Two computers--one fast, the other slow

Orome · Post by **Orome** » Mon May 03, 2004 2:24 pm

I'm using CableOne, and the advertised speed is 1500/200. I have two computers both running Win2K, and connected to the same router, which is connected to the cable modem. When I run speed tests on the laptop, I get around 1500 kbps, but on the desktop, I always get around 400-500 kbps. I've tried various tweaks, and I followed almost all of mccoffee's list of suggestions, but nothing helps. Since my laptop is getting the advertised speed, I tried setting all my desktop's TCP/IP settings to match the laptop, but it didn't help, either. The settings below are after I used the laptop's settings, which is why the RWIN might look kind of low, but it works for the laptop. Any suggestions?

TCP options string = 020405b40103030001010402
MTU = 1500
MTU is fully optimized for broadband.
MSS = 1460
Maximum useful data in each packet = 1460, which equals MSS.

Default Receive Window (RWIN) = 17640
RWIN Scaling (RFC1323) = 0 bits
Unscaled Receive Window = 17640

For optimum performance, consider changing RWIN to a multiple of MSS.
Other values for RWIN that might work well with your current MTU/MSS:
513920 (MSS x 44 * scale factor of 8)
256960 (MSS x 44 * scale factor of 4)
128480 (MSS x 44 * scale factor of 2)
64240 (MSS x 44)
bandwidth * delay product (Note this is not a speed test):

Your RcvWindow limits you to: 705.6 kbps (88.2 KBytes/s) @ 200ms
Your RcvWindow limits you to: 282.24 kbps (35.28 KBytes/s) @ 500ms
Consider increasing your RWIN value to optimize TCP/IP for broadband.
MTU Discovery (RFC1191) = ON
Time to live left = 104 hops

TTL value is ok.
Timestamps (RFC1323) = OFF
Selective Acknowledgements (RFC2018) = ON
IP type of service field (RFC1349) = 00000000

MadDoctor · Post by **MadDoctor** » Mon May 03, 2004 4:09 pm

Do you have another NIC you can try in the desktop?

Orome · Post by **Orome** » Mon May 03, 2004 4:29 pm

Yes, I think I've got an extra one somewhere. The problem is, the one I'm using now is integrated into the motherboard; it's an SiS 900. I suppose I could just disable it, though.

MadDoctor · Post by **MadDoctor** » Mon May 03, 2004 5:19 pm

Orome wrote: I could just disable it, though.

Orome · Post by **Orome** » Mon May 03, 2004 8:22 pm

Well, I tried using a different network card, but it was still just as slow.

mccoffee · Post by **mccoffee** » Mon May 03, 2004 8:52 pm

Try the following in cablenut make sure you network cards are in 100full mode

DefaultReceiveWindow =192000
DefaultSendWindow =16384
DisableAddressSharing = 1
InitialLargeBufferCount = 200
InitialMediumBufferCount = 480
InitialSmallBufferCount = 640
LargeBufferSize = 81920
MaxFastTransmit = 64000
MediumBufferSize = 15040
PriorityBoost = 0
SmallBufferSize = 1280
TransmitWorker = 32
FastSendDatagramThreshold = 4096
EnableFastRouteLookup = 1
EnablePMTUDiscovery = 1
IgnorePushBitOnReceives = 0
GlobalMaxTcpWindowSize = 64240
MaxFreeTcbs = 8000
MaxHashTableSize = 16384
MaxNormLookupMemory = 5000000
SackOpts = 1
SynAttackProtect = 1
Tcp1323Opts = 1
TcpLogLevel = 1
TcpMaxDupAcks = 3
TcpMaxHalfOpen = 100
TcpMaxHalfOpenRetried = 80
TcpRecvSegmentSize = 1460
TcpSendSegmentSize = 1460
TcpTimedWaitDelay = 30
TcpUseRFC1122UrgentPointer = 0
TcpWindowSize = 64240
MaxConnectionsPer1_0Server = 20
MaxConnectionsPerServer = 10
DefaultTTL = 64
DisableUserTOSSetting = 0
TcpMaxDataRetransmissions = 6
DefaultTOSValue = 92

Co/o manosteele52

. Under your LAN connection - properties - general tab, uninstall all the protocols there that you do not need.

2. Open IE and select tools - internet options - connections -
LAN settings, make sure NOTHING there is checked.

3. ALWAYS connect your modem via ethernet (NIC) and make sure you have the latest drivers for your NIC from the manufacturer. Set your NIC duplex mode to 10mb half duplex for Cable, for DSL it is ISP dependent unless you are using a router, if so then set it to 100mb full duplex for both Cable & DSL (the instructions are in my Help & Tips link). If you are using a router make sure you have the latest firmware.

4. Clear your temporary internet files.

5. Power cycle your modem, unplug it for atleast 15 seconds.

6. Download and update then do a scan with SpyBot 1.2 http://beam.to/spybotsd & Ad Aware 6.0 http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download to remove any spyware then install and update SpywareBlaster to stay spyware FREE. YOU MUST USE BOTH AD AWARE & SPYBOT TO ENSURE YOU ARE SPYWARE FREE SINCE ONE FINDS WHAT THE OTHER MISSES.

7. Make sure you do the faster web page tweak in Read1st link.

8. If you have Zone Alarm as a firewall uninstall it then visit Zonelabs.com for further instructions on removing it's left over junk.

9. Install Outpost Firewall http://www.agnitum.com\ or Sygate Firewall http://www.sygate.com/ , both have FREE and Pro versions and are heads above ZA.

10. Scan for viruses with your antivirus app, if you do not have one get one IMMEDIATELY, AVG 6.0 http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php is an excellent FREE AV app.

11. Make sure you have ALL of the latest Windows Updates.

Orome · Post by **Orome** » Wed May 05, 2004 2:06 pm

I put in all those settings using cablenut, but it's still just as slow.

mccoffee · Post by **mccoffee** » Wed May 05, 2004 2:57 pm

How are you sharring the connection? Router, ics ???

Orome · Post by **Orome** » Wed May 05, 2004 3:01 pm

Linksys ethernet router BEFSR41. I tried connecting the computer directly to the cable modem, but it didn't help.

AznStyl · Post by **AznStyl** » Sat May 08, 2004 3:51 am

I have the same problem as well.... I have cableone... 3000/300. For some reason, I get more speed from a lappy then a desktop. Lappy w/out tweak or anything.... weird? yes... been like that since I got the laptop. Somehow the lappy can get more juice than the desktop.

mccoffee · Post by **mccoffee** » Sat May 08, 2004 5:02 am

If you did the static ip guide goto 192.168.1.1 click dhcp sever and disable it

Orome · Post by **Orome** » Sat May 08, 2004 3:14 pm

mccoffee wrote:If you did the static ip guide goto 192.168.1.1 click dhcp sever and disable it

My computers aren't assigned static ip's. DHCP server is enabled on the router. Is that what you wanted?

AznStyl wrote:I have the same problem as well.... I have cableone... 3000/300. For some reason, I get more speed from a lappy then a desktop. Lappy w/out tweak or anything.... weird? yes... been like that since I got the laptop. Somehow the lappy can get more juice than the desktop.

That's interesting, because I actually have a third computer connected to my router, that I didn't mention before. It's also a desktop, running Win98, but it's getting normal speeds, just like the laptop. It's also an older computer (500MHz P3) than my desktop that's having the speed problem (1.6GHz Athlon).

MadDoctor · Post by **MadDoctor** » Sat May 08, 2004 7:07 pm

Try a different cable from the router to the PC (to all of your PCs). Maybe the problems is cable related.

mccoffee · Post by **mccoffee** » Sat May 08, 2004 7:08 pm

disable it also give two computer two differnet subnets give one computer 255.255.255.1 and give the other/s 255.255.255.0

V_LESTAT · Post by **V_LESTAT** » Sun May 09, 2004 1:19 am

i just got to say this simply becuz you guys havent even mentioned it.

its onboard, go into the bios and see if there is a setting for 10 100 or auto.

now go into device manager and double click the NIC. go to proerties and advanced.
look thru the list of settings there in the advanced tab. look for one that mentions Speed. no matter what the setting is right now change it.
if its 100mbit full duplex change it to 100 mbit 1/2 duplex. then try 10mbit full then try 10 mbit 1/2.

ive seen it way too many times where a certain brand of NIC whether its PCI or ornboard will not work properly with certain routers.

change the speed settings i can just about bet you it fixes it.
dont forget to apply and reboot.

if that dont work use another NIC and forget all about the onboard.

and lastly. first try simply plugging the network cable into a different port on the router. its possible, not likely but possible one of the ports on the router could be goofy.

mccoffee · Post by **mccoffee** » Sun May 09, 2004 2:38 am

Orome wrote:My computers aren't assigned static ip's. DHCP server is enabled on the router. Is that what you wanted?

That's interesting, because I actually have a third computer connected to my router, that I didn't mention before. It's also a desktop, running Win98, but it's getting normal speeds, just like the laptop. It's also an older computer (500MHz P3) than my desktop that's having the speed problem (1.6GHz Athlon).

Do the static ip guide with dhcp server disabled with it's disabled it works as a switch for faster speeds.

AznStyl · Post by **AznStyl** » Sun May 09, 2004 3:02 am

V_LESTAT wrote:i just got to say this simply becuz you guys havent even mentioned it.

its onboard, go into the bios and see if there is a setting for 10 100 or auto.

now go into device manager and double click the NIC. go to proerties and advanced.
look thru the list of settings there in the advanced tab. look for one that mentions Speed. no matter what the setting is right now change it.
if its 100mbit full duplex change it to 100 mbit 1/2 duplex. then try 10mbit full then try 10 mbit 1/2.

ive seen it way too many times where a certain brand of NIC whether its PCI or ornboard will not work properly with certain routers.

change the speed settings i can just about bet you it fixes it.
dont forget to apply and reboot.

if that dont work use another NIC and forget all about the onboard.

and lastly. first try simply plugging the network cable into a different port on the router. its possible, not likely but possible one of the ports on the router could be goofy.

I have 3 comps. All were custom made and none of the nic were onboard. All 3 comps were set to 10mb half. On the laptop, no cablenut or tcpoptimizer were use. All setting are defaults and yet... the lappy somehow are getting a better speed then the desktop. Lappy is a gateway 450 p4 2ghz and 512 megs of ram. BTW I use a linksys switch not a router.
Also the lappy somehow to maintain the speed at 90% of the cap that cableone set. Stable speed are in the range of 360kp/s - 370+kb/s for the lappy and the desktops are some where btween 320 - 350+kb/s. Weird?

mccoffee · Post by **mccoffee** » Sun May 09, 2004 3:07 am

You shoud have it at 100 full if you are using a switch the onboard is fine you don't not need a new network card. If you are using a switch disregared the seperate subnet thing.

320-350 is still pretty good speed i thought you had like 300 and 150 range.

AznStyl · Post by **AznStyl** » Sun May 09, 2004 3:15 am

mccoffee wrote:You shoud have it at 100 full if you are using a switch the onboard is fine you don't not need a new network card. If you are using a switch disregared the seperate subnet thing.

320-350 is still pretty good speed i thought you had like 300 and 150 range.

No, I have a good speed... what I was saying is that the lappy w/out tweak somehow manage to get more speed. Anyway... I should use a 100 full for all 3 comps with a switch? For the desktop... when I download a file from mIRC its fast as first then gradually drop. It didn't happen b4 when I use to have a 1000/200 package but since I have a new package 3000/300 the stable of it .. is horrible.

V_LESTAT · Post by **V_LESTAT** » Sun May 09, 2004 3:15 am

man why are you worried about 10-20k ?
let me quote your words.

I'm using CableOne, and the advertised speed is 1500/200. I have two computers both running Win2K, and connected to the same router, which is connected to the cable modem. When I run speed tests on the laptop, I get around 1500 kbps, but on the desktop, I always get around 400-500 kbps

the reason i said to check and change the nic speeds is because you started the thread by saying your desktops are only getting 1/2 the speed of your laptops, now its 20k less ?

laptops are goofy about certain things, ive had friends that mentioned certain things like what your talking about, and even when i did tech support for Gateway i heard people talk about their laptops got better speeds.
so not sure what it is.
but 20-30k +/- is nothing to even worry about. call it the nature of the beast.

V_LESTAT · Post by **V_LESTAT** » Sun May 09, 2004 3:17 am

not to mention the fact that your laptop isnt the same as your desktop,
differnt NIC different Drivers,,, the laptop nic can simply be optimised better.

mccoffee · Post by **mccoffee** » Sun May 09, 2004 3:19 am

when I download a file from mIRC its fast as first then gradually drop. It didn't happen b4 when I use to have a 1000/200 package but since I have a new package 3000/300 the stable of it .. is horrible.

You can't tweak mirc i'll tell you why they have a very unrealable protocol called dcc it's not as realiable as ftp with mirc you have to worry about sever congestion how close or far you are from server. The guy running the fserve or dcc sending more then one file at a time there is so much vairables. If you are using any software firewalls make sure ping is getting though to your machine.

With mirc you kinda have to have ping to get your computer to keep that remote computer to send that file if it loses ping then the connection drops. Just some tips

AznStyl · Post by **AznStyl** » Sun May 09, 2004 3:20 am

EDIT: miss read... disgregard it pls. Thank you

AznStyl · Post by **AznStyl** » Sun May 09, 2004 3:28 am

mccoffee wrote:when I download a file from mIRC its fast as first then gradually drop. It didn't happen b4 when I use to have a 1000/200 package but since I have a new package 3000/300 the stable of it .. is horrible.

You can't tweak mirc i'll tell you why they have a very unrealable protocol called dcc it's not as realiable as ftp with mirc you have to worry about sever congestion how close or far you are from server. The guy running the fserve or dcc sending more then one file at a time there is so much vairables. If you are using any software firewalls make sure ping is getting though to your machine.

With mirc you kinda have to have ping to get your computer to keep that remote computer to send that file if it loses ping then the connection drops. Just some tips

I figure it would be something like that. I've been using mIRC for pretty long and has been dl/ul quite a few... but recently it jux that the speed I get from mIRC sux not as good as it use to be.. so I thought it would have something to do w/ the way I tweak/set the settings but I should have known better..

anyway thanks mccoffee... by the way... u still on dalnet?

mccoffee · Post by **mccoffee** » Sun May 09, 2004 4:29 am

i just started using mirc again it's been about a year since i was on last

AznStyl · Post by **AznStyl** » Mon May 10, 2004 10:18 am

same here... dalnet is not what it use to be anymore...

Orome · Post by **Orome** » Mon May 24, 2004 9:35 pm

I haven't tried the static IP thing yet, but on a whim, I installed Mozilla Firefox, and guess what? My download speed is normal now, at 1.5 Mbps.

I think I'll be changing my default browser. BTW, for my other two computers, which have always had normal download speeds, I've been using IE to run the speed tests, so the IE on my main computer must be corrupted somehow.