I have a brand new computer running Windows XP 512 MB RAM, Compaq Presario 1.4Ghz Celeron.

I am connected to the internet with Comcast in Fremont. Web sites pages are slow to open up.

The performance problem occurs on many different sites, so I suspect the problem is on my end -- either the computer or my internet connection.

It often takes several seconds to open up a link.


What can I do to fix this?

I am not one to be picky about speed, but net browsing is so slow that I don't feel like using the computer any more.


I've heard some people say that anti-virus sw can slow down net browsing. The computer was pre-loaded with Norton Internet Security, but I don't know if that is the problem.

I don't think I have a virus since it is a brand new computer which has always been running the virus protection software.

Thank for all the answers!

is Fremont dial-up? because dial up is slow no matter how fast the computer is

OK, I have Norton Firewall and Antivirus and all that and it seems to make very little difference to the speed (on 1.1MBPS). If you use Firefox that can make pages appear slowly. The Windows firewall can also cause the net to go incredibly slowly.
I have found this speed test to be reliable and safe. Its free, just click the large green Start button and fill in the info (your connection speed and country).

I will assume you aren't on dial up because like flamette said dial up is slow even on a 3ghz 2gb computer.

So firstly what browser are you using? Other then Norton what else is running in the background that acts as security(firewall, Spyware), you say it's brand new, now because you have SP2 this isn't as big a problem but prior to SP2 a new XP computer would get a virus withen 12 mins of being online, so run windows update.

Now it might not help, but can't hurt, try emptying your cach, and defrag HDD. If you aren't already use firefox rather then IE, then run a program called FireTune to change certian firefox setting to make your connection slightly faster. Back in the day of win 95/98 I would say run a cach boster or ping time modifier because these OSes wern't dessigned for High Speed, but XP is.

Then (using IE) run the PCpitstop full scan, (http://pcpitstop.com), you will need a free account then when the scan is done focus on the internet link, see if they say there are any updates or changes they feel should be made. Then report your internet speed back here so I can complain about how much faster you are then me!

Just to tell ya no matter how fast connectiong you have dsl, cable... if you have a slow processor your internet will be slow so when you buy a computer what you have to check is to have a really good processor i have a Procerror speed of 3 GHz, (Processor 630) and using dsl, i also scan my computer for ADWARE wich slows down computer.. search for these programs:


Ad-Aware
AVG-Free
ACE utilities
spybot

I also use norten anti-virus and McAfee
May be if you scan your computer with the programs you can delete some spyware or some viruses....(i justed scanned with ad-aware(rightnow) and have 24 critical objects most are cookies and bit adware so i hope those programs help they recommended them to me :/ i think there was another one but cant remmember ....

-Microsoft

If you have XP you can also use MS Antispyware. And as long as you use IE you might want to try running a Trend Micro Virus/Spyware scan, I think it's called housecall, try google.

Umm, what do you mean several seconds? Even if you connect by a terabit fiberoptic line it will take several seconds to find the dns, request and then receive the web page. I don't know what you are comparing the speeds to but I have a feeling it is very normal. Until some uber-new-technology is developed to eradicate server lags and congestion we will all have to wait several seconds for web pages to load.

Good point, I also just remembered the internet boradband reports, here http://www.dslreports.com/ there is also a tools section, that have a few basic ip and routing tools for your use, http://www.dslreports.com/tools you might want to try asking your ISP about it, or searching dsl reports for comcast and reading user reviews

1.5 gz right now if pretty slow. I'm on my 3 ghz hyerthreading computer right now and it still slow loading pages and I have broadband, so naturally you will have problems surfing as well (I think).