Buffering.....

[ayabrea38]

I recently changed internet provider from Sky to Virgin,and since then things have been buffering like mad when I try and watch catch up TV.
The speed is faster,averaging 20Mbps,more than twice as fast as what I was getting from Sky,but the signal is weaker for me as the router is further away.I am now only getting 3 bars instead of the 4-5 I was getting.
I am running windows 7,which is up to date with updates and has no other problems (the pc,that is)
I am waiting to try a friends laptop to see if the same thing happens,as the only other internet access is via a PS3,Wii or mobile,and I don't know if the comparison would be fair.
I have no idea what could be causing this,but the BBC iplayer does not like playing in HD either,restarting the programme a few minutes after it starts.I don't know if these two problems are connected as they both began after changing provider.
Just to top things off nicely,the problem can not be guaranteed to start at the beginning of viewing,I have sometimes had none.other times had over half an hour of steady TV.
Any ideas???

[Buenchico]

It's unlikely to be (true) buffering. I suspect that something is grabbing your system's resources. (I've experienced problems with Microsoft Security Esssentials' updater, MsMpEng.exe, slowing computer to a crawl, for example).

Start by downloading, installing and running the free version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware:
https://www.malwarebytes.org/free/
There might be some malware causing the problem.

Then, before the problem arises, open the Task Manager (via right-clicking on the Task Bar at the foot of your screen) and click on the Processes tab. Maximise the window and the minimise it to the bottom of your screen. When the problem arises, immediately click to bring up the Task Manager again and look down the CPU column. Anything in double figures should be noted and treated as suspect. Then look down the Mem Usage column. Anything really big should be treated as suspect but (most importantly) anything where the figure keeps changing (even if those figures are actually quite low) should also be regarded as a possible problem. (That's how the MSE updater shows up, for example).

Let us know if you find anything odd.

[ayabrea38]

Ran the Malware scan.must admit I have neglected it lately,and 38 problems where found!Fixed them,and (touch wood)problem is not showing,but I will wait a few days before saying it is fixed!

Thanks for coming to my aid again Chris,you have the patience of a saint :)

[ayabrea38]

Yeah,everything was running fine,then the buffering started again.Checked what you said,the CPU was all in single figures,mem usage was all fairly low apart from firefox.exe*32(aprox280,000) and flashplayer(aprox137,000),everything else was 5 figures or less.(mostly 4 figures apart from one I dont understand,sidebar.exe.What is that it was 12,000?)
I am convinced that it is to do with the signal from the router to the laptop,but want to be 100% before I go paying for a repeater.
Also,my first thought was to blame OH and the PS3,but it was switched off.
Any ideas?
Much thanks for any replies