My Comcast cable internet connection speed is currently very slow

[Hector]

My Mac Pro was a speed demon just last week...but about five days ago...the internet speed has decreased...on some pages it loads fast...but it's really slow on youtube and loading images on ebay.

I called Comcast techs...they gave me advise such as clearing cookies, turn off my Airport...etc...

I did all that...still slow.

So a tech came over. He disconnected the ethernet cable from the cable modem (which is also connected directly to my hardrive) and connected his own ethernet cable from his laptop to my cable modum...the internet connection on his computer was fast (like mine from last week)...so he concluded that my ethernet cable might be damaged.

My question is though...if the ethernet cable is indeed damaged...is it still possible get any internet connection albeit a slow one? Is it possible to still get internet connection with a damaged cable and have a slow connection speed?

Could it be a virus that infected my computer?

If it's a virus..what should I do?

Should I buy another ethernet cable?

I NEED MY SUPER FAST SPEED BACK!!!!!!!

Help!!!

[Hector]

I downloaded ClamXav...and it's not detecting any viruses.

But the software is very specific...what should I target specifically?

Could it be just a damaged ethernet cable?

I just don't want to buy a new one...I wanna make sure it's indeed the ethernet cable.

[Hector]

I think it is the ethernet cable...I'm gonna get me a new one.

My anti-virus software detects No present viruses.

[megocrazy]

Basically it's an over rated phone line. It doesn't take a whole lot of shaking or moving to damage or loosen one. I would start with that because it's a cheap route and work from there. Make sure the plug is snug and tight and the prong on the plug is locked in. I assume he rebooted your modem as it should have been one of the first things he did. Sometimes it just needs to be restarted. Computers are the same way if you leave it on all the time occasionally you should restart it. You should ask them if they know if there have been any new customers activated on your street. Especially if your at the end of your street far away from the main street. This is usually only an issue with DSL customers. If they're a certain distance from the main line their service is affected. I read on a tech post site they have boosters, or amplifiers in the line every so many feet so if it's 2000 feet and you're 20 houses away from the main line you can be affected by how many people are on line between you and the main connection point. I have been told that it can also happen with cable sometimes as well. It ends up being a bandwidth compromise and not a hardware issue. Did he check the connections at the house and the pole? I had an issue that caused me to buy a new modem only to find out a connection at the pole was loose. My internet would come on and off all day long. The tech from Comcast came and told me the problem was my personal modem. I switched to their rented modem and the next day the issue was back. Then they said it was my house. My neighbor is a network guy so he came in and checked every wire and had no issues. After complaining to them for weeks they sent a guy down to climb the pole and he fixed it in two seconds. Keep on them if it doesn't get fixed and tell them you will change carriers if you can't get the problem resolved. That got the guy up the pole for me when I told them that. Maybe it's all those pictures you're making!! Have you downloaded anything recently that could be causing it. Check the system 32 files and see what's been created recently. If there is something in question try deleting it. Had a sound card issue on a family members computer associated with a site for ringtones that screwed up his computer for a year. Because it had happened on his birthday he remembered when it started and we found a file created in there that when deleted resolved the issue instantly. Even new sound cards didn't work. Sometimes it's tiny things that cause the biggest issues. Good Luck

[ctc]

Hmmmm....

When in doubt, I do a full reformat. (But I keep VERY thorough backups, so this isn't a big deal.)

Don C.

[Hector]

Thanks guys...much appreciated it!!!!!!

[Cosmicman]

Check your PMs.

[Hector]

[Cosmicman]

Nevermind. I didn't see the part where you have a MAC.

My solution.

Goto the gun shop, purchase a good handgun.

Bring it home.

Shoot the MAC several times.

Then goto the computer store and buy a new laptop. Toshiba seems to be doing well in that department.

[Hector]

Nevermind. I didn't see the part where you have a MAC.

My solution.

Goto the gun shop, purchase a good handgun.

Bring it home.

Shoot the MAC several times.

Then goto the computer store and buy a new laptop. Toshiba seems to be doing well in that department.

Please...my Mac Pro (no, it's not an iMac, it's a Mac Pro, in a completely different league) runs circles with anything you have my friend...lol.

Two 3.2 GHZ Quad-core Intel Xeon processor

4 GB memory (expandable to 32 GB)

Four hardrives

2 optical drive superdrivers

You were saying...

I ran an anti-virus check..no viruses detected.

Macs get less viruses than PCs.

I know now it's a damaged ethernet cable.

[Hector]

Goto the gun shop, purchase a good handgun.

I already own three handguns.

Next suggestion.