Very slow downloads - possible bandwidth shaping by ISP?
 

I've been using LW for a long time now but only on a dial-up connection. About a two months ago I upgraded to a cable connetction and I still have very slow downloads. I can download things from Internet Explorer just fine and at blazing speeds. Here is some system information you may need:

1. Windows XP OS
2. windows firewall with LW as an exception
3. 512 MB of RAM
4. 50+ GB hard drive space available
5. cable internet
6. motorolla SURFboard SB5101
7. connecting from home
8. LW 4.12.11 Java 1.6.0_01
9. Metrocast cablevision
10. "YOUR TEST WORKED"
11. no
12. On going problem with experienced user
13. no brick wall on LW interface

5676 kbps download test
366 kbps upload test

Im thinking that since my downloads from Internet Explorer are fine and my LW downloads are so bad that maybe Metrocast was shaping my connection. But my buddy uses the same provider and actually has a crappier computer than I do, but he downloads at over 60 KB/s, I on the other hand am lucky to get 10 KB/s. :bangh:

I thought I saw someone the other day who was shaped by metrocast but I might be wrong. Search metrocast on forum search & see if it appears.

Do a simple test for us: use your browser to go to the following link & click on one of the files: + MagnetMix.com +: The Source for Good Content
Tell us what speeds you get & how it behaves after you click it.

Find a local test site from here Speed Test Internet Speed Test DSL Speed Test Broadband Speed Test Bandwidth Speed Test & tell us your results. But please specify whether the speed is quoted in kbps or KB/s as one refers to bits & the other bytes ... big difference (8 bits = 1 byte).

I started to download something from magnetmix and it started downloading at about 15 KB/s or so then dropped down to 0 KB/s! And it stayed there for so long that I cancelled the download. I performed a speed test as well and I got speeds of 792 kbps download and 358 kbps upload, which are down from 5676 kbps and 366 kbps earlier today. I looked on the forum and some threads said that they called metrocast and metrocast said they never throttle p2p connections and other threads said throttling was a big possibility. I will call Metrocast and ask them myself on monday when they open.

I found this about Metrocast....
broadband help » Detail : MetroCast Online

huh... interesting maybe its not just me then. The only thing I find wierd is that my friend has the same exact service, same speeds and everything and DL's at around 60+ KB/s.

With the drop in download speed that the speedtest indicated, I'd say that your ISP have picked you up as maybe a heavy downloader, or you have used up your monthly quota and they have now shaped you...

I know if I use up my monthly allowance I don't get charged for the extra downloading but I do get shaped down to 64 kB/s until the month is up...

Have a look at your plan and see what it says, even if it says unlimited there is usually still a limit...;)