If you connect your computer to the Internet via a broadband connection (DSL, cable modem, etc), you may wonder exactly how fast your computer is. Keep in mind that when you connect your computer to the Internet, you add variables that can change the apparent performance of your computer, but that doesn’t mean your computer has gotten slow.

Troubleshooting A Slow Network Connection

To troubleshoot a “slow” network connection, you’ll first have to isolate the problem. The problem could be in one of several areas. The bad news is that you have real control over just one potential problem spot: your own computer. That makes locating the source of the slow response a critical part of getting the problem resolved.
The easiest way to determine whether a slow connection is on your computer or elsewhere in your setup is to disconnect your computer from the network. This will help you determine whether the problem is with your computer or outside of your control.

If your computer seems to operate normally when it is disconnected from the network, the problem may be with your network configuration. The first thing to do is verify all of your network settings. Even simple things like an error in the DNS server address can cause enormous delays when your computer is connected to the Internet. Once you’re sure your network configuration is correct, look for other, less obvious causes.

If your computer is connected directly to your service provider’s network, verify all network settings with your service provider. If you have a firewall turned on, verify that the traffic you’re sending out and receiving from the Internet can pass. If you have a firewall, but don’t know how to use it, consult the Technical Support group at your network service provider.

Alternately, if you have the time and energy to do so, learn a bit about administering your firewall. Don’t simply disable your firewall; it’s there for a reason. Firewalls can keep your computer safe from malicious users who are looking for an available computer to “borrow” for file storage, malware distribution, identity theft, or hacking practice. With a little effort, you can configure your firewall to reduce your risk on the Internet, and improve the performance of your computer. If you suspect a problem with your firewall, your Internet Service Provider may be able to help with configuration and testing.

In my next post, I’ll show you how to measure your upload and download speeds.

Photo Credit: Kjell Olsen

Related Blogs

• Related Blogs on slow computer performance
• Registry Cleanup – Making Your Computer Perform Better With A …
• Solve Slow Performance
• Free Registry Cleaner Finally Great Software

• Related Blogs on slow network connection
• Government Grants

• Related Blogs on slow pc
• Fix a Slow Running Computer Today Completely FREE

Since its introduction, the Windows Registry has been a source of agony and confusion for Windows users around the world. The registry also happens to be the prime location for a lot of very important functions, so it’s not going away anytime soon.

Yes You Can, But Should You?

Can you … should you… edit the registry in Windows Vista? Yes, you can edit the registry, but whether or not you should depends on a number of things, including your level of understanding about what’s in the registry and what effects your changes will have on the way your computer operates.

For support personnel, editing the registry is a relatively common event. Most IT professionals prefer to edit the registry directly. You can edit the registry indirectly, though – often with the help of a wizard or graphical user interface (GUI). The changes you make in a control panel setting, for example, get written into the registry based on what boxes you fill out or check in a configuration panel. That seems like a relatively painless way to edit the registry, and in fact, it is.

If you’ve never seen the registry before, you probably shouldn’t edit it unless you’re following some very specific directions. Understand that the Registry (in any version of Windows) is operational. There is no “undo” unless you had the forethought to make a backup before you started editing! Regedit will not ask if you’re sure you want Windows to accept your changes. It also won’t check your changes to see if they make sense, will work or will have a negative effect on something else.

The changes you make to the registry are instant, as is the damage if you happen to make a mistake. My cardinal rules for editing the registry, therefore, are:

1. Don’t edit the registry if you do not fully understand what you’re doing. Instead of attacking the registry, learn about it and look at it (without making changes) to familiarize yourself with it.

2. Don’t edit the registry without having first made a backup of it. As long as you’re backing things up, back up the system state too!

3. Don’t edit the registry without knowing how to get back into it to fix a mistake. This includes being able to swap in your backup file if it comes to that.

If you do encounter serious trouble that prevents the computer from booting normally, you may be able to revive your computer by using the Last Known Good state. Try this option first but don’t assume that this will save you in all circumstances.

Photo Credit: Jeff The Trojan, via Flickr

If you’re running XP, you’ve probably arrived at the conclusion that it’s getting a little long in the tooth. Shortly, you’ll be faced with the option of either upgrading to Vista or Windows 7. Which should you choose? True enough, Microsoft will still allow you to get a laptop loaded with a Windows XP downgrade license for a little while after Windows 7 is released, but at that point, do you really want to be two OS revisions behind?

Home Users Need Not Fear Vista

Much of the negative press about Windows Vista refers to its performance in networked environments and how it interacts in a large Windows environment. If you’re a home user, you may never experience any of these negatives. For users that adopted Windows Vista early on, they may wonder what all the fuss is about.

If you’ve stayed away from Windows Vista due to the negative press, you may want to rethink your stance. At this point, some of the original issues, like changing the registry , are settled. In addition, Windows Vista serves as the basis for Windows 7. As time goes on, you’ll find fewer legitimate reasons to stay with Windows XP or an even earlier version of Windows.

One legitimate reason to stay put (at least initially) was the hardware requirements for Windows Vista. If your computer doesn’t have what it takes, upgrading the memory, disk space or processor may seem like throwing good money after bad. In a way, it may be. You can get a computer with a sizzling fast processor, a good-sized hard drive, good video support a decent slug of memory and the latest version of Windows for a few hundred dollars these days; that puts you in the ballpark of what an upgrade would run for your existing computer.

Today’s desktop computers are more space-efficient and more memory-efficient, and come loaded with Windows Vista. Vista’s been on the market for a couple of years, and many of the software publishers have updated their software to take advantage of the latest operating system. Vista is more security-conscious than previous versions of Windows, and Microsoft has nailed the patch updating mechanism.

If you still need another reason to upgrade, consider support. Microsoft is still answering support questions on XP, and is still providing critical security patches, but at some point, the company will leave XP (and its remaining users) behind. That means no more bug fixes, no security patches, no new development and no new drivers from software vendors. Once they move their products to the next OS, only the diehards will be left.

Will you be one of them?

Photo Credit: Yves Le Bail, via Flickr