My 14-month-old computer has had problems with the internet since day one, what do you think?

Question

In May 2006 I bought a Compaq Presario, AMD Athlon with 512MB, 160GB, and the processing speed isn't that great (I think it's less than 2.0 GHz).

My computer has had problems with the Internet since day one. First I had a Linksys router. My computer would lose the Internet every two weeks or so, yet my parents computers were also hooked up and didn't have problems like mine did.

Now I have a better router (Belkin), and I don't lose the Internet as often as I used to. But the Internet tends to be very slow, and sometimes it's not very responsive. I re-start my computer when it's having problems, and when I did a scan, there were no viruses or spyware detected...yet my fiance's computer, which is a brand new, expensive Dell hasn't had any problems so far.

I don't understand, why is it that my computer can run any program fine except for the Internet, and it's been having this
problem all along? Is it because it's a Compaq? Because the processing speed is low? What do I do?

I don't know a lot about computers...It's a desktop...and I just don't know who to contact because I'm not really sure what kind of problem this is. It just seems odd that two different brands of routers have not worked that well for my computer's Internet.

Answer 1

change ur isp....i recommend bsnl broadband,india......its speed is 2 Mbps in just 250 bucks with a download limit of 1gb....although u can swith to higher plans....internet speed doesnt depend upon the system configuratio.....problem may be with ur lan card....install driver again......i recommend intex lan card for best performance.....

Answer 2

Since you are using a desktop, you are most likely connecting via an ethernet cable. If so, then it sounds like there may be an issue with the setup of your router.

Log in to your router and make sure you verify the settings. Try enabling the DHCP server and increase the lease time.
You can also try manually setting your IP so that it does not have to request an IP from the router every time you boot up.
(Control Panel > Network Connections > right-click the ethernet card > properties > select tcp/ip in the list > properties)

Another thing you might consider...HP/Compaq comes with a lot of programs pre-installed. Some are useful, while some are not. I think there is a good possibility that there is a program running in the background that is using your internet connection. This is usually a software update manager or a online help server or something like that. I believe there was a program that provides quick access to Compaq online support.

I suggest uninstalling any of the Compaq preinstalled programs you do not need. If you are unsure whether you need the program, you can read its support information or search for it online. My opinion, 90% of the preinstalled programs by Compaq are unnecessary.

Also do a check of your ethernet cord if if you are using one for any defect in the cable. Try a different cord and see if that works.

Answer 3

people are under the misapprehension that they need fast computers to get on the internet, well you don't

one needs to think back to the days of the old 286/386 system with 32/64 megs of ram. and the 800 processors and windows 98.

what you need to do is boot up your system do a disk clean up. and defrag, close down all the programs you have running in the back ground, (all the programs on the right hand side of the task bar)

next if you are using Internet Explorer dump it and download Firefox 2 from mozilla it is a faster and safer web browser, set it up to delete all the cookies, history, and your private data, automatically when you log off the net,

Now another thing you can do is phone Linksys support and ask them to take you through the router setup, then contact the modem manufacturers and do the same with them let them walk you through the setup. last but not least do a speed test on the ISP..

and remember if your using an anti virus that to can slow your system down to a snails pace..

Answer 4

ugg you dont know much about computers but thats ok. Anyway try messing with the wi-fi settings on your compaq and find out if the router is passworded to make sure all that matches up. If possible connect your computer to the router using a LAN cable. Im assuming you have a laptop but i could be wrong please verify that in the future.

Oh and dont listen to hannah about selling it and getting a new one if it really is a big problem its probably under warranty and its probably a minor software issue which doesnt justify getting rid of it.

Answer 5

I am not sure how you are connecting, but the distance from a wireless access point and traffic on the network will affect your connections. Internet traffic in the community believe it or not can also affect internet connectivity. No matter where you are you are connecting to local networks that start in your house, then connects to a larger community network, then there are a few regoinal networks. Its the first couple networks that tend to be affected around evenings and nights in busy areas when people are on the most, but this is more rare nowadays besause of the higher speed connections.

Answer 6

Hi
I just wanted to say that the hardware of the computer isn't the reason (except of the card that the internet is connected to)
I think this is because of the card the internet cable is connected to. If the internet is the same between your parents computer and yours then it's because of this card while if it's not then it's because of the internet provider.
Wish This Works
If you want e-mail me:
[e-mail]

Answer 7

It sounds like your system is misconfigured in some way. Without having access to the computer it's nearly impossible to diagnose a problem like this.

Answer 8

Compaq is a decent brand,remember that it's what's inside that counts.Try adding more memory RAM to your system,it might help.Although you sound as if it could be a connection problem.Call your ISP and describe your problems,I'm sure they'll have an answer for you.

Answer 9

Maybe it's the wireless card

Answer 10

you should go to hp/compaq support center online, they can help you fix your problem