Computer geeks needed

I've got a 7-month-old HP laptop (Vista) registering a Download speed of 2.53 Mb/s and an Upload of 0.42 Mb/s. Is that slow? I can't play Youtube or Hulu videos all the way through (they always stop). I'm connecting wirelessly to the modem in the other room, but the base computer there isn't testing any higher and can no longer play videos all the way through either. I've disabled all but two of the startup programs and deleted a bunch of others programs I just don't use. I also called up Norton to see if my internet security settings might be causing the trouble. They aren't. Basically, I just need to know if it's the connection speed that's probably to blame or not. There has been some massive nearby construction fairly recently, so... I called AT&T, and they said my speed should be enough. I don't really trust them, though, and was thinking I should maybe switch to Sunflower cable. I know very little about computers, as you can probably tell, so...please help.

Thanks for any insights you might give.

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Permalink Reply by Ken on July 7, 2009 at 8:28pm: Good idea! I am getting and upgrade from my isp and if they dont believe me I will send them screen shots from speedtest.net; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by BOB Schell on July 7, 2009 at 9:25pm: Im not a fan of norton but its your internet not your computer; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Aaron Vail on July 8, 2009 at 2:03pm: yeah I don't think its your computer its your ISP and we have that same problem because we are on satellite and we don;t have any other option. But Verizon Fios is like OMG super fast! you should really try them if there in your area.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ken on July 8, 2009 at 7:03pm: I would really like them but arent they really expensive and dont they charge you for every little thing?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jason M. Vaughn on July 8, 2009 at 7:06pm: I finally found out it's the wireless router that's causing the problem. When I took it out of the equation, everything was fine. So I guess I've gotta troubleshoot the freaking Belkin now?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Beef_Log_FTL on July 8, 2009 at 7:15pm: If you can't fix your wireless router through troubleshooting I would suggest going with a Linksys router I have had a few of them over the years and they never have slowd down my internet download or upload speeds. They are made by Cisco too so they are pretty good quality IMO.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ken on July 8, 2009 at 7:18pm: Yeah I agree with you.....but AT&T is still at fault because they basically told him to deal with those speeds.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jason M. Vaughn on July 8, 2009 at 7:29pm: Yeah, I had to go through like five different people before I made them realize that it wasn't always messed up like this. I could almost see them shrugging their shoulders as they said everything was perfect on their end.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ken on July 8, 2009 at 8:19pm: LOL, hopefully everything goes well for you.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kildar on July 8, 2009 at 8:20pm: Try updating the firmware for your router. Sometimes firmware updates will fix issues with routers. If not then I recommend Linksys routers. I have always used them and never had any issues at all!!!; ▶ Reply to This