Can my dad's slow computer be slowing down my network?

[Shauna333]

My computer/net randomly gets slow for a couple of days- few weeks then will go back to normal and then back to bad again. I have tried absolutely EVERYTHING to fix this.

Is it possible my dad's ancient computer (10+ years old) (and takes YEARS to even open a browser page) is slowing down my net for extended periods of time?

I enjoy gaming but sometimes when I have these issues it is impossible. They will randomly go away and my computer runs perfectly so I don't think it's an issue with my computer. (But not sure?)

Also, any ideas what the issue could be? I have changed my ISP thinking it might have been the problem but it wasn't. I am going to physically move my computer today in hopes that will fix something *shrug* Im lost pls help

 

[greens]

No way that your dad's pc is causing network problems unless it has been compromised and your internet is being hijacked, but i sincerely doubt that.

 

[Dan414]

As Greens mentions, it certainly IS possible that his PC is compromised and using bandwidth. Have you ever monitored the traffic through your router? Next time it happens, you might get into the router system and restrict his access. See if it helps.

 

[photonboy]

1) Try running ETHERNET cable instead if possible. It may be an issue with the wireless getting interference on the connection from other sources like a portable phone.

Or if wi-fi it may be an intermittent problem with the router or your wi-fi adapter.

2) I suspect it IS your computer, but not sure what to fix. You could try running a copy of LINUX from a DVD. It's a boot slow to boot, but then you could run a network speed test and compare to what you get in Windows.

If Windows is slow, but Linux isn't then it's some software issue in Windows though no idea what.

Other:
If your dad's PC is incredibly slow, then may I suggest a few options:

a) SSD, and/or
b) reinstall Windows if you have the ability (have the disc and know how to obtain drivers etc).
c) Possibly install Windows 10 (not free unless you have Windows 7 or 8)
d) Use Linux instead? (like Linux Mint)

A distro like Linux Mint is fairly accessible to Windows users if you need basic functionality.

 

[photonboy]

As Greens mentions, it certainly IS possible that his PC is compromised and using bandwidth. Have you ever monitored the traffic through your router? Next time it happens, you might get into the router system and restrict his access. See if it helps.

Why do it that way?
Simply turn off his computer if it's running.

 

[rgd1101]

Turn his off and see if your issue go away.
photonboy beat me to it.

 

[Rookie_MIB]

As Greens mentions, it certainly IS possible that his PC is compromised and using bandwidth. Have you ever monitored the traffic through your router? Next time it happens, you might get into the router system and restrict his access. See if it helps.

Why do it that way?
Simply turn off his computer if it's running.

Agreed. When it hits a slowdown again, run to your dads computer, you could turn it off (if it's wifi)- or just unplug the ethernet cable (if it's wired). Run back to your computer. Check your speeds. If it's fine, then you've narrowed it down.

As for you dads computer (assuming it's NOT hijacked) slowing down the network just because it's old - no, that's not how it works. Networks get slow because of:

1) router problems. It runs an OS, sometimes it gets kludged and needs rebooting.
2) overloaded bandwidth. compromised computers, torrenting etc.
3) ISP issues downstream.

 

[Shauna333]

hmm. I can't because we don't really have a good relationship and he'll get mad. :/
Ever since he got layed off a few months ago he's been sitting on his computer all day and that's also when I started noticing these problems.
I've tried absolutely everything from my end including an Ethernet cable. My internet is fine when I run speedtest and pingtest, netalyzr etc
I might try just buying a laptop from bestbuy and see if I have the same problems as this computer.
Was just curious if it was possible his computer was slowing down mine I can't think of anything else that might be wrong x_X

 

[adam non]

A 10 year old computer running OS X or Windows (even if it's the worst of versions) should be able to boot and load a browser page quickly. It's time to rebuild from scratch and avoid offending apps, check hardware components for problems, especially drive fragmentation and driver updates, but that's a separate issue.
Resources:
fast.com
speedtest.net
pingtest.net
Your ISP should be able to offer phone support during slowdowns and usually diagnose at least as far as your modem or router.
As others note, just disconnecting (network cable) the suspect computer is a good first step to isolating the problem.
It's unusual for a hardware failure to be intermittent when it's causing a severe network problem -- more likely once it starts to fail, it stays bad or dies.

If you can test from the Internet to the WAN (Internet) side of your ISP (or your home modem or router) you can check the health of your Internet connection while you're experiencing a slowdown or outage (perhaps from your phone or having a friend try to reach your home network to ping a device inside your local network.

 

[photonboy]

Hey,
If your dad is actually USING BANDWIDTH (i.e. watching videos) then obviously you will be affected.

Don't buy a new computer, that's a total waste of money.

Since you used Ethernet and wi-fi both it's not a hardware issue with your computer. It's either:

a) ISP is throttling you (unlikely), or
b) chosen site/game server is throttling you, or
c) Browser has issues (I know you game, but this is to be thorough... my Chrome browser keeps freezing playing Youtube video but MS EDGE works fine), or
d) Someone else is using bandwidth in the house, or
e) YOU are using bandwidth that you aren't aware of (probably not, but trying to be thorough... like Steam game updates), or
f) MALWARE on your computer

Things to try:
a) Netflix if you have it
b) A different computer
c) malwarebytes free version (possibly others)
d) Reinstall Windows (a hassle)

Questions:
1) Is this ONLY an issue for gaming on the network?

2) You said your "computer/net" gets randomly slow. What did you mean by the "computer" part? Is it network only, or is it sluggish for other stuff?

Summary:
If your computer is sluggish randomly, and you can't figure out why then I'm at a loss and can only recommend reinstalling Windows. If you have W10 you can do an in-place upgrade.

W10 in-place upgrade:
a) W10 site, download media creation tool
b) run it and create a W10 install DVD or USB stick
c) With Windows 10 already running, start "setup.exe" from that media
d) choose the option to "Keep apps and data"
e) Follow instructions

That should replace any corrupted files, though can't fix all software issues.

 

[Shauna333]

Hey,
If your dad is actually USING BANDWIDTH (i.e. watching videos) then obviously you will be affected.

Don't buy a new computer, that's a total waste of money.

Since you used Ethernet and wi-fi both it's not a hardware issue with your computer. It's either:

a) ISP is throttling you (unlikely), or
b) chosen site/game server is throttling you, or
c) Browser has issues (I know you game, but this is to be thorough... my Chrome browser keeps freezing playing Youtube video but MS EDGE works fine), or
d) Someone else is using bandwidth in the house, or
e) YOU are using bandwidth that you aren't aware of (probably not, but trying to be thorough... like Steam game updates), or
f) MALWARE on your computer

Things to try:
a) Netflix if you have it
b) A different computer
c) malwarebytes free version (possibly others)
d) Reinstall Windows (a hassle)

Questions:
1) Is this ONLY an issue for gaming on the network?

2) You said your "computer/net" gets randomly slow. What did you mean by the "computer" part? Is it network only, or is it sluggish for other stuff?

Summary:
If your computer is sluggish randomly, and you can't figure out why then I'm at a loss and can only recommend reinstalling Windows. If you have W10 you can do an in-place upgrade.

W10 in-place upgrade:
a) W10 site, download media creation tool
b) run it and create a W10 install DVD or USB stick
c) With Windows 10 already running, start "setup.exe" from that media
d) choose the option to "Keep apps and data"
e) Follow instructions

That should replace any corrupted files, though can't fix all software issues.

ugh 🙁 This is frustrating, not really good with this kind of stuff.
1) I thought it was only an issue with gaming but sometimes it will affect my browser based activities also. This might be a separate issue but sometimes my internet will disconnect randomly.
2) I think its only my network? I noticed when i experience this "slowing down" in my games or other activities my computers fan will run louder though...

I will try the W10 In-place upgrade, thanks for your reply

 

[Shauna333]

Noticing that for the past few days (as my "lag" gets worse) my computer has been making a LOT of noise. Even when I'm not doing anything. Any ideas? o_o

 

[photonboy]

Noticing that for the past few days (as my "lag" gets worse) my computer has been making a LOT of noise. Even when I'm not doing anything. Any ideas? o_o

It sounds like a failing fan (noise) that is then causing your system to overheat and throttle.