Monitor Your Internet Connection! - Part III

And if you discover your connection speed much slower than it should be. System Monitor might be able to help identify the problem. Clear the graphs again (EDIT > Remove Item), then add every error related item in the Dial-Up Adapter category (CRC errors, Framing errors, Overrun errors, and so on). Plot the error over the time of your internet connection, and see what comes up.

 It isn't unusual to have one or two errors show up, but you have lots more, that could explain a slow connection. Time-out errors suggest your ISP isn't responding to your modem as quickly as it should, so call tech support and ask why (or try different ISP).

 Framing errors indicate a communication problem between your modem and the ISP's modem. Talk to Other errors can indicate hardware problems - anything from a faulty modem to the serial cable (if it is a external modem).

Check Your Connection
So, you launch your browser, connect to the Internet, and enter the URL of your favorite Web site. Your browser tells you it can't find that page, or any others you enter. What's going on?

 One way to find out is to use Ping. Just as submarines send out a sound wave (a 'ping') and use the echo to detect underwater objects, so the computer version sends out a special message to the internet server you specify. The message contains a request that the server send back a reply. If you get the reply, you know your connection is working correctly, and also the server is working.

 Ping in DOS command line utility, but it isn't difficult to use. Connect to the internet, then go to Start > Programs > MS-DOS Prompt to open DOS window. At DOS prompt, type 'Ping www.hotmail.com' (without the quotes, and use the site of your choice). Press [Enter] to send out your signal.

 If you get a reply, it'll look something like 'Reply from 202.54.98.121: bytes=32 time=420ms TTL=223'.
Wooowwww!!! the site is working, and so is your connection. Look elsewhere for the problem (try clearing your browser's cache, for example). Note also that reply gives you the IP address of the site, in case you need it.

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