heymisterk Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 I know we have some very knowledgeable people here, so I thought I would start here... I have an AT&T U-Verse internet connection. As soon as a month ago, my internet was very fast. It was great. Now the speed is periodic. At first I thought it was my old computer, and since I needed to buy another one anyway, I did...and the speed - or lack thereof - remains unchanged. Everything else remains the same: I have added no other wi-fi connections. When it is slow, it is just that: slow. I rarely get an error page, but the little spinny thing in the top left spins...for...a...long...time. But just sometimes! So, before I call India to talk to AT&T tech guy (this is, indeed, where their customer service is, based on my last experience), does anyone have any advice for me? I would be most-appreciative. As always... Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duane v Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 Hit Run then type in %temp% and press enter...... delete all the shhhhstuff thats if your temp folders Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heymisterk Posted March 3, 2012 Author Share Posted March 3, 2012 Thanks, Duane...I will give it a shot... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tazzboy Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 You also might want to clear your browser cache and browser history that does help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cabba2203 Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 AT&T may also be throtling you back. Not just their phone network but home internet as well, they get many complaints about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Versatile Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 IMX it can be a random thing...varying from day to day Some pages take for ever to open, some do not open at all I believe, in my heart, that internet usage is spiralling exponentially With poor oppressed technicians fighting a losing battle to keep up with the flood Man as a species is rotating on the spot at an ever increasing speed (I think that was a Kylie Minogue lyric) And the danger is ever present of disappearing up his/her own xxxx V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest farnsbarns Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 Since this issue occurs with both your old a new computer deleting the temporary files and/or cache is unlikely to help although they'll do you no harm. That said %temp% will take you to windows' temporary files rather than temporary internet files which can be found in the temporary internet folder in win 7. I would suggest switching of the modem/router and leave it for a while. During that time, open a command prompt and enter "ipconfig /flushdns", then switch the router back on. This will flush any DNS cache in both the router andvthe computer at the same time and cover all basses at once. I believe that if either are at fault it'll be the router but a coverall approach is best since you're not looking for a diagnosis so much as a fix. Failing that, try connecting with an RJ45 Ethernet cable (un crossed type) if it's suddenly much faster you may have a faulty router or a new source of interference locally, login to the admin/setup of your modem/router (usually accessible at 192.168.0.1 or, less commonly at 10.0.0.2) and try changing the WiFi chanel (6 is standard in Europe and often a change to 11 or 12 helps speed, a quick google should tell you what to try in the US but as long as you remember the default you can try whatever you like. Failing all the above, go to speedtest.net and run a test, see how the speed you're getting compares to what you're paying for, you may want to do this several times at different times of the day. There's more I could suggest but take that for now. Feel free to pm me if I stop responding here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heymisterk Posted March 3, 2012 Author Share Posted March 3, 2012 Duane, I did what you said - thanks - and it seems to be helping. The proof, unfortunately, will have to be in the next couple of days, to see if the speed continues. Cabba and Versatile: I am inclined to think there may also be some truth to what you are saying as well. When I first signed up for U-Verse, it was supposed to be the absolute fastest connection to the Internet; now, I have been hit up to subscribe to a "faster" service through them. WTF? I find it rather disingenuous. After all, I pay good money for this service. I am also aware that AT&T gets poor ratings for customer service, and I must admit that the two times I have had to call for help, it has been a pain in the arse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heymisterk Posted March 3, 2012 Author Share Posted March 3, 2012 Since this issue occurs with both your old a new computer deleting the temporary files and/or cache is unlikely to help although they'll do you no harm. That said %temp% will take you to windows' temporary files rather than temporary internet files which can be found in the temporary internet folder in win 7. I would suggest switching of the modem/router and leave it for a while. During that time, open a command prompt and enter "ipconfig /flushdns", then switch the router back on. This will flush any DNS cache in both the router andvthe computer at the same time and cover all basses at once. I believe that if either are at fault it'll be the router but a coverall approach is best since you're not looking for a diagnosis so much as a fix. Failing that, try connecting with an RJ45 Ethernet cable (un crossed type) if it's suddenly much faster you may have a faulty router or a new source of interference locally, login to the admin/setup of your modem/router (usually accessible at 192.168.0.1 or, less commonly at 10.0.0.2) and try changing the WiFi chanel (6 is standard in Europe and often a change to 1:14 or 12 helps speed, a quick google should tell you what to try in the US but as long as you remember the default you can try whatever you like. Failing all the above, go to speedster.net and run a test, see how the speed you're getting compares to what you're paying for, you may want to do this several times at different times of the day. There's more I could suggest but take that for now. Feel free to pm me if I stop responding here! Wow, thanks farns! I printed this out in case the problem persists... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest farnsbarns Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 Wow, thanks farns! I printed this out in case the problem persists... No worries, please note when I typed in 11 my phone decided it should be 1:14 for no good reason, I edited it but your quote shows the original mistake so if you printed the mistake, be aware. Also note my phone changed speedtest.net to speedster.net Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookieman15061 Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 End Times Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tman5293 Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 Is the computer on a wifi connection? If so, you may be getting interference from other access points in your area. There is an easy way to fix this. You need to login to your router and change the wifi broadcast channel. But since I don't know what brand of router you have, I can't instruct you on how to get to the settings on it. If your still having problems, your router brand and model would be some very useful information. EDIT: Just read farnsbarns' post and it looks like he beat me to this suggestion. Also I'm going to throw in a vote for his DNS flush idea. I didn't even think about that one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tazzboy Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 To check your internet speed http://www.speedtest.net/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tman5293 Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 To check your internet speed http://www.speedtest.net/ +1 for this. Fantastic website for testing your connection speed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djroge1 Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 Since this issue occurs with both your old a new computer deleting the temporary files and/or cache is unlikely to help although they'll do you no harm. That said %temp% will take you to windows' temporary files rather than temporary internet files which can be found in the temporary internet folder in win 7. I would suggest switching of the modem/router and leave it for a while. During that time, open a command prompt and enter "ipconfig /flushdns", then switch the router back on. This will flush any DNS cache in both the router andvthe computer at the same time and cover all basses at once. I believe that if either are at fault it'll be the router but a coverall approach is best since you're not looking for a diagnosis so much as a fix. Failing that, try connecting with an RJ45 Ethernet cable (un crossed type) if it's suddenly much faster you may have a faulty router or a new source of interference locally, login to the admin/setup of your modem/router (usually accessible at 192.168.0.1 or, less commonly at 10.0.0.2) and try changing the WiFi chanel (6 is standard in Europe and often a change to 11 or 12 helps speed, a quick google should tell you what to try in the US but as long as you remember the default you can try whatever you like. Failing all the above, go to speedtest.net and run a test, see how the speed you're getting compares to what you're paying for, you may want to do this several times at different times of the day. There's more I could suggest but take that for now. Feel free to pm me if I stop responding here! This with the corrections he mentioned. Also if you are on a Mac then you would use ifconfig in place of ipconfig. It's the same command for different operating systems. Also which internet browser are you using? This makes a difference in speed too. I would add this as well. If you are using a wireless connection then try and go directly plugged in and see if it is still as slow. If it is the same then that means it is not wireless interference. If it is from your wireless then do this: Are you wireless or is there an Ethernet cable plugged into your computer? -if wireless then yes there could be some interference. The wireless technology will play into the speed equation. If you have an 802.11n then you should be good. What you want to do is let your computer show you what other wireless signals you are receiving. Then you need to try and determine what channel they are using. When you log into your router you want to chose a channel that is two away from the other guys. For example if there is a strong signal on channel 1 then you should use at least channel 4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NightTimeConcealmentX91 Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 removed comment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tazzboy Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 I am also going to recommend that you do Scan Disk and Disk Fragment of you hard drive. You also might want to download if you are using Windows Microsoft Security Essentials, Malwarebytes, SuperAntiSpyware, and Glary Utilities that will help speed up your computer and help with your internet. Also it wouldn't hurt to look for ISP once your contract with AT&T Universal comes to an end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buxom Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 First of all, do you live in an apartment/town house? Second, do you have a WEP key? Third, if this is the case, there's your problem For each person connected to an average wireless connection after one, the speed usually goes down. I'd suggest putting a WEP key that you remember easily. (if that's the case, that was just the first situation I could think of) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djroge1 Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 Using a encryption key on a router will not cause a faster connection, the encryption itself will slow the internet down due to the encryption. Its way faster and far more accurate to block via mac id. You can hack a wep or any other security measure using a key by every home appliance; yet if you block all mac id's except yours there is no way to get around that. Another form of protection is once the bond is made turn off the broadcast of router ID; if you cant see the broadcast most will not know about it unless you have very special knowledge to local hidden networks. One could change their MAC address. If they discover what yours is then they could have access. Of course we are getting off topic and the average user is not going to waste time covering their own MAC address just to get on someone's wireless. but yes, those do help in securing your own wireless network. I would do what you mentioned along with WEP2 encryption. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest farnsbarns Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 One could change their MAC address. If they discover what yours is then they could have access. Of course we are getting off topic and the average user is not going to waste time covering their own MAC address just to get on someone's wireless. but yes, those do help in securing your own wireless network. I would do what you mentioned along with WEP2 encryption. Guitarest is quite right, wep encryption slows down your network and is far weaker than only allowing certain mac addresses to connect and not broadcasting the SSID. Under those circumstances a would be hacker can only use your network if they are VERY apt in order to disguise the Mac address of their device AND they know your network exists AND they know the SSID AND they know one of the mac addresses you allow. Adding wep to that setup would be like adding a link made of spaghetti to strengthen a chain. Unless I'm overlooking something obvious it is pointless. Further more I can extract the wep key from 95% of routers in 2 minutes using free software. Even with my phone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaysEpiphone Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 I tried wire-less internet one time...needless to say I quickly changed back to LAN with a CAT-5 hard wired into the modem and things went back to normal. Given some more time things may improve but there is just too little bandwidth and speed with WAN connection's for heavy web use. Hell, cell phone's drop call's all the time so the odds of a web page clogging up the mix are even higher! My solution would be nano-bot's moving at extremely high speed transferring information from point to pint, not in my life-time but it would be one way to do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djroge1 Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 Guitarest is quite right, wep encryption slows down your network and is far weaker than only allowing certain mac addresses to connect and not broadcasting the SSID. Under those circumstances a would be hacker can only use your network if they are VERY apt in order to disguise the Mac address of their device AND they know your network exists AND they know the SSID AND they know one of the mac addresses you allow. Adding wep to that setup would be like adding a link made of spaghetti to strengthen a chain. Unless I'm overlooking something obvious it is pointless. Further more I can extract the wep key from 95% of routers in 2 minutes using free software. Even with my phone. I actually use WPA2. If someone really wants on your network they will figure out how. It is pretty easy to discover a hidden broadcast and with some other tools you can get a mac address. If you really want to read up on securing your wireless network here are a couple of documents I found when researching for a paper I had to write covering enterprise security. NIST SP 800-97 Why WEP is not too good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djroge1 Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 So very true but what you do is block all mac id except yours, and with the hidden broadcast this will block 90% of the people. I agree if someone wants on your system they can get on there; I mean really how security safe is that $80.00 wireless router with the Cisco license? Not very........ I have been operating my way for years and have yet to have any issues; with clients networks I do almost the same.... Why? because speed is important and using the mac ID as a block; will stop almost 99% of the people unless someone really wants on; then what do they get at my house? Loads of not so good mp3's with yours truly and old army pictures.... A little common sense is all it takes to defeat most would be hackers. Right - As I said in an earlier post that the average joe will not know how to gain access if you implement some simple procedures. I'm am not too worried about what a hacker would find in my home network. I am concerned when they want to use my ISP account to download child porn. When they are traced and it comes back to my ISP account then I have to prove that I was not downloading child porn. That and I also don't want my computers to be used in someones Bot attack for DDoS. Perhaps because my degree is in information systems security and I'm about to start my Masters in Information Assurance I am too focused on securing networks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest farnsbarns Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 Right - As I said in an earlier post that the average joe will not know how to gain access if you implement some simple procedures. I'm am not too worried about what a hacker would find in my home network. I am concerned when they want to use my ISP account to download child porn. When they are traced and it comes back to my ISP account then I have to prove that I was not downloading child porn. That and I also don't want my computers to be used in someones Bot attack for DDoS. Perhaps because my degree is in information systems security and I'm about to start my Masters in Information Assurance I am too focused on securing networks. Quite right. I had no idea we were discussing scenario where there are shared files or folders on this network. I think you'd have to be nuts to permanently share resources over a wireless network. It would take minutes for a clever person to get a keylogger on your system and read everything you type from passwords to bank account numbers. I wouldn't suggest doing that full stop (period). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djroge1 Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 You can never discount experience! I want the best of both worlds a degree and experience with the certs. Right now I only have the Network + cert. I'm trying to decide if I want to go for the Security + or Linux + cert. I think with the current economy a person with a degree and experience is the most marketable. I work with a lady whose husband was an IT person in the Air Force but does not have a degree. He is having a difficult time landing a job. Without the degree the best he can do is help desk yet he has network management experience. These are difficult times for sure. I'm currently working as a computer tech in a middle school (about 75% apple/Macs). I was just offered the job to move up into the district as a network technician II - big pay increase. Sorry for taking this off topic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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