Does anyone have Comcast as their isp? Has it slowed down considerably in the last 2 weeks or so? Since I got home from our last trip it takes almost a full minute to access a page from CNN, sometimes even longer. I know that Comcast has been reducing speeds on some things but this is getting as slow as a dial up. I've rebooted my modem as well as the router with no change.

Hey Rich, I am no computer expert, but it could be a bug in your system. I went through the exact same thing a few months ago. Somehow I got an advertising spyware type thing that caused this. I would call Comcast first to verify the speed issue. Also, run and update any anti-virus and anti-spyware programs you have. I ended up having to re-format my hard drive and start over with updating everything. You sure don't want to do that, unless is a last resort. Good luck with this.

Dwayne

I was thinking the same thing Dwayne, I'm running Spybot S&D along with AVG anti-virus. Things have improved this morning but it's not as fast as it was previously. I'm gong to do an update with both & re-run them before I call Comcast. This is on both the desktop & laptop. Strange.

RichC, I use Comcast and I have not noticed any change in access speed.

Sandy

RichC, Spybot S&D is a good product. I also run AdAware by LavaSoft. What one doesn't catch, the other one usually does. There are some nasty critters that neither one can eliminate, which means-rebuild-yuck! It is highly possible, though, that comcast needs to put a booster on your line. They may just have too many people hanging off of the box. With more and more people streaming video, downloading music, and movies, it's just clogging their pipes. We have Charter, some days it's ok, some days dial-up would beat it.

Thanks Sandy, I did a scan using AVG this morning & both computers & found numerous tracking cookies which I now deleted. This had improved things somewhat but it's still not what it used to be a few weeks ago. We might have a local problem in our area....guess I'll have to call Comcast.

Thanks for the replies from everybody - I've found the problem & it wasn't Comcast to blame. It was my Internet Explorer that's bogging down. I had to do an update for my Ipod which included the Safari browser & it's lighting fast. Microsoft has some work to do with their software.

quote:

It was my Internet Explorer that's bogging down.

Firefox is a much better browser.

Can I also suggest you download and run CCleaner, get it here.
Choose the slim version. This will help delete unwanted cookies. Check out the start up processes too, CCleaner will help remove un-necessary programs starting. anything your not sure about a quick Google search will help you. I'd suggest you run things like your AV, Spybot and CCleaner weekly to help keep your PC clean.
I'd also back up Dave's suggestion and don't use Internet Explorer, Firefox is far more secure and faster.
If you want to check your ISP Speed, go here this will tell you if Comcast are living up to their download speed promise.

Dave- I've hear that so many times through the years I can here it echoing in my head. You know it is thought, once a person gets accustomed to one program they hate to change.
mps69- I used to run CCleaner on my older computer & never bothered to download a copy on my new one. AVG cleaned up quite a few bad cookies the other day.
Safari is working great on my laptop, although all mu bookmarks have to be adjusted somewhat so they work properly- no big deal. I still can't believe the speed increase I'm getting.
Thanks all.

quote:

I've hear that so many times through the years I can here it echoing in my head. You know it is thought, once a person gets accustomed to one program they hate to change.

So I guess moving from Windows to Mac is out of the question? I made the switch to Mac about 5 years ago and never looked back. It is a much more pleasant experience - not without it's own problems, but still better than Windows.

The thing is Dave, everyone I know has a pc - no macs around here. I know people sware by them & have less problems but I can't change now. At least I can run the Safari browser.

All I can say is that you remember the words uttered by Lone Watie from the great movie The Outlaw Josie Wales..."Endeavor To Persevere"

Rich, I'm glad you got this fixed. I recently installed the Firefox browser that Dave recommended. I am mostly using it for posting on the forum, but I have to say it is great. Come to think of it my problems started when I upgraded to IE7. I did neglect to install the updates and fixes though. I have been doing it faithfully now. If IE wasn't so integrated into the system I would just get rid of it. Some of the sites I use for finance and work require it or MAC for access though.

Dwayne

I am not pro Microsoft, although it has kept me employeed for years. Firefox is fine, it just doesn't work with a lot of things. Like IE, it has it's own set of problems. Cookies, temp files, malware, spyware, trojans, key loggers, bots, etc., slow down any machine and sometimes make equipment unusable. The only way to keep a machine safe and secure is to not use it on the internet. Since that isn't practical, keep back ups, so restoring won't hurt so much.

I listen to Kim Komando on the radio every Saturday. Every so often she mentions the time from when a computer goes online to the time it is detected and the attacks begin. I forget the exact number but it is in seconds and not minutes. The point being if a computer has no firewall, protection software, etc., it can be trashed in mere moments.

I'm running IE7 on my desktop & did a restore back to July 8 when I first got back home & it's now working fine. There is something drastically wrong with the last IE update.