ISP says computer to blame for slow internet

[gregrocker]

Check the logs for repeat errors, use the System Resources to check for solutions to problems, establish a Clean boot and these other Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7

 

[F5ing]

A free CD/DVD/USB based OS that has networking support is a version of Puppy Linux:

Put Lucid Puppy on USB Flash Drive from Windows | USB Pen Drive Linux

You can download the single iso file, burn it to disc and boot from it, or follow the instructions on the page to create a bootable USB flash drive to boot with.

You can then test your internet speed to confirm whether or not your hardware is at fault.

 

[karlsnooks]

Kiddo,
1. Uninstall BonJour
2. Reboot.

3. Uninstall ALL programs that you definitively do not need.
4. Reboot.

Remember, programs can always be reinstalled at a later date.

Right now, you have a wealth of programs that could be causing problems.
Even when you don't run the program, then they actually have processes running int the background.

Which programs are the guilty parties I do not know. I only know how to fix problems.

=============================================

On another approach, let's clean out your eventlogs to get rid of all of the old junk.

Then after using for a couple of hours, look at the events for critical events.

Here is how to clear out all of your old logs.

# ************************************************************
# Clear the EVENT LOGS
#
# **********************INSTRUCTIONS**************************
# STEP 1 *****************************************************
# RUN PowerShell as ADMINISTRATOR
# START ORB | type POWERSHELL | CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER key combo | ALT+Y keycombo
# ************************************************************
# STEP 2 *****************************************************
# COPY, starting with the first line that does NOT start with a #
# COPY, using CTRL+C, every line thru both EXIT statements 
# PASTE into Powershell
# You PASTE by Right-clicking at the PowerShell Prompt
#  (Ctrl+V does not work)
# ************************************************************

Get-WinEvent -ListLog * -Force | % { $_.logname;Wevtutil.exe cl $_.logname };Wevtutil.exe cl system

EXIT
EXIT

# ***************** NOTE - POWERSHELL VERSION*****************
# if you receive this error msg:
#  Get-WinEvent: The system can not find the path specified
# you need to update your PowerShell
# you must be using Powershell 2.0 or later.
#
# To determine your Powershell version:
#   Run PowerShell
#   enter $host.version
#   you should see at least:
# Major  Minor  Build  Revision
# -----  -----  -----  --------
# 2      0      -1     -1
#
# If you do not see the above, update your Vista/Win 7.
# ************************************************************
# *************** NOTE - EXECUTION POLICY*********************
# If you haven't set the execution policy, you may need to:
#   Run PowerShell
#   enter Set-ExecutionPolicy -executionpolicy remotesigned
#
# ************************************************************

 

[karlsnooks]

Kiddo,
Here's how to view you last "n" critical and error events.
n is 100 by default but you can alter the script for more or less events.

# ************************************************************
# Places CRITICALandERROREVENTS.TXT on your DESKTOP
#
# Displays 100 most recent critical and error events in a Grid View
# Writes 100 most recent critical and error events to CriticalAndErrorEvents.txt
#
# Change the $MAX value for more or fewer events
# Change the $Lwidth value to 254 for example for longer lines
# **********************************************************
# **********************INSTRUCTIONS**************************
# STEP 1 *****************************************************
# RUN PowerShell as administrator
# START ORB | type POWERSHELL | CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER key combo | ALT+Y keycombo
# ************************************************************
# STEP 2 *****************************************************
# COPY, using CTRL+C, every line down thru both EXIT statements 
# PASTE into Powershell == Right-Click at the PowerShell Prompt
#  (Ctrl+V does not work)
# Start copying with first line without a # at start of the line
# Note: Actually, you can paste the entire file if you rather
#       Lines starting with a # are ignored by PowerShell
# ************************************************************
# Copy thru the two EXIT statements
# Paste, using Right-Click into Powershell
#   Ctrl + V will NOT work
# Start Copying with Next Line

$MAX = 100
$LWidth = 132
$a = Get-WinEvent -FilterHashtable @{logname='*';  level=1,2} `
-max $MAX  -verbose:$false -erroraction:silentlycontinue |
sort-object -property `
@{expression="level";Descending=$false}, `
@{expression="timecreated";Descending=$true} |
select-object -property leveldisplayname, timecreated, ID,  Message 
# $a | out-gridview -Title "Critical and Error Events"
$a | format-table  @{Label = "Level"; Expression =  {$_.leveldisplayname} }, timecreated, ID, Message -wrap -auto |
out-file $env:userprofile\Desktop\CRITICALandERROREVENTS.TXT -width $Lwidth

EXIT
EXIT

# **********************INSTRUCTIONS**************************
# STEP 1 *****************************************************
# RUN PowerShell as administrator
# START ORB | type POWERSHELL | CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER key combo | ALT+Y keycombo
# ************************************************************
# STEP 2 *****************************************************
# COPY, using CTRL+C, every line down thru both EXIT statements 
# PASTE into Powershell == Right-Click at the PowerShell Prompt
#  (Ctrl+V does not work)
# The EXITs are the last statements
# ************************************************************
# ***************** NOTE - POWERSHELL VERSION*****************
# if you receive this error msg:
#  Get-WinEvent: The system can not find the path specified
# you need to update your PowerShell
# you must be using Powershell 2.0 or later.
#
# To determine your Powershell version:
#   Run PowerShell
#   enter $host.version
#   you should see at least:
# Major  Minor  Build  Revision
# -----  -----  -----  --------
# 2      0      -1     -1
#
# If you do not see the above, update your Vista/Win 7.
# ************************************************************
# *************** NOTE - EXECUTION POLICY*********************
# If you haven't set the execution policy, you may need to:
#   Run PowerShell
#   enter Set-ExecutionPolicy -executionpolicy remotesigned
#
# ************************************************************

 

[kiddo]

I'm still not getting a normal speed.

I tried Lucid Puppy. I checked the speed while in the OS using firefox. My speed was 1227. When I got back to normal boot order and was back in Windows, I updated my BIOS. I checked my speed again and it was 1226.

I uninstalled bonjour as well as other programs that I don't use. I rebooted (oops forgot to reboot after bonjour uninstall) and checked my speed (1226).

Then, I tried to clear my event logs. I was unsuccessful. I tried following the instructions but I guess I was leaving something out. This is what I did:
Went to win start and searched for powershell. I clicked on Powershell x86 and typed in "powershell" then crtl+shift+enter but nothing happened. I went back to win and this time tried Powershell. Again nothing. Next I tried Powershell ISE but again nothing.

Stupid question coming your way: The program(s) that is affecting my internet speed is something that uses the internet, right? Not all programs use the internet. Is that correct?

(I'm still not sure how to figure out what that alert (sound at bootup) is warning me about)

 

[karlsnooks]

Kiddo,
To clear the logs:

# **********************INSTRUCTIONS**************************
# STEP 1 ** RUN POWERSHELL AS ADMINISTRATOR ******************
# ************************************************************
#
# WIN key | type POWERSHELL | do NOT hit ENTER |
# in the PROGRAMS list, right-click on WINDOWS POWERSHELL |
# choose "Run as administrator" |
# Click on the YES button (if such appears)
#
# WIN key = key with Microsoft log on top
#
# for the guru:
# WIN | type POWERSHELL | CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER key combo | ALT+Y keycombo
# ************************************************************
# STEP 2 ** COPY AND PASTE ***********************************
# ************************************************************
#
# COPY the script using CTRL+C,
# COPY every line of script down thru both EXIT statements
#
# PASTE into Powershell
#----Right-Click at the PowerShell Prompt
#----(Ctrl+V does not work)
#
# Start copying with first script line without a # at start of the line
# Note: Actually, you can paste the entire file if you rather
#-------Lines starting with a # are ignored by PowerShell
# ************************************************************
# STEP 3 ** SCRIPT OUTPUT & SCRIPT PURPOSE *******************
# ************************************************************
# --The script output and purpose is given at the very front of the script
#
# --The script output and purpose is given at the very front of the script
#
# ************************************************************
# ***************** NOTE - POWERSHELL VERSION*****************
# if you receive this error msg:
#--The system can not find the path specified
# you may need to update your PowerShell
# you must be using Powershell 2.0 or later.
#
# To determine your Powershell version:
#---Run PowerShell
#---enter $host.version
#---you should see at least:
# Major Minor Build Revision
# ----- ----- ----- --------
# 2......0......-1.....-1
#
# If you do not see the above, update your Vista/Win 7.
# ************************************************************
# *************** NOTE - EXECUTION POLICY*********************
# If you haven't set the execution policy, you may need to:
#---Run PowerShell
#---enter SET-EXECUTIONPOLICY -EXECUTIONPOLICY REMOTESIGNED
# ************************************************************

# ************************************************************
# Clear the EVENT LOGS
#
# ************************************************************

Get-WinEvent -ListLog * -Force | % { $_.logname;Wevtutil.exe cl $_.logname };Wevtutil.exe cl system

EXIT
EXIT

# ************************************************************

=================================================
=================================================
To see the critical and error events:

# **********************INSTRUCTIONS**************************
# STEP 1 ** RUN POWERSHELL AS ADMINISTRATOR ******************
# ************************************************************
#
# WIN key | type POWERSHELL | do NOT hit ENTER |
# in the PROGRAMS list, right-click on WINDOWS POWERSHELL |
# choose "Run as administrator" |
# Click on the YES button (if such appears)
#
# WIN key = key with Microsoft log on top
#
# for the guru:
# WIN | type POWERSHELL | CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER key combo | ALT+Y keycombo
# ************************************************************
# STEP 2 ** COPY AND PASTE ***********************************
# ************************************************************
#
# COPY the script using CTRL+C,
# COPY every line of script down thru both EXIT statements
#
# PASTE into Powershell
#----Right-Click at the PowerShell Prompt
#----(Ctrl+V does not work)
#
# Start copying with first script line without a # at start of the line
# Note: Actually, you can paste the entire file if you rather
#-------Lines starting with a # are ignored by PowerShell
# ************************************************************
# STEP 3 ** SCRIPT OUTPUT & SCRIPT PURPOSE *******************
# ************************************************************
# --The script output and purpose is given at the very front of the script
#
# --The script output and purpose is given at the very front of the script
#
# ************************************************************
# ***************** NOTE - POWERSHELL VERSION*****************
# if you receive this error msg:
#--The system can not find the path specified
# you may need to update your PowerShell
# you must be using Powershell 2.0 or later.
#
# To determine your Powershell version:
#---Run PowerShell
#---enter $host.version
#---you should see at least:
# Major Minor Build Revision
# ----- ----- ----- --------
# 2......0......-1.....-1
#
# If you do not see the above, update your Vista/Win 7.
# ************************************************************
# *************** NOTE - EXECUTION POLICY*********************
# If you haven't set the execution policy, you may need to:
#---Run PowerShell
#---enter SET-EXECUTIONPOLICY -EXECUTIONPOLICY REMOTESIGNED
# ************************************************************

# ************************************************************
# Places CRITICALandERROREVENTS.TXT on your DESKTOP
#
# Displays 100 most recent critical and error events in a Grid View
# Writes 100 most recent critical and error events to CriticalAndErrorEvents.txt
#
# Change the $MAX value for more or fewer events
# Change the $Lwidth value to 254 for example for longer lines
# **********************************************************

$MAX = 100
$LWidth = 132
$a = Get-WinEvent -FilterHashtable @{logname='*';  level=1,2} `
-max $MAX  -verbose:$false -erroraction:silentlycontinue |
sort-object -property `
@{expression="level";Descending=$false}, `
@{expression="timecreated";Descending=$true} |
select-object -property leveldisplayname, timecreated, ID,  Message 
# $a | out-gridview -Title "Critical and Error Events"
$a | format-table  @{Label = "Level"; Expression =  {$_.leveldisplayname} }, timecreated, ID, Message -wrap -auto |
out-file $env:userprofile\Desktop\CRITICALandERROREVENTS.TXT -width $Lwidth

EXIT
EXIT

# ************************************************************

 

[kiddo]

karlsnooks, I must be doing something wrong again. In Powershell, I pasted the script along with both exits. Many lines of script appeared and I waited for it to finish. Then the window closed all on its own. I didn't get the chance to copy what came up.

 

[F5ing]

If you got the same speed using the Lucid Puppy OS, then I think you've got to check any available settings in your BIOS that can affect your network adapters.

 

[kiddo]

If you got the same speed using the Lucid Puppy OS, then I think you've got to check any available settings in your BIOS that can affect your network adapters.

What exactly should I look for?

 

[F5ing]

Hard to say, it depends on how much control your BIOS provides for the hardware. Really I was holding out hope that it could be a simple software fix rather than a hardware problem, etc. But getting the same speed when booting into Puppy helps to rule out a Windows config/software problem (as far as I can think of at the moment).

It is a wired connection, right? Do you know if it's a separate network card or is it built into the motherboard?

 

[kiddo]

I hadn't realized that the slow speed in Lucid Puppy would show that my problem isn't program related.

My computer can be connected to the internet with a wired and wireless connection. I bought the wireless network card. I don't believe that my Ethernet port on my computer is on an network card. I have to take a closer look to be sure.

 

[gregrocker]

Did you establish a Clean Boot as I suggested earlier? Then other programs aren't a concern.

 

[karlsnooks]

karlsnooks, I must be doing something wrong again. In Powershell, I pasted the script along with both exits. Many lines of script appeared and I waited for it to finish. Then the window closed all on its own. I didn't get the chance to copy what came up.

you did everything correct!

Just look on your desktop.

Look again at the script. At the very top, you will find a statement saying that a file will be placed on the desktop. Upload that file.

 

[karlsnooks]

kiddo,

If you were referring to the script to delete all events for all logs (clear the event logs), then yes, there is no output.

Simply your event logs are now empty.

If you immediately ran the other other script, then there are no events to be written to ta text file, since the logs are empty.

Does this explain what you saw?

I may need to add a few words to the write-ups to avoid confusion.

thanks,
karl

 

[F5ing]

I hadn't realized that the slow speed in Lucid Puppy would show that my problem isn't program related.

My computer can be connected to the internet with a wired and wireless connection. I bought the wireless network card. I don't believe that my Ethernet port on my computer is on an network card. I have to take a closer look to be sure.

I said it helps to rule out Windows, its drivers, and other software. When you boot into Puppy it uses its own set of hardware drivers to talk to the hardware; Windows and its drivers are not loaded/used, and none of your installed programs can interfere.

In either case (Windows/Puppy), you may be able to optimize the connection
with your network by doing what was mentioned by chev65 in post #2:

About the only thing you can do is make absolutely sure you are using an up to date Windows 7 certified driver for the Ethernet adaptor.

It might also be worth messing with the network adaptors settings in Device Manager, it's hard to say which settings might work best, it usually takes a bit of experimenting.

With that in mind you might want to check out this page (if your network adapter is an add-on card):

Realtek

I'm not sure they're for your exact model, but they've definitely made some recent updates for models that seem to be at least closely related to yours. Use the tools on that page for finding any updates for your specific model.

If your network adapter is integrated into the motherboard I think it would be best to check out the Dell site (which I see apparently has nothing for your model). If you enter your Service Tag you may get better results than I did.

Only other things I can think of right now is checking the BIOS settings that relate to the network adapter or reseating an add-on NIC (observing proper precautions for opening your case).

 

[F5ing]

One other thing you might want to look for is to check to see if you've neglected to install optional Windows updates that relate to your network adapter. Make sure you check for updates that you may have hidden.

Have you tried uninstalling/reinstalling the driver?

 

[kiddo]

Do you know if it's a separate network card or is it built into the motherboard?

I checked and it's built into the motherboard. I attached some images. Is it at all possible that my problem is due to the ethernet port?

Did you establish a Clean Boot as I suggested earlier? Then other programs aren't a concern.

I had already disabled all non important programs in msconfig a few days earlier. I still hadn't checked "Hide All MS Services," however. I did that earlier and rebooted but noticed that it was once again unchecked when I went into msconfig. I'm not sure if this is supposed to happen.

If you immediately ran the other other script, then there are no events to be written to ta text file, since the logs are empty.

I didn't check the error events until today. Running that script placed a file on my desktop (I've attached it below)but the clear the events log didn't place any file on my desktop yesterday nor today. BTW I waited to check the error events until after I had rebooted and not immediately after the events log like you mentioned.

The error log shows that there is an issue with my printer. I went to device manager and found my printer under "Other Devices." The driver status says:
The drivers for this device are not installed. (Code 28)
There is no driver selected for the device information set or element.
To find a driver for this device, click Update Driver.
I tried updating it but it said that it could not find my driver. I went directly to HP and found that the driver comes in a file containing the install software for the printer. I already have that exact file on my computer. Opening the file doesn't give me the option to install just the driver. I tried printing something right now and it won't let me. I find this very strange because I printed something out about an hour ago. :\

Current internet speed 1222

 

[kiddo]

Realtek

I'm not sure they're for your exact model, but they've definitely made some recent updates for models that seem to be at least closely related to yours. Use the tools on that page for finding any updates for your specific model.

If your network adapter is integrated into the motherboard I think it would be best to check out the Dell site (which I see apparently has nothing for your model). If you enter your Service Tag you may get better results than I did.

Only other things I can think of right now is checking the BIOS settings that relate to the network adapter or reseating an add-on NIC (observing proper precautions for opening your case).

My current driver was from that link that you provided. Dell had an older driver available. I downloaded it just to see what would happen and it didn't make any difference. But before downloading, I uninstalled and reinstalled the other driver. As you probably already guessed, it didn't change my situation.

I wouldn't know what to do in BIOS. I should probably just buy a new NIC. The one that I have is supposedly Win 7 compatible but I dunno...When I first got my computer, it had Vista installed but it came with a Win7 CD. I updated it right away. I don't know if this matters.
Would it be alright for my computer to have two NICs?

I just found some more information that may be useful. This is a speed test from Jan 10, 2012:
Speed Test #84841002 by dslreports.com
Run: 2010-01-10 02:07:39 EST
Download: 2980 (Kbps)
Upload: 330 (Kbps)
In kilobytes per second: 363.7 down 40.2 up
Boost: 2980
Latency: 61 ms
Tested by server: 3 flash
User: anonymous
User's DNS: pacbell.net
Compared to the average of 169 tests from pacbell.net:
* download is 26% better, upload is 24% worse
I upgraded to Win 7 on the 2nd of that month. The download speed is higher but still not

 

[F5ing]

Even though it came with Vista I would think installing 7 wouldn't cause issues.

I upgraded to Win 7 on the 2nd of that month. The download speed is higher but still not

Not sure what was clipped at the end of your sentence, but the rest of your post indicates you got that speed after the 7 install, and that d/l speed is close to the minimum you should expect, right?

The suggestion of going into your BIOS was simply to rule out any issues there. Not that you'll likely find anything there, but because your BIOS is always involved it's worth taking a look.

When you tested another machine at your connection, did you use the same cable your desktop uses?

Can you get hold of a NIC just for testing?

What are the ping results from your speed tests?

Can you get another report from a dslreports speedtest?

 

[kiddo]

Whoops, it was supposed to say that my dl speed was faster but my upload speed was slower then. My current upload speed is 629. Yes, ATT&T said the minimum speed should be 3mgps.

Yes, I used the same cable.

I could buy a new NIC. I would prefer to buy one directly from a store just in case I need to return it. The BestBuy website is under maintenance right now so I just checked Newegg to see what they have. I'm not sure what type of NIC I need to buy.

The ping test says that I'm not pingable. My speed test says 1221.

Regarding BIOS, I will look into that tomorrow.