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What Could the Problem Be?

Okay, here is all the information that I can give you at the moment. The thing is we're experiencing internet speed issues. Now, I'm certain that it is Qwest (our ISP), but my parents seem to thing that it is the computer. I've checked both computer (mine is connected via Wi-Fi) for viruses and have found none (yes Avast has been updated). I've cleaned the registry on both computers, deleted the temporary files and internet history, and we regularly defrag. Speeds go up a tiny bit temporarily, but I think it's more "observational bias" than true speed increases. I think we have the Qwest 1.5mbps service, but we could have the 7mbps service. Speed tests never go above 2mbps. I takes almost 1-3 hours to download one tv episode on itunes. I do have more specific questions about this issue: 1) My stepdad uses the MafiaWars toolbar for Firefox, I don't see any viruses coming up with Avast! on either computer, but am considering that this toolbar may have at least a little bit to do with this issue. I've never used the toolbar myself on my computer, but have read that many such toolbars contain malware and spyware. 2) How does, if at all, my using my computer (connected via wi-fi via w1000 on top of qwest m1000 modem) effect the speed of the internet for the host computer? How does it effect my speed (I am getting between 4 and 5 bars), if at all? Does having a separate router effect the speeds? Does my downloading stuff (itunes, zune, from the internet itself--not p2p of any sort) or streaming videos on my pc via wi-fi effect the performance of their computer? 3) Does playing games like Farmville, Frontierville, Mafia Wars, etc. effect internet speeds? I don't play those games, but my parents do. I could use the advice of people that actually know computers and some links to some sites that explain this stuff well enough for a semi-computer literate person to understand (i.e. no "only basics" or on the other side sites using overly technical jargon). My suspicion is that it is the amount of bandwidth we have and not necessarily the computers themselves, as only a small change occurs in speeds.

Public Comments

1. "I think we have the Qwest 1.5mbps service, but we could have the 7mbps service. Speed tests never go above 2mbps. I takes almost 1-3 hours to download one tv episode on itunes" Do you know the connection speed your ISP is providing? I'm a bit confused-- do you know if you are paying for the 1.5 or the 7 mb connection?
2. 1) If Avast isn't seeing anything I'd trust it. 2) While you're downloading you're using as much of the bandwidth as you're using. That could be up to the 2mbps you're seeing, or it could be less. It depends on the download speed. (Streaming is downloading - what you do with the data once you get it, watch it or save it, is immaterial.) However, unless you're downloading from a server close to you (within 100 miles or so) I doubt that you're getting more than a 600kbps download (that's about how fast the internet runs over long distances). 3) Of course. Anything you download uses bandwidth, so that much bandwidth isdn't available for the other computer (or for your own computer - downloading 2 files at once means that they're sharing the same bandwidth.) See http://webdingers.com/wordpress/2010/04/slow-downloads/ for a pretty non-technical explanation. And check your connection speed at http://www.speedtest.net/ (Even if you have a 7mbps connection, your downloads will be limited by the speed of the internet path - that's usually the slowest part of the download.)
3. Well your router should have nothing to do with this, its your modem where any problems might occur. Just remember, if 2 people are using the web at once, the speed will be half. You don't both get 1.5 megs. You should find the web interface for your modem to determine the actual incoming speed, and if it is fluctuating. If this is DSL, look up things like "line attenuation" and "noise margin". If one of these are too high or too low, it will cause issues.
4. This video might help with this kind of question: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WmBlVJasyY
5. Hi, Steph from Qwest here, I would be happy to have a technical support specialist touch base to see if they can get your speed up and check the speed on the account. Please email me at talktous@qwest.com with your bill phone number, bill address and best contact number, please put attention Steph in the subject line. If you aren't authorized on the account have one of your parents send the request, if they want you to be the one to discuss the issue they can give us authorization for you to discuss it in their email. thank you Stephanie Lake Manager, Talk To Qwest Team "At Qwest your account information is confidential and protected by law, so I need your permission to access the account.”