speed loss

Baz · Apr 09, 2008, 21:01:33

would you expect much if any, speed loss on downloads on a system thats wireless on a network.

set up is.....main system downstairs hard wired to the router, one laptop wireless, sons system upstairs also wireless but has really slowed down gradually and getting slower than expected when doing a speed test. I know the tests are not recommended but even get a slow one with the BT tester.

Hmmmmm just did a speed test and got a very poor result. there may be a prob some where. will investigate

Simon · Apr 09, 2008, 21:36:55

So, the main PC's speed is OK, and it's just the wireless networked one that's slowing down, Baz? Is is fully secured? Might be worth checking to see if anything else is within connection range. Also, check what's running on the wireless networked PC in Task Manager, to see if anything is draining resources. A reboot of the wireless PC might also help, as it should re-establish the connection. Other than that, over to the techies!

Baz · Apr 09, 2008, 21:45:05

thanks Simon. the wifeys laptop is ok, but so far yes its just the one upstairs that seems slow. Fully secured, does pick up some unsecured networks when I scan. How would you know if anyone else was using my connection?

tried a re boot first but just the same. on the point of task manager, what would you say you could do without from all the services that run.

cant get a new speed test at the moment as Im still within the BT 3 hour limit

Simon · Apr 09, 2008, 22:09:06

I'm not really the best person to advise, Baz, but I think if anyone else were piggy backing the connection, it would appear in the router network connections list. I doubt it's that, if yours is fully secured. The unsecured networks it picks up on a scan are the ones that should be worried!

I wouldn't want to comment on your task manager, as obviously, the running processes depend on what's on your computer. What I was meaning was, is anything taking a disproportionately high percentage of CPU resources? Also, does he have any P2P applications, such as uTorrent running?

I'm sure someone will be along soon who will be able to help better than me.

Steve · Apr 09, 2008, 22:37:21

I have had problems with speedtests on a wireless laptop starting off ok then slowing down towards the end. I was using freeAVG and outpost firewall. However if I disabled these two programs, speedtests would then run ok. Why I have no idea. I have since moved to kaspersky internet security for other reasons but this problem has not occurred since.

Sebby · Apr 09, 2008, 23:37:41

What's the signal strength on the PCs connected wirelessly, Baz? Unless the signal is so poor that the performance is below that of your connection speed, I wouldn't expect there to be a significant different in throughput.

One thing you could try is changing the wireless channel. You mention that there are other available networks, so there could be some interference. Channels 1, 6, and 11 are the best to try first.

Rik · Apr 10, 2008, 08:27:51

It might also be worth checking the MTU/RWIN settings on the affected machine, assuming it's XP, Baz.

Baz · Apr 10, 2008, 14:39:06

ok guys thanks. How do I check what the MTU and RWIN settings are at now.It is XP Rik

Rik · Apr 10, 2008, 14:41:18

Take a read through this:

http://www.idnetters.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=1904.msg31673#msg31673

Baz. I recommend TCP Optimizer over DrTCP, but get hold of one of them and just follow along.

Baz · Apr 10, 2008, 17:03:59

got that Optimizer prog a while back after going through your good tutorial Rik but couldnt follow it too well

what will the settings be at the moment, can I find that out. do I just need to do it on the suspect system and as you say through windies and not the router.

Rik · Apr 10, 2008, 17:10:40

If you use TCP Optimizer, Baz, it will display current settings. See the screenshot below.

Check it on the suspect machine and one which is working OK, and see what the differences are.

[attachment deleted by admin]

Sebby · Apr 10, 2008, 17:10:50

Assuming you haven't changed anything, MTU will be 1500 and the RWIN 65535, IIRC.

Baz · Apr 10, 2008, 17:18:25

there is no setting in the MTU box when choosing current settings and looking in the router settings its already at 1458. will try the other machine later.

Sebby · Apr 10, 2008, 17:19:05

Before you do any tweaking, Baz, you need to set the router to 1500 as well, otherwise you're not going to get optimal settings.

Baz · Apr 11, 2008, 15:53:16

ok so far I have used a prog TuneUp Utilities to tweak the settings. it set the MTU at 1492. when using TCPoptimizer it still does not show a figure in the Receive Window box. Where on my computer can I see these settings.

do the mtu settings need to be the same in the router as the ones you change to.

Rik · Apr 11, 2008, 15:57:58

Set the router at 1500 if it's not already, Baz, and leave it there (note that if you change the value in the router it will drop the PPP session and then re-connect).

You can't see the settings on the computer except with a program like TCP Optimizer. Is it looking at the right network adaptor?

Baz · Apr 11, 2008, 16:09:35

Thanks Rik. yeah its at the right adapter.

just a bit off topic here and mainly to convince my annoying sons.......what will affect the speed of downloads/uploads. just did some yesterday and they said it was downloading at 256kb/s or there abouts not good when we are on a max package. They say it is all the time but never mention the good download speeds

have explained all the things I can think of but they are convinced I should change ISP's but thats not the cause to me. Is it possible to check where the site they download from is at, where the server is, if that makes sense.

Rik · Apr 11, 2008, 16:23:50

There are several ways of checking where a site is, Baz, the easiest being to use FlagFox with FireFox. You could also use tracert to find the connection, or look up the domain here.

On the speed issue (and I should point out for readers that you're not with IDNet), the best thing to do is to run a BT test and see what that reports.

Baz · Apr 11, 2008, 16:39:57

Quote from: Rik on Apr 11, 2008, 16:23:50
There are several ways of checking where a site is, David..........[/url].

Thanks again Simon

Rik · Apr 11, 2008, 16:41:40

Brain and fingers working separately again.

Sorry...

Baz · Apr 11, 2008, 16:44:45

no probs Rik. it happens to us all. I sometimes do it when talking to people.

doesnt please the wife too much when done at certain times, if you get my meaning

Rik · Apr 11, 2008, 16:48:45

Then most of all, Baz.

MoHux · Apr 11, 2008, 17:39:11

I don't know a lot about ISPs buying bandwidth etc, but I believe the one Baz is with (and I used to be!!

), buys some from Ti***li. Nuff said!

Rik · Apr 11, 2008, 17:58:51

I was thinking that, Mo, but didn't like to say it.

Baz · Apr 11, 2008, 21:51:14

works for me guys......has done for years

number 3 at ispreview

keep plugging away at me guys and I might join the ranks one day