slow download speeds please help

Dark88 · 20 Aug 2007 at 14:37

I've just run speed test and it says I should be able to download at about 1000 kb/s however downloading files (demos/patches etc) I never reach more than 100kb/s

can anyone suggest why this is and how I can solve it?

thanx,
DM

rick827 · 20 Aug 2007 at 14:41

where are you downloading them from? Could be the server holding you back not your connection. If you have a good connection I recommend a download manager such as FlashGet. This will let you open several simultaneous connections to the download server (if they allow it) thus increasing your speed. Try download 4-5 of the HD movie "show off" clips from microsoft and look at the combined total download speed

Dark88 · 20 Aug 2007 at 14:46

will try flashget and report back

edit: i've also tried using a torrent program to try and get multiple connections and still get a slow d/l speed.

Dark88 · 20 Aug 2007 at 16:41

still no better

and cant seem to get above 50kb/s for a torrent. any ideas?

rick827 · 20 Aug 2007 at 16:46

torrents are different, and aren't really an accurate way to judge your speed. try download off the blueyonder FTP server

ftp://gamefiles.blueyonder.co.uk/

mikeo · 20 Aug 2007 at 17:45

Hi

Out of interest, what ISP are you with?

wij · 21 Aug 2007 at 00:24

If torrents are especially slow in relation to other forms of download you will probably find that your ISP is using some form of traffic shaping, you may be able to get around this by encrypting the torrent traffic if the client you are using supports this.

Or your router/firewall is not set up correctly - open ports etc.

mikeo · 21 Aug 2007 at 13:25

"If torrents are especially slow in relation to other forms of download you will probably find that your ISP is using some form of traffic shaping, you may be able to get around this by encrypting the torrent traffic if the client you are using supports this."

Exactly the reason why I was asking what ISP he's with. Traffic shaping etc. is why I recently moved from Pipex (now "manage" pretty much all traffic) to NewNet, who don't.

Dark88 · 22 Aug 2007 at 10:19

i'm with BT

mikeo · 22 Aug 2007 at 13:58

I'm pretty sure BT have a "fair use policy" (like most ISP's these days) and do "manage" their traffic. A fact of life for a lot of people I'm afraid.

wij · 22 Aug 2007 at 15:23

If you're out of your 12month contract period you might want to consider moving to one of the Enta.net resellers such as ADSL24, they offer good service and have very generous (well I think they are!) data caps. Best bit is that they do not traffic shape at the moment and probably wont start any time soon.

Also if you can get Be* in your area they are also an excellent provider.

Unless ofcourse you reserve some kind of special affection for BT and don't want to move

mikeo · 22 Aug 2007 at 18:34

wij

ADSL24 look pretty good. VERY generous usage caps indeed!

The ISP I've just moved to is pretty good, though usage caps not quite so generous, but they get a very good write up at the ADSLGUIDE and no traffic shaping etc. Got a cracking speed downloading the Bioshock demo yesterday.