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Off Topics > Help - Computer Networking Problem

nheather
Veteran
Location: Horsham, West Sussex, UK

I have a home network with 4 PCs.

I have noticed that internet connection from them all except one is very good.

Problem one - 1000Kbps down, 450Kbps up
Others - 6000Kbps down, 800Kbps up

My first test was to connect my laptop in place of the problem PC. I got 6000 down, 800 up. So no problem with the wiring, the router or the internet connection.

My next job was to make sure the ethernet NIC had the latest drivers - no improvement.

I've have then run, adaware, defender and virus check - all report clean.

I then replaced the NIC - no improvement.

The machine is running a fairly clean version of XP SP2 as are the other computers.

The PC is very lightly loaded with applications and is running an AMD64 3200+ with 1GB CL2 memory.

I'm at a loss.

Any ideas what to try next?

Cheers,

Nigel

05-12-2008 06:48 PM

Dustoff
Heliman
Location: West Lafayette, IN - USA

Check to make sure:
Negotiation is correct - set to auto
Cable is good - both pairs working
Switch or hub ports are good and configured properly.

05-12-2008 08:14 PM

nheather
Veteran
Location: Horsham, West Sussex, UK

Cable, routing etc are fine as I can disconnect the problem PC connect my laptop and it runs at full speed.

Problem is with the PC somewhere.

Cheers,

Nigel

05-12-2008 09:41 PM

9387ASH
Elite Veteran
Location: UK

Nigel, if you have the network icon in the bottom right corner, double click on it. A Local Area Connection status box will open up, click properties bottom left corner, Local Area Connection property box opens up.

In the General Tab to the right of the "Connect Using" there is a Configure button. Click on that, and another box opens up with details on the NIC.

Click Advanced and look for Connection Type, make sure that this reads Autosense.

If you dont have a Network Icon, click Start, Control Panel, double click Network Connections, double click Local Area Connection then click properties.

05-12-2008 10:29 PM

nheather
Veteran
Location: Horsham, West Sussex, UK

Checked it.

Unfortunately it is already on Auto-Negotiation and the Status indicates speed is 100Mbps.

Cheers,

Nigel

05-12-2008 10:56 PM

Splix
Senior Heliman
Location: Lafayette, IN

honestly, you dont want auto-negotiation on. It will slow down your connection in some situitations. Static set it to the speed your router's ports are. Either 100m or 1000m. From your last post, it looks like 100m. So static set your NIC to 100/full duplex. Disable the card, wait 2 seconds, enable the card, wait for DHCP to give your address, then try it again.

If that doesnt work, take the cable going from your problem PC and plug it into the port on the router that the good PC is on, and then speed test that.

If that doesnt work, bypass your router completely just to test. Plug directly from modem to 'puter. You'll have to power cycle your modem by the way when you plug into your PC, because your modem is learned to your router's mac.

Try that out, and if the modem directly to your computer works, then its the way your router works. What router was it again?

Oh wow! I wish my transmitter said "Touch Your Dreams!"

05-13-2008 12:48 AM

HOMEPAGE

nheather
Veteran
Location: Horsham, West Sussex, UK

Thanks for the replies but I don't think this is the problem in my case.

I will try moving the computer about but the very fact that I can pull the ethernet lead from it and plug it into my laptop and see perfect results means that the cabling, routing, switch and modem are working fine. The problem is with the PC in some way.

Yes I am aware of DrTCP - I've also use TCPOptimizer before to set MTU. Whilst tuning might bring small improvments I have a much more fundemental problem here. I'm seeing 1000Mbps instead of 6000Mbps (a 6x factor) and that isn't the result of a less than optimal RWIN or MTU.

Upgrading to SP3 didn't have any effect (mind you I didn't expect it to).

My next two steps are

(i) Try FireFox to eliminate possible problems with IE7

(ii) Bootwith Slax Linux using USB or CD and test - that should tell me whether it is a hardware or software problem.

Cheers,

Nigel

05-13-2008 09:44 AM

wesb1999
Senior Heliman
Location: Athens, Texas

Nigel, I tend to agree - your issue seems to be within the computers operating system. Existing network components outside this computer appear good.

Have you tried going into Safe Mode with Networking and testing the speeds? It would be a good test to try. Doing this would help you verify where in the OS stack your experiencing a bottleneck. If the problem goes away while in Safe Mode - good - now you know it has to do with an application. If there is no change in performance while in Safe Mode the issue likely lies in the OS's networking stack (OSI reference). This isn't as good because these modules are integrated into the OS and to properly fix you should reinstall to get a clean, optimized networking stack.

I've encountered similar issues caused by spyware and/or viruses. They jack with the networking stack causing it to be unable to efficiently process packets - sometimes completely leaving no network access.

If the issue goes away in safe mode focus on the app you were using in normal mode to connect and test. Cross-reference with a completely seperate application and the speed should jump up. If you're currently testing speed with a Microsoft app (IE6/7) then try a non-Microsoft app.

But like I said earlier... the issue exists in your computer, not network.

Wes

05-13-2008 12:20 PM

HOMEPAGE

Splix
Senior Heliman
Location: Lafayette, IN

1. Drop IE like the pile of $hit it is. I cant believe your using that.
2. Where do you live that you are pulling 6gbps to your house? Thats insane. OC-192 to your house? You're internet bill must be $10000/month :P

Oh wow! I wish my transmitter said "Touch Your Dreams!"

05-13-2008 01:09 PM

HOMEPAGE

nheather
Veteran
Location: Horsham, West Sussex, UK

I've have already tried 'Safe with Networking' - got the same poor performance.

Speed = 6000Mbps - bet your jealous, and just for $10 per month. Of course I did mean 6000Kbps!

IE - I actually think it's pretty good but I must admit in this case it's rapidly becoming my prime suspect.

I have expecting running with Firefox to solve the problem - I shall find out in a couple of hours.

Cheers,

Nigel

05-13-2008 03:21 PM

9387ASH
Elite Veteran
Location: UK

I dumped using IE7 when I set-up my sister in laws PC. Brand New straight out of the box, set the beast up off line, hooked it to the broadband hub, connected to register XP and IE7 froze every time. Had to kill the process each time.

Luckily I had a CD with me containing Firefox, loaded that and since then not a single problem with her Internet connection.

05-13-2008 03:30 PM

Splix
Senior Heliman
Location: Lafayette, IN

hah, ya I know, just playin.

Some food for thought:
Here is a pic of the memory usages between 3 browsers.