Help me optimize my very inconsistent connection!.

[Permodius]

I have no idea what is wrong with my connection. I went to Speedtest.net and got download speed results ranging from 2.5 to 11.5mb/s. Oddly my upload speed is very consistent and stays around 1.90~2.10mb/s. Is this normal? I already used the new TCP Optimizer version 2.0.3 program and tweaked it using the 'TCP Optimizer - Tips For BEGINNERS' thread.

These are my latest results:
http://www.speedtest.net/result/490891407.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

And these are my TCP/IP Analyzer results:
« SpeedGuide.net TCP Analyzer Results »
Tested on: 06.07.2009 22:37
IP address: 69.124.xxx.xxx
Client OS: Windows XP

TCP options string: 020405b40103030301010402
MSS: 1460
MTU: 1500
TCP Window: 513920 (multiple of MSS)
RWIN Scaling: 3 bits (2^3=8)
Unscaled RWIN : 64240
Recommended RWINs: 64240, 128480, 256960, 513920, 1027840
BDP limit (200ms): 20557kbps (2570KBytes/s)
BDP limit (500ms): 8223kbps (1028KBytes/s)
MTU Discovery: ON
TTL: 52
Timestamps: OFF
SACKs: ON
IP ToS: 00000000 (0)

Since my connection seems so inconsistent, I want to know what I should set my Connection Speed too in the TCP Optimizer.

Edit*
Proof of how inconsistent my results are, look how much they have changed in 11 minutes!:
http://www.speedtest.net/result/490895007.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

[Rollingstone]

What speed are you paying for ? 10 mbps line ?

[Permodius]

What speed are you paying for ? 10 mbps line ?

How do I find out? All I know is that my Internet Service Provider is Optimum Online.

[Rollingstone]

Log into your modem/router and check the Downstream/Upstream rate.

[trogers]

Check for possible interference from a tracert. If this is not the source, check power levels of the cable modem.

[Permodius]

Log into your modem/router and check the Downstream/Upstream rate.

Well I don't really know how to do that so I checked out the website of my ISP. Apparently I am paying for speeds that are "Up to 15mbs."

[trogers]

Do a tracert to www.yahoo.com and post.

To do a tracert, click 'Start' and then 'Run'. Type "cmd" into the box and click 'ok'.

A DOS black screen will appear. Type after the C:\>

tracert www.yahoo.com

and press enter key

When test is completed, move mouse cursor to the DOS black screen, click right and choose 'select all'.

Move mouse cursor to the Quick Reply box of this forum, click right and 'paste'.

[Permodius]

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Permodius>tracert www.yahoo.com

Tracing route to www-real.wa1.b.yahoo.com [69.147.76.15]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

1 <1 ms <1 ms <1 ms 192.168.1.1
2 8 ms 8 ms 7 ms 10.240.184.77
3 12 ms 12 ms 12 ms ool-4353e322.dyn.optonline.net [67.83.227.34]
4 18 ms 27 ms 37 ms ool-4353e315.dyn.optonline.net [67.83.227.21]
5 9 ms 29 ms 10 ms 64.15.8.121
6 19 ms 19 ms 28 ms 64.15.0.193
7 * * * Request timed out.
8 * * * Request timed out.
9 20 ms 13 ms 14 ms ae1-p151.msr2.re1.yahoo.com [216.115.108.23]
10 23 ms 117 ms 19 ms te-9-4.bas-a2.re1.yahoo.com [66.196.112.203]
11 126 ms 72 ms 67 ms f1.www.vip.re1.yahoo.com [69.147.76.15]

Trace complete.

C:\Documents and Settings\Permodius>

[trogers]

Do not see any signal problem in the first 3 hops.

Log into your cable modem and check its signal power levels against this link:

http://www.speedguide.net/faq_in_q.php?category=92&qid=78