Inconsistent internet speed

Question

Inconsistent internet speed

My internet speed on my Mac suddenly drop to less than 1 Mbps and stays like that for a few hours, then goes back up to 25 Mbps. I have already:

- Checked with my ISP and it is not coming from them + the other computers are running full speed on the same wireless network.

- Checked on this computer in both Mac OS and Windows on Bootcamp - the problem is the same.

- Ran an antivirus (Norton) on the Windows partition (I did not have one for the Mac partition).

- Tryed to run off a different wireless network at a friend and the problem persist.

- I messed around with the DNS - but it was hard to diagnose if it was the problem as the speed was good at that particular time.

Here are my guesses:

- Could it be a problem with the Wireless adapter (I un-installed and re-installed and it did not do anything.

- Could I have a virus on the Mac Partition that would also affect the windows partition? How can I check?

Thanks for the help.

iMac (Flat Panel), Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Apr 18, 2012 10:46 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

rkaufmann87

Level 10

140,370 points

Apr 18, 2012 11:04 AM in response to OlivierVeyrac

No viruses as none exist for OS X so you can eliminate that!

I suspect it's a modem or router issue. Even though the other computers work OK don't assume that isn't the cause. I would recommend by rebooting and if necessary resetting both your modem and router. Also check the router's firmware (you will need it's manual) and see if it's up-to-date.

If you live in a heavily populated area you may want to download and install iStumbler (check on www.macupdate.com) and let iStumbler run for about 30 minutes. What it's going to do is scan the area for Wi-Fi networks and let you know what channel(s) are being used. Most routers come pre-set to channels 5 or 6 and most people never change the channel. So you may find you are competing for channels with neighbors. If that is what you find change the channel on the router to one not being used and then test.

Your DNS settings may also need changing, that is something you can also do however if you are not sure how to do this let's get done with the iStumbler test and channel change before changing any settings.

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Answer 2

Apr 18, 2012 11:34 AM in response to rkaufmann87

Hello, and thank you. I doubt that it is related to the network equipment: remember, I tried at one of my friend and I have the same problem... I have restarted the router and network, will upgrade the firmware - that is always good to do... take it from there. Any other tip.

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Answer 3

rkaufmann87

Level 10

140,370 points

Apr 18, 2012 11:54 AM in response to OlivierVeyrac

After you have updated the firmware download and test the channel possiblity using iStumbler that I mentioned. Try that next and see what comes up.

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Answer 4

Apr 19, 2012 6:55 AM in response to rkaufmann87

I tried all of the above. it still does not work.

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Answer 5

rkaufmann87

Level 10

140,370 points

Apr 19, 2012 7:18 AM in response to OlivierVeyrac

What channel is your router using?

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Answer 6

Apr 21, 2012 10:10 AM in response to rkaufmann87

The router has 5 and 2.4 Ghz channels. The 2.4Ghz is now using channel 3, the 5Ghz is using 149. I am the only one using these channels in the neighborhood. Again, I took my computer to a friend of mine a few miles away and experienced the same problem. Also, my wife computer, using exacty the same settings (and the same computer) does not have this problem. The speed is inconsistant sometimes I get 25 Mbps sometimes bearly 0.5. It seems that this started after I downloaded Utorrent. Do you think that is related? I have shut down the program so I am not letting anybody leech there - at least that I know? Could it be a worm?

Thanks.

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Answer 7

rkaufmann87

Level 10

140,370 points

Apr 21, 2012 10:24 AM in response to OlivierVeyrac

OK, you have eliminated channel conflict issues. The next thing I'd check is your DNS settings, you probably used the defaults provided by your ISP. Those can create issues such as you're describing. You can change them easily and I'll provide instructions below. Before I do you may want to read up on MacWorld's DNS Troubleshooting article and CNET's DNS Article to get a better understanding of DNS.

1. System preferences

2. Network

3. Click Advanced

4. Click DNS tab

5. Click + sign

6. Add 208.67.222.222

7. Click + sign

8. Add 208.67.220.220

9. Click OK.

10. Exit System Preferences

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Answer 8

Apr 23, 2012 10:00 AM in response to rkaufmann87

I tried to use a couple of utilities supposed to find the fastest DNS for me. I used their recommendation - no improvement. I will use your's and let you know. Other question: I am using Windows on Bootcamp. Do I need to go to the mac partition, change the DNS there. or do it on Windows? I noticed that the default DNS are the same in windows and mac (By the way, other computers using the same DNS do not have the same issue.

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Answer 9

rkaufmann87

Level 10

140,370 points

Apr 23, 2012 5:35 PM in response to OlivierVeyrac

I can't say on the Boot Camp side because I don't use it. I'm pretty much an OSX person. First let's see if the DNS setting works on OS X and then if you need or want you can ask on the Boot CAmp forum.

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Answer 10

May 3, 2012 2:24 PM in response to rkaufmann87

I don't think my issue is any of what we discussed, it is also very inconsistant so I have to wait until the computer acts up to try fixes... It's like going to the dendist and when you get there the tooth doesn't heart anymore. May be I'll take my computer to a genius bar.

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Answer 11

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

May 3, 2012 3:00 PM in response to OlivierVeyrac

OlivierVeyrac wrote:

I tried to use a couple of utilities supposed to find the fastest DNS for me. I used their recommendation - no improvement. I will use your's and let you know. Other question: I am using Windows on Bootcamp. Do I need to go to the mac partition, change the DNS there. or do it on Windows? I noticed that the default DNS are the same in windows and mac (By the way, other computers using the same DNS do not have the same issue.

Windows (in bootcamp) and OSX are entirely separate, nothing you change in one affects the other, change both. Slso, try hardwiring to the router (as a test).

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