[jamsok]

Hello everyone,
I'm sure this, at least in part, is a very common issue but I haven't read of anyone else with the exact same problem.I have got BT total broadband option 3, 8meg max, Bt home hub etc.Obviously, like everyone else, I'm extremely disappointed with the speeds I get.Generally using various speed testers, I get between 100kbps (yes bits) and 400kbps.Things like watching a streaming news clip on the BBC website are just annoying now (I had 2mb connection with BT before and it was fine) and I have to use the low speed option. My actual connection speed with BT total broadband is 8,096 kbs, which is good.And despite the terrible speed test results, the really slow streaming etc, when I use a download manager (I use flashget) I actually get much more acceptable speeds,Depends on the site obviously but it's usually between 200kBs (yes bytes) and 500kBs.Which is good and is what I would expect when browsing,streaming and speed testing etc.I.ve been through the rigmarole of countless hours of screwing up my face trying to understand what the man in India is saying to me and had my line tested etc and all was fine.I,ve used a USB modem in the test socket and nothing changed (so I guess it's not the hub).I've done (I think) everything possible on my computer (there are no vriuses,spyware etc...I have a registry cleaner..I've tried several "tweakers" like TCPOptimizer...tried every browser and version under the sun... and since my BT total broadband was enabled I have even got a different/newer computer).My question is if I can get good speeds using a download manager, why can't I or how can I get them using the windows downloader and streaming etc?
Having spent the last 5 months tearing my hair out over this, if anyone out there can solve, or even help I will personally write to the Queen and demand they are nominated in the new year honours list.
many thanks
Jamsok

[Dave Hybrid]

Its not what you want to hear but you will practically never get 8mb down a phone line at present.

Its all one big marketing gimmick.

Read the small print, it always says "up-to 8mb"

BT phone lines just ain't up to the job, also unless you live next door to a BT exchange the speeds are limited because of the distance to you.

Solution - Get cable.

[jamsok]

Originally Posted by Dave Hybrid Its not what you want to hear but you will practically never get 8mb down a phone line at present. Its all one big marketing gimmick. Read the small print, it always says "up-to 8mb" BT phone lines just ain't up to the job, also unless you live next door to a BT exchange the speeds are limited because of the distance to you. Solution - Get cable.

Thanks Dave.I understand, but then why do I get decent speed with a download manager and not through browser? Surely that indicates that I can have300-500kBs potentially.
Jamsok

[Dave Hybrid]

How much different is it when downloading the exact same thing?

A lot of speed testers are crap.

Try downloading a file using the in built windows software and the downloader and post the different speeds.

[jamsok]

Originally Posted by Dave Hybrid How much different is it when downloading the exact same thing? A lot of speed testers are crap. Try downloading a file using the in built windows software and the downloader and post the different speeds.

this file http://www.tvghosting.com/testfile.10m will start around 100kB/s with windows but after a couple of seconds go to 30kB/s and stay there.
With flashget it moves between 150 and 180kB/s.