Internet access slow

[pjphilli]

Hi

I have broadband access, operating system Windows XP pro, computer 6 years old. I have recently found access to the internet very slow and often "page cannot be opened" message. eg it took me three minutes to reach this forum.
I have tried such things as clearing cookies and browser cache, checking
whole system for viruses (none), flushing the DNS cache, comprehensive diagnostics (Auslogics), reseting modem, seeking help from my ISP (Vodaphone Ha Ha!).

Any other suggestions?

Cheers Peter

[pluto]

Your ISP is Vodafone?
Well there's your problem! ;)

If it's just slow to lookup a page you could try using a different DNS, I use a google one: 8.8.8.8

If you're connecting through wifi you should check that it's connecting reliably, try pinging the modem. I used to have a problem with Win7 on my Vaio lappy where sometimes the wifi connection would lag badly and randomly drop packets, sometimes meaning I couldn't access the network at all.

[multiweb]

Lots of issues with Telstra Network since this morning in Sydney metro, both phone lines and internet.

[acropolite]

If you're still using IE, ditch it and run with Firefox.

[mithrandir]

We haven't noticed any slowdowns today. Telstra supply the copper with IfTelecom as the provider. I solve the DNS issues by running a caching DNS server

[Shark Bait]

Internet speed appears to be normal but it looks like Telstra Bigpond is tackling a national email outage at the moment. They are unable to give an estimate as to how long it will take to fix.

[pjphilli]

Thanks for the replies:

Acropolite - I tried IE, Firefox and Google Chrome. All had the same problem.

Pluto - I have changed to the Google DNS as you suggested and this does seem to improve things,with the first say six internet site accesses
a lot faster but then things grind to a halt, getting the "can't open page" message. I noticed that this happened before but if I restart Windows XP the above is repeated. It almost seems that some storage capacity for internet site access isfilling up after about 6 goes?
Yes I agree that Vodaphone may be the problem - can't wait until my contract is inished - could you suggest a better alternative? I need about 2Gb/month using a broadband usb modem.
Any further comments?

Cheers Peter

[pluto]

Check your drive isn't full, but I'm sure you would have noticed that!

It would be worth trying it out on a friends home/work connection to see if it is just Vodafone or something broken on your computer. If you can't do that maybe you know someone with an Andriod or iPhone on a different network and you can tether through their phone to test.

I was on Vodafone for years but switched to Telstra about 2 years ago and it's much better. It is a little more expensive but not as much as it used to be. The current contract I'm on is only $10/month more than the equivalent Vodafone plan.

[mswhin63]

I currently have a issue with Telstra regarding speed especially during typical congested times. My issue has now gone through 2 months worth of TIO processes as Telstra have admitted the exchange I am in is congested and have no plans to make any improvements.

What was interesting though is the speed changes occurred as I received a notification from NBN that work is scheduled to start in Feb 2014, which suggests that the infrastructure may have been raided to prop up another area.

So far it is not likely TIO can force a change to increase the speed but this maybe an issue limiting speed. Do all the other checks first including www.speedtest.net as there is a representation for different providers.

[Exfso]

I had issues with Telstra last year, changed to them from my then current provider, off the same exchange, my download speeds went from and average of 700kbps to 56kbps for adsl2+. I spat the dummy and was told by telstra that I would have to put up with it....WRONG...I contacted the telecommunications ombudsman and got out of my contract, went back to my original ISP and now back up to an average of 700-800kbps downloads, still of the same exchange, go figure. Telstra have not enough bandwidth to service their internet customers, end of story IMO...:mad2:

[pluto]

Just to be clear I was talking about Telstra mobile broadband, and in my case data access from my phone, as the OP is using Vodafone mobile broadband not adsl.
I would recommend iinet or internode if we're talking adsl/2.

[mswhin63]

Unfortunately no other providers available in my area so stuck with slow internet connection for a while.

[pjphilli]

Hi
Thanks for your further comments. I have tried all your suggestions but still no go. My problem is not with the download speeds but in connecting to internet sites. I was previously on the Three network which had no problems but Vodaphone forced me over to their network when they bought out Three. Problems ever since and Vodaphone "help"
are don't want to know about it. Also I was on a month by month contract with Three but Vodaphone changed me over to a 24 month contract without discussing with me. Sounds like I too need to contact
the Ombudsman. Exsfo can you tell me how to go about this?
Cheers Peter

[mswhin63]

As long as you have made contact with the provider and got all the technical support available then you can go to TIO.

www.tio.com.au and can make an online complaint.

Mine has now progressed to the second level of complaints at Telstra and they will get back to me within 10 days (less since they called 4 days ago). Unfortunately they cannot get congestion issue fixed but they can terminate a contract without penalty.

[JB80]

Silly question maybe but what did you use to scan for viruses?

If not done already try both Malwarebytes and Superantispyware. If you have already then disregard this post. :D

[pjphilli]

Thanks Jarrod and Malcolm for your further suggestions. Jarrod I am using Avast antivirus but I tried the other free ones you suggested.
I had a long session with Vodaphone this morning and at last got onto someone who told me the hard facts! It appears likely that the problem is congestion in my local Vodaphone node. Vodaphone has had a lot of trouble with congestion and apparently although they have fixed up large sections of their network my area may still have problems. They are still investigating. My previous connection through the now defunct Three network was via the Telstra network and I had no congestion problems over five years. I may still have to take up your advice to cancel the Vodaphone service as you have advised, Malcolm.
Cheers Peter