Slow cable connection

I am on a friend's computer, and she has a 384k up cable connection. For some reason, web pages load slowly, and the highest file download speed I have seen from any site is between 30 and 40 kbps. The computer is a Compaq Presario SR1130NX, 3000+ Athlon XP, 512 MB Ram. I have already cleaned this computer of viral infections and spyware using the forum for such matters here on majorgeeks. I was hoping that I could get some help in this area as well. I am not very knowledgeable about firewalls and other internet related issues but any advice you could give would be great. Thanks!

 

Is this computer connected directly to the internet? Some information on the topology of the network could help. Is it cable modem and then computer? Or is it some other way?

 

The cable goes from the wall to the cable modem and then from there to the ethernet card, if that is what you mean. It is Charter cable. The Local Area Connection is enabled with a VIA Rhine II Fast Ethernet Adapter. There is also a 1394 Connection enabled with the 1394 Net Adapter. The Local Area Connection appears to be the only one that connects to the internet, since the status of the 1394 adapter shows no activity. I am not really sure if that helps at all. I am not entirely sure about the network topology unfortunately, as I know that would help quite a bit. Anyway, if you need any other information let me know. Thanks!

 

where is the house? is it in the middle of the city or is it way out in the middle of nowhere?

 

One thing to do is Reset the cable modem.
Most have reset button.
Also uppluging all cables on the modem, unplug power cable too, wait few minutes then reconnect, should also reset ya modem.

I have cable service after bad weather/storms my modem needs resetting, or on occasion if becomes slow resetting brings back the high speed I pay for.

You can call ISP ask them to check service, they should be able to perform basic test (free) without having to come to the house.

 

I have already tried resetting and redoing the cables and everything, but it looks like I am going to have to call the ISP because the Charter FAQ didn't help. =P The apartment is in Denton, Texas. It is right by Texas Women's University and near UNT, so it should not really be an issue of being too far away. Anyway, thanks for the advice!

 

It could be an issue with the speed and duplex on the workstation interfering with what the cable modem thinks the speed and duplex should be. I had that issue on some of my switches.

On another note - Is it DSL or cable? I didn't think cable had guaranteed speeds, at least my home connection doesn't. If the univeristy uses charter cable for it's connections and there are 5000 people over there streaming... well whatever... that could be an issue.