. That is the downside of DSL because when you are far away from the central office your speeds will be slower or you may not even be able to get DSL.

I know my DSL is supposed to be 3Mbps but my real speed averages about 2.5Mbps or so.

You are getting the fastest DSL in the Universe if you're actually getting those speeds. I'm paying big bucks for top of the line Satellite and it's max at about 1.3 mbs at optimum times. You must be IN the cable building?

[logosone]

DSL is only 756Kbps (or something like that) usually, unless your provider offers faster services. (in Molalla, the slowest speed is 6Mbps) Check the settings on your router, it might be set to limit bandwidth. You might want to plug one computer directly into the wall (bypassing the router, but not the modem if you have one). Check for viruses and malware. If your running wireless, then make sure you have good signal strength between the computer and the router.

AVG Free (http://free.grisoft.com/ww.download?prd=afe) (good AV)
Spybot S&D (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html) (Anti spyware)
Speedtest.net (http://www.speedtest.net/)

All these services are getting so many people on-line it's having a detrimental impact on the individual service provision. I don't think any of these companies can come anywhere near what they claim unless you want to do all your surfing at like 3 or 4 AM.

[starwars1948]

You are getting the fastest DSL in the Universe if you're actually getting those speeds. I'm paying big bucks for top of the line Satellite and it's max at about 1.3 mbs at optimum times. You must be IN the cable building?

Well, that is what speetest.net is telling me I'm getting.
http://www.speedtest.net/result/290309600.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

Of course when I download a file it is only at 200KB to 300kB per second. Though when I stream video or just surf the web I used a program to monitor my speeds and it shows it using the full speed sometimes. Nice thing is too that my provider offers nearly double the speed for not much more, but this is plenty fast for my needs.

[logosone]

Well, that is what speetest.net is telling me I'm getting.
http://www.speedtest.net/result/290309600.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

Of course when I download a file it is only at 200KB to 300kB per second. Though when I stream video or just surf the web I used a program to monitor my speeds and it shows it using the full speed sometimes. Nice thing is too that my provider offers nearly double the speed for not much more, but this is plenty fast for my needs.

OK, I believe ya! But I do notice you're right in L.A. apparently? I would dare speculate you have state-of-the-art service and equipment where there are many many subscribers covering the investment.

[Pacman]

You are getting the fastest DSL in the Universe if you're actually getting those speeds. I'm paying big bucks for top of the line Satellite and it's max at about 1.3 mbs at optimum times. You must be IN the cable building?

I have a nominally 16mbps connection at home, although normally it doesn't get much over about 13 or so. That's not especially fast here in the UK, most people with broadband have about 8mbps, slowest you can get is 2mbps.