how do i find out what speed im getting
the same way you know what speed you are driving at .... by looking at the speedo!
the links (use the first one) take you to a bandwidth (speedo) meter.
install it ..... then when you start a download .... it will show a graph of the data coming in to you
and tell you how fast it's coming in (to YOUR machine)
you don't have to understand the tekkie stuff
you are looking for a steady flow of data that looks like the screenshot on the download page
if you get a broken line
it's not good.
if you have an up to 8Gb connection and the numbers say 15Kb/s ....... it's not good
test that connection here
http://gadgetshow.five.tv/jsp/speed_test.htm
you didn't say how you connect - phone or adsl - wireless USB or wire connecting to the router.
if it's wireless .... you need to try connecting using a cord (should have one in the router box) to see if that fixes things
sorry if it's tekkie .... unfortunately .... this sort of problem IS
(even with two tins connected by string you need basic principles ;-)