In my written instructions for each application, boxes you need to click for each step are in italics.

1. General Internet Speed: You can tweak your windows registry using TCP Optimizer.

a) SpeedGuide.net TCP Optimizer *Doesnt need Installing.
Direct DL Link: http://www.speedguide.net/files/TCPOptimizer.exe
Website: http://www.speedguide.net/downloads.php

Once it’s open, click Modify All Network Adapters then click the bubble next to optimal settings. Then Slide the connection speed to your match your approximate broadband speed. If you don’t know your broadband speed go to www.speedtest.net. Once done, click apply and reset your computer. (A quick note to remember, all these settings are applied to your specific broadband connection.)

b) Turn off QoS Packet Scheduler

Go to control panel and then network connections. Right click the connection you’re using for your internet. (It will be “local area connection” if you’re using a cable and “wireless area connection” if you’re using wireless.)  Then click properties. Untick “QoS Packet Scheduler” and click ok.

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2. Torrent Downloading: The best torrent client by far is uTorrent.

a) Download uTorrent 2.0.3
Direct DL Link: http://www.filehippo.com (Download the latest version)
Website: http://www.utorrent.com/

Run the Set-up guide. (Press Ctrl+G to bring it up) Set the test location (I used London, UK) and click Run Tests at the bottom. You should then get your results:

Make sure your upload limit is set at 80% of what your connection can handle. Utorrent should do this for you.
As you can see my result was 108.7kB/s but it set my upload limit to 90.0kB/s. These settings are all fine.

b) Advanced uTorrent Settings

Get into Preferences (Ctrl + P)  and then go to these sections and make sure the following are ticked:

1. Connection
- Enable UPnP port mapping
- Enable NAT-PMP port mapping
- Add Windows Firewall exception

2. Bittorrent
- Enable DHT Network
- Enable DHT for new torrents
- Enable local Peer Discovery
- Enable bandwidth management
- Enable peer exchange
- Ask tracker for scrape information
- Protocol Encryption set to Outgoing: Enabled
- Allow incoming legacy connections

3. Advanced
- net.max_halfopen – set it to 60 from 8 and click set.
- peer.disconnect_inactive_interval – set it to 600 from 300 and click set.

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3. Internet Browsing: Stop using Internet Explorer, and get used to a much better, much faster browser. That being Google Chrome.

Google Chrome 6 Beta
Direct DL Link: http://www.filehippo.com
Website: http://www.google.com/chrome

Note*: Alternatively you could try out Firefox, however it is a little slower to run on older computers. On the plus side, it’s very customisable when it comes to add-ons etc.

Firefox 3.6.8
Direct DL Link: http://www.filehippo.com
Website: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/personal.html

Some Problems you may be experiencing:

• Constant slowdowns during peak times
• Regular disconnections (More than say three times a day)
• Slow downloads

Step 1: Check Your Internet Speed

You can test the internet speed you’re getting by going to speedtest.net.

Make sure you have nothing running in the background that may be using the internet. Then put your mouse over the yellow star, and click the nearest city to you.

If you find you’re getting an extremely terrible result, something like less than 1.00 MB/s or even 2.00MB/s, I advise you put in a complaint with your ISP (Internet Service Provider), there is likely something wrong with your telephone line, or something going on at their end.

Step 2: Complain to your ISP (Internet Service Provider)

Give them a call and explain you’ve done a speed test, let them know what the result was, and explain that you’re very unhappy with your broadband performance. They should then run a “line test” and see if theres anything wrong.

If your problem is constant disconnections, obviously explain this problem too.

Here are some ISP Broadband helplines and their respective Broadband Web pages:
BT Broadband: 0800 111 4567 – Weblink
Orange Broadband: 0844 873 8586 – Weblink
AOL Broadband: 0844 499 5555 – Weblink
Virgin Broadband: 0845 454 1111 – Weblink
Sky Broadband – 08442 410 515 – Weblink

Step 3: If Your ISP don’t seem to be Helping

If your ISP insists on being useless and fails to improve your speed or reliability, explain to them that you’re extremely unhappy with their service and you’d like a MAC code. You are within your rights to ask for this whether you’re in a contract or not, since they’re not delivering a satisfactory service.
A MAC code is needed to change broadband providers.

Step 4: Change ISPs (My Recommendation is Be Broadband)

I used to use BT Broadband and we were with them for over four years, to our detriment. They provided a god awful service, constant slowdowns during peak times (below 0.5mb/s) and frequent disconnections. We’d had enough, rang up BT and asked to cancel our broadband, and wanted a MAC Code. They begged us to stay and offered a discount per month. We refused and since then we’ve used various other ISPs.

We’re now using Be Broadband, who are by far the best ISP we’ve experienced. The price is reasonable for “up to 24MB” and there’s pretty much no download limit. I have downloaded ALOT and have yet to recieve a warning. Click the animated Link above to check out their website.

Step 4a: Alternatively Try O2 Broadband

Be is owned by O2 broadband, and therefore provide a very similar service. I advise you give them a try.
Link: http://broadband.o2.co.uk/home/index.jsp