Not sure how to tell if I have a problem. Please comment

Question

Hello,
I am looking for help with my Mac and a DSL connection. A few days ago, I noticed a definate slow down in service. My test for speed was to go to the movie trailer section of Apple's web site and try to look at some movie trailers. I certainly noticed that it took several minutes to load a trailer when it used to be near instant.
I called SBC/AT&T and they sent someone to my house. Everything checked out with the line. They said my line could support far more service than I am paying for. I believe I have either 1.5 MB/s or a 3.0MB/s service. Whatever their entry level DSL service is.
I also have looked at the activity monitor. Previously, I would see a green line, all the way at the top of the network graph that was totally flat. High speed and constant. Now however, my graph is like the stock market. Up and down, up and down. Now that the AT&T guy has left, the speed does seem to be back. I am guessing that the unlabled speed rating above the graph is an average, and now it is at 159.0kb/s. Thats pretty good. Yesterday it was 50 kb/s. But graph is boucing up and down quite a bit.
Is it possible that there is something corrupted in my Mac that is causing these strange download speeds? I understand this networking the least and do not know what to test or try to change?
Some details: DSL line is hard wire right into my Mac, nothing wireless. Seimens DSL modem. Havent really messed with anything except the International Control panel right about the time that this problem appeared.
Does anyone else see a boucing green lines in their activity monitor?
Thanks and let me know if you need more details!

Answer 1

To do a reaql time test of your speed go to Broadband
and see for yourself.
I have DSL 'Express' the slowest one . I run at 1.2
Mbits/sec. Plenty fast for me.
Cheers, Jim b
G4
Graphite Mac OS X (10.4.4) 704 MB VPC
6.1.1
Below see all my tests. It appears to me that perhaps the problem might be on the internet between my location, Chicago, and the West coast? Or are all my speeds low regardless?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. I just dont know where to begin on this.
Results tested from Chicago (where I am located):
Last Result:
Download Speed: 766 kbps (95.8 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 316 kbps (39.5 KB/sec transfer rate)
From Seattle:
Last Result:
Download Speed: 270 kbps (33.8 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 231 kbps (28.9 KB/sec transfer rate)
another Seattle:
dslreports.com speed test result on 2006-02-23 20:22:24 EST:
424 / 311
Your download speed : 424 kbps or 53 KB/sec.
That is 71.9% worse than avg. other reports from ameritech.net
Your upload speed : 311 kbps or 38.9 KB/sec.
That is 9.8% worse than avg. other reports from ameritech.net
From New York City:
Last Result:
Download Speed: 601 kbps (75.1 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 206 kbps (25.8 KB/sec transfer rate)
Another idea. 3 more tests from Chicago:
Last Result:
Download Speed: 968 kbps (121 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 315 kbps (39.4 KB/sec transfer rate)
Last Result:
Download Speed: 919 kbps (114.9 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 315 kbps (39.4 KB/sec transfer rate)
Last Result:
Download Speed: 846 kbps (105.8 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 314 kbps (39.3 KB/sec transfer rate)
Another Chicago Test from a different site:
dslreports.com speed test result on 2006-02-23 20:19:22 EST:
824 / 253
Your download speed : 824 kbps or 103 KB/sec.
That is 45.4% worse than avg. other reports from ameritech.net
Your upload speed : 253 kbps or 31.7 KB/sec.
That is 26.6% worse than avg. other reports from ameritech.net
dslreports.com speed test result on 2006-02-23 20:20:42 EST:
902 / 317
Your download speed : 902 kbps or 112.7 KB/sec.
That is 40.2% worse than avg. other reports from ameritech.net
Your upload speed : 317 kbps or 39.7 KB/sec.
That is 8.1% worse than avg. other reports from ameritech.net