Slow Running Computer

[Khandro]

I think the problem is with my provider, because I just took computer to a techie and it worked fine in his set-up. I think it's slow going online and so I get a message saying no connection possible, but this maybe due the set time for linking up is too short and it abandons the search. Until I can get this sorted out, where is the setting which controls the duration of the search time please.

[Buenchico]

The setting which determines how long your browser spends trying to connect to a site is probably hidden deep within the techie stuff. Unless you really know what you're doing, it's not always wise to muck about in there. Further, since you've not told us which browser you're using, it's hard to point you in the right direction anyway. (In Firefox, and possibly other browsers too, you can access the techie stuff by typing 'about:config' in the address bar and hitting 'Enter' - but it's easy to mess things up in there!)

Things to try:

1. If your computer is connected to your router wirelessly, try using an Ethernet cable instead. (If things suddenly improve you'll know that its a wifi problem) ;

2. Clear your browser's cache:
http://www.refreshyourcache.com/en/home/
(I was experiencing lots of problems getting content-heavy sites to load in Firefox. Clearing the cache fixed the problem for me) ;

3. Try using a different browser. e.g. if you're currently using, say, Chrome, try Edge or Internet Explorer. (If things then get better you'll know that it's a problem with your default browser) ;

4. Check your broadband speed here:
http://speedtest.btwholesale.com/
(That's the official test site where the cabling to your home is provided by BT, irrespective of which ISP you use).
Alternatively use this site:
http://www.speedtest.net/
(If you get really low speeds you'll know that it's a problem with your broadband connection).

[Khandro]

Thanks Chris. It is now painfully slow just moving from page to page and topics within AB; does movement within the site still depend on the provider?
I somehow thought that once in AB we moved around just within the site, though when I think about it I suppose every post has to move through the net, which probably shows how primitive my mind really is. I guess I'm thinking it's as if we are all in the same pub speaking to one another :0)

[Buenchico]

JB9:
I most definitely don't advise using Internet Explorer on a regular basis. (It's pathetic!)

I was only suggesting that, if Khandro is experiencing problems using Chrome or whatever, then seeing if the problems persist when he (temporarily) uses Internet Explorer will tell him whether it's a problem with his usual browser or not. (If it is he can then reset that browser back to its default state and/or clear its cache and go back to using it again. If he gets the same problem with Internet Explorer as he does with Chrome etc then he'll know that the fault lies elsewhere).

[Khandro]

I made a speed check with a German site recommended by the techie here, and it came up with, Download = 1,398 kbits Upload = 112 kbits which I think is slow, isn't it? I've been in touch with the provider (Telekom) and I'm having some kind of new system with a new router fitted next week.

[Buenchico]

Around 1.4Mbps for a download speed is indeed slow.

Here's a rough guide to download speeds:

2 Mbps is generally regarded as the lowest speed for streaming video (e.g. from Youtube) but nearer to 5Mbps is probably more reliable.

5 Mbps is the sort of speed to expect from a copper-cabled connection, using 'ADSL Max' (which is what most ISPs offer) as long as you live near to an exchange.

10 Mbps is what you can get through a copper-cabled connection if your ISP provides 'ADSL2+' (which effectively gives you two lines connected together), again as long as you live close the exchange.

30 Mbps is the sort of speed you'll get from the cheaper FTTC (fibre to the cabinet) services.

80 Mbps is around the top speed you can get from FTTC.

250 Mbps is at the lower end of what you can get from an FTTP (fibre to the premises) connection.

1000 Mbps is at the top end for such a connection.

BTW, I hope that when you wrote 'kbits' you really meant 'kbytes'. If not, your download speed is only an eighth of what I've assumed it to be (because there are 8 bits in a byte).

[Khandro]

Chris; after trying out a bit of research, I'm afraid that they are bits and not bytes.
For a number of years the speed has been slowish, but acceptable. I can't understand why it has now suddenly become so slow, hence I thought it was the computer, but I've eliminated that, so I shall have to wait for the new installation next week.
I guess it's the price I have to pay for living in small village on the banks of the River Neckar. Twenty miles away in Tübingen they will have ultra-fast speeds because it is home to the famous university.
BTW, Happy birthday!

[bhg481]

Plenty of nice places to visit around Tübingen, Khandro. A good excuse to get about a bit.