Paula writes:

<<Could someone please recommend a freeware program for enhancing internet =
speed?  >>

Not clear whether you mean browsing speed or download speed.

There are some registry hacks (MTU settings), or software that does the
same thing, which in theory are supposed to increase browsing speed, but
I've never noticed any real difference on mine.  More relevant is the
quality of your modem, your ISP connection, and the server at the other
end.  Nothing you can do will improve any of those things.  I think (could
be wrong) that increasing MTU will only help if all outside factors are
ideal. It's a sad fact of life that this is rarely the case.

Maybe hardware modems are a little faster than the cheaper
software  ones---I noticed an improvement when I changed, anyway.

I use EasyMTU, my system is same as yours. I think it's freeware.  It
claims that I should see a dramatic improvement in internet speed.  Either
I'm blind, daft, or it simply isn't happening, at least not enough to be
noticeable.

Beware.  I tried one (can't remember its name) that made a number of
registry changes supposed to speed things up--it was a disaster, completely
stuffed up all my browsing.  I had to fully restore the whole registry.

Sometimes you can get a really slow connection to ISP.  Redialling often
improves that dramatically.  Peak local times can often be slow.

For enhancing downloads, most download managers available at all
freeware/shareware sites can really make a big difference.  I use Download
Accelerator Plus.  Others are Getright, Fresh Download, etc---there are
lots of them.  They really do make a difference.  All work in much the same
way, by breaking the download up into small packets and downloading 4
threads at once.

It certainly won't increase your download speed by 4x, but should come near
to doubling it or better at times.  Depends a lot on the download site and
the quality of your connection.

Another nice thing is that they can be set to call up your virus checker
automatically on completion of the download.

Don Penlington







Free computer tutorials at: http://www.geocities.com/donaldpen/
Also Fractal Galleries,  free icons,  poetry,  and beautiful Queensland beaches.

              The NOSPIN Group is now offering Free PC Tech
                     support at our newest website:
                          http://freepctech.com