Internet Speed Nightmare

Hello...

I have two computers sharing one cable connection - both are plugged into a D-Link router with ethernet cables. The router is plugged into the desktop.

As of a few days ago, the laptop was fine but the desktop slowly became *beyond* slow over a couple days time (14.4 would be a blessing at this point.) Yesterday rolled around and neither computer could get an internet connection.

I contacted my cable company and switched the cable modem for an updated one as they told me I was offline on their end as well. I replaced the ethernet cables and changed my splitter configuration so the desktop's connection was the first one coming into the house.

That got me back online and the laptop is super-fast....but the desktop is still ridiculously slow.

So, today, I installed a new network adapter and lo and behold....it's still slow!!!

Do you think I should get a new router as well? I figured the router is OK since the laptop is fine and moving along quite fast.

Also - Should I be thinking virus/trojan at this point? I have run Norton antivirus and it said I was fine. I also use Norton Internet security. I have run Ad Aware and Spybot and both say I'm "OK". I did find something called "BKDR_Sandbox A" a few weeks ago but got rid of it using Housecall and everything seemed to be OK. Could that have caused me a problem?

Thanks for any advice you can give me....I'm really at my wit's end....
Carol

 

I'm guessing that BKDR means backdoor, and if it does, then you need to run windows update. (www.windowsupdate.com)

 

I did...before things got really bad (I was just sortof slow at that point) and I made sure to install all the security updates. Thanks for the suggestion though.

 

Download DrTCP:
http://www.dslreports.com/front/DRTCP021.exe

Run the program, it will show the current settings of TCP/IP parameters. Write them down.

You can change any variable that you want, click Apply, and reboot the computer, if no good; you can always change to your original values.

Start with:

MaxMTU - DSL =1492 Cable = 1500 ISDN=1322DialUp = 576

Tcp Receive - 256960 (This is the varaible to play with!)

Window Scaling - Yes

Time Stamping - No

Selective Acks - Yes

Path MTU Discovery - Yes.

Black Hole - NO

Max Duplicate - 2

TTL - 64

Notice it said above Start with

These settings are not written in "stone" there is variability depending on the computer other setting. So try few setting and measure your Download for each setting.

In addition, in case a person has a Router the Router's MTU if set differently can affect the general MTU.

Link: Measuring the "Speed" of Internet Connection.

 

Thanks Cat - I did everything you suggested. It didn't change my speed....BUT...get this...

I just disabled Norton Internet Security and Norton Antivirus and my speed totally kicked back in. Obviously I've got a problem with Norton. I'm going to uninstall and reinstall and see if that helps. I can't believe the programs that are supposed to help me are causing my problems!!!!!

 

Try to enable NIS without the AntiVirus.

If the “Speed” is not affected leave the AV Off and use a program like this.

Link to: AntiVir Personal Edition 6.22.09.09

I use this combo (NIS and AntiVir) and it works well for me Not affecting DSL or Cable (I have both).