Slow Ethernet, but Fast Wireless?

Question

I am baffled. For some reason my internet connection is acting funny. I have broadband with COX cable and it seems like there is an issue with the speed of my internet when connect via ethernet to my modem. Downloads are slow when starting, and then get even slower & the internet pages crawl when loading up.

I thought it was a problem with my router, so I disconnected it and plugged the modem directly to my computer (iMac) and still had the same results. Then I figured the modem was going bad, so I bought a replacement (Surfboard SBG900 w/ wifi gateway) and it STILL didn't fix the problem.

However, when I connect to the internet via wifi it seems to work fine and is even faster than being connected through ethernet. I also tried switching the ethernet cord to see if that was the problem, but that didn't solve it either.

Why would the connection be slow though ethernet, but be normal through wifi? bad ethernet port? This just doesn't make sense.

Answer 1

If you are using the same iMac for both wired and wireless tests - sounds like you have a shaky network interface on the iMac. If your old cable modem and the new modem (both supporting WIFI) have the same results - poor wired response and fast wireless response - your iMac port is the issue.



Since you've already eliminated the cable - what remains is the Mac Port.



Hope this helps

Answer 2

well I was going to say you have a bad Ethernet wire...but yes perhaps the port is just bad.. bad luck maybe? try using another NIC (network interface card) either an addition pcmcia to ethernet or usb to ethernet or in the case of a desktop pci or pci-e to ethernet



really fast wireless though eh? yea that is weird...perhaps a bad NIC



what is your connection showing up as under the network tab in your task manager ? 100mbps or 1gbps ?

Answer 3

call you internet provider to replace your modem. if that doesnt help then its your Mac