blonde poker forum

Evening all.
Recently been having a problem with my ISP. For the 2nd time in a month I have been placed on a 'heavy user pipeline'.
There are three computers in my house and I'm at a loss as to what is causing the heavy usage. I recently deleted limewire from my step-daughter's computer but can't be sure what she's doing on there all the time.
I have heard there might be a free downloadable tracking programme which enables me to track usage on the internet and find out exactly what is causing my problem.
Do any of you know where I might find such a programme?
Any help would be appreciated as I can't access any poker sites between 6 and 11pm whilst on this heavy usage pipeline.
 :(

Do you know what sort of usage you need to be moved to that pipe?

I'll try and remember the data tracker i used a while back...

I believe the guy on the phone said something about 2 meg? Would that be about right?
Technically gifted I am not.

switch to an ISP that don't limit you.

Made several calls, it seems that I would be offline for 3 weeks during the switch over.
Apparently, my current ISP will deliberately slow down the process.
Also been informed that most have download restrictions anyway.
I just want to be able to find out exactly what it is that is causing me to over use. It sure isn't the poker and I don't do much else on here, personally.

You could try somthing like this
http://www.softforyou.com/_traffic_monitor/traffic_monitor.html

I've got a meter that runs in the background and tells you info like the speed you are currently downloading/uploading and how much you've downloaded each day/month/ytd etc etc.

Can't remember what it is at the moment, but I have it on my work pc so I'll post a link in the morning.

Morning,

It's called NetMeter and you can get it from http://readerror.gmxhome.de/

does that monitor just the computer it is installed on, or does it monitor all the computers accessing your connection (ie through a wireless connection etc)

edit: Looks like it's only the pc that it's installed on.  I've just tried downloading something from another pc on the network and it didn't pick up anything :(  Couldn't see an option either.

Another thought - Routers have a web browser interface usually - does any traffic get monitored in here?  I can't remember the log in for mine at work, but I'll have a look when I get home.

In that case you should move on principle!

The new ISP you choose should do everything for you anyway provided you are not tied into a minimum contract.
If the worst happens you can use dial-up in the shortfall.

I went to AOL as they gave me a couple of months free dial-up while "escaping" talk talk. Also gave me a 1M completely unlimited connection (no fair usage crap) for £9.99 a month.
There technical help (like most) is pretty pants, but a good service.

Thanks for all your help and advice, much appreciated.

If you have multiple PCs connecting to the Internet via a router you can use the free version of PRTG to monitor the overall traffic.

http://www.paessler.com/download/prtg

[1] You need to know IP address of your router. If you need a hand with this, post here.
[2] When the PC running PRTG is turned off, you won't be tracking how much the others are downloading.

hi Longines

how do I find the IP adress of my router? that software looks very useful

Correct me if im wrong because I aint at home just now but the Router ip address shud be the same as the DHCP server if u have a normal router bought out of PCworld/other electronics shop.

Goto the start menu -> hit run -> type in CMD then in the box that pops up type 'ipconfig/all' without the apostraphe's.

It will say DHCP server xxx.xxx.xxx.x for example as standard the belkin router's ip address is 192.168.2.1

Spot on Jock.

The only thing I would add is when you do Start > Run> cmd (or command if you're running Windows 98), then ipconfig without the /all is less confusing. In this case, your router IP address will be shown as "Default Gateway".

thought so, thanks a lot

That looks a nice bit of software Longines, thanks for the link. I'll have a go later on that.  Shame it doesn't work when the main PC is off.