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General discussion

S..L..O..W internet since networking computers--not spyware.

Jun 7, 2005 2:36AM PDT

I have a desktop running XP, and a laptop running XP pro. I recently reformatted the desktop & recreated a network between them thru a router. The network seems to work fine, but the laptop is now incredibly slow when connected to the internet. It has pretty good speed when it isn't connected to the internet.

The pages are slow loading but the worst is typing--I can type several letters and they eventually appear a couple of seconds later. Typing in web page input boxes is the worst, but typing in any program on the computer is very slow while the internet is connected. Only the laptop has the problem. The desktop is fine.

I have one dial-up internet account and either computer can connect to it (only one computer can be on the internet at a time.) I have scanned both computers for spyware using adaware and spydoctor; both machines scan clean. Both are running avg and zonealarm pro. The problem only appeared after networking the computers. Is it possible that one of my network settings is causing this?

Discussion is locked

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A simple test would be....
Jun 7, 2005 8:20AM PDT

to remove the router from the mix and connect the modem (broadband ?) directly to the troublesome PC. If your Internet speed improves, you have isolated the problem.

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Improves but doesn't fix
Jun 8, 2005 8:40AM PDT

Each computer has a direct phone connection, so the router doesn't come into it. When I disconnect the laptop from the network, the laptop internet connection goes from excrutiatingly slow to just painfully slow. Things are faster, but writing this message I keep having to stop to let the letters catch up wtih the typing--takes a few seconds for the letters to appear on the screen. This only started after running the network wizard. ANy suggstions as to what might cause this?

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Check CPU usage
Jun 8, 2005 6:55PM PDT

Sounds like something may be using up your CPU time. Go to the Task Manager (Ctrl-Alt-Del) and check Processes to find out what may be loading down your system. Also check what Apps are running. You can then close any that may not be needed but are tying up your CPU.