Broadband Is Really Slow!!

[sddsddean]

For the last week or so, my broadband has been really slow (especially noticable when logging on to things like bank websites...each page takes about a minute to get to the next page...very frustrating!). Anyway, I thought maybe something had got into the PC. (the PC works fine offline). I connected my laptop yesterday (wirelessly through the same router) and thats really slow on broadband too. So that got me thinking there may be something wrong with the router. Is there any way to test a Netgear DG834G router? I'm on AOL (don't laugh!) and the router is about 8 years old. I did a broadband speed test and that has come up with a ping of 55ms, download 0.23Mbps (and I used to get about 3-4), upload 0.38Mbps. I'll do another 'scan' with Norton to see if that helps, but any ideas are gratefully received.

[SlackAlice]

You need to do the speed test a few times to get an average and make sure your doing the tests using a cable rather than wireless.

Even myself using my very quick connection have noticed one or two sites (including banks) have been a bit slow. I've put that down to their servers being a bit busy over the holiday period.

[sir.prize]

AOL (I am not laughing). Any chance you can get Virgin Media Broadband in your area?

My Virgin Broadband speed test just produced ping 22, download 33873 kbps, upload 1973 kbps.

Do you HAVE to use Norton?

[Buenchico]

It's not clear from your post as to how your desktop PC is connected to the router. Is it wirelessly or via an ethernet cable? If it's wirelessly it's likely that the problem is with interference on the channel your router is using. If not, the problem is with AOL (or with the BT Openreach system that they're using to provide you with a service). So which is it?

[boxtops]

I can't help your general question, but if it's the Lloyds Bank website, that's been dreadfully slow since their new site was set up.

[millerxxx]

i had the same prob
i went to maplins .got .master socket
sinse i put in master socketot a new master socket
iwas getting 1.2 mbps
i am now getting 7 mbps

[Tuvok]

Do a BT speedtest - that will tell you your ip profile.

If it is low then get in touch with your provider and ask them to check what you should be on - they may need to reset your profile at the exchange.....

[sddsddean]

Thanks for the replies.
I'm on AOL, 'cos I was going to change to BT (though we are out in the sticks, so can't get Infinity [fibre optic]) and AOL have given me 6 months free.
PC is via an ethernet cable, laptop is wireless.
Agree Lloyds has been cr@p since they changed (we have told them!)..Barclays isn't too bad.
I was wondering if its just 'the time of year'.

[redman41]

Bad time of Year for internet use, everyone wants to try out their new 'Toys' which results in slow and/or outages for their broadband.
We had this problem for 3 days+ but seems OK now

[sddsddean]

Well I've fired up the PC and laptop this morning to see what its like, and things are back to almost normal! Perhaps it has just been 'overuse' of the network in the last few weeks. I'll see what happens over the next few days.