Problem with my internet connection with Mail and others

Question

Hi
I seem to have a problem with my internet connection that is through Ethernet. I have just downloaded the update to iLife 9 and the down load speed went from zero to 1.1BB/s but most of the time it downloads at speeds around 8KB/s also Mail some times returns mail sent but there seems to be no problem sending out only that things go faster out than in. My internet speed from my ISP is 500KB/s so as you can see I was at first happy that I was getting speeds in of 1.1MB/s. I have done a diagnostic test through network also fully run Norton and finally run utilities with no problems showing. My ISP is willing to come and have a look at my internet but I some how think it's my computer, any ideas?
Thanks

Answer 1

The first thing I would do is completely disable Norton AntiVirus; there are no viruses for Mac OS X, so it can't protect you from something that doesn't exist. It can, however, severely slow down your system. Do that and then restart Mail and see if the problem continues.
You should also try creating a new User account and test Mail there to see if you experience the same problem; if so, then the issue is systemwide. If not, it's something specific to your regular user account.
As for your download speed, it's not 1.1MB/s; it's 1.1Mb/s. Upload speed is slower than download speed for both Cable and DSL service. I doubt the problem is your modem/router, but you should try shutting down your Mac and the modem for a few minutes. If your modem/router has a reset button, use it, then restart it and your Mac and see if the problem continues.