Hi, my computer is on 1.5mbps DSL w/ an Actiontec modem/built-in router. Sometimes it seems that my page loading times get slow, and it seems like I can increase load times if I uninstall whatever free third-party firewall I am using, and instead activate the built-in Windows firewall.

Has any one else expereienced this? And which (preferably free) software firewall slows down data flows the least when web browsing/downloading? Thanks!

My answer is in parts, but I have a question. Is this behavior the same for all browsers that you use or just IE (assumed you use IE).

A router is a very good line of defense for the most part, but for those errant programs that like to "phone home" having a software firewall helps. Am sure you are probably aware that XP's native firewall only blocks incoming and does not monitor the outgoing connections from your computer. This means, the trojans and other malicious programs, data-miners are not detected are ignored, so my suggestion is to maintain a third-party software firewall as well.

You can try a few of them and see which one works the best for you, I don't how how DSL services fare in your region but around here, it's no match for a 4Mbps cable connection. However with that aside you can tweak your system to get the best out of it.

0. How much ram do you have ?
1. What is your pagefile setting ?
2. You aware of stipe’s unofficial firefox builds ?
3. Do you have CrapCleaner installed ?
4. When's the last time you ran chkdsk /r ?
5. How about defrag ?

Remember with your system and windows every little tweak help when it all come together. Keep us posted.

Do not type anything in this space.

I usually use Firefox 1.04, but occasionally IE 6 as well. The behavior seems to affect both browsers.

To answer your quesions:

512mb ram (computer uses about 180mb on startup, so I'm clear for ram I think)
Page file is set to be 768-1536
Not aware of Stripe's unofficial firefox builds?
No CrapCleaner, but as I said, but recent clean install of XP SP2 & only the programs I use, plus constant spyware/virus checks & registry cleaners/defragers
Did dskchk a week ago
defrag last night.

I use zone alarm, if you are expieriencing slow down with a software router, it is unusual. I suggest a full system scan using AVG (or any anti-virus), SpyBot, AdAware, and MicroSoft's AntiSpyware. I have never seen system slowdown do to software firewall's. Could also be your ISP, you could always run some network benchmarks to test if your ISP is the one at fault. I am thiking its either spyware or your ISP. Monitor your kbs while downloading, if it slows without a software firewall then you know its spyware or your isp. Test with and without a firewall active.

More than likely it's your ISP's routing that's the problem: SW firewalls consume so little overhead that modern workstations barely notice they're running. Antivirus/antispyware programs consume resources while doing an active scan so if you're d/ling a long file and have them set to autoscan upon receipt this may be screwing you up.

OK, thank you!