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June 9th, 2009 14:00
Slow Browsing on the Internet
I have a Dell XPS 210 Desktop with an Intel E6300 Core 2 Duo-Processor, (1.86 GHz, 1066FSB) with 2MB cache, and 2GB DDR2 SDRAM at 533 MHz memory. I'm using Hughes satellite as my ISP, because no better options are available in this area. Browsing results were decent until 4 months ago - around the time I updated my Hughes modem from their DW7000 to the HN7000S. Now, common web pages like aarp.org, att.net, weather.com etc. are loading in 2-5 minutes, instead of the typical 10-40 seconds. I've been through all levels of Hughes technical support, and they say all data (web response tests, download/upload teste, etc.) show that they're providing good Internet speed to my box. I do not have a router on this system. Here are the tests I've run to date:
- Checked for problems via my Trend Micro utilities, and none found. Also ran Malwarebytes with negative results.
- Used Trend Micro's support to fully uninstall their AntiVirus and firewall programs. Internet pages still loaded way slow.
- Ran the IE8 browser without add-ons - pages still slow.
- Reinstalled the AntiVirus and firewall programs, then downloaded and installed the Firefox browser. It did not show improvement over IE8.
- Uninstalled and reinstalled Windows XP. Once I got all of the updates, pages snapped right in for about 4 days, then the doggy page-loading problems returned.
- Brought my brother's Vista laptop over and hooked it up to my modem. Web pages sill loaded poorly.
- Called a neighbor about 300 yards away. He uses Hughes and has the same satellite receiver and modem - his browsing results were good.
- I thought my computer's memory could be bad, but have had no errors. Also, that wouldn't explain why web pages were fast for 4 days after the reinstall. In any case, I tried to use the memory checking tool from Microsoft. I installed windiag.iso on my Desktop, and also got the accompanying program by downloading the Windows Server 2003 Resource Tools Kit. However, when I tried to create the CD (no floppy on this system), this command ... cdburn.exe d: c:\windiag.iso /sao/max ... produced the result "Synchronizing Cache: Error ejecting/reinserting disc". That disc wouldn't boot, even though I set to boot from CD first. I also tried creating a bootable memory-checking CD via Roxio with windiag.iso on it. The program said it was created successfully, but wouldn't boot the memory checking program.
So I'm at a loss. What steps can I take to determine why web pages load so slowly? Maybe just buy and insert new memory? Try another reinstall and run without added software to see if a 3rd party program is causing problems? Please provide advise.
ieee488
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June 9th, 2009 14:00
To me this statement is the key: Uninstalled and reinstalled Windows XP. Once I got all of the updates, pages snapped right in for about 4 days, then the doggy page-loading problems returned.
Determine what you did during those 4 days.
My suspicion is that it is NOT your ISP at fault.
David Manvell
14 Posts
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June 9th, 2009 21:00
I am going to take a guess and say it may very well be the cable modem you are using. One you said it started around the change and two you said it still does it even with a laptop connected. that pretty much rules out all your computer hardware and software.
Cable companies constantly upgrade their software. My connection kept getting slower and slower until I called them one day. they said the modem i had had such older software in it that their network was having difficulty talking to it at any kind of high speed. it did not have the advanced features newer models did. They suggested I update the firmware the unit uses if it has that ability and if not replace it. So i did. worse case is I returned it and only time lost. You might try the same.
Other thing to check and really this is something the cable company can only do. See if the signal strength to the cable modem is strong or not. if it is weak the cable modem may have a harder time working fast. if the signal strength is slow the cable company will have to dispatch someone to fix it (Hardware or wiring change on their end).
Anyway just a few thoughts. Not sure if it will help.
jekeesl
46 Posts
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June 10th, 2009 09:00
I tend to agree with your opinion, even though my brother's laptop showed problems too. According to Hughes' records, they did have signal problems the day of that test.
Since the general problem seems to be slow handling of pictures, and since I did have good results after the reinstall, I tried uninstalling photo-handling programs (PhotoFiltre and PhotoPerfect Express). No improvement was noted. I don't think this is a driver issue, since everything worked on the old system, and also worked just after the reinstall. Since I'm too dumb to make a good memory testing CD, I guess I'll do the following:
Thanks for your help.
Jim
jekeesl
46 Posts
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June 10th, 2009 09:00
I'm using Hughes' satellite modem with all of the software updates. Their tier 4 support engineers (highes support level available) say that my modem is pointed properly, receiving content well, and tests show no problems on their end. Since Hughes is one of the world's leaders in satellite technology, they are probably correct. I agree that the test with my brother's lap indicates a problem on Hughes' end; however, I checked back through their control panel data and they did have reported problems the day of that test. Hughes won't replace the modem, because they are adamant that it is working properly.