Needing some help on download speeds

[kakashi24]

Ive read similiar topics and FAQ but for some reason i cannot speed up my download is usually 1-5 kb. Am running Windows XP with Cable through router ive added ports to windows xp firewall and done everything that has been suggested but nothing has improved it.Would appreciate any advice on this thanks in advance also ive been using shadow experimental client.

[Flash_Squirrel]

Firstly, remove the XP internal firewall. You can check how to do it in the guide linked in my signature.
After that, if your download is still slow, turn off your firewall for a while and check if the speed goes up.
If that doesnt work, you are probably using a router, and all you have to do is to forward the ports. (Check the router manual if you need help on ports forwarding)

[kakashi24]

Well actually ive tried it without firewall on before tried turning firewall on with ports as well to help but neither work for opening ports through router is that more complicated at all ? Really have no idea on that am using D-Link router.

[Galaxy]

Just find your D-link router manual and look for the section about port forwarding...and what ports are you forwarding anyways?

[kakashi24]

Believe im supposed to add 6881-6889

[Sour-Do]

Originally Posted by kakashi24

Believe im supposed to add 6881-6889

Yeah, you need to access your router's configuration screens and forward those ports to your PC's private IP address. I believe that D-Link's config screens can be accessed by entering http://192.168.0.1 into your web browser.

Since you're using a router, I suggest you disable WinXP's built-in firewall.

-- Sour-Do
AnimeMuyou!

[kakashi24]

Thanks for help Sour-Do resolved the router problem I believe have green lights on shadow now but im wondering what is a normal download speed im usually only getting 15kb at max from numerous groups.

[Sour-Do]

Originally Posted by kakashi24

Thanks for help Sour-Do resolved the router problem I believe have green lights on shadow now but im wondering what is a normal download speed im usually only getting 15kb at max from numerous groups.

Since you're using Shadow's BT client, have you tried limiting your upload speeds? It is possible that your upload bandwidth is saturated (all used up), which prevents your computer from immediately sending acknowledgment receipts. Peers can only send you the next piece of data as fast as they get receipts from you. So if your upload bandwidth is saturated, your download speed will also suffer.

My download bandwidth is 160KiB/s, and my upload bandwidth is only 16KiB/s. (I have ADSL.) I limit my total uploads to ~13KiB/s, and I typically get download speeds of ~80KiB/s, if there are many peers (including seeds). Before I capped my uploads, I was only getting about ~30KiB/s.

Limiting your total uploads to about 80-90% of your maximum upload bandwidth is ideal, because you still get the best possible download speeds and you are sharing generously with others.

-- Sour-Do

[kakashi24]

How do you find your upload limit ? I usually download at about 250 kb's but no idea on where to find upload speed.

[Sour-Do]

Originally Posted by kakashi24

How do you find your upload limit ? I usually download at about 250 kb's but no idea on where to find upload speed.

Two ways:

1. You can call up your ISP and ask them what your download and upload bandwidths are.

2. Or you can calculate your upload bandwidth by trial and error: Use Shadow's BT client to download or seed a popular file (or multiple popular files) with profile unlimited and upload limit set to 0 (0 means unlimited, as stated at the bottom of Shadow client's window). After several minutes, add up all of your upload speeds, and this value will be very close to your upload bandwidth.

Take note of your upload bandwidth. And in the future, limit your total upload speed to about 80-90% of that value for the highest upload without interfering with your download speed.

-- Sour-Do