The IT Thread

[SYZ]

Okay, still having problem of variable download speeds. I admit to being a minimally skilled person when it comes to computer. But taking the computer to an IT professional would be expensive. Soooo, are there any "pull the piece and plug in a new one" solutions I can try? My uniformed suspicious is the thingy that takes the LAN into the computer can't cope with the new system.

Download (and upload) speeds can be affected by several things.

Distance from broadband node; cable capacity; copper pairs (possibly) in the line; ISP shaping; host server capacity;
outdated modem or router; excessive browser security plugins; unknown background downloads; browser cache full
to capacity; unseen open background windows; unanswered dialogue boxes; and lastly of course it depends on the
speed you're paying your ISP for—are you getting what you paid for under your plan?  If not, have you contacted them?

Also, are you FTTN, FTTP, cable all the way, cable plus copper pair, wireless, or satellite?

Let's know.