unhappily_slow
@shawcable.net
| Internet download speeds, Mac vs PC
I recently added a Mac to my wireless network, so have both major platforms running. I have noticed on the PC the download performance is really bad - like 1.5mb, yet on the mac it's always fabulous.
Now I'm aware of the many things that can slow down a connection and regualarly run checks for viruses, spyware etc with trusted applications. However, I'm at a loss to what to do next, short of wiping the disk and starting again.
Until now I haven't been able to do anything to my router because I was using it with a Voice over IP network, and flashing the bios or doing anything could screw up my phone service. Now I have a proper phone (as VoIP sucked), I'm going to flash it.
However, what's really confusing is why the mac and pc speeds are so different. Mac is getting 5-7mbps consistently and PC is just dire. Sometimes it's like dialup.
I can only assume that either there's an incompatibility between the PC and the router that a flash will solve. Or there's some software running that's throttling the speed. However, I've checked all running applications and there's no known viruses or spyware, and checking through the Application panel, all the processes on Windows Task Manager have been checked and are known.
Perhaps there's an application that gives bandwidth per application in case I have a driver that's gone crazy or some spyware or virus that got through the net and is killing my speed.
I'm going to get another PC running that IS certainly clean and see what the results are. This will surely reveal where the problem lies.
BTW, Shaw, like EVERY telecoms provider in the world will blame all your equipment before even looking at theirs. Now, you should probably think yourselves lucky though. In Britain, telecommunications is provided by BT, and they ALSO blame everyone but themselves. However, if you book a service call, all they do is turn up with an ideal notebook, prove that their ideal laptop works to their satisfaction and then leave. A few days later you get a ridiculous bill for wasting their time.
I haven't heard this happen with Shaw although these telecoms providers are all guilty of the same thing. Which is NOT taking care of their customers properly. Saying that their test system runs fine, and leaving you to it, is not customer service, and is hardly likely to help your issue, or rank them highly next time (or the first time) you have a choice of provider. |
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pfak
Premium
join:2002-12-29
Canada | Sounds like a problem with your computer/router, and not Shaw.
Check the cabling to your computer. |
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jarib7
End User
join:2003-04-06
Lake Cowichan, BC | reply to unhappily_slow
try directly to the modem w the pc |
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MattBC
Out of the gym injured for 12 months now
join:2006-02-01
Victoria, BC
| reply to pfak
Yup. If you're getting a good connection on the Mac, and poor on the PC, then you need to look a the PC or the router.
Shaw's not even in the picture at that point. You're connection works great with one device, and that proves the connection is fine. Your hardware is not of their concern, as it is a factor that only you, and the hardware, and the OS, and the exploits, and ..etc... can control.
I'd think this topic would better be served in the router section anyway, due to the fact is has nothing to do with the ISP.
However, I would :
- the link speed on the NIC
- disable firewalls
- try direct to modem, bypassing router
- different ethernet cable
- reinstall TCP/IP
- reinstall NIC drivers
Matt |
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redkingca
join:2000-09-05
Canada
 ·Shaw
| reply to unhappily_slow
Apple computers are better at wireless than Windows based PCs are. Macs actively monitor connection quality and will try to reconnect and improve signal as quality drops. Under Windows, PCs will not try to reconnect on their own unless the signal drops to 0 traffic(I have seen XP report a PC is connected fine with only with 24b/s traffic). Using third party software provided by NIC manufacturers can solve this problem under Windows.
--
Faster, faster until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death.
-Speedfreaks Motto
The Long Run
Daniel Keys Moran |
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wesleyw
join:2003-01-01
v5c1b
| reply to unhappily_slow
redkingca: you have *any* proof that would back up that reconnecting to a wireless router increases signal quality?
not saying the built in xp wireless software is good by any means, but reconnection does not make your signal any better unless you connect to a different router, which would not be the case here |
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redkingca
join:2000-09-05
Canada
·Shaw
| said by wesleyw  :redkingca: you have *any* proof that would back up that reconnecting to a wireless router increases signal quality? I am talking about the signal from the router to the computer, reconnecting to the router is the only way to get the router to attempt send a better quality signal, with out cycling the router.
PCs running under Windows do not normally attempt to reconnect unless the entire signal from the router is lost. Windows will usually insist that the wireless signal is fine even with a send/receive of 0/0.
--
Faster, faster until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death.
- Speedfreaks' Motto
The Long Run
Daniel Keys Moran |
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idlewillkill
Go Blue
Premium
join:2005-09-28
North York, ON | reply to unhappily_slow
Ok, I have to ask. Where are the two computers located relative to the router? Are they both wireless g, or is the pc using wireless b? |
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cableguy84
join:2006-09-12
Alberta
2 edits | reply to unhappily_slow
if your ISP's service works fine why would they care about whats wrong with your computer, if they can prove its not there system by hooking up a laptop (that is clean of virus's and running ok), then its your own problem and take it to a computer shop, its not your ISP's responsibility to make sure your computer/router or any of that is working properly and if its not its not thier job to tell you why, go pay a tech to do it. Just be happy Shaw will come out for free and check the modem and the stuff on thier end.
A good portion of Shaw techs will give you an idea, of where the problem lies by connecting both to rule out your router, and they would check for obvious viruses, but even if they didn't its not thier job to do it, its yours, once thier service is ruled out as the problem.
In this case it isn't a shaw issue, as 1 computer works fine, thier for thier service works fine, so this is an issue you should fix on your own or pay a 3ed party tech to fix.
Best things to try are:
rule out the router, plug directly to your modem, if that fixes it, then its the router.
if it doesn't make sure your nic is on full duplex or auto. you could also try a different NIC, because if a NIC is starting to fail it can cause speed issues.
A virus, BT client, p2p app, or if your system is downloading auto updates or virus defs could also slow it down for a while, till the download is compleate. |
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