How can I speed up my internet connection?

For about the past 4 months, my internet connection has been so slow its about to drive me insane. It always takes about 5 minutes just to find the dammed page if it even finds it on the first try. Even downloads on LimeWire and BitLord are maxed at about 2kb/sec. There'll be a spurt of speed every great now and then but for the most part it takes forever for anything to download. It wont even let me log onto AIM most of the time. I always get the "The AIM service can't be reached" message. I've already talked to my ISP (GTcom) and they didnt help at all. The told me how to change ports and tcp/ip and whatever and still its slow as hell. I have DSL btw. Is there anything i could do short of upgrading to cable to speed things up? There are no viruses or spyware That any of my programs could find (I have just about every one in my cheap virus protection thread).

get rid of bitlord, that was a POS torrent client. it sounds like you either have spyware on your computer.

how long have you had your DSL modem? It is possible that it is causing some of the problems.

first id make sure that you have no spyware on your computer. then if that works, call you ISP back and complain to them.

I've had the same DSL modem for about 3 years. I've already complained to my ISP and they were no help. BitLord is the only torrent client 've found that works for me. It's the only one with a stable connection. I have 3 anti-spyware programs including a pay-program called XoftSpy. I'm well covered there.

get them to replace your DSL modem. its probably bad. tell them to send someone out.

do you have cable in your area, if so, explore your options with them, it sound like your modem is bad to me.

Thanks, I'll skate over there tomorrow. I'll ask them about cable. You're like the computer godsend around here...lol

I just got back from my ISP office. They don't offer a cable connection and was so convinced I had too much porn on my computer for it to run fast. The service lady was a complete bitch although they'll have a new modem for me tomorrow. I took my computer up to the radioshack dude that put my computer together and ran it off their same DSL connection (which has 4 total computers running of the same modem) and it was faster than a raped ape. He suggested filters on all the phone lines in my house except the one my computer is on to maybe help some. I may end up converting to MediaCom cable here in a few days..