Can't use internet with Utorrent running

Chong Warrior · 9 Nov 2007 at 23:55

I've got a 20mb Virgin Cable connection and no matter what I try with utorrent, when it's running the internet just slows to a crawl, 56k style, if it works at all. This happens no matter what is or isn't downloading or uploading.

This can't be right otherwise people wouldn't rate it so highly, so how do you guys use it?

Windows XP SP2,
Wired 20mb Cable,
D-Link Router Dl-524

benjo plz. · 9 Nov 2007 at 23:56

What router are you using, and what's the speed set to? (it's under options/speed guide)

Chong Warrior · 9 Nov 2007 at 23:58

Speedy, was just adding that info lol

It doesn't matter what I set it to mate. 2mb, 4mb, 20mb it down/uploads at whatever speed it wants and I can't use the internet, I can but I'd die of old age before a page loaded.

tolien · 10 Nov 2007 at 00:06

What's it set to upload at?

benjo plz. · 10 Nov 2007 at 00:10

what about on other pc's, as in does everything slow down or is it just the one running utorrent?

Chong Warrior · 10 Nov 2007 at 00:15

tolien said:
What's it set to upload at?

Doesn't seem to matter mate. I've manually changed it right down to currently 20KB/s

Phnom_Penh said:
what about on other pc's, as in does everything slow down or is it just the one running utorrent?

Not 100% sure, can't check right now either as other PC is in daughters room and she's asleep. 360 is downstairs, I could set that up to download, see if it slows if it would really help?

tolien · 10 Nov 2007 at 00:20

Try reducing it even more, and check the number of connections it's set to open.

benjo plz. · 10 Nov 2007 at 00:21

Chong Warrior said:
Not 100% sure, can't check right now either as other PC is in daughters room and she's asleep. 360 is downstairs, I could set that up to download, see if it slows if it would really help?

It's either the router or the pc that's causing the slowdown, easy way to narrow it down

.

Chong Warrior · 10 Nov 2007 at 00:27

tolien said:
Try reducing it even more, and check the number of connections it's set to open.

Global Max = 800
Max number of peers per torrent = 125
Upload slots per torrent = 25

I've reduced it to 10KB/s upload, still can't use net until I shut it down.

Also I've removed the connection limit of 8 that SP2 imposes in Windows itself and changed it to 100. Also I've run a little program called TCPOptimizer if that helps? Was hoping these might slove the problem but have made no difference.

Chong Warrior · 10 Nov 2007 at 00:30

Phnom_Penh said:
It's either the router or the pc that's causing the slowdown, easy way to narrow it down .

Good point as the router should automatically allow the 360 it's own bandwidth, no matter how much utorrent is swallowing up right?

benjo plz. · 10 Nov 2007 at 00:32

the connection limit on XP only applies to half open connections, and that's limited to 25 in the utorrent settings. Try lowering the upload slots (don't think lowering the open connections option will hurt either)

Chong Warrior · 10 Nov 2007 at 00:37

Phnom_Penh said:
the connection limit on XP only applies to half open connections, and that's limited to 25 in the utorrent settings. Try lowering the upload slots (don't think lowering the open connections option will hurt either)

I'm a total n00b with utorrent mate. Which one is the upload slots? The one @ 125? Is open connections the one @ 800?

As I've no idea what these are or do, what shall I lower them to? half?

Chong Warrior · 10 Nov 2007 at 00:42

Well I cut them in half, Utorrent is still running and I can still use the net! Result!

The download speeds don't look too hot but I can live with that for now, cheers for the help fella's, much appreciated

benjo plz. · 10 Nov 2007 at 00:42

change the one at 125 to 75 and the one at 25 to 10. I take it the internet works fine when all the torrents are stopped?

edit - never mind

Chong Warrior · 10 Nov 2007 at 00:46

Just going to have a play about with them now to see what works best now I know what the problem was. I'll post back with my findings for anyone else struggling.

Cheers again

benjo plz. · 10 Nov 2007 at 00:54

I think it's the router having trouble coping with the number of connections that's the problem.

Chong Warrior said:
Good point as the router should automatically allow the 360 it's own bandwidth, no matter how much utorrent is swallowing up right?

It probably won't but it'll depend on how your pc connects to the router.

Chong Warrior · 10 Nov 2007 at 01:06

Well I've had a play and I'd say the setting in Utorrent called Maximum number of connected peers per torrent: seems to have the biggest effect. 65 (originally 125) seems to let me surf the net without loss of speed. Changing to 75 and things slow down a little.

Could be the router, it's not exactly a top quality peice of kit. I'll have a play with the other PC and 360 tomorrow and see how they're affected.