Slow download speeds

[DBissett]

The first computer in my sig has constantly slow download speeds. I pay for 12Mbps from ATT and get 1.5-2. The second computer in my sig is connected to the same gateway and gets about 9 Mbps. A tech has been out to check the service and said that the modem is receiving in a range close to 12 Mbps...I forget the exact number. Anyway, I'm wondering if I made some kind of mistake when I built the computer and installed the drivers, but don't know how to troubleshoot the problem. I have reinstalled the LAN driver with no effect. Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[EXCellR8]

how exactly are the machines connected to the gateway or modem? do you use a router or any other switches?

 

[DBissett]

Both computers are plugged into the ATT gateway, which as I understand it is a modem and a router. There is no other equipment involved. Today I experimented with tweaks I found at speedguide.com. Nothing had any positive effect on the download speed. In fact, after tweaks the tested download speed slowed from 2.6 to 1.67 Mbps.

 

[Mojoed]

Have you tried different network cables?

 

[MontyAC]

Go and have ATT exchange the modem/router. Probably it's defective.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Have you tried different network cables?

This, and/or swap the ports to see if the problems stay with the one PC.

Also, you can boot a Linux Live USB (eg, Mint) to see if it's a Windows problem or a hardware problem. If speeds improve with Live USB then it's definitely a Windows configuration/driver problem.

 

[DBissett]

Update...I called ATT tech support today. They are very helpful, a model for other companies. The tech support person did some tests and said something about the modem and/or filter settings either outside or at the cable box did not match the central office equipment properly and she sent an onsite tech who will be here in the morning, and added a discount of almost a full month. She said when he leaves I should be getting full speed. We'll see. But it did sound like she detected something wrong. (I had a hard time understanding her well.) I did try swapping ports today and got the same results. Today both computers were slow, the slowest one, which is the newer computer, was downloading at 1.6 Mbps, and the second one was downloading around 4 Mbps. Will update again after the tech visit.

 

[DBissett]

Turns out the problem was Kaspersky Anti-virus, which I installed a couple months ago. After we turned that off my download speed hit about 11Mbps, up from about 2. Searching the web revealed a lot of complaints about this program slowing computers that I did not know about. I've uninstalled Kaspersky and re-installed Vipre, which I am running on the other computer, and it makes no hit at all on computer or internet speed. Incidentally, the Uverse tech said that 55Mbps is being delivered to the house.