downloading using cable connection

[Gabe]

Sorry the title doesn't really give any clues to the problem, but I have no idea how to explain it. I have a cable connection which is pretty darn fast, generally . Before the summer, I could download off programs like WinMX (a music/file sharing program) with really fast times. like a 5 mb file in like 3 minutes type thing. I come back from the summer, my g/f downloads a virus and everything changes. I got rid of the virus and used about 2 or 3 other virus programs to tell me that my computer is now okay and has been okay for some time.

So anyway, I went back to WinMX and tried downloading some music and a 3mb song would take like 15 to 20 + minutes. What's up with that? The main reason I say this makes no cents is because I can download anything else like IE6 and Winamp (to name a few) in no time at all. It's only on music/file sharing programs that I can't go fast. I don't think it's the ISP because my friend has no trouble at all and he uses the same thing in the this area.

I have been to websites that "clock" your speed and they all say that I could download a 1mb file anywhere from 6 seconds to 11 seconds. I do plan to contact the Internet provider but will have to wait until after X-Xmas before I really get the time during the day.

Anyway, any help you guys could lend would me wonderful and I thank you for. Oh, just incase it matters, I have a p3 600, 64mb crap ram, 20 gig HD, god only knows what kind of board 8mb video, onboard sound. Anyway, I don't think it matters, but just trying to help. Thanks guys.

[Communicore]

Ok, from what I understand websites load quickly but in your file sharing apps you are getting slow download times. The users you are download the files from may be running a slower connection than you are and they can only upload at that slower connection. Try finding someone with calbe or dsl and download from them.
Hope this helps.....

-Josh Ulfers

[Gabe]

Thanks for answering. When I am downloading, I always make sure that I am using a person with at least cable, and generally under 150 ping. And to continue on, I can download games from FTP sites with fast connection, it's only when I enter the music/file sharing programs. I just don't get it.

Oh, I did a little test in which I started downloading Doom 95 from www.download.com, while I was in a music sharing program. Doom finnished in no time, but the music was still going supper slow. I know it wouldn't really matter, but it's one of those things that if you don't do it, it would have you wondering for the rest of the day. Thanks.