increase download speed?

Speedy · 09-11-2008, 20:30

Just wondering is there any way to improve my download speed? im on O2 home broadband and get upto 8mb but a few tests on a couple of websites indicate im getting more like 2. my signal from the router on my pc is usually around halfway, is there anyway to improve this without moving the router or pc as both need to stay where they are. the router is downstairs pc is upstairs (dunno if that matters but thought it was best to mention it). its not as if its running slow as it is, just prefer to get it a little bit closer to what im paying for lol. any suggestions welcome.

andrewb · 09-11-2008, 21:30

Websites are often a bad judge of speed. Try downloading Ubuntu linux disk (just for a speed test) from Ubuntu Home Page | Ubuntu and download using the Kent University Mirror.

When it says up to 8Mb it depends how close you are at the exchange. If you know how to login to your router, it should show you at what speed you sync at, post that info here.

Also make sure the router is plugged into the master telephone socket as this improves the speed at which it syncs at.

Neil · 09-11-2008, 23:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewb

Also make sure the router is plugged into the master telephone socket as this improves the speed at which it syncs at.

Please explain why that is true.

There is 2 miles of 50 year old cable from my house to the exchange so why should an extra few feet matter?

Less · 09-11-2008, 23:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

Please explain why that is true.

There is 2 miles of 50 year old cable from my house to the exchange so why should an extra few feet matter?

I wondered the same and also had visions of him going to the pound shop and getting a cheap and nasty extension lead to replace the existing cable fitted already, that would of course be a huge improvement.

andrewb · 09-11-2008, 23:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

Please explain why that is true.

There is 2 miles of 50 year old cable from my house to the exchange so why should an extra few feet matter?

I presume it is because household extensions are not of the same quality. Upstairs I sync at 14Mb, downstairs at the master I sync at 20Mb.

Perhaps I'm wrong though, I'm no cable expert!

Studio25 · 10-11-2008, 09:04

Would something like this help?

emamum · 10-11-2008, 09:51

have you rung o2 and spoken to them? they might not be giving you your full speed (or something lol, i had a problem and ringing them sorted it)

Neil · 10-11-2008, 10:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewb

I presume it is because household extensions are not of the same quality. Upstairs I sync at 14Mb, downstairs at the master I sync at 20Mb.

Perhaps I'm wrong though, I'm no cable expert!

I don't use "household extensions". When I was on ADSL I did not use the little nasty plug in micro filters either. I used an ADSL master socket front in place of the standard BT master socket front.

Here is a link to them although I used an original BT one before there went to self installed ADSL