How to Maximize Your Internet Connection Bandwidth

If you find that your Internet connection is slowing down, you are getting more error messages or you are struggling to get onto many websites you accessed easily in the past, you may need to take steps to improve your Internet connection bandwidth. Make note of these suggestions to maximize your bandwidth on your PC equipped with Internet Explorer and other connection software, and get more out of your time online.

Step 1: Clean Up Your Computer's Hard Disk

If you go online daily, and use your computer for many other tasks, run a function of your computer (for PC computers, not Macs) called Disk Defragmenter every 3 months. It is located in "All Programs" under "Accessories", and choose "System Tools" to find the Disk Defragmenter function. Along with Disk Cleanup, this will help your computer use its hard disk space more effectively.  Keep the free space on your computer well above 10 percent of its total size at all times. Check that your security software is up to date, and perform its check functions daily to clear out viruses, spyware and other malignant downloads that may have crept into your system. Consider adding another Web browser to your system such as Firefox or Opera.

Step 2: Reboot Your Home Network

If you have several computers running at home on one Internet connection, reboot your home network once a week to improve connection speed and bandwidth access.

Step 3: Contact your Internet Service

Call your service provider to check if there have been any reported service interruptions. Road construction or other activities will often disrupt Internet service temporarily. They can advise how long service may be down or suggest upgrades to your hardware and software that will dramatically improve your Internet connection speed and quality.

Step 4: Check for Bandwidth Usage

You can download a bandwidth usage monitor from the Internet to perform this service, or you can check it yourself by accessing the file list of all the programs within your computer that use your Internet connection. Press "Start," click on "Run" then type the letters cmd (without underscore). Next, type the phrase "netstat-b 5 > activity.txt".  After a few minutes press Ctrl-C. To open this file, key in the phrase activity.txt and you will see the program list. Then open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl-Alt-Delete at the same time. Assess which of these programs you can delete, but be advised this may make other programs on your computer function incorrectly.

Step 5: Upgrade Your Computer and Modem

If you are still running a computer whose hard disk space is measured in megabytes (MB), it's time to upgrade to gigabyte size (GB). A 500-GB hard disk with 2.0 GB of random access memory will give you quick Internet access on a high-speed or cable connection for the present. Replace the cable modem supplied by your cable company after 2 years with an updated modem from a manufacturer specializing in them.