Download Speeds & Lost Connections

[agentnibbles]

Ok, so here is my problem:

I have a cable connection through Earthlink.net, and a Linksys Broadband Firewall Router (model# BEFSX41) connected to a Toshiba Cable Modem (model# PCX1100). I am running Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack 2, and the only SOYO motherboard available. I share a network with my dad running Windows 98SE. I use a Linksys NC100 (10/100) network card in my motherboard, because the old onboard one on my motherboard "died". I live in Austin, Texas.

Whenever I try to download a file, it starts at around 130 kb/s, then declines to between 80 - (a heart stopping) 10 kb/s. I simply cannot live with this. Also, my Internet just shuts off for about 2 minutes, but I think that is something down at Earthlink.

HOWEVER, on my dads computer, he can download around 500 kb/s!! Its not right.

I have (tried to):
-Switch around cables on the router
-Used Firefox, and Internet Explorer
-Ran recent Spyware and Virus scans
-Use every command in ipconfig
-Downloading new and old files from a range of diffrent sources

Any and all help would be extremly appreciated.

_______________________________
-agentnibbles
If I was my own species, the whole world would be racist.
~lol
paco likes de taco

 

[Law]

you haven't check your network card, maybe it migh be faulty, or switch to different ports on the router maybe. Disabling any firewalls on your computer like the windows firewall?

 

[agentnibbles]

did that

 

[Law]

Have you try connecting directly to the cable modem and try downloading a big file and see what's the constant speed?

 

[agentnibbles]

yes

 

[agentnibbles]

ok, it was the network cable
the one i was using was crossover

so my dad bought 5 mbit/sec and it is all good now. =D i am happy