>Check your MTU both when connected directly then when connected via the LAN, maybe packet frag.
>Also check for collisions on the LAN, your might have a jabbering NIC.

I can't see an MTU value for direct connecting, which is under "Broadband" in the Network Connections dialogue.
The regular connection has MTU of 1342. At install, and later after installing Cisco VPN software, it was 1300 and I couldn't reach certain sites (lots). I used to run it at 1492 but my ISP did something a while back and I had to settle for 1342 as highest I could get reliable service with.

Also, I do have a NAS device attached through the router. Even though UNmounted on all systems, it may be a factor. BUT... I just turned it off and retried the speed test and saw no difference.

Thanks Neil.
cheers
>The switch maybe faulty try another and see what happens, I just replaced our BayStack switch as it was faulty, was getting disconnects and performance issues.
>
>>I have a home network connected through a router (SMC brand, wire only) and I usually have 3 PCs connected with rarely more than 2 in use. The 2 systems I use regularly do have a hub between the router and the PCs. It is a cheapo hub supporting 10/100.
>>
>>On all systems the network icon in the Systray reports that the connection is 100.0 Mbps. This suggests to me that the hub is not an issue.
>>
>>When I D/L from a (certain) site I get speeds reported between 60Kbps-45Kbps. Every now and then I will see as much as 100Kbps but that has become rarer and rarer.
>>
>>I called my provider today as my annual payment is due, to learn what's up with it and how I can get what I'm paying for (3 Mbps (translating to approx 2.1 Mbps with overhead)).
>>
>>He pointed me to a speed test site (their own) and I ran the test. I got 1.3Mbps. Same on both regular systems.
>>Then, as they are wont to do, he insisted that I hook up directly to the modem and try again.
>>I did so and the speed test reported 2.4Mbps!!!
>>
>>So it looks convincingly like it is something at my end.
>>
>>Anyone have a clue where I should look? The cabling is all CAT5 and I'd guess I'd see other symptoms if it was cables.
>>
>>Any iideas appreciated.