Hi,

I have just upgraded to broadband and when i position the cursor over the little computer icon in the bottom right of my desktop to show the speed it reads: 54 Mbps. Is this OK, I am only on the basic wanadoo broadband package. My PC is old and only has USB1 ports, so I dont know if having a USB2 port makes the connection quicker???

54Mbps is how fast your connection to your local network is, I'm guessing you're on a 'g' wireless network. Your actual broadband connection will be about 0.5-8Mbps, but you can't find that out from the Windows taskbar.

edit: so, to answer your question: it's fine!

54Mbps is how fast your connection to your local network is, I'm guessing you're on a 'g' wireless network. Your actual broadband connection will be about 0.5-8Mbps, but you can't find that out from the Windows taskbar.

edit: so, to answer your question: it's fine!

thanks for that. I am on a wireless router (wanadoo livebox) in my own home. Is there a way I can find out my actual connnection speed?

Thanks

http://www.adslguide.org/tools/speedtest.asp is normally fairly reliable.

http://www.adslguide.org/tools/speedtest.asp is normally fairly reliable.


Thanks for that, I ran the test and I have the following results:

Broadband Speed Test Results
Results from broadband speed test recorded on Monday, 06 March 2006, 17:51.

Your Connection
Direction
Actual Speed
True Speed (estimated)

Downstream 932 Kbps (116.5 KB/sec) 1006 Kbps (inc. overheads)
Upstream 191 Kbps (23.9 KB/sec) 206 Kbps (inc. overheads)



Is this OK?, I have been told that I live quite far from my telephone exchange

That's probably fine, if you'd like to PM me your telephone number and exactly what wanadoo package you're on I can check on BT's system what your line should be able to sustain.

Downstream 932 Kbps (116.5 KB/sec) 1006 Kbps (inc. overheads)
Upstream 191 Kbps (23.9 KB/sec) 206 Kbps (inc. overheads)



This indicates a 1meg broadband service is being provided - 1meg downstream. Your upload speed seems to be a little low as broadband gives upto 256k upload usually. Nothing too much to worry about there though.
There are faster broadband services - the next rung on the ladder being 2meg and then 8meg etc... but as you state you are far from the phone exchange, chances are 1meg is the best you will get, as had faster speeds have been available based on your location - these would have been offered over and above the 1meg service when you placed your order.

Broadband is a brilliant technology, but - nothing is ever guarenteed speed wise. Overall, looks like your service is performing pretty well at 1meg. Hope this helps.