Slow Downloads with Broadband

Category: General

"I have broadband, and when I run a speed test, my system passes with numbers that approach the speed of light. However, when I download a file, the download speed always hovers around 500k. What am I overlooking?"

Download speeds are mostly dependant on the ability of the remote
server to pump out the data. If a bunch of people are connected to a busy server, each one gets a slice of attention from the server.

And if the server from which you are downloading is geographically distant, the data has to travel over more hops to reach you. If there's a weak link in the chain along the way, you will see slower download speeds.

Many popular download services such as Tucows or Download.com offer you a choice of servers, and will list the location of the remote server.

Always pick the server that's closest to you. You'll get faster download speeds and you'll have the satisfaction of being a good netizen.

Oh, and if it's a really big file, try downloading in the early hours when the rest of the world is sleeping!

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Posted by Bob Rankin on June 30, 2005 12:48 PM

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Related Keywords: General   slow download   ftp   shareware   tucows   download speed  

Most recent comments on "Slow Downloads with Broadband"

Posted by:
Alex
07 Mar 2007

I have an old PC with Win XP Pro (32 bit) and a new laptop with Win XP 64. I establish a wireless network. The laptop could not connect to the Net(starting the infinite loop of acquiring the network address).

"Ipconfig" gave me the message, "RPC is unavailable". Both PC and the laptop has in their registry RPCss, and both are activated in the automatic mode in the respective services. The "rpchost.exe" ( in PC)is older and smaller than the one in the laptop. What can be done?

EDITOR'S NOTE: Does the laptop connect if you try it via the Ethernet cable? If so, I would suspect a config problem with your router.

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