Hello first time poster. Coming here in hopes of finding an answer I've been searching for, for quite some time. Would like to thank you for taking the time to read my post.

Here is the situation...

My cpu on my cable connection can download files at speeds as high as 980kb/sec (go crysis demo) and the avg. runs around 80-200 kb/sec.
My fiance's new dell laptop plugged in on the same connection can hit darn near the same speeds.
My fiance's old old dell desktop again can hit same speeds.

Now travel north about 1 hour to her dorm room.

My cpu on her college ethernet can download files at 2.3 to 3.5 kb/sec as high as maybe 15kb/sec.
My fiance's new dell laptop plugged into the same connection can hit about the same speeds. Maybe slower.
My fiance's old old dell desktop can hit maybe 50 kb/sec. Vast improvement but still trash.

So clearly in my logical thinking, I place the blame somewhere or somehow on the internet connection at school. That is downloading files. Now browsing the net...I sometimes have to look at the size of the ethernet cable to make sure it's not a dial up plugged in back there. (Im not too bad a noob, I also look in the network settings)

I kid you not in Firefox sometimes half the Google page will load up and then take about 10 more seconds to finish. It's just plain sad. I was joking with someone the other day about me needing a status bar for my Trillian windows, to have an idea when the messages I type will be done loading. It's really bad. All I am concerned about is getting that new somewhat pricey laptop at better speeds. On the connection at school.

Laptop amd dual core, 2 gigs ram, just pretty much very new gear. Less than a month old. If you want more specs just let me know.

Dell desktop I dunno amd 1800 I think. 1.5 gigs of ram.

Both desktops running xp pro. Laptop is on Vista Home Premium. I can't think of anything else relevant. I am sure I will after I hit submit. Anyhow, any of your smart people out there have a list of check off's I can do I am ready. Again thanks for your time.

-D

=edit= I would like to point out that at the dorm there is a jack on the wall where you plug your ether net cord into and then run it to your cpu. Well there are two ports. So it can ideally have 2 different computers in there running on the internet at the same time. However she's an RA (resident assistant) so she's the only one. And yes I've tried both to no avail. And no router hooked up either.

Hello dcace1983, welcome to PCHF.

I think you have ruled out your PC hardware already by running it quite happily at fast speeds at home, and also trying three different PC's.

Bear in mind, that your school's internet connection speed is shared by others, and maybe even capped by the school's network administrator. If your connection speed is slow, then it's the school you need to complain to.

I would finger the network as the speed culprit, as madmonkey stated above. Complain to the school IT department, if they get enough complaints they may consider upgrading their equipment.

Marked as Answered.