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How to Fix Slow Mac Wireless Internet!

I can't believe I'm appologizing to Comcast and AT&T

I've been blaming my ISPs for lousy service. I switched from Comcast to AT&T thinking that it would improve and it didn't. Now I find the answer and it's on my computer! Thank you for posting this. I am eternally grateful rather than eternally waiting!
 
Wirelessly posted (nokia e63: Mozilla/5.0 (SymbianOS/9.2; U; Series60/3.1 NokiaE63-1/100.21.110; Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 ) AppleWebKit/413 (KHTML, like Gecko) Safari/413)

HalCat said:
I've been blaming my ISPs for lousy service. I switched from Comcast to AT&T thinking that it would improve and it didn't. Now I find the answer and it's on my computer! Thank you for posting this. I am eternally grateful rather than eternally waiting!
Click to expand...

remember, the problem isn't with your computer. Its with the dns servers that you use.
 
OMG! my internet doesnt go slow anymore!
Thanks.
I used the open DNS addresses.
 
How to Fix Slow Mac Wireless Internet

First let me say I am not as Mac/Computer savvy as I wish . . . so that is probably why I am having a problem going into the Systems Preferences/Internet & Wireless/Network suggestion you have made.

My System Preferences seem to be set up differently than your instructions from 2007. First under: Internet & Wireless I have - MobileMe, Network, Bluetooth, Sharing. I went into Network.

Network shows:
Status: Connected (Turn Airport Off) Mine is now on.
Network Name: our network name
The Show Airport Status in menu bar is checked.
My only other options are: Advanced and Assist Me.

I can't find anyplace to "Configure"

Thank you for any help you can provide.
 
snow1 said:
First let me say I am not as Mac/Computer savvy as I wish . . . so that is probably why I am having a problem going into the Systems Preferences/Internet & Wireless/Network suggestion you have made.

My System Preferences seem to be set up differently than your instructions from 2007. First under: Internet & Wireless I have - MobileMe, Network, Bluetooth, Sharing. I went into Network.

Network shows:
Status: Connected (Turn Airport Off) Mine is now on.
Network Name: our network name
The Show Airport Status in menu bar is checked.
My only other options are: Advanced and Assist Me.

I can't find anyplace to "Configure"

Thank you for any help you can provide.
Click to expand...


Dude ,its only 4 pages to go thru. Try to read it next time..

the solution is posted in this thread but ill help u anyway..

system preferences / (where you have the mobile me, network and so on) Network /(make sure airport is highlited) advanced / fill in the nr by pressing "+" in the DNS tab
 
Stuck at 6Mbps Download

This is my first post and while I have found some great information here I do have a question that maybe someone can help me with.

My specific home office set up:

- Comcast Business Class SMC Router (4 ports)
- Apple Airport Extreme
- iMac; Mac OS X 10.6.3. 4GB Memory
- Cisco 7940 IP Phone
- Lenovo T61 Laptop running XP

Here's my issue. I can achieve up to about 13Mbps downloads with my laptop but it seems even after making the changes recommended here in this thread I cannot achieve more than 6Mbps with my Mac. I have tried everything I can think of including:
- unplugging every other connection except for the ethernet to the mac
- using the DNS Servers here in the thread
- plugging the mac directly into the SMC Router vs. going through the Apple AE
- clearing out the cache and resetting safari
- Used Firefox
- Changed MTU to 1452 (and other's as suggested)

Could there be some other applications running that would be sucking bandwith? How do I find them on my Mac? More importantly if I do find something what is the best program to get rid of them?

Speeds are not that bad but when I am sitting in front of both computers and my PC pulls down 13Mbps while on my IP Phone as well as the internet open on my Mac I just figure there has to be something bogging this thing down...just don't know where or how to find it.

I sure would appreciate any advice...
 
desrste said:
This is my first post and while I have found some great information here I do have a question that maybe someone can help me with.

My specific home office set up:
MTU to 1452 (and other's as suggested)

Could there be some other applications running that would be sucking bandwith? How do I find them on my Mac? More importantly if I do find something what is the best program to get rid of them?

Speeds are not that bad but when I am sitting in front of both computers and my PC pulls down 13Mbps while on my IP Phone as well as the internet open on my Mac I just figure there has to be something bogging this thing down...just don't know where or how to find it.

I sure would appreciate any advice...
Click to expand...

have you tried using the default DNS servers? (i.e. leave them empty). download speed isnt usually associated with DNS servers, but who knows.

i doubt there is something bogging your mac down - the download speeds should be pretty much identical! when you plugged in via ethernet, did you disable the wirelress?

you arent torrenting or anything? or streaming music? etc
 
slow internet on airport with bluetooth magic mouse and bluetooth aluminum keyboard

Ok, so read through the thread trying the DNS update. I was having serious airport connectivity slow down on my iMac desktop running Leopard. A couple days ago added the bluetooth magic mouse and bluetooth aluminum keyboard, after the add, the internet went to absolute #$%!

Tried a number of combinations...
- added the 4.2.2.x dns entries - no change
- disabled both bluetooth devices one at a time, then both (seemed like this was the culprit... having bluetooth devices connected was causing interference)
- changed wireless (linksys) router to several new channels - no change
- sat my macbook and imac side by side both on wireless to check bandwidth speeds - imac w/ bluetooth on was getting smoked by MBP with no bluetooth on.

What it came down to was the router was literally just too far away from the iMac and it seems the bluetooth devices were causing interference... The test that proved this... reactivated all bluetooth devices on the imac then connected to the neighbors wireless and BAM!! Smoking fast internet w/ bluetooth devices connected. I must have a piece of crap router or something!
 
Please Help

Please help me by explaining how to do this on the newest 10.6.3. The menu looks completely different from the screen shots posted originally. Sorry for being a Noob :eek:.

I am completely new to Mac and not very tech savvy at all. I love my new MBP, but the internent works MUCH slower compared to my 5 year old Dell PC. Please help!!!
 
Snow Panther is the ticket!

I tried all these difference fix its people recommended and none of them really worked so I bought Snow Panther and updated my system and it fixed the problem completely! No need to mess with any settings or anything.

It has sped up my system 10fold and now my wireless is running like lightening as it should, not lower than dial up before I upgraded.

If you are having problems I really recommend re-installing your current OS software or upgrading to Snow Panther.
 
DoFoT9 said:
changing DNS wont increase your download speeds...
Click to expand...

While we're on the downloading topic, is there an obvious reason why a comcast (Motorola modem) internet connection ( plugged directly into a macbook pro running OS 10.4.11) would be signficantly faster than the same macbook pro using airport (19 vs 4 Mps ) My ipod touch speed test is showing almost 10 Mps download, but the laptop seems to be capped at under 6. Could the modem to airport wired (cat 5) connection be the culprit?

Secondly I would expect the wired connection to be faster than wireless, but I find it odd that the macbook pro via airport is also significantly slower than the ipod touch wireless connection via the same airport. Think, in addition to changing the DNS settings to speed perceived internet access, there's a settings issue or wiring issue here, or is it just a vestige of the old operating system + airport on the macbook pro (late 2007 model).

Any suggestions would be appreciated. thanks!
 
wyre said:
While we're on the downloading topic, is there an obvious reason why a comcast (Motorola modem) internet connection ( plugged directly into a macbook pro running OS 10.4.11) would be signficantly faster than the same macbook pro using airport (19 vs 4 Mps ) My ipod touch speed test is showing almost 10 Mps download, but the laptop seems to be capped at under 6. Could the modem to airport wired (cat 5) connection be the culprit?

Secondly I would expect the wired connection to be faster than wireless, but I find it odd that the macbook pro via airport is also significantly slower than the ipod touch wireless connection via the same airport. Think, in addition to changing the DNS settings to speed perceived internet access, there's a settings issue or wiring issue here, or is it just a vestige of the old operating system + airport on the macbook pro (late 2007 model).

Any suggestions would be appreciated. thanks!
Click to expand...

hey there, sorry for the late reply. i really need to learn NOT to leave 90+ tabs open in safari :rolleyes:

its hard to run these kinds of tests. using speedtest.net isnt very accurate at all and it depends on the amount of load on their end (which is quite high). it might be best to test later at night (or earlier in the day) from a product on Apple.Com - check from each device what speeds you are getting through Safari downloads, or check with "Activity Monitor.app" or the iStat Pro widget.

the airport -> MBP might have a number of environmental factors coming into play, im guessing its on 802.11n and distances, other frequencies and other devices can all limit your experience. the iTouch would run on 802.11g - maybe its worth using the MBP on 802.11g and see what speeds you get.

i would also run a number of internal network tests, maybe there is a limiting factor in the AirPort.?
 
Would this trick make any difference for an iPad or iPhone? I am at my father-in-law's this week and am having problems.

My MacBook Pro is connected to the Comcast router and working fine.

My iPad and both our iPhones are connected, but running so slow that 90% of the time Safari times out before opening a page.

I called Comcast and they were exactly as helpful as I expected them to be. In other words, not at all.

Any advice?
 
macquariumguy said:
Would this trick make any difference for an iPad or iPhone? I am at my father-in-law's this week and am having problems.

My MacBook Pro is connected to the Comcast router and working fine.

My iPad and both our iPhones are connected, but running so slow that 90% of the time Safari times out before opening a page.

I called Comcast and they were exactly as helpful as I expected them to be. In other words, not at all.

Any advice?
Click to expand...
yes it should have the same effect, go into the network preferences as you normally would and change the "DNS server".
 
Thanks!!!!!

THANKS a mill for posting this info. Been struggling for weeks with slow internet speed and now I can reply this forum with super satisfying speed and ease!!! Just typed the 4.2.2.1 and the 4.2.2.2 into the DNS and hey presto back to 2010 internet speed. Happy Days!!:) (on MAC 10.5.8)
 
thank you!

I actually like this one more than the OpenDNS one.

A warning though, I don't know if it was just my computer, or what was going on, but I had both these and the openDNS ones installed, and it KILLED my internet performance. Im not sure why, it could be some sort of conflict or something.

When i tested out the speed, this one was comparably faster than OpenDNS. I don't know if you understand what I mean by this, but OpenDNS tends to open pages element by element, but this one tends to open the page up as a whole, which I like much more.

Thanks again!
 
crissmhoffmeyer said:
When i tested out the speed, this one was comparably faster than OpenDNS. I don't know if you understand what I mean by this, but OpenDNS tends to open pages element by element, but this one tends to open the page up as a whole, which I like much more.
Click to expand...

probably due to the amount of concurrent connections you can have. did you try 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 (as backup)?
 
connection problems

Hey all, im in desperate need of some advice or help if any of you have heard of this problem or have it at the moment.

I live in leeds in england and from about a week or so ago my connection has dropped dramatically. Im with a company called british telecom (bt) and im suppose to be getting an up to 8 meg connection. Before this last week i was getting around 2 and a half which was fine, i could play on my xbox or wow when i wanted and not lag. Since this last week tho my connection has dropped to just over half a meg.

Obv i called my isp up and explained the situation and they did a line test, found no problems on my end. They then told me they was sending an engineer out to my local exchange to check it out. So instead they sent an engineer around to my house after this he did a line test and found my end was fine but i wasn't getting the correct connection speed. He did a few modifications which resulted in the new box he put up on the wall to connect the external and internal cables fallen off since he screwed it into a plastic wall.

So today around half 8 this morning i got a call from another engineer that had checked the exchange and said there wasn't a problem. Also on top of that last night when i came off my connection was just over half a meg and now its dropped to around 300kbps. Having called them up again at the technical support they told me that my snr is quite high which i think they said means "server to network ratio". The man on the phone said they would lower it and in a few hours i would see an inc in speed and it would take a day to become properly stable. Well its been like 5 hours since he did the changes and there hasn't been an inc at all in speed and its starting to really annoy me. If anything i think its actually dropping.

I use a wire in my mac to the router directly and my dad and brother both use wireless, we have had macs now for about 5 years and been with bt and not had any problems like this up to this last week. I was wondering if any of you has had similar problems or has the same as me and knows any way to get it sorted. Im at the end of my teether now and i really need the internet for playing wow lol.

Any replies or help any of you could help would be very helpful, thank you for reading my post.
 
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