Topic: slow internet

[adamdaly]

just starting using a new computer, and am having a problem with the internet connection. if i'm on for a while the connection slows down a lot, usually the page will time out a something called common name will appear. or the page will finish with a lot of content missing. it also makes downloading near to impossible. any-one know how to fix this prob.

thanks

adam daly

[Clive]

Adam, there were general problems with internet speed last night so it may have been a one off.  Please let us know if the problems persist today.

[Robotochan]

I never noticed that   My internet is usually slow  

[Simon]

Adam if you're still having problems, can you let us know if you are on broadband or 56K dial up?  There are one or two modem / connection settings, which can be tweaked (a free program called Tweak All is useful) but usually the default settings work OK.  I would also check out your ISP, and see if they have a 'service status' page on their website.

[Michelle]

I'm connecting with AOL 56k at the moment and is only 1 out of 10 I get a decent connection, if I can connect that is.   I couldn't get any pages to open last night at all. Rubbish!  >

[Michelle]

Also AOL told me to ask BT (if thats who your phone line is with) to "increase the gain" on the line, I don't know what this means but it appears to have helped a little bit?  You could try that adam.  

[Tony]

Around 11.00pm onwards last night I could not open any threads on PC-Pals, no problem with other sites though, so I was in bed by twenty past twelve  

[Robotochan]

Gain is the amplification of the signal sent from the exchange, it means your signal is stronger so you should be able to get more throughput through your line and a better sound quality on your phone.

[ketamininja]

It is possible that you have SPYWARE or a VIRUS on your system that is using most of your connections speed when online.

Good Free Antivirus: http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan
Spyware Remover: http://www.safer-networking.org/

[Michelle]

Gain is the amplification of the signal sent from the exchange, it means your signal is stronger so you should be able to get more throughput through your line and a better sound quality on your phone.

Thanks robo, what I don't understand is why you have to ASK them to do this, surely you should have the strongest best signal anyway.  >

[Simon]

It probably costs them more, Michelle.  

[Clive]

To be fair, the telephone system was designed long before the Internet came about and it was quite adequate for phone conversations. It's possible that by increasing your gain, that someone else has to have a bit less.