Fast connection to modem yet download speed only 50%.

newfish · July 4th, 2009, 11:32 PM

I just got a new DSL connection - 6 Mbps/512 Kbps with a new Motorola 2210 modem. Here's the problem: the connection coming in the modem is strong (8 Kbits/Sec 508 Kbits/Sec) but when I run speed tests on my comp, I only get a 3Mbps connection. If I move the network card to a different slot my connection runs at full speed, but then goes back to being slow after a couple of hours; however, the moment I move it to another slot it gets fast again. WTF?! I have two network cards: one attached to the mother board and one I'm moving around (D-Link DFE-530TX). The motherboard one gets the same slow speeds. Any suggestions other than get a new PC? I'm using a Dell Dimension 2350 Windows XP |Celeron 2 GHz | 640 MB Ram | Broadcom 440x 10/100 integrated controller

**GroundZero3** · July 6th, 2009, 07:02 AM

Do you have the latest drivers for the onboard nic card?

zen · July 7th, 2009, 09:52 AM

Is it a promised 6Mb connection or "up to 6Mb?" Comcast and the likes brag about their speeds but in reality expect half.

newfish · July 7th, 2009, 10:50 AM

Hi, and thanks for your replies.

I ran a driver check and updated a few older drivers and still nothing.

(was a good suggestion, though)

I spoke with a dsl technician that came to my home and he said that speeds are only capped when they go above 6 megs and the connection coming in is strong.

I think I'm going to give up on this comp and just get a new one. It's too old to throw more money into -- I got it in 2003 and it's been nothing but upgrades ever since. lol

MTAtech · July 7th, 2009, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newfish

I just got a new DSL connection - 6 Mbps/512 Kbps with a new Motorola 2210 modem. Here's the problem: the connection coming in the modem is strong (8 Kbits/Sec 508 Kbits/Sec) but when I run speed tests on my comp, I only get a 3Mbps connection.

Kbits or Mbits?

I assume you mean Mb. I also don't think that you are going to get any better performance from a new PC. To test, borrow someone elses laptop and connect to your network.

I also don't think for anything but moving large files there is much practical diff between 3 and 6 Mb. Your email will won't notice.

newfish · July 7th, 2009, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTAtech

Kbits or Mbits?

I assume you mean Mb. I also don't think that you are going to get any better performance from a new PC. To test, borrow someone elses laptop and connect to your network.

I also don't think for anything but moving large files there is much practical diff between 3 and 6 Mb. Your email will won't notice.

I did the laptop test and it it got 6 MB speeds. Besides, do you think I would stress over a 3 MB connection if all I wanted to do was surf the web and send emails?

MTAtech · July 7th, 2009, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newfish

I did the laptop test and it it got 6 MB speeds. Besides, do you think I would stress over a 3 MB connection if all I wanted to do was surf the web and send emails?

I don't know you and therefore don't know what you stress over. I've seen lots here that get obsessive over such things.

Mine tested 6.61 Mb down/1.81 Mb up.

My gut feeling is that it isn't the PC because 3 Mb isn't much for even an old PC. Did you connect the laptop to the same cable as the PC was connected too?