Network Utilization very low. Around 0.38%!!

WildViper

Senior member
Feb 19, 2002
288
0
76
Hi,

I have noticed that when I look at Network Optimization in Task Manager, it has hardly ever increased to 1% let alone go upto 100%.

I am using XP Pro SP2 with all updates. I have also updated all drivers and made registry changes to TCP settings per the popular dslreports site.

Now the strange part is that it is the same when I do Firewire networking between two computers. Both use XP Pro SP2 with all updates.

I transfer large amounts of data..about 100gig at a time.

So I am concerned that something is not setup right. Why would Firewire not work at fast speeds? Why would Ethernet behave the same way?

Very strange. Appreciate any pointers.
 

WildViper

Senior member
Feb 19, 2002
288
0
76
well, in case of transferring files, it is just stored laptop harddrive and moved to desktop harddrive.

When using Internet, I even tried downloading a big file while watcing YouTube....the damn thing doesn't go over 0.50% for 100Mbps. ???

I am getting frustrated since we pay for all these high speed, high bandwidth technology and nothing..nada, zip benefit.
 

Crusty

Lifer
Sep 30, 2001
12,684
2
81
Even though your Network card is running at 100mbps, your internet will not be. If you are on a typical DSL/Cable modem then you will most likely never see constant speeds > 10mbps, which would still be higher then the < 1% you are seeing.

What kind of Internet connection do you have, and what bandwidth does your ISP say you have access too?

As far as copying files locally being that slow, that could be one of many things. Mis configured HDD's (PIO mode instead of DMA), a bad network cable, bad switch, very fragmented HDD, etc etc and doesn't necessarily mean it's a Network issue.

First thing I would do is hook up your two computers via crossover cable and test the transfer speed of a file, just pick one file (large) and time how long it takes to transfer to the other.

Check out http://www.ezlan.net/ for better information.
 

WildViper

Senior member
Feb 19, 2002
288
0
76
thanx for that info. I have looked at ezlan before. Couldn't find anything to make the system go faster.

Now, here is the weird part:

I have DSL at work which is behind a Cisco 831 router. Verizon is the DSL provider and we have the 728K(or something close to that) download speed and half that for upload. I have connected the computer via different cables before and never saw this go up.

At home, I have RoadRunner Cable with 3Mbps Download and 728K upload. Here too, I have never seen on any of the computer(3 laptops wirelessly and 1 desktop) ever go above 1%.

I have tried hard to push this up by using a lot of stuff on the internet at the same time. No luck.

At DslReports, my speed for dl is 350K and upload is half that. This is true for both home and work.

I must have messed up somewhere in setting up the computers. Because the only thing common among all these computers and setups is me and well, XP Pro SP2. :p

I am usually very good at keeping my systems in tiptop shape. So I doubt about the HD being fragged. I will check all that and report back.

But, why would Firewire not go up on speed? I mean this is direct connection over a 3ft cable. All cables I have can't be bad.
 

spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
76
It sounds like you've fubarred your TCP/IP stack. Reset anything you "tweaked" about it to defaults.

The only other thing that can cause this would be cabling or something messed up driver wise.