Slow connnection

[Brian2MN]

I built a new PC a couple of weeks ago (specs below). For the most part, the build went well and I had no problems at first with my internet connection (using a Motorla SB4200 cable modem with Comcast and a Linksys WRT54G wireless router). It should be noted that my computer is wired to the router, though, not using the wireless connection. I am using the integrated NIC on my system board for the connection. For whatever reason, over this weekend and today my Internet connection on my computer is usually VERY slooooow to load any pages. For example, I can click on one of the threads on this forum that has a lot of replies, and the page will usually load fast initially, but just the first post....status will show that it's loading, but it might take 30 seconds before I can scroll beyond the first post.

I tried rebooting the modem and the router and my computer. That didn't help at all, so I got out my laptop, which does use the wireless connection. My laptop is blazing fast compared to my desktop with its internet connection. Very sporadically, however, my desktop will load a page almost instantly. For the most part, my new PC is very responsive and fast, it opens programs quickly, etc. I really don't seem to be having any problems other than the internet being sluggish.

The only thing that's really "changed" recently is that I did download the new Firefox 3.0 around the time I started having troubles, but IE is also responding the exact same way.

Any ideas?

Windows Vista 32-bit (dual-booting with XP, but using Vista full-time unless my thread says otherwise)
Intel P35DPM motherboard
G.Skill 4GB (2x2GB) PC2 6400
WD Caviar SE WD5000AAJS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA
Intel Q6600 processor
RAIDMAX AURORA 2 RX-600F 600W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V LED Power Supply

[glc]

Is it slow in both Vista and XP?

[shadowpr]

Since you have a dual boot, does the problem happen with both OS's?

EDIT: GLC beat me again.

[Brian2MN]

Very good question....both of you. :)

I tried it, and yes....it would seem that my connection in XP is as it should be.

Any suggestions, aside from the tempting one to remove my Vista infection? I've actually considered that many, many times....but have gotten used to Vista and don't like having some stuff that I can only use in once place and vice versa.

[shadowpr]

Try turning phising filter off.


http://www.tweakhound.com/vista/tweakguide/page_9.htm

[Brian2MN]

You know.....I decided to try putting a PCI NIC in just to see how it would go. So far it seems much improved.

I just wanted to try doing that rather than the integrated NIC on the mobo. This build went fine for the most part, but I had a couple of hiccups with it. One hiccup was that I had an ATA DVD drive that worked fine in my old system (also running Vista). I built the new PC, and then needed to install XP first because I had a full version of XP and only the upgrade version of Vista. I was able to install XP just fine with the DVD drive, but for some reason the drive wouldn't function in the new PC once XP was booted. I put in a new SATA DVD drive and then it worked fine.

The build went fine, but that was just kind of an unusual hardware hiccup.....so I wanted to try the NIC. It's working considerably better than it did last night at least.

[glc]

ATA issues are very common with the new Intel chipsets. There is no native support, what IDE controller it has is 3rd party. This is why we recommend 100% SATA drives in new builds now.

By the way - you do NOT have to install XP first to use an upgrade copy of Vista - there is a procedure to install Vista on a clean drive.

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/winvista_upgrade_clean.asp

[Brian2MN]

Thanks for the info on fresh installing the upgrade version of Vista. It would have been nice to have known that when I did my build, but then again I guess it's nice to have the XP dual boot.

Putting the NIC in did seem to help at first (or maybe my imagination) but tonight it's back to its old tricks. Pages are loading slowly and sometimes I get page load errors and need to refresh.

If I have to put up with much more of this, I may just switch to loading XP by default again and forgetting Vista.

[Brian2MN]

I posted this problem on another forum too, and someone suggested disabling IPv6, which I did. That seems to have solved my problem. Just an FYI. Here's the info:

http://thevistaforums.com/index.php?showtopic=39063

1) Click the "Start" orb (Bottom left windows button thing)
2) Click "Control Panel"
3) Top left of "Control Panel" click "Classic View"
4) Double-Click "Network And Sharing Center"
5) Left hand side of "Network And Sharing center" click "Manage Network Connections"
- You will now see a list of your network connections (I have lots but you should have one saying "Wireless Network Connection")
6) Right-Click on the one saying "Wireless Network Connection" It should have signal bar icon to the left of it
- You will now see a drop-down list.
7) On the drop-down list, click "Properties"
- A new screen will appear with lots of items in a list, next to which you will see tick boxes (on the left hand side).
8) Locate the item saying "Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)"
- MAKE SURE YOU PICK THE ONE THAT SAYS VERSION 6
9) UNTICK the box to the left of that item but leave all other boxes ticked if they are!
10) Click "OK"
11) Close all screens until you get back to the desktop
12) Restart your laptop