Help me fix my internet speed?

[Haiajue]

I'm pretty good with computers but I don't know the first thing about networking.

Background:

We have DSL. Our speeds were just fine until a few weeks ago when it started acting up and we couldn't connect at all. My mom went out and bought a new box (not sure whether to call this a router or a modem). We can connect to the internet again, but our download speeds are inconsistent. Pretty much the only thing our internet is good for now is browsing web pages (which is fine for my parents, but not for me). Streaming videos takes FOREVER, and playing any game that requires an internet connection is impossible (constant lag spikes that will last 10 minutes to an hour, with possible disconnects that occur frequently).

Can anyone help me fix this? My mom has called our ISP multiple times and she says everything is fine, so it's obviously a problem on our end. I've run a speed test before and our download speed and everything was fine at the time, it's just very inconsistent. I'll try downloading something later and our speeds will have dropped to 30 kb/s. Games may be playable for 15-30 minutes or so, then they become unplayable for an hour; rinse and repeat.

If this will help, we have a ZyXEL P-660HN-51 (router? modem?). Today is my day off so I'll be spending all day trying to fix this. We also all connect to our internet wirelessly; my parents have laptops and I have a wireless USB in my desktop. The wireless USB is pretty old but I already tried using my desktop and my parent's laptop with an ethernet cord plugged in simultaneously, and both would lag at the same time.

[Schweppesy]

It doesn't sound like your router/modem is properly configured. Check with your ISP for set up details, particularly which dsl annex to use

[Puter_Notgeek]

It can be many things, including your ISP. They can limit bandwidth.

*Service glitches. Cable speed can suddendly drop if the service provider has technical difficulty with their network. Speeds should return to normal after a few minutes or hours.

*Spyware on computer(s). Even when your network may be functioning at full speed, spyware programs may be consuming the modem bandwidth, lowering your cable speed.

*Mis-configured wired or wireless router. Routers sit between your computers and the Internet connection. If not functioning properly, a router can greatly limit the cable speed achievable on all computers.

*Slow wireless network connection. In some cases, a very slow Wi-Fi connection between a computer and a wireless home network will not keep pace with the speed of the cable Internet connection.

*Old computer(s). Very old computers lacking sufficient processing power or memory cannot keep pace with a high-speed Internet connection.

So, I would run some things on computer.
You may have already and also may have these programs.

*Download, install programs and the get the updates. DO NOT RUN A SCAN YET: FREE SOFTWARE
Malwarebytes
http://www.malwarebytes.org/

Ccleaner (will clean up crap after going online)
http://www.ccleaner.com/download

*Then after you have done the install and updates, DISCONNECT from the internet. Pull the plug.

*Next, boot up in safe mode (Tap the F8 key every few seconds as the system boots up until the screen with Safe Mode option appears). Choose the first Safe Mode, not with network.

*Now run the malwarebytes program. Choose Full scan, as opossed to quick scan, for the first time.

Then run CCleaner, I dont analyze, I just choose the Run option.
Also run CCLEANER AFTER YOU ARE ONLINE all the time (in regular mode).
Run malwarebytes every week, doesn't have to be safe mode, just the first time or if you suspect anything.

Plug your computer directly into modem. (Mom bought a router)
See if that changes things.

Call your ISP and see exactly what plan you have. Meaning are there plans with higher speeds? Do they limit bandwidth at certain hours? Maybe their modem is old/damaged, exchange for a new one.

Read this article for more info, it might help.
Good Luck.

[Anoop]

u have to get some help to configure ur modem from ur ISP ..