Internet's gone extremely slow for no reason I can see

Leaf · Post by **Leaf** » Sun Nov 02, 2008 12:19 pm

I've checked to make sure everything's plugged in properly, the phone's still working, the bills have been paid and everything is seemingly as it should be. But for some reason my internet connection is running very slow.

It takes ages to load anything (especially annoying when trying to watch vids on Youtube) and sometimes it seems to pack in all together, when which I'll turn everything off at the mains for a while and try again later.

Also, I tried running Spybot but it only found 4 things (by far an all time low) so I don't think it's a virus issue. But I really don't know TBH.

Any ideas on how I can improve things?

If you've read my previous post you'll know how much of a tech n00b I am so extra points go to idiot-proof guides.

trogers · Post by **trogers** » Sun Nov 02, 2008 1:58 pm

Post a tracert.

Leaf · Post by **Leaf** » Sun Nov 02, 2008 2:00 pm

trogers wrote:Post a tracert.

I'm sorry, what is that?

Rollingstone · Post by **Rollingstone** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 2:37 am

I'm sorry, what is that?

Start > Run > Type cmd > Type tracert yahoo.com then enter > When finished > Right click > Select All > Paste into 'Quick Reply' table in this forum.

Leaf · Post by **Leaf** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 9:24 am

Wooh Xenogears! Ahem, thanks for the directions. Here are my results:

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Patrick>tracert yahoo.com

Tracing route to yahoo.com [206.190.60.37]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

1 1 ms <1 ms <1 ms mygateway1.ar7 [192.168.11.1]
2 96 ms 102 ms 106 ms lo98.gr-acc-bras-16.as9105.net [212.74.102.34]
3 99 ms 93 ms 88 ms 10.72.9.1
4 83 ms 100 ms 95 ms 10.72.4.124
5 104 ms 213 ms 110 ms xe-1-1-0-0.lon20.ip.tiscali.net [213.200.78.233]

6 184 ms 189 ms 195 ms xe-0-0-0.was12.ip.tiscali.net [89.149.185.1]
7 199 ms 203 ms 181 ms 213.200.66.126
8 185 ms 197 ms 193 ms ae1-p140.msr1.re1.yahoo.com [216.115.108.17]
9 165 ms 185 ms 190 ms ge-8-3.bas-a1.re4.yahoo.com [216.39.49.1]
10 174 ms 164 ms 176 ms yahoo.com [206.190.60.37]

Trace complete.

C:\Documents and Settings\Patrick>

trogers · Post by **trogers** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 10:38 am

Leaf wrote:Wooh Xenogears! Ahem, thanks for the directions. Here are my results:

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Patrick>tracert yahoo.com

Tracing route to yahoo.com [206.190.60.37]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

1 1 ms <1 ms <1 ms mygateway1.ar7 [192.168.11.1]
2 96 ms 102 ms 106 ms lo98.gr-acc-bras-16.as9105.net [212.74.xxx.xxx]
3 99 ms 93 ms 88 ms 10.72.9.1
4 83 ms 100 ms 95 ms 10.72.4.124
5 104 ms 213 ms 110 ms xe-1-1-0-0.lon20.ip.tiscali.net [213.200.78.233]

Very hign ping times between your comp and the modem in hop 2.

Cause may be malware, some type of antivirus program, electrical interference on the modem, outdated firmware for the modem, or too long a signal cable between the router and the modem. You will have to isolate the cause and make corrections. Normal ping times should not exceed 40ms at hop 2.

Leaf · Post by **Leaf** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 10:56 am

Hi, thanks for the response.

trogers wrote:Very hign ping times between your comp and the modem in hop 2.

Cause may be malware, some type of antivirus program, electrical interference on the modem, outdated firmware for the modem, or too long a signal cable between the router and the modem. You will have to isolate the cause and make corrections. Normal ping times should not exceed 40ms at hop 2.

- I constantly have Avira AntiVir running.
- I don't think I'm using a modem. We got one in our broadband package but I use a wireless router now, thus the modem is not plugged in.
- Because I don't have a phone point in the same room as the computer I'm using an extension cord. Is that what you mean when you say signal cable?

Edit - Also, it may be worth noting that this slowness has only occurred during these past few days.

trogers · Post by **trogers** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 11:40 am

Leaf wrote: - I don't think I'm using a modem. We got one in our broadband package but I use a wireless router now, thus the modem is not plugged in.
- Because I don't have a phone point in the same room as the computer I'm using an extension cord. Is that what you mean when you say signal cable?

Edit - Also, it may be worth noting that this slowness has only occurred during these past few days.

Yours is probably a modem and router in one unit.

Check and see if this extension cord has been coiled up. If so, uncoil it.

Leaf · Post by **Leaf** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 11:51 am

trogers wrote:Yours is probably a modem and router in one unit.

Check and see if this extension cord has been coiled up. If so, uncoil it.

Well what do you know, someone seems to have saw it fit to wrap around the hat stand.

I've uncoiled it. No improvements can be seen yet but perhaps I need to restart the computer first or something?

I did that tracert thing anew:

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Patrick>tracert yahoo.com

Tracing route to yahoo.com [206.190.60.37]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

1 2 ms <1 ms <1 ms mygateway1.ar7 [192.168.11.1]
2 110 ms * 109 ms lo98.gr-acc-bras-16.as9105.net [212.74.102.34]
3 * 107 ms * 10.72.9.1
4 108 ms 110 ms 104 ms 10.72.4.124
5 109 ms 110 ms 111 ms xe-1-1-0-0.lon20.ip.tiscali.net [213.200.78.233]

6 199 ms * 179 ms xe-2-0-0.was12.ip.tiscali.net [89.149.185.9]
7 192 ms 202 ms * 213.200.66.126
8 224 ms 193 ms 209 ms ae1-p140.msr1.re1.yahoo.com [216.115.108.17]
9 188 ms 206 ms * te-8-3.bas-a2.re4.yahoo.com [216.39.49.5]
10 211 ms 189 ms 200 ms yahoo.com [206.190.60.37]

Trace complete.

C:\Documents and Settings\Patrick>

Leaf · Post by **Leaf** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 12:59 pm

Also I've randomly been getting this window up since god knows when, when it pops up the internet connection freezes until I close it.

trogers · Post by **trogers** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 2:13 pm

The asterix in ping times at hop 2 means there is packet loss at that point. Serious packet losses can lead to line disconnection, and it may be why the connection manager is popping up.

Check and see if there is damaged or loose wiring or connectors along this extension cord. If the exterior of the cable shows some kink, internal wiring may be damaged.

Leaf · Post by **Leaf** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 4:26 pm

trogers wrote:The asterix in ping times at hop 2 means there is packet loss at that point. Serious packet losses can lead to line disconnection, and it may be why the connection manager is popping up.

Check and see if there is damaged or loose wiring or connectors along this extension cord. If the exterior of the cable shows some kink, internal wiring may be damaged.

I checked along the extension cord but I couldn't really see anything wrong with it. It's fairly brand new I think.

It is very long though so it's very slack. I'm not sure if that has to do with anything.

Edit - hold on, I think I've just done something. I found one phone without a connector which, if I remember correctly, meant my connection might go slower than it should.

Touch wood, it seems things have been turbo charged.

Thanks for giving me the heads up about the cable connections.

Leaf · Post by **Leaf** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 5:32 am

Everything seemed like it was solved... but now things have turned crappy again. Here a tracert. Can you see anything here? Same problem?

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Patrick>tracert yahoo.com

Tracing route to yahoo.com [206.190.60.37]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

1 1 ms <1 ms <1 ms mygateway1.ar7 [192.168.11.1]
2 183 ms 201 ms 194 ms lo98.gr-acc-bras-16.as9105.net [212.74.102.34]
3 195 ms 203 ms 259 ms 10.72.9.1
4 * 179 ms * 10.72.4.124
5 * 197 ms 203 ms xe-1-1-0-0.lon20.ip.tiscali.net [213.200.78.233]

6 267 ms 265 ms * xe-0-0-0.was12.ip.tiscali.net [89.149.185.1]
7 270 ms * 307 ms 213.200.66.126
8 * 254 ms 265 ms ae2-p140.msr1.re1.yahoo.com [216.115.108.57]
9 * 285 ms 294 ms te-8-3.bas-a2.re4.yahoo.com [216.39.49.5]
10 301 ms 272 ms * yahoo.com [206.190.60.37]
11 281 ms 274 ms 265 ms yahoo.com [206.190.60.37]

Trace complete.

C:\Documents and Settings\Patrick>

trogers · Post by **trogers** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 7:57 am

Leaf wrote:Everything seemed like it was solved... but now things have turned crappy again. Here a tracert. Can you see anything here? Same problem?

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Patrick>tracert yahoo.com

Tracing route to yahoo.com [206.190.60.37]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

1 1 ms <1 ms <1 ms mygateway1.ar7 [192.168.11.1]
2 183 ms 201 ms 194 ms lo98.gr-acc-bras-16.as9105.net [212.74.xxx.xxx]
3 195 ms 203 ms 259 ms 10.72.9.1
4 * 179 ms * 10.72.4.124
5 * 197 ms 203 ms xe-1-1-0-0.lon20.ip.tiscali.net [213.200.78.233]

6 267 ms 265 ms * xe-0-0-0.was12.ip.tiscali.net [89.149.185.1]
7 270 ms * 307 ms 213.200.66.126
8 * 254 ms 265 ms ae2-p140.msr1.re1.yahoo.com [216.115.108.57]
9 * 285 ms 294 ms te-8-3.bas-a2.re4.yahoo.com [216.39.49.5]
10 301 ms 272 ms * yahoo.com [206.190.60.37]
11 281 ms 274 ms 265 ms yahoo.com [206.190.60.37]

Trace complete.

C:\Documents and Settings\Patrick>

The high ping times between your comp and the modem at hop 2 is due to the long extension cord. Make sure you are using at least a CAT5E cable as extension cord.

Tracert shows uneven ping times at hop 3 - the connection between your modem and the ISP's switch. It may be due to the line in your house from the modem to the outside box, or from the outside box to the ISP's central office. This portion needs to be checked by the ISP tech.

Leaf · Post by **Leaf** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 8:35 am

trogers, thanks once again for your help.

trogers wrote:The high ping times between your comp and the modem at hop 2 is due to the long extension cord. Make sure you are using at least a CAT5E cable as extension cord.

Tracert shows uneven ping times at hop 3 - the connection between your modem and the ISP's switch. It may be due to the line in your house from the modem to the outside box, or from the outside box to the ISP's central office. This portion needs to be checked by the ISP tech.

Hm, so you think it might be a problem outside my hands and that I should contact the internet provider?

These problems have only (re)surfaced during the past couple of days (after adding a connector to the extra phone and having things improved). Originally I was running okay, despite the extension cord etc.. Could it be something has changed in the course of these past few days that have made a difference to my connection, hence could still be rectified?

For instance, the way the cord's laid out? It's not coiled any more but I guess I could still improve it.

Leaf · Post by **Leaf** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 2:09 pm

Bizarre... after a whole day of slowness it's suddenly acting adequately again. What is this behaviour?! I wonder if it's something electric interfering with it after all.

Leaf · Post by **Leaf** » Sat Nov 08, 2008 6:34 am

And back to crappy again. Might it be interference coming from outside? Is there anything I can do to prevent it in the event that this is the case?

Leaf · Post by **Leaf** » Sun Nov 09, 2008 8:10 am

Here's a HijackThis log:

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 10:02:41, on 09/11/2008
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16735)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware 2007\aawservice.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXBCES.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXPPS.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\avguard.exe
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\sched.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\slserv.exe
C:\Program Files\Alcohol Soft\Alcohol 120\StarWind\StarWindServiceAE.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wscntfy.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\avgnt.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\D-Tools\daemon.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\MI948F~1\GAMECO~1\common\swtrayv4.exe
C:\Program Files\Thomson\SpeedTouch USB\Dragdiag.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe
C:\Program Files\Veoh Networks\VeohWebPlayer\veohwebplayer.exe
C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.toucan.com/jump/redir.asp?id=205
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
O2 - BHO: Yahoo! Toolbar Helper - {02478D38-C3F9-4EFB-9B51-7695ECA05670} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn\yt.dll
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Yahoo! Toolbar - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn\yt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Veoh Web Player Video Finder - {0FBB9689-D3D7-4f7a-A2E2-585B10099BFC} - C:\Program Files\Veoh Networks\VeohWebPlayer\VeohIEToolbar.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [avgnt] "C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\avgnt.exe" /min
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DAEMON Tools-1033] "C:\Program Files\D-Tools\daemon.exe" -lang 1033
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SideWinderTrayV4] C:\PROGRA~1\MI948F~1\GAMECO~1\common\swtrayv4.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SpeedTouch USB Diagnostics] "C:\Program Files\Thomson\SpeedTouch USB\Dragdiag.exe" /icon
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [updateMgr] C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\AdobeUpdateManager.exe AcRdB7_0_9
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [VeohPlugin] "C:\Program Files\Veoh Networks\VeohWebPlayer\veohwebplayer.exe"
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [DWQueuedReporting] "c:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\MICROS~1\DW\dwtrig20.exe" -t (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [DWQueuedReporting] "c:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\MICROS~1\DW\dwtrig20.exe" -t (User 'Default user')
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: AOL Toolbar - {4982D40A-C53B-4615-B15B-B5B5E98D167C} - C:\Program Files\AOL Toolbar\toolbar.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: AOL Toolbar - {4982D40A-C53B-4615-B15B-B5B5E98D167C} - C:\Program Files\AOL Toolbar\toolbar.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {85d1f590-48f4-11d9-9669-0800200c9a66} - C:\WINDOWS\bdoscandel.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Uninstall BitDefender Online Scanner v8 - {85d1f590-48f4-11d9-9669-0800200c9a66} - C:\WINDOWS\bdoscandel.exe
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: Real.com - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\Shdocvw.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O16 - DPF: RaptisoftGameLoader - http://www.miniclip.com/hamsterball/...gameloader.cab
O16 - DPF: {17492023-C23A-453E-A040-C7C580BBF700} (Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool) - http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=39204
O16 - DPF: {4F1E5B1A-2A80-42CA-8532-2D05CB959537} (MSN Photo Upload Tool) - http://by16fd.bay16.hotmail.msn.com/...s/MsnPUpld.cab
O16 - DPF: {55027008-315F-4F45-BBC3-8BE119764741} (Slide Image Uploader Control) - http://www.slide.com/uploader/SlideImageUploader.cab
O16 - DPF: {5D86DDB5-BDF9-441B-9E9E-D4730F4EE499} (BDSCANONLINE Control) - http://download.bitdefender.com/reso...an8/oscan8.cab
O16 - DPF: {BFF1950D-B1B4-4AE8-B842-B2CCF06D9A1B} (Zylom Games Player) - http://game13.zylomgames.com/activex...amesplayer.cab
O20 - Winlogon Notify: !SASWinLogon - C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SASWINLO.dll
O23 - Service: Ad-Aware 2007 Service (aawservice) - Lavasoft AB - C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware 2007\aawservice.exe
O23 - Service: AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic Scheduler (AntiVirScheduler) - Avira GmbH - C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\sched.exe
O23 - Service: AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic Guard (AntiVirService) - Avira GmbH - C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\avguard.exe
O23 - Service: AOL Spyware Protection Service (AOLService) - Unknown owner - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\AOL\AOLSPY~1\\aolserv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Ares Chatroom server (AresChatServer) - Ares Development Group - C:\Program Files\Ares Ultra\chatServer.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: iPodService - Apple Computer, Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: LexBce Server (LexBceS) - Lexmark International, Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXBCES.EXE
O23 - Service: SmartLinkService (SLService) - - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\slserv.exe
O23 - Service: StarWind AE Service (StarWindServiceAE) - Rocket Division Software - C:\Program Files\Alcohol Soft\Alcohol 120\StarWind\StarWindServiceAE.exe

--
End of file - 7528 bytes

trogers · Post by **trogers** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 11:45 am

Delete ALL AOL items using Hijackthis and clean your registry with CCleaner. Reboot comp and test again.