Slow Cable Connection: What to do?

[Gary Childress]

A friend of mine, her computer has been extreeeeeemly slow at times, sometimes freezing up when trying to connect to the Internet ever since she signed on to Brighthouse cable Internet. She used to have dial up before and didn't get as much problem aside from the slow transfer rate. Someone recommended Spybot cleaner to get rid of spyware. She installed it and now she can't log onto her favorite website. Her favorite web site is some sort of game site where she does crossword puzzles. I wish I had more information at the moment but that is all she has told me so far.

Does anyone have any idea what the problem could be just based on this info? What additional info should I get from her to help others solve this problem?

Many thanks for any help!

Gary

EDIT: She has Windows XP.

[shadowpr]

Complete specs would help.

what service pack is xp?

The actual site that is blocked?

What anti-virus and anti-malware programs she has installed?

[Gary Childress]

Originally Posted by shadowpr Complete specs would help. what service pack is xp? The actual site that is blocked? What anti-virus and anti-malware programs she has installed?

Willl this help?

Windows XP 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600
Running Internet Explorer Version 7.0.5730.11
Processor: AMD 1796 mhz
Total physical memory: 256MB
Available System Memory: 35.5MB
Avalable Virtual Memory 2.00GB

Using Brighthouse external DSL modem.

Using Norton Anti-virus (outdated from 2004).

Forgot to ask which site she can't get on now.

She says her internet connection now with DSL is SLOWER than her old dial up connection.

Many thanks.

[Gary Childress]

Bump.

Any ideas of why the Internet is so slow on my friend's machine?

Many thanks.

[glc]

Uninstall that outdated Norton and upgrade the ram. 256mb ram is painful trying to run XP. Scan the computer for malware using current up to date scanners.

[Gary Childress]

Originally Posted by glc Uninstall that outdated Norton and upgrade the ram. 256mb ram is painful trying to run XP. Scan the computer for malware using current up to date scanners.

Many thanks! I'll give those a try!

[rwest]

Originally Posted by glc upgrade the ram. 256mb ram is painful trying to run XP.

Do this first. 256mb of ram is just barely enough to run a fully loaded XP install with Norton. The pc is struggling just to run the Operating System.

Add the ram and then see if she can access her sites, it's possible her pc's too loaded for the OS too even load the browser much less find it's way thru her cookies and then load a saved page.

Also, Spybot has settings that will eliminate cookies and and saved passwords, you can choose to have it clean, or not clean these. Spybot's a good program, but the more apps you add to a pc the more resources it needs, especially if you don't eliminate any other ones.

[danieltobe]

Originally Posted by Gary Childress Bump. Any ideas of why the Internet is so slow on my friend's machine? Many thanks.

Make sure your friend is using DSL, next see if it is wireless and secruity enabled so know else is using the connection.

[glc]

Excuse me? The OP is using cable, not DSL.