Internet saturation.

Hi there
I asume there's no "invisible" background Internet processes working on your machine(s) -- hopefully you've virus scanned and checked all running processes with some sensible AV software.

If the problem with slow internet access only exists on one machine then SOMETHING MUST BE running on it to slow it down -- I'd wipe the disks and do a clean OS install on that machine.

If you've got general degradation and its NOT an infrastructure program -- then its new router time -- they aren't very expensive and you can get newer one's with faster WIRED and WIRELESS connections for your LAN.

Note when testing disable the Wireless settings on your router -- you don't want "outside" users using up your bandwidth.

Typical wireless connections aren't terribly secure -- change your Router Wireless key phrase regularly and always add at least ONE special character such as an ! into your pass phrase - a simple little thing like this causes horrendous difficulties for password cracking algorithms -- even brute force one's.

Cheers
jimbo

davehc said:

Thanks all. The response here is very gratifying. It gives me a few hints to work with.
Hi Ed. Yes, I do have the firmware up to date.This was my Netstat readout, under working conditions.

Have you run an anti virus on it lately? In netstat there are a slew of open ports where no ownership can be discerned. That sometimes indicates a trojan running in the background. If that is the case it would explain the problem.

Antivirus and malware programs run resident. I perform a full scan fortnightly.
I have found a licencing program, with the help of process Explorer, connected with Paintshop, called Protexis. Googling indicates that it reports back and forth on the web. It is not a virus or trojan, in the true sense, but I am going to dump it. I am investigating it further!

No need for any more suggestions for the moment, guys. I am still deep in investigating. One thing I did not check but have now. Today I got the usual response with a lack of internet connection and the two or three yellow bars in the icon. A quick tour showed that my lan was 100% to two other computers.
My telephone line, for what it is worth, is faultless so the suspicion is falling on the TDC Broadband Modem.

I thank you for the suggestions. I have saved them for possible future use.
The problem turned out to be , however, much simpler.
I had a temporary neighbour, renting about 60 meteres from my setup. My knowledge of internet protocol is somewhere down the lower middle of the scale!! I cannot explain why, sometimes, strange things happen with computers. Must be little green men running around.
But I had noticed that, quite often, my internet connection was showing a Netgear connection, but very very weak. I had enquired from my next door, young neighbour, if he had such a router, but he said not.
But, I digress. Yesterday there was a lot of activity, with loaded tractors and trailers (I live in the country), moving back and for from the rented property. I had heard, previously, that it was about to happen, as the property had been sold.
Last night, and on opening this morning, I noticed a remarkable increase in my internet access. When I checked this morning, I found the net gear coonection had gone.
No problems since (I hope, or later).
Thanks again for taking the time to help me on this.

Yes sir!! I don't think he was so cheeky. He was a "no longer young" farmer, and I doubt he knew much about computer technology. Probably did not even know he was not using his own connection but wondered why everything took so long!!