Internet and computer speed tests

Question

Level 2

411 points

Internet and computer speed tests

I'm going to take my iMac to an Apple store because of problems I'm having: strange noise, buffering, whirling ball, etc. I'm starting by clocking my Internet speed through several services. The DOWNLOAD SPEEDS are: 82.1Mbps, 92,56Mbps, 172.6 Mbps, 186.52 Mbps, 176.72 Mbps, 24 Mbps, 127.2 Mbps. The UPLOAD readings are : 10.29 Mbps, 10.89 Mbps, 10.51 Mbps, 19 Mbps, 10.89 Mbps, 0.9 Mbps, 10.8 Mbps.

These tests were done at the same time, one after another, so my faith in the reliability of such tests has been shaken. Nevertheless, if I go by the preponderance of readings, I now feel that the buffering, etc. is not being caused by my Internet Service Provider. it seems to me that my problems are being caused by my computer, and that I'll have to rely upon the Apple Store to determine the cause and remedy.

Any comments?

iMac 27", macOS 10.15

Posted on Jan 16, 2020 10:33 AM

Reply

Answer 1

leroydouglas

Level 10

203,952 points

Jan 16, 2020 10:42 AM in response to Niku

Do you see this as a new problem, old problem?

What has changed?

How is this affecting your work flow?

How do you connect to the Internet??? These varying ways can effect the variablity of download speed.

Satellite

Cable Modem

DSL

Cellullar

From what you describe "strange noise, buffering, whirling ball, etc. " this is not related to download/upload speed at all.

To get a good look at your System config. for conflicts or issues, you can run this trusted utility http://etrecheck.com

If you need help interpreting the report you can post it here in its entirety in the "Additional Text" box in the editing toolbar below, in your reply.

You can set its preference to "Allow full Disk Access", with this you get a digest of issues from the last 7 days that are saved in your system.

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Answer 2

Jan 16, 2020 11:02 AM in response to Niku

We have a cable ISP (spectrum) and the download speeds are highly variable, while the upload speed is pretty consistent. So it’s possible your speeds are just normal deviations.

I would normally suggest testing the computer on another internet connection, but lugging your iMac around may be difficult.

You could try testing at a time where congestion is less likely to happen—really late or early in the morning. That should give more confidence in determining whether the issue is ISP congestion or something else internally causing the slowdown and strange noises.

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Answer 3

Niku Author

Level 2

411 points

Jan 18, 2020 1:48 PM in response to leroydouglas

Things are much better now. I still get a whirling ball once in a while, but I don't now feel the need to take it to the Apple Store. It's a 27" set and I would have to take it by trolley and bus, so that's quite a relief. What caused the dramatic difference? I really don't know, but I now shut down the set at the end of the day instead of leaving it on continuously. Maybe that's what did it.

I now think that my main problem may be too many applications, most of which I never use and don't even have any idea of what they do or are for. I've long thought that they should be deleted, but have avoided the job simply because it would take too much time. Nevertheless, they have to go, so I'll be deleting a few a day until I have only a reasonable amount left. I never use them anyway, so I won't be missing anything. Thanks for your suggestions.

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Answer 4

Niku Author

Level 2

411 points

Jan 18, 2020 1:45 PM in response to Jason_1984

Thanks, but everything seems under control now (see my other reply). I don't even think it's necessary to run a etrecheck test. Thanks for you interest.

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