Need to tweak internet connection and pc speed

Any useful programs to weak my internet download rate? I have SBC Yahoo DSL and the max I can usually download is 390. I know it can go higher, but are there any factors that can affect the download rate besides the server download limit?

My pc is sluggish Ive tried defragging my pc, uninstalling useless programs, and fixing my registry. Also I reduced my startup programs to 35, which i still think i high. But maybe the fact that i only have 384 MB RAM is why but Im not too sure.

Thanks for the help

 

35 startup programs?!?!?!?! I hope you're talking about services otherwise u got some problems there....I too have SBC yahoo DSL and max out at 250kbps (it rarely even gets that high) so i'd just be happy with what u got there. I have a friend with the same thing and he dl's at like 100-150 so i think its kinda random but who knows.

 

Give this little tool a try, it worked great for me..
http://www.speedguide.net/downloads.php