How long for a download?

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Anything can be downloaded through Torrents. Large files or multiple files are downloaded through torrents because it puts much less pressure on Servers and can be generally faster.
For example, Linux and Open Office is distributed through Torrents.

[ImnoGuru]

Depending on how many Seeds you've got and your bandwith, it can take minutes or days.

I know some ppl can increase their Bandwidth, so how do I go about doing that?

My download test comes in at 1.17mb/s

Does that look like a reasonable speed compared to usual expected speeds?

[BC_Programmer]

the most obvious way of increasing bandwidth is to buy a better package from your ISP. For example, I have the fastest internet available in my area, which costs me a fairly heftly 69$ a month.

Another method involves various hacks to the way windows handles your network card- sometimes, in fact, a new network card can get you better speed. (again- another example being that I got a Gigabit router and gigabit card both of the same brand (D-Link).

Also: if your connected via Wireless Wifi, you can try cabled instead, and if you are cabled try a better category of cable. For example (yet again ) I use Cat6 cable to connect my cable modem to my router- I haven't a clue if this helps speed-wise but at least I'm putting the cable to use.

Another option would be to use faster wireless. Still not as fast as a Cat-5 cable but a great solution for laptops. Wireless-N connectivity is a must-have for any laptops I purchase.

As an example my Vista laptop gets:




there are various other "tweaks" and "hacks" one can perform, but since they are against the terms of Service of most ISPs I feel they have no place here.

However, google would likely bring up a number of sites. But bear in mind that if they break the TOS of your ISP they are within their rights to simply cut you off all their services without warning.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Does that look like a reasonable speed compared to usual expected speeds?

I would think so.

[BC_Programmer]

oops, forgot to answer the second question!

yep, it definitely isn't a bad speed.

offtopic: when did speedtest change?

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

I was thinking the same thing. I liked the previous version better. This one seems.....slow.....

[BC_Programmer]

it's fast on my laptop. The old one was slow on my desktop anyway... this one will probably be slower...

[Broni]

One sure way to increase your overall download speed is to apply this patch: http://www.mydigitallife.info/2008/12/31/tcp-z-free-download-half-open-tcpip-memory-patcher-for-x86-and-x64-windows-7-vista-and-xp/
It gets rid of M$ half-open connections limit, which is set to 10 by default.
My Comcast package gives me 6Mbps speed, but after applying the above, plus couple of other tricks, my speed averages at about 15Mbps.
The above patch is the main ingredient, though.

[BC_Programmer]

that reminds me- I have to reapply that patch.

[Broni]

There is one simple thing to remember after every monthly updates session.
Check Event Viewer for event 4226. If it's back there, the patch stopped working, and needs to be reapplied.
I've been using this patch (or previous versions) for well over a year, and I had to reapply only once.

[ImnoGuru]

Thanks everyone for helping to educate me. There's a lot for me to digest there.

I certainly could not have chosen a better place to learn about computers.

All of you have been so helpful, my just saying thanks hardly seems enough.

bear in mind that if they break the TOS of your ISP they are within their rights to simply cut you off all their services without warning.

Not such a bad thing for me BC_Programmer, Im on a two year contract. Just recently the price has come down and the available download limit is about the same.
They are welcome to shut me down... I'll just go somewhere else save money and get a faster speed, wireless or even cable.
I spend Au $70 a month now for 60 Gig and phone service. Other plans about are 50 GIG for $50 Au/mth no contract.

BC_Programmer, your wireless, is that provided by a copper line, such as a phone line to the house, into the router and then its wireless transmission to your computer or is that from the sky as in satellite to your router?

[BC_Programmer]

BC_Programmer, your wireless, is that provided by a copper line, such as a phone line to the house, into the router and then its wireless transmission to your computer or is that from the sky as in satellite to your router?

Cable to my router, which gives me the wireless signal.

[Broni]

I'm getting excited, because the fiber-optic should be coming to my place pretty soon, and they promise 50Mbps download speed

[ImnoGuru]

I have a wireless router (a D-Link) but I havent got it installed to the computer yet. I use it off a cable atm.
Would installing the card and making it wireless make it faster?

OOooowwww fiber-optic Broni, sounds great, and 50Mb/s.... You wont know yourself. Better get a bigger drive. 

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

I would think Wired is always faster than Wireless.