11 replies to this topic

[Ski]

Been going around with this for over a week. My RoadRunner cable internet connection has slowed to almost dial-up speed, if it finds a connection at all. I have run all the virus scanners, malware scanners, etc, etc. If I power cycle the router, I'm kinda OK for a few minutes, or sites, or clicks - however you want to look at it. But very soon it comes back to sloooow!! So after talking to half of Pakistan and most of India the other night, they decided to send a tech to my house. While on the phone with whoever, I ran the speedtest.cfl.rr dot com test numerous times in different configurations on different computers - all showed the same - my connection speed is within acceptable limits, I have standard 10 meg down, 1 meg up or something. The speeds on all 3 computers, 2 wired & 1 wireless were 9.6 or better down, and .9 or better up.
The tech came and messed with some hi tech looking piece of equipment and ended up putting a new modem in. Still the same. My home page is simple Yahoo. On initial sign on, it takes sometimes 15 20 seconds of white screen before it finds the page. It times out sometimes with 'cannot find the server'. Once I'm finally on a page, to go to a sub page - forget it! Go to a news page and click on a headline - don't even bother, more than 50% it will time out.
I took in a laptop for some repair yesterday, hooked it thru my passworded router and it was like dial-up again. That is now 2 wired and 2 wireless machined that essentially can't access the net.
My router is a 5-6 year old Belkin that has served well til recently. Should I just take a chance and replace it? Other than HiJackThis is there some diagnostic software that can find out if this is my problem or RoadRunners?

Thanx for any help
Ski

[woodworker]

Ski, I was having almost the same problem. After trying everything I could think of, I finally just bypassed the router. I went directly from the modem to the computer and all would work well. Did the same with the other computer and it worked well.
I reset router and it worked well for quite a period, then same thing. That has happened a few times since then and I have just unplugged for a period, than hooked up and started it again. So far, it is working, but if I experience any more problems such as that I will probably replace.
So you might try bypassing and see what you get.
Good luck,
Kenneth

[Keeper]

I know you use Belkin router but have a look at this Ski,,,,Router info. link

[Keeper]

Another thought,Often your connection speed is slow because other programs are using it. To test if other programs, such as anti-virus and other updates, are accessing the Internet without your knowing, Click Start, Click Run. Type "cmd" (without quotes). Type "netstat -b 5 > activity.txt". After a minute or so, hold down Ctrl and press C. This has created a file with a list of all programs using your Internet connection. Type activity.txt to open the file and view the program list.
Try pressing Ctrl-Alt-Delete simultaneously and open up the Task Manager. Go to the process menu and close those processes that may be stealing your valuable bandwidth. (NOTE: Closing processes with unknown filenames may cause known programs to not function properly). There is a column with the User Name, and if that is "System", you'd better leave it alone until you stop using the program that needs it. But if the User is your own login name, then it is not crucial to the operating system, but may be needed by other programs, however you may experiment. Often the system will not allow closing of -- or will reopen -- needed system programs.
After you have tried some of this try your connection again and see if it's running any faster. If it is better you may need to close those extras each time you restart your system until you set the startup list to not open them anymore.

[Ski]

Thanx Guys. I'm gonna try all this, but it just took me near 15 minutes to get on-line. Unplugged and reset the router and - - Viola - back for a short.
May be back soon - gonna try to bypass the router - directly to the modem......

[Ski]

Well, bypass the router go directly from the wall to the modem - reset the modem - and life is good!

Note for future - insure wife is NOT on the phone to sister in ILL when you reset the router (VoIP)......... ;)

We'll see how this works, Been looking at Best Buy - not my favorite, but they have a Belkin or Netgear 300 refurb for 29 bucks - may be in the future. May have to buy it new for 50. What's your take on refurb/reman stuff.....?

[rokytnji]

Quote

What's your take on refurb/reman stuff.....?

From personal experience. My Netbooks which were refurbished have lasted me OK.

No breakdowns yet and have stressed them with numerous different Linux Installs.

Your Mileage May Vary (YMMV) though as refurbished can be a crap shoot. Depending on who did it and how it was done.

[Berton]

A note about 'refurbished'. Many times those classified as refurbished simply were sold and returned but never used. If a Serial Number is on the sales slip it has been tagged in inventory and that item can't be sold again as being new. I got a nice HP Laserjet All-in-One 3050 that way from Staples 4 years ago, still works.

[Ski]

Where I work a couple days a week we build a lot of equipment. Once the basic design has been proven to be viable, we only inspect 3% - that is one out of 30 pieces. If we re-manufacture something, it's gone through from head to tail. I will probably end up buying new as the refurb unit from BB is from their 'outlet' store and will take 5-7 days to ship. If I ship to the store, it's little or no cost, if I ship to my house, it's near 11.00 shipping + tax, and still 5-7 days. Can't wait that long...... Will do a little shopping tomorrow.

[woodworker]

Ski, on 22 July 2011 - 09:24 PM, said:

Note for future - insure wife is NOT on the phone to sister in ILL when you reset the router (VoIP)......... ;)

:fat_face_surprised :That probably should go to the top of the list......

[Ski]

Well..... couldn't put up with power cycle resetting the router every hour or so, so after a little homework - AND deciding to go only to local Walmart instead of many other places (too lazy to drive 20 miles to Best Buy or some of the other joints), we bought a Belkin n300 for the splurge price of 39.99. I went with Belkin cuz the old one lasted me some 5 or 6 years, back in the day where a 'G'router was the cats' meow!! In all actuality the old router is probably OK, just needs to be forceably reset to factory specs - got tired of messing with it!!

Kept the receipt - will play with this one for a while..................................

BTW - it's quite noticeably faster..................

[Lewis]

I use this router I got it from Staples about 3 years ago.

WGR614 54 Mbps Wireless Router from Netgear combines the functions of a Cable/DSL router and a wireless access point into one compact device.

The router allows you to share your Internet connection between several computers that can connect via a standard 802.11b/g wireless connection or via any of 4 wired RJ-45 Ethernet ports.

The router also features a firewall to protect you from malicious software that can attack your computer from the Internet, as well as wireless security to insure that your data remains private.

The router can achieve speeds of 54 Mbps via a standard 802.11g wireless connection and it is also fully backward compatible with devices that use the older 11 Mbps 802.11b standard. These features make the wireless router a great way to add wireless access to your home network.
Features
Good for surfing the Internet, email and online chat
Simple and secure way to share your high-speed Internet connection
Easy set-up with Smart Wizard installation CD
Works with computers with internal wireless
Automatically upgrades to the latest router firmware during installation
Internet sharing broadband router and 4-port switch
Configurable for private networks and public hotspots
Double firewall protection from external hackers attacks
Touchless WiFi Security makes securing your network easy
Second internal antenna improves range

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