" Very Slow downloads" Mon Oct-05-09 09:28 PM by bobbo
Recently, a remote computer on my home network started experiencing extremely slow downloads, sometimes stopping before the downloads complete. Currently, I'm running an online scan via ESET, which totally stopped at 59% during virus signature database download. Last night I started a download of the Ashampoo Burning Studio, described in another post, which didn't complete after a half hour or so, however, it completed in about 2 minutes on my primary computer which is directly connected to the router.
I have no idea what to check in order to solve the problem. Suggestions?
Edit: Apparently, ESET doesn't like Firefox. I started the online scan in IE and, while still slow, it ran without incident. No bad stuff was found.
From your description, I assume the problem computer is wireless?
Possible causes: -IEEE 802.1X authentication is enabled on the wireless client and is not enabled on the wireless AP -Improperly functioning or outdated wireless network adapter driver -Improperly functioning wireless AP
#4. "RE: Very Slow downloads" In response to CompPete (Reply # 2) Tue Oct-06-09 02:18 AM by bobbo
Recently, connectivity was lost at the head end. Instructions from Comcast tech support were to power down the modem and the router and to disconnect the coax cable to the modem, then reconnect everything in the same order. Did that and regained connectivity, (BTW, had to do this another time about a week later) but could this have affected connectivity to the remote computers?
QUOTE: Recently, connectivity was lost at the head end. Instructions from Comcast tech support were to power down the modem and the router and to disconnect the coax cable to the modem, then reconnect everything in the same order.
why would they tell you to disconnect the coax?What possible reason could there be for that.? What passed through my mind was, have you had any new wireless devices installed recently, moved furniture around,got yourself a wireless extender for your tv etc etc. all possible wireless problem areas. also microwaves can influince it
Something else to try would be to change channels, you may have a neighbour transmitting on your channel, check to see if you can see other networks.
why would they tell you to disconnect the coax?What possible reason could there be for that.?
Its a standard tech support troubleshooting step to ensure the cable isn't loose. If you tell someone to check it, many people will just say its okay without really checking it. If you have them disconnect it and reconnect it, they have to secure it.
why would they tell you to disconnect the coax?What possible reason could there be for that.?
Its a standard tech support troubleshooting step to ensure the cable isn't loose. If you tell someone to check it, many people will just say its okay without really checking it. If you have them disconnect it and reconnect it, they have to secure it.
why would they tell you to disconnect the coax?What possible reason could there be for that.?
Its a standard tech support troubleshooting step to ensure the cable isn't loose. If you tell someone to check it, many people will just say its okay without really checking it. If you have them disconnect it and reconnect it, they have to secure it.
just thinking on that, if the original installation was done correctly the tech would or should have used a torque spanner to fasten the f connector. having the cust undo this negates this and could cause more problems by the cust over tightening.? Its a bit of a catch22 isnt it? Ant
Somehow, the problem has resolved itself. I suspect that my provider must have been very busy or having some kind of problem. Hopefully, the situation will remain as it is now.
If your primary computer was not having any problems, then I don't think it had anything to do with your ISP. Wireless problems can be intermitent. Check your router to ensure encryption is still enabled. Then you should delete your saved wireless connections and connect again. You'll need to know your wireless password of course.
#11. "RE: Very Slow downloads" In response to bobbo (Reply # 9) Thu Oct-08-09 02:37 AM by bobbo
Actually, it didn't resolve itself and even got worse. I couldn't think of anything else that might have caused the problem except for installing the paid version of Ashampoo Burning Studio version 9.12. I ended up uninstalling Ashampoo, but it didn't seem to help. Would it make a difference that I also had Nero, a version that came with my new LG burner, also installed? Finally, after uninstalling Ashampoo, I restored a TI image that was about a week old, which returned the computer to normal operation. I'm going to try reinstalling Ashampoo, after creating a new TI image, and see if it makes a difference.
QUOTE: Actually, it didn't resolve itself and even got worse. I couldn't think of anything else that might have caused the problem except for installing the paid version of Ashampoo Burning Studio version 9.12. I ended up uninstalling Ashampoo, but it didn't seem to help. Would it make a difference that I also had Nero, a version that came with my new LG burner, also installed? Finally, after uninstalling Ashampoo, I restored a TI image that was about a week old, which returned the computer to normal operation. I'm going to try reinstalling Ashampoo, after creating a new TI image, and see if it makes a difference.
I still suspect you have something affecting your wireless. the problem has already shown that its intermittant. I would have moved the pc nearerto the transmitter and try from there before going further.
#15. "RE: Very Slow downloads" In response to antcj (Reply # 14) Thu Oct-08-09 03:24 AM by bobbo
Quote:
I would have moved the pc nearerto the transmitter and try from there before going further.
Unfortunately, the pc is permanently located in my living room, whereas the router is in an upstairs bedroom with the primary computer.
Edit: I neglected to mention that, it was my Vista OS that was having trouble, but my Win 7 OS was functioning normally during the problem period.
Edit 2: I try to make it a practice to image my system prior to installing a new ap or utility, but I forget to do that sometimes as I did when installing Ashampoo. I don't know if Ashampoo caused the problem, but backing up to an image created a week prior to installing it seems to have helped.
I would be shocked if Ashampoo or any burning software caused wireless problems.
Like I said in post #10: Check your router to ensure encryption is still enabled. Then you should delete your saved wireless connections and connect again. You'll need to know your wireless password of course.
Check your router to ensure encryption is still enabled. Then you should delete your saved wireless connections and connect again. You'll need to know your wireless password of course.
I don't know how do check if the encryption is still enabled. Would it be the same as uninstalling/reinstalling the router?
#18. "RE: Very Slow downloads" In response to bobbo (Reply # 17) Thu Oct-08-09 04:21 AM by Chari
Quote:
I don't know how do check if the encryption is still enabled
Check your wireless connection.Does it say security enabled? Do you need to input password for accessing the network?If so, your wireless network is security enabled. With Router password,you can access yr Router and see the type of security encryption and other wireless settings.
Just to clear something up, are you able to connect but its very slow or does it not connect sometimes or is not connected at all all the time?
If it connects but is slow then it cant be encrypton surely. If it is not connecting at all then it may be an encryption problem. If its intermittant as seems to be the case than i would doubt that its encryption. You have to establish this first and then narrow down the problem from there Ant
If it connects but is slow then it cant be encrypton surely. If it is not connecting at all then it may be an encryption problem. If its intermittant as seems to be the case than i would doubt that its encryption. You have to establish this first and then narrow down the problem from there Ant
I disagree. If encryption is enabled on the client, but disabled on the router, it can cause intermittent connection issues.
I've seen this when people set up security on the router and client, and everything works great... then one day they reset the router to try to fix an ISP issue, and accidentally reset the router to the defaults and unknowingly disable wireless encryption on the router.
And I'm not sure, but slowness maybe can be caused by packet loss, caused by the encryption problem...?
If it connects but is slow then it cant be encrypton surely. If it is not connecting at all then it may be an encryption problem. If its intermittant as seems to be the case than i would doubt that its encryption. You have to establish this first and then narrow down the problem from there Ant
I disagree. If encryption is enabled on the client, but disabled on the router, it can cause intermittent connection issues.
I've seen this when people set up security on the router and client, and everything works great... then one day they reset the router to try to fix an ISP issue, and accidentally reset the router to the defaults and unknowingly disable wireless encryption on the router.
And I'm not sure, but slowness maybe can be caused by packet loss, caused by the encryption problem...?
But if it was reset then there would be no connectivity at all.? Are you saying that if a router has no encryption but it is on the pc it will connect but marginally. If thats the case , my favorite saying comes to mind " You learn something new every day" This very interesting. Ant
#29. "RE: Very Slow downloads" In response to antcj (Reply # 26) Thu Oct-08-09 06:27 AM by Chari
Quote:
accidentally reset the router to the defaults and unknowingly disable wireless encryption on the router
You mean to say the PC will be able to access the network with the earlier encryption settings in the wireless card! Once you reset the router to the factory setup,it will revert to open network and hence the Q of unknowingly disabling of wireless encryption doesn't arise as per my understanding.
accidentally reset the router to the defaults and unknowingly disable wireless encryption on the router
You mean to say the PC will be able to access the network with the earlier encryption settings in the wireless card! Once you reset the router to the factory setup,it will revert to open network and hence the Q of unknowingly disabling of wireless encryption doesn't arise as per my understanding.
Sometimes one cant see wood for trees. Never occured to me, and have never tried this. Of course you are right. Ant
#24. "RE: Very Slow downloads" In response to bobbo (Reply # 20) Thu Oct-08-09 05:58 AM by CompPete
You'll want to do this troubleshooting from your wired computer.
From your router's User Guide (in Chari's link):
Quote:
How to Access the Web-Based Utility To access the web-based utility, launch the web browser on your computer, and enter the Router’s default IP address, 192.168.1.1, in the Address field. Then, press Enter. A password request screen will appear. (Non-Windows XP users will see a similar screen.) Leave the User name field blank. The first time you open the Web-based utility, use the default password admin. (You can set a new password from the Administration tab’s Management screen.) Click OK to continue.
The setting you're looking for should be under Wireless > Wireless Security. If you're unsure what encryption to use, I recommend WPA Personal-TKIP. Its secure (unlike WEP), and ensures maximum compatibility (unlike WPA2).
While in here, go to the Basic Wireless screen and check your Wireless Channel. I recommend channel 1, 6, or 11 depending on what is least used in your area. You want to use a channel not used by your neighbors' networks. This will reduce interference.
Edit: Also make sure your SSID is something unique. Don't use "linksys" or whatever the default is because if your neighbor happens to use this same SSID, it could cause connection issues.
#30. "RE: Very Slow downloads" In response to bobbo (Reply # 0) Fri Oct-09-09 02:39 AM by bobbo
Thanks everyone, for your informative input. At this time, since restoring an image, my remote computer is functioning perfectly (maybe not perfectly, but very well) and I'm not going to mess with the security settings on my router until it malfunctions again. I'm just not comfortable with changing settings that are working at this time.
QUOTE: Thanks everyone, for your informative input. At this time, since restoring an image, my remote computer is functioning perfectly (maybe not perfectly, but very well) and I'm not going to mess with the security settings on my router until it malfunctions again. I'm just not comfortable with changing settings that are working at this time.
So by doing an image restore , and all matters of distress disappear ,leaves me to think the problem is no doubt on the computer. But you may still want to check that you do have encryption on, to be on the safe side.
apart from that if it "aint broke, dont tweak it til it is"
That's exactly my concern, Ant. I'm not secure enough, due to my limited experience with routers and the encryption therein. I recall that I used the recommended settings when first installing the router, and hope that they haven't changed since.
Would it be the same as uninstalling/reinstalling the router? 
