Start Up Page Slow To Load on Comcast

I have to wait at least a couple of minutes for the Comcast page to load when
I first get online. Is it Comcast, Microsoft or me? Do I have too many
programs on the start-up or perhaps spyware, malware?? I can send a Hijack
This report if that would help.

rusty7010 wrote:

> I have to wait at least a couple of minutes for the Comcast page to load
> when I first get online. Is it Comcast, Microsoft or me? Do I have too
> many programs on the start-up or perhaps spyware, malware?? I can send a
> Hijack This report if that would help.

There is no way for us to tell. You provided no information about your
computer or whether this problem has always existed. And please don't post
a HijackThis log here. We don't analyze them in the MS newsgroups.

In my experience, the Comcast page is always slow to load because they have
so much cr*p on it, but it shouldn't really take "a couple of minutes". It
may feel slower to you than it really is or you may have something else
going on. Again, there's no way for us to tell from here.

Here are some general troubleshooting steps you can take:

Go through these general malware removal steps systematically -
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/...moving_Malware

If the computer is clean, examine your Startup:

Start>Run>msconfig [enter]

This brings up the System Configuration Utility. Look on the Startup tab and
find the probable culprit. Uncheck the box next to its name, Apply and OK
out. You don't need to restart immediately, but the next time you do you'll
get a dialog saying you've used the Utility. Just tick the box that says in
effect, "don't bother me about this again".

Important - Do not use the System Configuration Utility to stop processes.
Instead, use Start>Run>services.msc [enter] and do not stop any services
unless you really, really know what you're doing.

How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310560

The free Autoruns program is very useful for managing your Startup -
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sys...s/default.mspx - Autoruns

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

Thanks for the info. Will try what you suggest. Sorry about mentioning HJT.

I have a Dell Dimension 4600, running Windows XP Home Edition. About 3
weeks ago my hard drive became corrupted. My son-in-law fixed it, backing up
info. and then re-installing Windows XP. Since then I have had problems
finding programs I used to have, etc. I don't think this would cause any
"slow to load" problems. Thanks again for the help.

"Malke" wrote:

> rusty7010 wrote:
>
> > I have to wait at least a couple of minutes for the Comcast page to load
> > when I first get online. Is it Comcast, Microsoft or me? Do I have too
> > many programs on the start-up or perhaps spyware, malware?? I can send a
> > Hijack This report if that would help.
>
> There is no way for us to tell. You provided no information about your
> computer or whether this problem has always existed. And please don't post
> a HijackThis log here. We don't analyze them in the MS newsgroups.
>
> In my experience, the Comcast page is always slow to load because they have
> so much cr*p on it, but it shouldn't really take "a couple of minutes". It
> may feel slower to you than it really is or you may have something else
> going on. Again, there's no way for us to tell from here.
>
> Here are some general troubleshooting steps you can take:
>
> Go through these general malware removal steps systematically -
> http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/...moving_Malware
>
> If the computer is clean, examine your Startup:
>
> Start>Run>msconfig [enter]
>
> This brings up the System Configuration Utility. Look on the Startup tab and
> find the probable culprit. Uncheck the box next to its name, Apply and OK
> out. You don't need to restart immediately, but the next time you do you'll
> get a dialog saying you've used the Utility. Just tick the box that says in
> effect, "don't bother me about this again".
>
> Important - Do not use the System Configuration Utility to stop processes.
> Instead, use Start>Run>services.msc [enter] and do not stop any services
> unless you really, really know what you're doing.
>
> How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP -
> http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310560
>
> The free Autoruns program is very useful for managing your Startup -
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sys...s/default.mspx - Autoruns
>
> Malke
> --
> MS-MVP
> Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
> FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ
>
>

Test your internet connection speed!
http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/

If you are on Comcast you should be getting about
6.0 Mbps download speed from the nearest server on the speed test site!

JS

"rusty7010" <rusty7010@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:B39FF96A-FF44-4489-8A69-2FF307D75868@microsoft.com...
>I have to wait at least a couple of minutes for the Comcast page to load
>when
> I first get online. Is it Comcast, Microsoft or me? Do I have too many
> programs on the start-up or perhaps spyware, malware?? I can send a Hijack
> This report if that would help.

rusty7010 wrote:

> Thanks for the info. Will try what you suggest. Sorry about mentioning
> HJT.
>
> I have a Dell Dimension 4600, running Windows XP Home Edition. About 3
> weeks ago my hard drive became corrupted. My son-in-law fixed it, backing
> up info. and then re-installing Windows XP. Since then I have had problems
> finding programs I used to have, etc. I don't think this would cause any
> "slow to load" problems. Thanks again for the help.

After your son-in-law "fixed" it with a clean install, did he also install
all the latest drivers and desktop software for your model machine from
Dell? If not, this needs to be done. Did he also bring you up to date with
Service Pack 3, etc.?

As for old programs, they would need to be reinstalled.

Perhaps you might want to take the machine to a professional computer repair
shop instead for diagnosis. Don't use a BigComputerStore/GeekSquad type of
place.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

Hi, JS, that's a great site that I'll use when I think the rain is messing
up my cable (at least the TV gets funny). But in nice weather, I keep
getting download speeds in the range of 20-25,000 kbps. Unless I'm missing
something, doesn't that translate to about 20-25 Mbps? I'm using Comcast
and expect ~6 as you say. Does this reflect the "PowerBoost" they brag
about at the start of a file? That's supposed to be for only the first 10
MB, or 80 Mb, which should take 3-4 sec, and the test runs around 12-15
sec.


"JS" <@> wrote in message news:ewGjTzR3IHA.2580@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> Test your internet connection speed!
> http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/
>
> If you are on Comcast you should be getting about
> 6.0 Mbps download speed from the nearest server on the speed test site!
>
> JS

I think the slower speed I posted is local to my area's Comcast service (was
only 5.0Mbs about a year ago) an was also related to the slower 10Mbs
network card I was using at the time.

I've just switched to Verizon FIOS and installed a faster 1Gbs Network card
and am now getting about 18 to 19Mbs download speeds for both the speed test
site and downloading the Windows SP3 which is about 316MB in size.

As for Comcast's "PowerBoost", if you download the Windows SP3 file from the
site listed below you should be able to see when PowerBoost drops out.

Windows XP Service Pack 3 download:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...DisplayLang=en


JS
www.pagestart.com


"ggull" <ggullNOSPAMONI@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:utbxbxC4IHA.4988@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> Hi, JS, that's a great site that I'll use when I think the rain is messing
> up my cable (at least the TV gets funny). But in nice weather, I keep
> getting download speeds in the range of 20-25,000 kbps. Unless I'm
> missing something, doesn't that translate to about 20-25 Mbps? I'm using
> Comcast and expect ~6 as you say. Does this reflect the "PowerBoost" they
> brag about at the start of a file? That's supposed to be for only the
> first 10 MB, or 80 Mb, which should take 3-4 sec, and the test runs
> around 12-15 sec.
>
>
> "JS" <@> wrote in message news:ewGjTzR3IHA.2580@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>> Test your internet connection speed!
>> http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/
>>
>> If you are on Comcast you should be getting about
>> 6.0 Mbps download speed from the nearest server on the speed test site!
>>
>> JS
>
>

Thanks for the reply, JS. But I think 6 Mbps is the quoted limit for
Comcast around here also, unless they snuck some improvement by without
bragging about it (hah). And in those apps where the actual download speed
is displayed, it seldom even approached that in the long run (after initial
high rates) .. at best 6-700 kBps (6000 kbps to within a fudge factor), more
typically 2-500. So I was wondering why the factor of 3-4 improvement on
the test site. Maybe it is a Powerboost effect.

SP3 is on my to-do list, although I read enough complaints about it that I
want to go back and revisit the threads here first. That would be handy to
have the connection status show the actual traffic speed as well as the
theoretical.

"JS" <@> wrote in message news:OfTib2D4IHA.2060@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>I think the slower speed I posted is local to my area's Comcast service
>(was only 5.0Mbs about a year ago) an was also related to the slower 10Mbs
>network card I was using at the time.
>
> I've just switched to Verizon FIOS and installed a faster 1Gbs Network
> card and am now getting about 18 to 19Mbs download speeds for both the
> speed test site and downloading the Windows SP3 which is about 316MB in
> size.
>
> As for Comcast's "PowerBoost", if you download the Windows SP3 file from
> the site listed below you should be able to see when PowerBoost drops out.
>
> Windows XP Service Pack 3 download:
> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...DisplayLang=en
>
>
> JS
> www.pagestart.com
>
>
> "ggull" <ggullNOSPAMONI@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:utbxbxC4IHA.4988@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>> Hi, JS, that's a great site that I'll use when I think the rain is
>> messing up my cable (at least the TV gets funny). But in nice weather, I
>> keep getting download speeds in the range of 20-25,000 kbps. Unless I'm
>> missing something, doesn't that translate to about 20-25 Mbps? I'm using
>> Comcast and expect ~6 as you say. Does this reflect the "PowerBoost"
>> they brag about at the start of a file? That's supposed to be for only
>> the first 10 MB, or 80 Mb, which should take 3-4 sec, and the test runs
>> around 12-15 sec.
>>
>>
>> "JS" <@> wrote in message news:ewGjTzR3IHA.2580@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>>> Test your internet connection speed!
>>> http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/
>>>
>>> If you are on Comcast you should be getting about
>>> 6.0 Mbps download speed from the nearest server on the speed test site!
>>>
>>> JS
>>
>>
>
>

Only thing I can say is for me the results from the speed test site are
consistent with the indicated download speed when nearing the completion of
the SP3 file. So the speed number from both tests methods agree.

Just performed another download of SP3 and the slowest indicated speed was
18.7Mbps during the entire time the file was downloading.

JS

"ggull" <ggullNOSPAMONI@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:O$uGh2O4IHA.2332@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> Thanks for the reply, JS. But I think 6 Mbps is the quoted limit for
> Comcast around here also, unless they snuck some improvement by without
> bragging about it (hah). And in those apps where the actual download
> speed is displayed, it seldom even approached that in the long run (after
> initial high rates) .. at best 6-700 kBps (6000 kbps to within a fudge
> factor), more typically 2-500. So I was wondering why the factor of 3-4
> improvement on the test site. Maybe it is a Powerboost effect.
>
> SP3 is on my to-do list, although I read enough complaints about it that I
> want to go back and revisit the threads here first. That would be handy
> to have the connection status show the actual traffic speed as well as the
> theoretical.
>
> "JS" <@> wrote in message news:OfTib2D4IHA.2060@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>>I think the slower speed I posted is local to my area's Comcast service
>>(was only 5.0Mbs about a year ago) an was also related to the slower 10Mbs
>>network card I was using at the time.
>>
>> I've just switched to Verizon FIOS and installed a faster 1Gbs Network
>> card and am now getting about 18 to 19Mbs download speeds for both the
>> speed test site and downloading the Windows SP3 which is about 316MB in
>> size.
>>
>> As for Comcast's "PowerBoost", if you download the Windows SP3 file from
>> the site listed below you should be able to see when PowerBoost drops
>> out.
>>
>> Windows XP Service Pack 3 download:
>> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...DisplayLang=en
>>
>>
>> JS
>> www.pagestart.com
>>
>>
>> "ggull" <ggullNOSPAMONI@comcast.net> wrote in message
>> news:utbxbxC4IHA.4988@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>>> Hi, JS, that's a great site that I'll use when I think the rain is
>>> messing up my cable (at least the TV gets funny). But in nice weather,
>>> I keep getting download speeds in the range of 20-25,000 kbps. Unless
>>> I'm missing something, doesn't that translate to about 20-25 Mbps? I'm
>>> using Comcast and expect ~6 as you say. Does this reflect the
>>> "PowerBoost" they brag about at the start of a file? That's supposed to
>>> be for only the first 10 MB, or 80 Mb, which should take 3-4 sec, and
>>> the test runs around 12-15 sec.
>>>
>>>
>>> "JS" <@> wrote in message news:ewGjTzR3IHA.2580@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>>>> Test your internet connection speed!
>>>> http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/
>>>>
>>>> If you are on Comcast you should be getting about
>>>> 6.0 Mbps download speed from the nearest server on the speed test site!
>>>>
>>>> JS
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

Thanks for re-running the test. That FIOS sounds pretty nice.
I'm not sure why I'm getting the high speed in the test site you referenced.
Probably something to do with the powerboost thing ... maybe the test fools
comcast into thinking it's not just one big file? who knows. But even so
it seems like something useful to check if I think I'm having hardware
limitations.

"JS" <@> wrote in message news:%232k7TuQ4IHA.4448@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> Only thing I can say is for me the results from the speed test site are
> consistent with the indicated download speed when nearing the completion
> of the SP3 file. So the speed number from both tests methods agree.
>
> Just performed another download of SP3 and the slowest indicated speed was
> 18.7Mbps during the entire time the file was downloading.
>
> JS
<snip>