Windows XP Internet connectivity on taskbar

[kags]

I have had a bit of an ordeal with BT and slow Broadband speed - this morning I finally managed to get some enginers out to try and sort it (they didn't). Whilst here they both mentioned that they run XP themselves at home and on the bottom taskbar there is an icon measuring internet connectivity - they said it is like a tv screen. I don't have this, and can't find how to get it! Does anyone know how to set this up?

[vehelpfulguy]

Is this what you mean?

Open Windows Control Panel, then select Network and Internet Conections.

Select the Network Connections icon and Network Connections window opens.

RIGHT click on the icon for Local Area Conneciton and select Properties.

On Properties window at the bottom is a field "Show Icon in Notification area when connected"

Select this field (add tick), and save changes

On the taks bar two small computer screens are shown.

Hold the mouse over it and it tells you the connection speed and if you are connected.

Note it does NOT show you your Broadband speed, just your local network speed, which is probably 100Mbs..

[kags]

I have done that, and exactly as predicted it says my LAN connection speed is 100Mbps. Thank you.
However, I am now confused. They had visited to sort out my slow Broadband connection, and in the bizarroland that BT inhabit, the engineers are not allowed to touch my computer, yet they couldn't test my connection speed themselves as their laptops are "away being updated". So I called up a website to test my Broadband Speed and they were both amazed that I had to do that, they both claimed they use the icon, which they described as exactly like the one you have helped me to set up. One of them gleefully told he how me gets 7.5Mb (not what someone who gets 300k on a good day and has been arguing with BT for 8 months about wants to hear. ) But of course they told me that the internet test was unreliable (they would, wouldn't they)
Thank you for your help anyway.

[vehelpfulguy]

I have searched around and there are a few utilities that measure your broadband speed.

Here is one:

http://www.tcpiq.com/tcpIQ/LineSpeed/Default.a spx

Search for "broadband speed test" in google (or similar phrases) to find others

Or you can look on sites like this which are full of utilities

http://www.download.com/

http://www.tucows.com/

Search those sites for "broadband" or "speed test" things like that.

[kags]

I am downloading the first one and will try it over a few days, could be just what I need in my battle with BT. Thanks again.

[fo3nix]

This is the best speed test:
http://www.speedtest.net

Run it from the recommended server, while doing nothing else with your network connection (i.e., no other downloads or MSN or anything else). Report back the numbers you get, if you like, together with the broadband speed you're paying for.

[kags]

That one came in at 906kbps, which is around the same as the current result from the site I used when the engineers were here (internetfrog.com), and also the site recommended by vehelpfulguy. Previously it was at around 300 - 400, so there has been an improvement after they switched some cables around in the junction box.
I am paying for up to 8mb, but was told when I took the contract out that I could only expect a maximum of 4mb. I have never had more than 1.5mb, and I only get that speed occasionally.
As soon as my 12 months is up I will be switching away from BT as their quality of service and customer care is completely pants. Also, the Home Hub is a naff piece of kit, the wireless signal it gives off is extremely weak so if you want to use wireless equipment you have to stand next to it. Trouble is that they have split the company up so BT Total Broadband blame Openreach and Openreach blame Total Broadband. I have had 8 months of fighting with them and have reached giving up point.

[fo3nix]

the 906kbps download sounds a little slow, yes. Could be a number of reasons though. If you're unlucky enough to be in a region with poor phone lines then you'll get a slower speed. Same if you have lots of BT broadband users near you, and if you are quite far from the local exchange.