slow internet speed

[cdmjr]

I've had this issue for some time, and it's entirely possible that it's my ISP at fault. I figured this was the best forum for me to post the problem.

Let me explain the problem as best as I can:

My parents and I have two computers, and we have cable provided by Road Runner. Our external modem plugs into a Siemens SpeedStream 2614 router to get to both computers.

The problem comes when I'm downloading files via either Azureus or eDonkey (as part of the Digital Archive Project server). I get fairly slow download speeds most of the time. The best I can get on a torrent is about 20 kb/s without a giant amount of seeds. eDonkey usually gives me about the same rate. Even when I'm downloading from an FTP, it's about 18 kb/s.

My computer is a Dell Dimension 3000 with a 2.80 ghz Intel Pentium 4 processor, and 516 MBs and running on XP. I had an older computer with even crappier system specs...like 216 MBs and a 700 mhz processor running on ME...and I still get about the same DL speed on everything.

Whenever I run Azureus it slows down ALL of my internet speed, including browsing, and it kills the speed on my parents' computer as well.

Maybe it's my browser configuration, maybe it's a problem with the external modem provided by Road Runner, maybe it's Road Runner itself, or something else.

I don't know what else I could describe about my specs that could help someone answer my problem, but I'm ready to answer questions to help provide the answers I need. But if anyone has any advice I'd very much appreciate it.

[degsy]

first impressions would be a restriction by your ISP.

[renegade600]

I agree with the previous reply, road runner in my area is bad about restricting download speeds when it comes to what they consider bandwidth hogs. Check with them and see what they say .