Ruling it out: XP Service Pack 2.....or ISP responsible for my awful u/l speeds?

[Java.Bean]

Before Sept. I was running on Windows 98 which I loved and never had any problems with. Have since upgraded to XP SP 2. ISP = Shaw and has been for years.

OK: so I have WinMX connected (as Primary); I'm now able to connect quickly, and have even had quite a few people entering my queue.
My problem is now, like many, the horrible upload connection/speed given.  1) No one is able to stay connected for very long, they either timeout or are d/c.  2) The connection starts out at a measley 2.0 k/s and then within seconds drops to 0.13 - hangs out there for awhile -  then dropped. 3) I'm not getting as many people in my queue as with Win 98. Which is obviously related to my overall poor connection and S=(nothing going over 2).

I've read somewhere that people started having problems with MX once upgrading to SP 2.  People with 1 haven't had the same prob I guess.

If all it is is my ISP capping I'm very serious about switiching to Telus within a matter of days if it were sure to be the fix.

Anyone with XP SP 2 that IS/HAS used Shaw or Roger's (or some other ISP that caps) who's experienced this problem? Or anyone know anything more abou it? (I'd actually much rather go back to 98 than switch providers as the real solution ... and it would be a great excuse to have to finally do it).

[Me Here]

Java Bean I have a suggestion for you..

Drop by this url http://account.juno.com/s/landing?action=viewProduct&productId=free&group=free
Sign up for the free 10 hours a month dial up, put in a dial up modem (very cheap and a good idea to have as backup anyway).

And test WinMX.. if your speeds improve you know its your ISP if they do not you can look into other problems.  Most folks that had issues with SP2 and WinMX were with the firewall and its easy enough to configure those for mx to use.

[Java.Bean]

Great thanks! Awesome suggestion - I'll try that first before doing anything else. 

[Me Here]

Kewl do let us know your results here..

I have a few folks telling me that sudden throttles on their bandwidth using Rogers has recently and just as mysteriously returned to more like normal speeds (low but better then the 0 before).  So there may be some hope with the ISPs ..but it wont happen fast if at all...