How do I check internet connection speed?

Question

Level 1

36 points

How do I check internet connection speed?

Hi, I just upgraded my internet speed from 3 mbps to 6 mbps. My ISP is AT&T. I have a 2 wire wireless router. I used to be able to check the speed before Leo. I changed my setting over to DNS to help my computer run better.

Since upgrading, all video streaming has gone out the window. Cannot download movies from iTunes.
I get the message to check my internet connection. But I don't know how.

Could it be that my computer cannot handled a faster internet connection? PM G5 1.6 GHz. I upgraded because in wanted to download movies faster.

I'm also having problems changing pages, changing websites, even logging into support.

Do I have to go back to my old internet slower connection, or is there a workaround.

Thanks,

mhh

PM G5 1.6GHz Ti PB G4 Tiger iBook G3 Tiger, Mac OS X (10.5.2), PB G3 Wallstreet OS 9.2.2 Quadra 605 OS 8.5.1

Posted on May 21, 2008 3:35 PM

Reply

Answer 1

scb

Level 5

5,388 points

May 23, 2008 8:13 AM in response to myheadhurts

Let me repeat my complete satisfaction with AT&T. I now have half a dozen clients who also switched from cable service, and all experienced much better up and down speeds. I hope this gets worked out for you. Let us know.

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Answer 2

nender

Level 1

0 points

May 21, 2008 3:50 PM in response to myheadhurts

The easiest way to check your connection speed is to visit:
http://internetfrog.com/mypc/speedtest/

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Answer 3

scb

Level 5

5,388 points

May 21, 2008 3:55 PM in response to myheadhurts

I have used AT&T now for a few months (dropping Comcast). AT&T is triple the upload speed, and more than double the download speed (and cheaper). One funny thing was that it took 10 work days to get that speed. I have no idea why, but a call to AT&T verified that this is normal. Hope that's your problem.

As to how fast your speed, email a large file (i.e. mp3) to yourself. Watch the Mail "sending" window. It gives the send and receive speeds in Bytes/second. Multiply by 8 to get the standard bps that most ISP's advertise. I find this more accurate than any sites I have used to determine speed.

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Answer 4

roam

Level 6

13,631 points

May 21, 2008 3:57 PM in response to myheadhurts

Try Using Activity Monitor > Network tab. This gives real time data transfer speeds.

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Answer 5

myheadhurts Author

Level 1

36 points

May 21, 2008 4:02 PM in response to nender

Thanks nender. It's reading 201 kbsp for download.

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Answer 6

myheadhurts Author

Level 1

36 points

May 21, 2008 4:03 PM in response to scb

Did you have problems changing pages, websites, etc.?

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Answer 7

myheadhurts Author

Level 1

36 points

May 21, 2008 4:05 PM in response to roam

I went to Activity monitor, but I did not understand what I was looking at.

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Answer 8

myheadhurts Author

Level 1

36 points

May 21, 2008 4:08 PM in response to myheadhurts

Now I'm getting a message saying that the computer can't connect to the iTunes store.

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Answer 9

deggie

Level 10

167,177 points

May 21, 2008 4:12 PM in response to myheadhurts

1. What type of firewall are you using, and have you checked your settings.
2. Have you reset your router?

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Answer 10

myheadhurts Author

Level 1

36 points

May 21, 2008 4:24 PM in response to deggie

Thank you for responding, but I haven't a clue about my firewall. All I know is it is the one installed with the 2wire router. I'm not sure what settings to check. I don't know how to reset my router.

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Answer 11

myheadhurts Author

Level 1

36 points

May 21, 2008 4:32 PM in response to myheadhurts

I've been able to connect to the iTunes store and started to download a movie. Status: 14 hours!

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Answer 12

deggie

Level 10

167,177 points

May 21, 2008 9:49 PM in response to myheadhurts

To reset your router you can merely unplug it then plug it back in and wait.

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Answer 13

myheadhurts Author

Level 1

36 points

May 23, 2008 2:00 AM in response to myheadhurts

It looks like there is nothing wrong with my computer or router. After speaking with AT&T techs, they feel that there is a problem with my DSL line outside of my house. They're sending someone around tomorrow to check the connection. Either they'll be able to fix my problem and I'll get 6 mbps internet Elite service or I'll have to go back to my original 3 mbps Pro service.

Just a note. Don't always take the word of the first person you speak with. One tech tried to tell me that 78 kbps falls within the parameters of my internet service. Though I'm not nearly as internet savvy as most, even I know that what she was quoting me wasn't right.

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