Mac OS X on x86 Hardware 2008–2024 Technical Archive
InfiniteMac OSx86 › Leopard 10.5 › Internet Lagging
9,610 reads · 2008-03-11 – 2008-03-22
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Internet Lagging

After reinstalling 10.5.2 I have noticed that my internet has been lagging. I have cable internet and use a usb ethernet adapter. Any ideas on why it's lagging? I set my BIOS to default settings before installing 10.5.2 (thought something…

Primary Author
@xx66stangxx Published 2008-03-11
Collection
Leopard 10.5
Archival Footprint
9,610 historical reads · 38 curated field notes (from 63 dispatches) · 2008-03-11 – 2008-03-22
Credited Voices (7)
@WinLinMac01 (25)@xx66stangxx (22)@agrafuese (7)@bhast2 (5)@roisoft (2)@erei33@shitan

After reinstalling 10.5.2 I have noticed that my internet has been lagging. I have cable internet and use a usb ethernet adapter. Any ideas on why it's lagging? I set my BIOS to default settings before installing 10.5.2 (thought something was wrong with my IDE settings) could that be the cause?

Author Updates & Technical Revisions

Follow-up dispatches by @xx66stangxx

Author Update #1 @xx66stangxx 2008-03-12

@shitan, turn it off. Check your bios settings and see if it is on or off. The internet is still a little bit slow, but faster than before.

Author Update #2 @xx66stangxx 2008-03-12

@WinLinMac01 do you think anything else could also contribute to the lag? Because before, when I first installed Leopard and got a usb ethernet adapter, The internet worked just as well on Vista as on Leopard, but now even with 1394 disabled it is still a little bit sluggish.

Author Update #3 @xx66stangxx 2008-03-12

Well the only reason I am using usb on Leopard is because my two built in LAN lines on my nForce mobo don't work on Leopard and also my D-Link Ethernet card also doesn't work on Leopard, however it works on Tiger.

Author Update #4 @xx66stangxx 2008-03-12

cablest ockroom.com/servlet/the-3110/Realtek-PCI-10-fdsh-100Mbps-Fast/Detail

haha my bad like this one?

Author Update #5 @xx66stangxx 2008-03-12

ok sweet, now if I install it on the mobo it should work right away, correct?

Author Update #6 @xx66stangxx 2008-03-12

Just found another one for a little bit cheaper: cgi.eb ay.com/Edimax-10-100-NIC-PCI-Network-Adapter-Card-EN-9130TX_W0QQitemZ330137417159QQihZ014QQcategoryZ51195QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQ_trksidZp1638.m118.l1247QQcmdZViewItem

Author Update #7 @xx66stangxx 2008-03-17

Alright so I just got the new ethernet adapter and worked straight out of the box and I'm still having the internet lag a little bit, the firewire (1394) is disabled in the BIOS would there be anything else that would cause the internet to lag, in the BIOS?

Author Update #8 @xx66stangxx 2008-03-19

What I mean by lag is the website loading, for instance if I go to myspace, or even the default page on my browser, the blue bar, where the url is, will load for about 5 seconds then the page will begin to load, it's not extremely slow but when I have cable internet I want the internet to be fast. Also I didn't have a problem with internet lag on Tiger but again after I changed my BIOS settings back to default and reinstalled Tiger, I began to get the slower internet. @Agrafuese, I tried pressing enter twice but still same lag issue.

Author Update #9 @xx66stangxx 2008-03-19

Well I even tried using my d-link, with Tiger, and noticed lag too, I will try disabling my onboard LAN in the BIOS and see if that makes a difference.

Author Update #10 @xx66stangxx 2008-03-19

Yes I do, I live in Southern California, Orange County. close, Cox Communications, I think road runner cable is available in my area as well. I think I am going to attempt in reinstalling Tiger on another hdd and if the problem continues then I will look more into it in the morning after my classes.

Author Update #11 @xx66stangxx 2008-03-20

well I don't think it could be my ISP because wouldn't my internet on Vista lag also? No not yet had class this morning but I did disable the nvidia lan lines on my mobo last night and made them inactive in leopard and still a little bit of lag, I need to type a paper right now but I think I might do it in Leopard so that I can try to figure out the problem.

Author Update #12 @xx66stangxx 2008-03-20

I was thinking it might be the router, it's a linksys wireless router about 4 years old, so after class I will connect my computer straight to the modem and see if that solves the problem

Author Update #13 @xx66stangxx 2008-03-20

@WinLinMac01 its chill because now I do have a working ethernet adapter with Leopard just need to get a new router, should I just buy a new linksys router? oh btw that solved the problem with the lag.

Author Update #14 @xx66stangxx 2008-03-21

bes tbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7061751&st=WPN824+Netgear+router&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1108125361676

this one?

Author Update #15 @xx66stangxx 2008-03-21

@agrafuese you're right I typed in googles ip in the browser, like the article said and it loaded instantly, I think this started because I messed with my router settings, because I was trying to setup a server, so that might be the reason why?

Author Update #16 @xx66stangxx 2008-03-21

Well since the internet worked fine, after I changed the settings for the server, I did not think the router would be the issue. But yeah now router is not working on my pc, yet it works for all the other computers in the house, strange. But I am going to buy the new router today, Have been wanting to upgrade and my family is going to chip in so it will only cost me like $20 haha. I will report back after I get off work tonight with the new router and ext.

Author Update #17 @xx66stangxx 2008-03-21

oh nice nice, yeah hopefully I can get my parents to go get it while I am work, that way I don't have to myself after work, well I will post back around 7pst

Author Update #18 @xx66stangxx 2008-03-22

once again WinLinMac01 you have saved the day. New router works good, also like the trippy blue lights haha. This whole thing could have been prevented if I didn't try to setup a server to run my clothing companies website haha guess I will stick to the $60 a year hosting fee. Thanks again maybe now I will you osx as my main os :-p

Synthesized Community Field Notes

38 technical responses curated from 63 original dispatches

Field Note #1 @erei33 2008-03-11

I had the same issue. What I did to solve this was to toggle 1394 (firewire) in the bios and reboot. This fixed forcedeth and enabled appleyukon.kext to detect my marvell yukon adapter.

Field Note #2 @WinLinMac01 2008-03-12

the thing is that 1394 has a security error anytime I boot up, this is why it is best to disable that through your BIOS settings. this should resolve that lag you are noticing.

Field Note #3 @WinLinMac01 2008-03-12

May be I should read carefully the next time I respond, you said you have a USB ethernet adapter right? Thats probably the cause. I experienced a similar situation before a few years back with Windows XP. If I were you, try using a ethernet-to-ethernet connection. That should resolve the lag, I can guarantee you that. USB is the worst option out there, lol. really...

[cite] xx66stangxx:@WinLinMac01 do you think anything else could also contribute to the lag? Because before, when I first installed Leopard and got a usb ethernet adapter, The internet worked just as well on Vista as on Leopard, but now even with 1394 disabled it is still a little bit sluggish.
Field Note #4 @WinLinMac01 2008-03-12

you have nforce lan? Oh, thats why. Try using a spare dedicated ethernet card. Thats what I am working with, and everything runs smoothly (no lag at all).

[cite] xx66stangxx:Well the only reason I am using usb on Leopard is because my two built in LAN lines on my nForce mobo don't work on Leopard and also my D-Link Ethernet card also doesn't work on Leopard, however it works on Tiger.
Field Note #5 @WinLinMac01 2008-03-12

I'll be more specific, use a Realtek Ethernet Card, they always work according to my experience. =)

[cite] xx66stangxx:@Do you mean like my d-link ethernet card?
Field Note #6 @WinLinMac01 2008-03-12

YES! THATS THE ONE. VERY SIMILAR TO MINE COINCIDENTLY, LOL. =)
Not a bad price either. Very cheap. =) Thats the same one my cable company gave to me.

[cite] xx66stangxx:cablest ockroom.com/servlet/the-3110/Realtek-PCI-10-fdsh-100Mbps-Fast/Detail haha my bad like this one?
Field Note #7 @WinLinMac01 2008-03-12

you should be able to. I'm using that right now. works flawlessly.

Field Note #8 @WinLinMac01 2008-03-12

Yes, and let me know how it goes. This is probably the best method out there. - Cheers!

[cite] xx66stangxx:ok sweet, now if I install it on the mobo it should work right away, correct?
Field Note #9 @WinLinMac01 2008-03-12

I would stick to the RealTek since that one really worked for me. Buying some other company which is purely generic will most likely give you trouble. =)

Field Note #10 @WinLinMac01 2008-03-17

How much of a difference is there in terms of lag? Is it minor? has there been drastic improvement. What is the adapter, realtek?

Field Note #11 @roisoft 2008-03-18

@xx66stangxx did you install the ionetworking fix for error35?

Field Note #12 @agrafuese 2008-03-18

@xx66stangxx: when you say "lag" exactly how do you mean? games? websites loading? other? the reason i ask is because i recently started getting this very strange issue where when i first type a website in the URL box, it takes a good 30 seconds for Safari to connect to the site. I discovered that if I hit enter and then hit enter on it again, it will load immediately. I don't understand why this is at all, nor do I know why it started happening out of nowhere like this.

@roisoft: i keep hearing people talk about the error35. when does that error come up, and why? i haven't seen it myself, although maybe i am just not noticing when it happens. could the ionetworking fix help me?

Field Note #13 @WinLinMac01 2008-03-19

You said that the lag was noticeably different from your last ethernet adapter right? So therefore, it could simply be your connection. Check for any loose cables, and make sure your ethernet card is properly configured with the right connection settings like automatically DHCP, etc. Did you disable your onboard LAN, NVIDIA AND YUKON MARVELL, if applicable?

[cite] xx66stangxx:What I mean by lag is the website loading, for instance if I go to myspace, or even the default page on my browser, the blue bar, where the url is, will load for about 5 seconds then the page will begin to load, it's not extremely slow but when I have cable internet I want the internet to be fast. Also I didn't have…
Field Note #14 @WinLinMac01 2008-03-19

don't forget to disable the devices in Leopard as well under the network preferences.

[cite] xx66stangxx:Well I even tried using my d-link, with Tiger, and noticed lag too, I will try disabling my onboard LAN in the BIOS and see if that makes a difference.
Field Note #15 @agrafuese 2008-03-19

@xx66stangxx: do you live in the US? if so, what state/city? do you have road runner cable? i am just curious because i am having what sounds like the exact same problem and it started happening out of nowhere. i think it has something to do with my ISP, because my powerbook is having the same problem too. i don't think it's hackintosh related. i haven't taken a look at the PCs in my house, but i suspect that they're also having slow internet issues too.

Field Note #16 @agrafuese 2008-03-19

Well, we're not too far from each other, but we're on different ISPs, so unless Cox is somehow connected to RR's lines, I don't think we're having the same issues. Though, they could both coincidentally be suffering from network issues at the same time *shrug*.

Field Note #17 @WinLinMac01 2008-03-19

We shouldn't forget that ISP's can have unnoticeable problems as well. You may want to contact them and have them diagnose your connection. If you schedule an appointment, don't forget to show them your PC not your PC Mac, lol. You still did a good thing by purchasing Realtek. You are assured working connection now anytime you install an updated release of Leopard on your system. =)

Field Note #18 @agrafuese 2008-03-20

@WinLinMac01: haha, yeah i've often wondered what would happen if a tech came over and saw my hackintosh. i think the world would collapse for him just a little bit.

on another note, this is the second thread i'm talking in where someone has recommended using a realtek adapter. hmm.

i'm actually going to try plugging straight into my cable modem in a little while and see if my router has anything to do with this issue.

Field Note #19 @WinLinMac01 2008-03-20

well if there is still any improvement, that can be a sign,

[cite] xx66stangxx:well I don't think it could be my ISP because wouldn't my internet on Vista lag also? No not yet had class this morning but I did disable the nvidia lan lines on my mobo last night and made them inactive in leopard and still a little bit of lag, I need to type a paper right now but I think I might do it in Leopard…
Field Note #20 @bhast2 2008-03-20

i was having internet lag time when i first installed leo but i found out it was my router so i pulled in an old one i had and it works great
the router that was causing me problems was an dlink N router brand new router Don't understand why but hey everything is working now

Field Note #21 @agrafuese 2008-03-20

thanks for the info. i was going to try this out, but i realized that i need to wait a few more hours for a torrent to finish before i mess with my network. i'll be back when i try it.

Field Note #22 @WinLinMac01 2008-03-20

Never asked xx66stangxx if he was using a router, lol. If it is the router, suggest you try a different one. =)

Field Note #23 @bhast2 2008-03-20

when i had the d link router hooked up it cause big time lag
sometimes i couldn't even view web pages
and soon as i hooked up the other router or went straight to the modem it worked great

Field Note #24 @WinLinMac01 2008-03-20

I wish you had told us this before so you wouldn't purchase a new ethernet adapter, sorry. =)

[cite] xx66stangxx:I was thinking it might be the router, it's a linksys wireless router about 4 years old, so after class I will connect my computer straight to the modem and see if that solves the problem
Field Note #25 @bhast2 2008-03-20

Let us know if that solves your problem

[cite] xx66stangxx:I was thinking it might be the router, it's a linksys wireless router about 4 years old, so after class I will connect my computer straight to the modem and see if that solves the problem
Field Note #26 @bhast2 2008-03-20

so it was the router
but i wouldn't by a linksys thats just me
i would get a different brand
ummm don't get a dlink N router though that was my problem

Field Note #27 @bhast2 2008-03-20

i know a dlink G G+ work great (as long as it is not an N router you should be fine)
i know us robotic routers work great

thats just my thoughts though
you can get what you want

Field Note #28 @WinLinMac01 2008-03-21

You should buy a WPN824 Netgear router. Its a little pricey though. However, it is an excellent investment to make. I'm using that right now, never had any problems and running latest firmware released two weeks ago. =)

Field Note #29 @WinLinMac01 2008-03-21

definitely, thats the one buddy. Try newegg as well. you never know, let me find you the cheapest deal for that one.

Field Note #30 @WinLinMac01 2008-03-21

there's this one: am zn.to/1AhxLLQ or this one: buy .com/prod/wpn824-rangemax-wireless-router-4-port-switch-en-fast-en-802-11b-802/q/loc/101/10401918.html ($10 instant off with google checkout)

or when you open a revolution card $50 dollars off instantly. worth an investment. I love this router ever since, never a problem what so what.

Show 8 additional community field notes (#31–#38)
Field Note #31 @WinLinMac01 2008-03-21

just to let you know, this is wireless too (up to g, 108mbps has one of the best features no N or G router has at the moment, this is patented by netgear, long time favorite)

Field Note #32 @agrafuese 2008-03-21

yo xxstang66xx: did you already buy that router? hope not, because i may have found out a fix for your slow loading. i fixed it by changing the DNS servers in my network settings. the story is, i had two DNS addresses that i used to use, and suddenly my ISP changed to two different ones, so i began using those. i've had them for about a week or two, but just now i changed back to the old ones and it's a lot more responsive. i no longer have the long delays before a page starts to load. i am fortunate because i had my old DNS addresses written down, but you may need to call up your ISP, tell them you're having problems with the DNS servers they're giving you, and see if they can give you different ones. if this is indeed your problem, buying a new router will not help you. and another hint: if you currently have your DNS addresses coming in through automatic detection, you will have to override them with manual ones. i had my DNS settings on auto and that's how i picked up the slow new DNS addresses in the first place. by the way, if you don't believe me, here's the official Apple help page on it:

docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106799

hope that helps! good luck.

EDIT: btw, there's also opendns.org if you want to try their DNS servers. haven't tried them myself.

Field Note #33 @agrafuese 2008-03-21

perhaps. all depends on what settings you messed with. your router probably has a full-reset setting inside its configuration. if you don't have too many custom settings, you might want to just do a full-reset and start from scratch. fyi, i didn't have to set my DNS addresses inside the router itself. those are set to auto. i only have to worry about manually setting DNS addresses in OSX.

again, your router might not be the problem if your ISP decided to give you new DNS addresses or if they are bogged down with lots of traffic on the existing ones. do give opendns.org a try and see if things speed up for you. also, you can check ping times in terminal by typing "ping" and then the DNS address. that way you can see what kind of speeds you're getting from the DNS servers.

Field Note #34 @WinLinMac01 2008-03-21

That can be all the reason why. I wish you had told us earlier that you messed up with your router settings because that can definitely be the reason why. Well...that was not expected of course since you asked, lol. For my area, automatic DNS is fine with me in my router. OSX nicely plays along with those settings. Never a lag, I've experienced. You can also begin a speedtest just to make sure you are getting what you paid for. Ping also works as agrafuese had stated, but thats usually helpful when you connection is facing real service problems. =)

[cite] xx66stangxx:@agrafuese you're right I typed in googles ip in the browser, like the article said and it loaded instantly, I think this started because I messed with my router settings, because I was trying to setup a server, so that might be the reason why?
Field Note #35 @WinLinMac01 2008-03-21

Which one are you planning to purchase?

[cite] xx66stangxx:Well since the internet worked fine, after I changed the settings for the server, I did not think the router would be the issue. But yeah now router is not working on my pc, yet it works for all the other computers in the house, strange. But I am going to buy the new router today, Have been wanting to upgrade and my…
Field Note #36 @WinLinMac01 2008-03-21

excellent choice, and best range (7 internal antennas built on chip), lol. Also has video54 capabilities, rare feature to find in the competition. =)let me know how it goes.

[cite] xx66stangxx:the one you suggested: the Netgear WPN824
Field Note #37 @WinLinMac01 2008-03-21

no problem, let me know then. =)

[cite] xx66stangxx:oh nice nice, yeah hopefully I can get my parents to go get it while I am work, that way I don't have to myself after work, well I will post back around 7pst
Field Note #38 @WinLinMac01 2008-03-22

Not a problem, also there is a black switch behind the router in wear you simply press that and the blue lights will turn off. You can turn on and turn them off anytime you like. =) Enjoy

[cite] xx66stangxx:once again WinLinMac01 you have saved the day. New router works good, also like the trippy blue lights haha. This whole thing could have been prevented if I didn't try to setup a server to run my clothing companies website haha guess I will stick to the $60 a year hosting fee. Thanks again maybe now I will you osx…
Corroborated & Participated: @shitan @roisoft @WinLinMac01
Sources & Contributor Provenance (7 credited usernames · Thread #656)
UsernameDossier ContributionDispatchesActive Window
@WinLinMac01Core Contributor252008-03-12 → 2008-03-22
@xx66stangxxPrimary Author222008-03-11 → 2008-03-22
@agrafueseCore Contributor72008-03-18 → 2008-03-21
@bhast2Core Contributor52008-03-20
@roisoftContributor22008-03-18
@erei33Contributor12008-03-11
@shitanContributor12008-03-11