connection trouble

[linkmaster6]

I have a DSL connection from Aliant and a new computer i got at christmas, and have been plagued with connection issues. Trying to download somethings it goes into bps, msn messenger has problems connecting when i go throught the troubleshooter it comes back saying that key ports are blocked or it will randomly sign me out, pages such as google or yahoo have balls in ass slow loading times. I am using a speedstream router. is it a problem with the router, a connection configuration on my computer or can an ISP strangle your connection when your bill is a little past due?

PLEASE HELP

 

[Xsorovan]

ISP can strangle your signal... but why strangle when they can just shut you off entirely?

I assume you're running windows XP? Just out of curosity have you tried disabling the firewall in windows?

Have you plugged any other computers into the router? Do they have the same problem?

 

[linkmaster6]

I am not running with a firewall right now, i've been experiencing some trouble when it comes to utorrent working with firewalls. My room mates is also hooked up but up until recently (past two weeks) has had much faster download times.

 

[Xsorovan]

This might be a silly question, but have you tried unplugging your router for 30+ seconds (so the NVRam will reset) and then plugging it back in?

Also do you have internal access to the router?

 

[linkmaster6]

I haven't unplugged the router, will that fix the routing tables? and yes I do have internal access

 

[Xsorovan]

If you unplug it for around 30 seconds it should forget dynamic information is has stored/ reboot the router. Anything set and saved to memory won't be removed.

 

[linkmaster6]

That seems to have solved my downloading speeds, not as fast as I'd like them to be but that has to do with the health of the torrent file. How often should I unplug my router? is there anything else i should check?

 

[Xsorovan]

I've gone months without ever rebooting some DSL/ Cable routers, and other ones I've had to do it at least once a week. It really depends. I think the cheaper the router the more often you need to "cycle" it. So if you notice it being a bit pokey it's not too much trouble to power it down. wait for a bit and then bring it back up again.

As for other things to check you might want to run http://www.speedtest.net/ occasionally and see what your bandwidth is doing to different locations.

Good to hear it worked!