WIN98 ICS w/WIN ME

[aconakc]

HI,

I connect to the internet with 800Mhz machine running Win98SE. I get fairly consistant connection speeds of about 3200kbps according to CNET. Using ICS on my small network at home I can connect with second machine running Win98SE on a 450 Mhz and still get about 3200kbps. But when I connect with my laptop running an 800Mhz chip, WinME and a EtherLink III LAN Card for 10BASE-T, I only get about 230kbps. Both the 450 and the laptop are connected through the same hub. I know the relative speeds are pretty close because I can download files in a heartbeat, but on the laptop I can go get lunch while it downloads. Any ideas as to what the problem is??? Does WinME not like ICS???

Thanks, Jeff

 

[smileybry]

Jeff,
This is a fairly common problem. Windows 95, 98, and now ME were marketed for HOME use, and that usually means dial up internet access. These operating systems are mainly geared to do well in a dialup environment. To get around this, there are several fixes at

http://www.speedguide.net.

Also, what kind of internet connection do you have? dsl/cable/ t1??
Anyway, try the stuff on speedguide.net, see if they work. If not, connect the laptop directly to the internet connection (dsl/cable/t1 whatever) and see if there is a problem. If its still slow, its not ICS, but ME itself. If it's fast, its a problem with ICS or the other computers.
I also recommend getting a DLINK DI-804 dsl/cable modem router. It shares internet connections and has a built in firewall, along with some virtual server settings, and other goodies.