XP Networking Puzzler

[billharris44]

After using a cable modem connection with no problem on a newly-built system and a clean install of XP, I added a router so that a win ME system and my new system could both connect via the cable modem. Big mistake. The ME system runs fine, at the same speed it did before, but the XP system is puking--the connection still works, but at about a 40% speed loss. There are frequent multi-second pauses as it loads a page. If I reconnect directly to the cable modem, the old speed returns.

I looked through every setting I could find in XP, and the only difference I can find is that when the modem is connected directly, XP identifies the connection as 10mbps, and when it's connected through the router, it identifies it as 100mpbs. Could this somehow be causing the problem, and if not, does anyone have any ideas? Thanks in advance.

[MosDef112]

Yep, that's definitely the problem. Your router and your NIC aren't auto-sensing speeds correctly, or your NIC isn't doing good error correction. Simply force your NIC to connect at 10MBps, you can do this by going into the NIC properties in the network connections page.

[billharris44]

Well, here's the odd answer to this. I finally got so mad on Sunday that I went and bought a Linksys router that was basically equivalent to the D-Link. As soon as I connected, the speed was sensational. So I don't think there was anything wrong with my settings (I did try 10 full, but it didn't make any difference until I changed routers). Either the router itself was bad (seemingly unlikely because a wireless connection worked fine), or the DI-804 has problems with XP. Either way, I don't have any problems anymore!

[Indy]

Glad to hear you've gotten your problems fixed...I've got XP on both my desktop and my laptop and both work fine with the Linksys router that I have...

Hopefully the D-Link you have is still under warranty...

[billharris44]

Indy,
Even better. I'd only had it for a week so I took it back to the store for a refund. And the Linksys router is terrific, so everything worked out for the best.