Slow internet access

[Guest]

I have a router connected to a cable modem. There are three computers
connected to the Ethernet ports of the 4-port router (the 4th port remains
unused). All machines are running XP. On two of the computers I get
excellent Internet access speed (4 MBb/s), but on the third only 10% of that
speed (400kb/s). I checked all the cables etc. and everything I can think
of.
When I connect the third computer DIRECTLY to the WAN (cable modem), I do
get 4Mb/s. But as soon as the third computer connects via the router it
drops down to 400kb/s.
But the problem can’t be the router because if I connect the Ethernet cable
from the third (slow) computer to another computer, the access speed still
goes up to 4Mb/s. Conversely, if I connect the Ethernet cable from a fast
computer to the third computer, the speed drops to 400kb/s.

The network card in the slow computer got checked out and is fully
functional. I am pretty sure it’s a Microsoft XP (i.e. software) issue.

Can anyone help?
thx
mombassa

 

[GTS]

I suggest comparing the settings for the NIC's partularly the setting for
full or half duplex.

 

[Jack]

Hi

1. Optimize the TCP/IP Stack: http://www.ezlan.net/Internet_Speed.html

2. Check the running Processes and make sure that No Internet related Junk
is running: http://www.ezlan.net/infestation#process

3. Clean and refresh your Network settings:
http://www.ezlan.net/clean#refreshnet

Still in trouble?

Take out the NIC and boot the computer without it (doing so would clean the
system from this NIC installation).

Re-insert the NIC (or even better of try another NIC). Reinstall, optimize,
and try again.

Jack (MVP-Networking).

 

[Guest]

Jack
thanks a bunch for your many links; the problem is all this stuff is over my
head and I am not an IT professional. I don't want to ask too much but I am
just a regular user with basic knowldege who needs step-by-step help. Are
you with Microsoft? I could connect with you off-line via email. Please
advise if you would be willing to help me out over the phone.
thanks
mombassa

 

[Jack]

Hi
If I knew the exact cause of the problem it would easy to just write short
step by step instructions. Unfortunately writing step by step instructions
to cover all the possibilities as mentioned in my above post is beyond the
scope of a Newsgroup.

The content of the pages that I pointed to is as easy it it can get under
such circumstances.

Unfortunately I can not offer support service beyond the newsgroup.

Jack (MVP-Networking).