My internet connection is super slow all of the sudden

[roccenstein]

Just within the last couple of hours, something has gone wrong with my connection.  I use Firefox and it's very slow to load my homepage (Hotmail) or anything else.  Internet Explorer is a LITTLE bit faster, strangely, but not enough to point to FF as the problem.  Funny thing is, I updated Spybot, Malwarebytes and AVG and they all updated at the normal speed as if the connection is fine.  I've turned off the modem (dsl) and restarted it, turned off and restarted the router, and restarted the PC with no change in performance.  A scan with Spybot and a quick scan with Malwarebytes showed nothing, and I'm running a scan with AVG as I type this.  I even tried doing a system restore with no luck.  Any suggestions?

[geek hoodlum]

It happened to my friend also, I thought there's malware manipulation but when I did scan, no infection found. I checked also the network cable and router, no problems found. Then I tried to add network card and the internet became fine.

Ok, can you post here your machine specs?
And what you should expect from your service provider? what is the speed they gave to you?

[Allan]

Have you checked with your ISP to see if they are experiencing problems?

[roccenstein]

No problems with my ISP from what I could gather.  This morning I disconnected the router and connected the modem directly to the PC, and at first, that seemed to speed it up, homepage loaded quickly.  But as soon as I tried to navigate away from there, it started dragging again.  I ran a test on Speedtest.net and got a download speed of 2.5 mbps and it failed on the upload, so I'm thinking my dsl modem may be bad.  I don't know what the life expectancy is for these things, but I've had the one I'm using now for about 5 years.  I use AT&T dsl service, with a Speedstream modem, but it shouldn't make a difference which brand of dsl modem I replace it with, right?

[soybean]

Yes, it could be your modem.  I'd contact AT&T.  I believe they will replace the modem.  My mother has DSL with AT&T and they replaced her modem when we determined the older/original one was failing.

If it's not the modem, the problem might be with the network adapter in your computer.  Are you using an onboard network adapter or an add-on card? 

[roccenstein]

By onboard do you mean built in to the mobo?  In that case, no, I have an add-on one.  Unfortunately I can't do anything about contacting AT&T until I get home from work because their online customer service requires a customer ID number which is on the bill, which is at home.  I may just pick up a new modem and a new nic on the way home, on the chance that AT&T won't replace the one I have.

[camerongray]

I thought I might add:

You can also get routers with built in DSL modems - It would save some space

[jefflynn]

Not sure if this will help...but worth a try. It works for me sometimes.

Reset your TCP/IP Stack
- click your start menu
- click run
- type in "cmd" then hit ok
- type in "ipconfig/flushdns" enter (should say if successful)
- type "netsh int ip reset reset.log" enter
- type "netsh winsock reset" enter (then restart computer)

[roccenstein]

Odd.  When I got home this evening the internet connection seemed to be fine, though a test run with Speedtest.net returns what seems to be lower numbers than I used to get, 2.58 mbps download, and .43 mbps upload.  Does that sound right for dsl?  I did buy a new modem, but now I don't know if I need it.  I suppose I could connect it and see if there is any great increase in speed, and if not, just return it.

Just checked the AT&T website, and it looks like my results are typical.  The package I have claims 3 mbps download and 512 kbps upload.  I'm just wondering though what caused the issue last night...

[geek hoodlum]

Typically during peak hours the demand for internet access is high?

[patio]

I call AT&T and threaten to switch to cable service about every 5 weeks or so and i rarely experience slowdowns...
Competition is a good thing.

[Buzzintx]

I call AT&T and threaten to switch to cable service about every 5 weeks or so and i rarely experience slowdowns...
Competition is a good thing.

LOL! I like your thinking patio! 

[patio]

Works for me Buzz.....

[ganjaman]

Stop using your moms PC and it will be ok then....

[patio]

Stop using your moms PC and it will be ok then....

That's uncalled for...not something a rookie should be throwin out there.

However carry on...

[cruisin702]

I use AT&T dsl service, with a Speedstream modem, but it shouldn't make a difference which brand of dsl modem I replace it with, right?

When my modem failed I couldn't find any retail modem that worked with AT&T (Bellsouth) I think it may vary with whatever region you are in. They will replace a dead modem for free though(may have to use Patio's tactic).It looks like this issue has been resolved but I  just wanted to point this out in case anyone else with a similar issue happens upon this thread at a later time.