Is My Slow Download a Windows Problem?

This is my neighbour's PC, so bear with me if I'm a bit short on some details.

His problem is �
Sync speed = 6.5 Mbps
Upload speed = 0.9 Mbps
Download speed = only 0.3 Mbps, when using a wireless connection.
As recorded by both Thinkbroadband's speed tester and speedtest.net.

Why do I think it's a Windows problem?
Because testing with two routers, two PCs, Ethernet vs wireless, and two wireless adapters gives these results (numbers rounded for convenient comparison) �

PC1 - Ethernet - Download 6 Mbps, Upload 0.9 Mbps.
PC2 - Ethernet - Download 6 Mbps, Upload 0.9 Mbps.

PC1 - Wireless - Download 6 Mbps, Upload 0.9 Mbps.
PC2 - Wireless PCI Card - Download 0.3 Mbps, Upload 0.9 Mbps.
PC2 - Wireless USB Dongle - Download 0.3 Mbps, Upload 0.9 Mbps.

Tests repeated with two routers show exactly the same results, within a reasonable statistical variation. All wireless tests run close to the router with the devices connecting at 54 Mbps and a full strength signal.

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PC1 - Laptop Acer 5738G, 4 GByte memory, Windows 7, built-in wireless (G - 54 Mbps).
PC2 - Desktop Acer (model unknown) - AMD Dual Core @1 GHz, 1 GByte memory, Win XP SP3, PCI wireless card and USB wireless dongle (both G - 54 Mbps, tested separately).

Router 1 - Etec PTI-845G
Router 2 - Dlink DSL-2640R

The ISP is BT Broadband.

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So the problem is restricted to wireless only, on PC2 only.

What should we be looking at next to identify the problem?

Ian

Is it a XP system? If so try TCPOptimizer http://www.speedguide.net/downloads.php

The problem PC is XP SP3.

The Etec router was set MTU=1500 (the router's default after reset to factory defaults). The Dlink was set either MTU=1458 or 1432 (whichever was the router's default). The PCs IP settings were all set to default (no over-riding settings).

So I will be surprised if tweeking MTU and RWIN make the difference between 0.3 Mbps and 6 Mbps. But you never know and I will give it a go next time I get my hands on his PC.

Ian

I'd be surprised as well, but I have seen dramatic before and after speeds posted.