cant browse websites while phex is open

[guy24x]

hi all,

i'm using phex 2.2.2.84 on mandrake linux 10.1, and whenever i open phex, i cant browse any sites on my web browser. i have a 256kbps dsl connection, and on average, i get download speeds between 25-30KB/s. keeping that in mind, i have set up phex as follows:

1. connection type and speed: 256kbps DSL/cable
2. total bandwidth allowed to use: 50% (16KB/s)
3. max network bandwidth: 819 bytes/sec
4. max download bandwidth: 14 KB/s
5. max upload bandwidth: 491 bytes/sec

even if phex is not downloading any files, or if its downloading at lower speeds (~5KB/s), i just cant browse any sites on my browser (firefox 1.0.2). once i close phex, the websites immediately load.

any suggestions would be welcome...

regards,
guy24x

(p.s: another question: when i change the bandwidth settings in phex, do i have to restart phex for the settings to take effect, or is that not required? thanx..)