Why do my pages not load at 3am ?

[cherrybomb]

I normaly read when I can't sleep, but the last few times I have turned my laptop on to have a browse on the AB or Ebay the time is around 3am. For some reason none of the pages I click on seem to load at this time of the morning the green count bars get about halfway then either Page can not be displayed comes up or it just hangs. I can't even switch to the Answer Bank. My husband thinks it may be around the time that the U.S.A switch their computers on and that means Mega internet traffic. Is he correct?  

[spat]

check that it is not microsoft autoupdate

irecently bought a new laptop with xp loaded and it was set as default to update at 3a.m

[Buenchico]

(This answer is in 2 parts to get round the 2000 character limit):

Your husband's theory that peak time US traffic can seriously slow the Internet is valid but it doesn't really explain your problems at around 0300. (I've been on AB for the past few nights at this time and I've had no problems, either with AB itself or the various sites I've visited looking for answers to some of the problems).

I suspect that your problem lies closer to home, i.e. with your ISP. Either they're carrying out maintenance on their servers in the early hours of the morning - check their web site to see if they mention this - or there is a problem with their connection to the internet backbone which is affected by all those American users.

If you're on dial-up (or if you're on broadband but you've retained dial-up facilities) you an easily dial in to a different server (instead of your normal ISP) to compare the differences. Here's how to do it. (I've used Webtribe because they allow you to connect without opening an account):

Wait until you're having problems via your normal connection. Disconnect from your ISP. (You can leave your browser open if you like).

[Buenchico]

(Continued):

Go to Start / Settings / Dial-Up Networking (or Start / Settings / Control Panel / Dial-Up Networking if that's the way your system works).

Double click 'Make New Connection'.

Change 'My Connection' to 'Webtribe'.

Leave 'Select A Device' unchanged if you're on Dial-Up with only one modem on your system. Otherwise ensure that it points to your modem.

Click 'Next'.

Leave 'Area Code' blank. Enter 08456389800 into 'Telephone No'. Ignore 'Country or Region Code'.

Click 'Next'. Click 'Finish'

Right-Click 'Webtribe'. Select 'Properties'.

Un-tick the 'Use Area Code & Dialling Properties' Box.

Click OK.

Double-Click 'Webtribe'

Enter username as: [email protected]
Enter password as: guest

Click 'Connect'.

You're now connected to Webtribe (at local call rates, about 1p per minute). Now start (or return to) your web browser and try a few sites. If these load quickly then you've got proof that it's your ISP where the problems lay. (Complain or switch ISP's). If not, there's something very sttrange about your laptop!

Disconnect from Webtribe in the usual way. (Either double-click 'Webtribe' in Dial-Up Networking or double-click the modem icon at the bottom of your screen. Then click 'Disconnect'). The experiment shouldn't cost you more than 10p and you'll soon know if your ISP is at fault.

Just a note, in case you're worried: Nothing here will change your normal internet settings. You can either leave 'Webtribe' available (in case your ISP's server goes down) or delete it immediately after the experiment.

Hoping that this might help,

Chris

[lukey121]

WOW what an answer!!

[cherrybomb]

Buenchico - Thanks for such a great answer.

I have been sleeping like a baby since I posted the question and tonight I am struggling to keep my eyes open, I hope you have subscribed to the thread because although I use the external broadband modem and my husband connects his desktop via my laptop I still have an internal dial up so the next time I am up at 3am I will certainly try this and post back.

Thanks again