Why is my internet running so slow?

Question

Well my wireless router is running at 54 mb/s but when im downloading something it barely reaches 20 kb/s, it's always happened, i just bought this new laptop from lenevo,
specs...
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Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64
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Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64 US English
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14.1 WXGA+ TFT Multi-touch, w/ LED Backlight
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NVIDIA NVS Switchable Graphics 512MB, Intel Core i5-520M Processor (2.40GHz, 3MB L3, 1066MHz FSB)
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8 GB PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
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Keyboard UK English
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UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad) with Fingerprint Reader
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2.0 Megapixel Integrated Camera
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250 GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm - Low Halogen
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DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim (Serial ATA)
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3-1 Media Card Reader
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6 cell Li-Ion Battery
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3 cell Ultrabay Battery
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Country Pack United Kingdom
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Bluetooth w/ antenna
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Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6200 (2x2 AGN)
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Integrated Wireless Wide Area Network upgradable
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Language Pack UK English
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Microsoft Office Professional 2010 (Europe) - English
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McAfee Internet Security 2009 - 36 months

I don't believe its anything to do with the laptops im buying, any ideas?

Answer 1

In general your routers Mbps isn't really related to how fast you download, only how fast you transfer between the network. Mbps can be changed by the type of security you have on your router. I am assuming a few things here, since your router and wireless type were not specified.



Assumptions:



1: You're running security as WEP or OPEN (Wpa will increase your routers mbps up to 300mbps, but like I say this isn't related to your download speed, and only if you're using wireless N router and Wireless N card from your pc)



2: You have a virus (I would assume not since you said it's a new laptop, unless of course you look a lot of porn or download a lot of illegal things)



3: You should specify your ISP (Internet service provider) And the amount of bandwidth you're supposed to be getting (If you have dsl the minimum you should have is 1.5mbps, which equals your download speed to range at about 150kbps)



4: To check and make sure it's not just a wireless issue (Interference with other 2.4ghz items such as wireless phones and well anything electronic basically) Plug your laptop directly into the router and see if you get more than 20kbps. (If this is true see if you can enable 802.11H on your wireless adapter settings.



5: It's not your laptop....

Answer 2

Best thing to do would be try using the internet with a different computer (if possible). This will make it obvious whether it's YOUR pc that's slowing the internet down, or an actual problem with the line. If you cant do this, then try doing the following: Run Spybot Search and Destroy Run Lavasoft Ad-Aware (free edition) Run CCleaner Delete all private data in Firefox/IE If it still seems slow, definitely contact your internet service provider.

Answer 3

Could be the test you are using. Try this one www.speedtest.net/

And yes the 54 is inside your network. The external speed to the internet varies based on the plan you have with your ISP.

Also, if you are using wifi during the test and the signal is weak due to walls and floors that will be the reason for the slow connection.

Answer 4

Apart from having sufficient RAM and processing speed below are the few tips to deal with slow internet:





1. Try and user Google chrome Its light weight and fast you can get it for free from the following URL http://www.google.com/chrome

2. Download any good System Cleaner such as Reginout from Intel Software Directory (http://ibx.intel.com/directory/ ) to clear Browser history and cache because when the cache gets full, your browsing will slow down.

3. Make sure system is free of Mal wares and viruses use Avast free and Malware Bytes (FREE)



4. Sometimes your DNS server is not fast enough you can experiment with some third party DNS server Such as OpenDNS http://www.opendns.com. I tested this with two ISP connections found it very useful with One of them, didn’t get much difference in case of second ISP.

5. Always try and use a download manager. There are many free options available

6. Make sure your system firewall in enable and managed to stop unwanted internet traffic

You can control access of programs to internet using windows Firewall

Answer 5

54 Mb/s is the speed of the connection between your computer and the router. Not the connection between your router and the isp. Check your speed at http://www.speedtest.net/ . Then consult with your isp.

Answer 6

Did you disable the Windows firewall while using McCrapafee. That piece of junk has it's own firewall and may not have disabled the built in firewall.