Windows 7: Download's consume bandwidth, preventing internet browsing.

When ever I start a download it eats up my internet bandwidth, making browsing a normal web page take forever to load. When I'm not downloading a file i get about 12Mbps down, and 1Mbps up. When i start a download the numbers drop close to 0. The program performing the download seems negligible; whether its chrome, or IE, or a DL manager the download results are the same.



This only happens on this computer, running windows 7 ultimate, my laptop running windows 7 is exempt from this problem. no other programs, excluding the download, appear to be running in the background. as much as i like my laptop, i would prefer to use my desktop for downloads.

Sorry to hear you are having a problem, and welcome to the forum! It sounds like a firewall may be the issue, so disable any and all firewalls.

NOTE - Many new antivirus solutions now include a firewall, so dont overlook that!

Please report your results...

Hi there
problem could be your ISP -- often they throttle back downloads especially if you are using torrent software such as utorrent or downloading from "popular sites". They often block computers both by ip / mac address combination and by the site being accessed so even on the same network one computer might work and the other is throttled back.

An easy way to check is to try a download from one of these "Slow sites" by using a Proxy.

Try a LEGAL site such as a TV streaming site to see if the problem is with data streaming too.

Of course if the download site itself can't supply you fast enough then that could also be a problem --however that should only happen very rarely.

Cheers
jimbo

Sorry, guess i wasnt very clear with my problem, and the type of solution i am looking for. From what i can tell its not my ISP, or a Firewall. but the download seems to be gaining a high priority over our bandwith denying any for browsing. Im looking for a way to reverse that, or at least understand why downloads from that one computer is eating up my bandwidth. thanks for the suggestions.

the only firewall i have is windows firewall. currently no anti-virus (its a fresh install, there should be no Virus's.) bandwidth is consumed by Chrome's download, IE's download, Steam's downloader, patching software, etc. Running Windows 7 Ultimate, currently up to date. Streaming from Hulu did not show any signs of eating up bandwidth. when PC A is downloading PC's A B C and D are unable to browse; when PC's B C or D, are downloading, PC's A B C and D are able to browse.

OK then, lets start fresh. This is a fresh install you said, but what you describe is very bizzarre... very, very bizarre! But I have a few ideas... and lots of questions.

How old is your router? What is the make and model? Are you running a router with an integrated switch, or are you using a seperate router and switch/hub? If seperate, can you give model #s for both? Im thinking maybe you have an old hub instead of a newer switch... Can you please describe your network in detail and give model #s where you can?

Another question that must be asked, is where did you get your copy of Win 7?

i have an oem windows 7 from New Egg

my network set up, PC's -> 2x D-link switch DG2088 -> Netgear router RP614 -> Motorola Cable modem SB101

the switches and router are about a year or two old. i have tried various slots on the switches, and see the same results.

Curious as to why 2 switches, and how they are wired to the router?

we have two switches cause of the vast number of PC's and Tv's we have connected to the internet. I believe the switches take up ports one and two on the router, or two and three.

Are you sure they are switches and not hubs? Both look identical...???

And I cannot find anything searching for a Dlink DG2088, are you sure thats the correct model #?

My mistake, its the dgs 2208, here is the product page D-Link 8-Port 10/100/1000 Desktop Switch