Need help and ideas - Internet Speed

[NZvista]

OK. I actually did download the Atheros Lan Adapter but my computer said it was uneeded, I checked windows automatic update which shows that it had downloaded it for me. As for the cool n' quiet, the same problem as before, the utility believes it is disabled when it is actually enabled and vice versa, my fans are "Nexus real silents" so i barely get noise anyway, as for heat i idle at around 20 and at full use am around 40 so im not really concerned.

One thing i did try, in reasearch on other sites they talked about diabling or restricting "auto tuning" in the command box, ive tried both and neither of them work. Also, as recommended earlier, the SG TCP Optimizer doesnot seemto make an impact aswell.

I will download those two programs and make screen shots/ result sheets of them for you to look at if anything unusual happens.

Err Edit: I have no clue what im looking at with these programs The only thing that looks a little strange to me is that, on adapter watch it says: routing, arp proxy, and DNS are all disabled.

 

[LookinAround]

i'm highly suspect of that network adapter. (not to mention figuring out what state your cool n quiet is currently in)

as for the adapter.. will also have you confirm the driver files its running. I don't know with a 100% certainly but the way i understand MS update works i don't understand why they'd download and install something asus is calling "beta". Something doesn't sound consistent

I would also have you run the Windows wizard and create new network connections but not until knowing of any ISP requirements for that connection (cable is so much easier to connect to then DSL!)

and when u get a chance pls check/report back on the firmware version running in your router. if that's out of date, should be fixed for sure

 

[NZvista]

Ok, ill need to have a few tips here: IM not sure how i would check for Adapter driver files, nor the firm ware version.

EDIT: Acutally have a programs called "Atheros Internet Utility" which did report it was running version 2.4.7.13 which was instaled on the 4/28/2008 so your right, it is not the new one. That file which i tried to instal just flashed up a black dialogue box for less than 1second, that i assumed was not how a driver would install and hence want needed.

Have also found firmware version.

 

[LookinAround]

absolutely.. will send you the steps for the driver files sometime later. Look at the attachment (i think back on post #19) Is a one page doc i did with a few screenshots so i think is straightforward (assuming no one has changed the userids/passwords to login to the router!)

 

[NZvista]

OK. Have successfully updated the firmware version, only to succeed in increasing my families internet speed in the process.

I think im going to elaborate on what ive defined to be the problem, if i haven't made it clear. Although my general download is slower than my families they are XP and im on Vista so thats not surprising considering how much extra functions I support.

If i can use an analogy for my problem, I would use a sprinter.
My running speed is perfectly fine and am competitive with most others, (ie download speed)
But the time i take to start running is the problem, I stay in the starting spot for too long (ie connection time, it takes me about 4 seconds to open up the internet window on my computer + the latency on gaming + the constant +2000latency and 999ping on speed test.)

PS: If any one other than the helpfull lookinaround has any knowledge, please feel free to share, this isn't a 1on1 despite the great personal effort he has already put in.

 

[NZvista]

OOOOH: Success, well not in reducing my ping on Speedtest but i have managed to get my Download speed to that of my family computer. I used to play WoW, so i had disabled nagles algorithm through a program to reduce latency on the game, when i uninstalled the program it didn't undo the registry changes, i just did it manually and by DL speed is up to 4.2kps - on par with my home computer .

 

[LookinAround]

Congrats! :grinthumb If on par with family computer you may wanna just leave it as is. So just some info you should tuck away for the future:

Drivers and BIOS versions I found many people with problems / unhappy with both the M3A board and the Atheros adapter with a mix of problems. Most common: dropped connections, boot issues, and slow machines (vs. just slow internet connections). But regardless of specific problem I see a common theme:
==> Older driver versions for that board that don’t work
==> Newer versions may work tho better chances of that if you: boot into safe mode, un-install old driver, reboot to normal mode, then install the driver (vs. simply trying to update old to new)
==> Newer drivers not always working unless installed on newer BIOS (i.e. upgrade BIOS first then install driver. Or you may need to uninstall then re-install driver after upgrade). And always install using latest versions from the ASUS site (not from CD)
==> Many problems not cured until BIOS upgrade to at least v601

Risks of BIOS upgrades
==> The big risk is people not paying attention to what they’re doing. Most common: interrupting power while flashing or flashing a version not intended for their hardware
==> I’ve been flashing BIOS since they were created and have never once had a problem
==> You’re right. You don’t want to upgrade simply because there’s a new version. And you’re better to avoid beta releases unless needed. But if a version is NOT beta and has already been out for a 9 - 12 months is not likely going to be any issue. And certainly not a "causes BIOS brain-death" type issue
==> If you have an option, can be smoother process to boot into the flash utility vs. flash from within Windows

And last (then I’ll shut-up)
==> Check out this tool: DriverMax
==> I’ll endorse it for the functions it lists under Driver Operations
======> Export lets you backup all your current drivers to media
======> Import is handy if you ever need to re-install a driver(s) from backup media (vs. having to go find each driver on the internet)
======> Report for html or text list of all drivers and their version numbers
==> I don’t know how well this version of DriverMax is about finding driver updates (older versions of this tool weren’t always right)

 

[NZvista]

Yes, well my internet download speed is on par with my parents. The conection latency is still a problem. I think im going to be content for 2 weeks untill after my exams are over. then most likely ill take it to a store and get them to update my bios and fix the delay problems.