Increase Broadband Connection Speed in Windows XP/2003

[L1Technician]

---

PLDT MyDSL Plan 990 (Up to 384kbps)



This tip is designed for increased BROADBAND speed in Windows XP while using standard Network Interface cards (NIC) that are connected to ADSL modems, or when using any directly-connected USB ADSL modem.

To speed up the Internet connection speed we need to configure a special buffer in the computer's memory in order to enable it to better deal with interrupts made from the NIC or the USB modem.

This tip is only recommended if you have 256MB RAM or higher.
Step #1 - Identify the IRQ used by the NIC/USB modem

Follow these steps:

1.Open the System Information tool by running MSINFO32.EXE from the Run command.
2.Expand System Summary > Hardware Resources > IRQs.
3.Look for the listing made for your NIC (in my case - a Intel(R) PRO/100+ Management Adapter). Note the IRQ next to the specified line (in my case - IRQ21).

In case of USB modems you will first need to find the right USB device used by your modem. Follow these steps:

1.Open the Device Manager tool by running DEVMGMT.MSC from the Run command (or by right-clicking My Computer > Hardware tab > Device Manager button).
2.Scroll down to Universal Serial Bus controllers and expand it.
3.Right-click the USB Root Hub and select Properties. Note that you might need to do so for all listed USB Root hubs (if there are more than one) in order to find the right one.
4.In the Power tab, look for your USB ADSL modem.
5.In the Resources tab look for the assigned IRQ (in this case - IRQ21).

6.This is the IRQ we're looking for.

Lamer note: IRQs and modem names might vary...
Step #2 - Modify the system.ini file

Follow these steps:

1.Run SYSEDIT.EXE from the Run command.
2.Expand the system.ini file window.
3.Scroll down almost to the end of the file till you find a line called [386enh].
4.Press Enter to make one blank line, and in that line type

IrqX=4096

where X is the designated IRQ number we found in step #1, in my case it's IRQ21.

Note: This line IS CASE SENSITIVE!!!

5.Click on the File menu, then choose Save.
6.Close SYSEDIT and reboot your computer.

Done. Speed improvement will be noticed after the computer reboots.

Update: The most speed improvement is visible with USB A/DSL modems, however there are reports that this tweak also does good for regular NICs. In any case, it won't harm your system...

Please read read read no questions will be answered...

[cliff_drew]

Thanks for this info however acknowledge the source, please.

[stealthghost]

I'm gonna try this on my Wifi card and Vista OS.. I'll post before and after speed.. basin mo-gana..

Edit:

di jud mo-gana sa akong Wifi sa laptop with wifi router.. hehehe..
dapat ang wifi nako ang usbon, sayang.. bookmark nalang ni..

[SmaRkieS]

PLDT Plan 990 QIK

Some IRQ's also assign to other hardwares.


Before Tweaking.


After Tweaking.


No difference.

SpeedGuide.net :: System.ini IRQ Tweak

[stealthghost]

How to increase Broadband Speed - Broadband Forum India found the source..

but it seems in that thread, users aren't satisfied either..

[chabm_more]

yeah because the speed that you'll get is what the ISP is providing you.. at least 80% of what they've committed... lower that 80%, you call the provider.. a stable low signal of wireless g will drop you're speed to a 2mbps status, if you're connection is the smartbro 384kbps, even at a 1mbps speed wireless or 10mbps half duplex.. you'll still get 384kbps

[SmaRkieS]

mao raman gihapon dl speed nako, murag ni ubos hehehe.



tweaked.

[chabm_more]

yep. exactly...

[L1Technician]

even at a 1mbps speed wireless or 10mbps half duplex.. you'll still get 384kbps

Can you prove it? Atleast give us a sample.

[chabm_more]

i'll be happy to help you with that..
as long as you got a wireless pc, router, smartbro... i can show you for real.




a.k.a. Ken Adams
SOHO Networking Expert
*former Linksys Tech Support, Badge ID 27577
*former EarthLink LPV TRON(Level 3 Tech Support)
Technical Support Representative(US CableISP)
Convergys Philippines
Cebu Site
-----------
DD-WRT User
TipidPC Member