Windows XP Task Manager

I noticed that my biggest problem with internet is that pages timeout… I type a url and 3/5 times ill have to hit the refresh button because the page supposedly started to load but didnt do so fast enough

I noticed that when I used the windows task manager (ctrl+alt+del) in the processes tab to set the priority for firefox.exe to "AboveNormal" pages loaded perfectly.. and didnt have this timeout problem, actually it seemd that pages loaded faster and all… it was great… however, everytime I closed firefox, the priority set back to "Normal"

Is there anyway to set firefox's priority to "AboveNormal" permanently???


PS - I got rid of ALL malware on my PC, and used Dr.Tcp to tweak my Tcp settings in order to optimize internet (ISP advertised speed of 512kbps / actual speed of my connection is 452 kbps (56.5 KB/sec.) / 121 kbps (15.1 KB/sec.)

Open firefox.. type (or copy and paste) about:config into url bar hit enter.. scroll down till you find these settings and set them as I have them shown here

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I first started to notice a general decline in overall speed both in internet and PC a couple of months ago… I removed all malware from my PC through updated versions of Ccleaner, Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool, Ad-Aware SE, Spybot Search & Destroy, Microsoft Windows Defender, Ewido and CWShredder; then I went online and ran a Bitdefender full system scan followed by a Panda ActiveScan. I was adviced to ditch Norton (resource hog) so I uninstalled Norton Internet Security 2006 (AV, firewall, antispam, etc) using their removal tool (installation CD) however it definitely DID NOT remove all of the symantec and liveupdate files in my PC; so I used ExplorerXP to find and delete NIS2006 remanents in and . Finally I used Ccleaner to analize my registry and deleted the left over norton entries. Here is a list of what I run on my PC: * Browser: Firefox (+ fasterfox) * Antivirus: AVG free * Firewall: ZoneAlarmPro * Spyware Tools: Spybot S&D / AdAware SE / Spyware Blaster / CWShredder * Registry Cleaner: Ccleaner / Registrar Lite * Other useful tools: TuneXP 1.5 / Explorer XP / Tcpview / WinOptimizer Platinum 3 Presently, the rest of the functions of my PC are back to normal speed (100% NO spyware, virus, etc), but internet speed still remained somewhat sluggish. I use a Motorola SB5100 SURFboard Cable Modem (ISP: amnet.co.cr) and do NOT have to use a router/NAT… unfortunately, a week ago, I learned that the speed provided is barely 512kbps. I dowloaded Dr.Tcp to help out with the TcpReceive (RWIN) settings to maximize my connection's potential… and its helped, somewhat… NOW, I've followed your advice to conifgure FF with about:config; BUT… even after all this, pages (not always, but regularly) time out (both in FF and IE) but I have to admit, definitely LESS frequently now after the change in FF config…

Please follow along with Crow's more expert recommendations before getting sidetracked with my recommendations.

I find this resource very useful:
http://www.dslreports.com/tools

Run the "Tweak Test"
and then use Doctor TCP.
It may take a bit of experimentation to get your computer's best "max" connectivity speed, but these tools will get you close to the "ball park" of improved settings, if that is your problem.

Best Regards

P.S. I wouldn't be using "multiple" optimizing tools as you have listed in your list.
Each author/manufacturer has their own preferences for settings. Running one and then another may be causing a variety of mis-steps.

Thinking that some of the programs I uninstalled may have altered the settings in my Winsock I:

• Ran WinSock XP Fix 1.2
• Disabled Fasterfox (probably overwhelming my 512kbps connection)
• Shutdown my computer and rebooted my modem

After doing all this, I went back to check if the AboutConfig settings Crow had suggested had changed… so I set the values again but now I cant find network.http.pipelining.firstrequest anywhere…. ???

The only problem now is that pages do seem to load a little slower, which is weird because the speed tests I just ran are pretty much the same as before the changes… The timeout problem is 99% gone: the only page that timed out was DSL Reports, all the other ones were fine.

Test My Net = 483/123 kbps
Toast Net = 475kbps
DSL Reports = 452/118 kbps

Should I use Dr.Tcp (or any other program) to change my Tcp receive settings, or should I just leave that alone?

PS- Attached speed tests and DSL suggested settings for Tcp, MTU, etc…

I have followed DSL recommendations in the past, but it takes some "trial and error". I'll be in contact with my online mentor/supervisor later today. He's very familiar with tweaking connectivity issues. In the meantime, you may/may not, get some useful information from your cable provider. Back to you later. Doug

How long has it been since you emptied your temp files.. defrag'd..etc? How long has it been since you cleaned Firefox's cache? You need to do that now. To do Moz's click on tools, then options, and go through clean all that out. Then, go to control panel, and internet options, and under the privacy tab, set your cookie settings to "low". Then surf for a bit and see how it reacts.

Afterwards, if its still acting up, go here http://www.dslreports.com/linequality and look and see if your droping packets

Hi Al graze, Do you have acceptable internet functioning now? Are you still using the same Cable Settings as displayed in the DSLReports image that you posted? Did you try any of the recommendations? Best Regards