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Introduction
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| Speed is usually the feature that many of us value most for Internet connectivity. It's not only the connection speed that your provider brings to your modem but also the TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) settings on your workstation that can have quite an influence in this matter. In most cases you'll get a faster connection if you tweak your connection's TCP parameters. |
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Discussion
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There are commercial programs that will do much the same thing but TCPOptimizer does it just as well and is totally free. The only minus is the lack of in-program help, however, you'll find a useful FAQ at the SpeedGuide website. |
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2.0.3 
Unrestricted Freeware 
Windows 9x/ME/2K/XP/XP-SP2/2k3
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Have Your Say
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There are five ways to send feedback: registered users can contact me directly here or in the forum under Contact Info. Registered users may also post in the forum. Anyone can post a comment at the bottom of this page. Finally, please help us by rating this review |
This category is maintained by volunteer editor Rik Mayell, a self confessed computer nut, who loves PCs, desktop or server, and thinks the Mac is cool, although doesn't own one. Also plays around with Linux in his spare time.
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I tried various optimizers. Speed Guide's TCPOptimizer yielded best results, BUT takes more effort than others - lot of trial & error to find right combination. You have to check download speed after every MANUAL adjustment till you hit sweet spot (the one-click "optimum setting" didn't do much). My DSL speed is advertised as 1000 kbps, but never went faster than 380. After spending an entire afternoon with TCPOptimizer, it improved to 900 kbps. Though it was an effort, I doubt any other optimizer can improve on this. Now that I know the optimum settings, all I do is type them in every time I reinstall and, voila! Of course, if you want a quick & easy solution, this is not for you, but it's a trade off. DrTCP is also good, as it efficiently implements some manual settings, but it has fewer options and cannot squeeze those last few drops out. BTW, TCPOptimizer is also a small, stand alone app.
need update!
suggestions? perhaps an ashampoo vs tcpoptimizer comparison?
Yes, sorry this review desperately needs an update, unfortunately I have been tied up the Security Wizard in recent weeks. This is now at the top of my list (whatever that means :))
Rik Mayell - Category Editor
I am the new category editor for this review. My name is Rik and I already edit the review Best Free Windows 7 / Vista 64 bit Software.
Over the next week or so I shall be reviewing reader comments and then carrying out a review of what works, and what doesn't, in this field.
My first job will be to add contact details to the review so you can reach me in a number of ways, should you wish to.
Rik Mayell - Category Editor
I recommend DFUE Tweaker from majorgeeks.com i have used most mentioned here, but none compare to real results for dial up and cable ect... if you want real results go to majorgeeks and type DFUEE TWEAK in the search box download and your good to go. easy to use and no hassels, no advertizing, from grandpa
http://www.freewarefiles.com/downloads_counter.php?programid=16430
Ashampoo Internet Accelerator is straightforward and effective. easily the best choice for the average user!
http://www.ashampoo.com/frontend/products/php/product.php?session_langid...
TCPOptimizer is definately a great tool, I recommend it!
i want to ask..
when using router.. and pppoe ... connecting by the router with user pass..
not by winxp..
what should i use?
wont i need to change some setting in the router it self ?
Has anyone tried a program called "Full Sppeed"? - http://www.getfullspeed.com/
I'm not sure if it's trustworthy..
CableNut is super optimizer:
http://www.dslnuts.com/
I recommend CableNut:
http://www.cablenut.com
http://www.dslnuts.com
http://www.broadbandnuts.com
You can get configuration files from here:
http://www.j79zir.com
I ask the Editor to put this program on the list.
Ashampoo Internet Accelerator 2 is probably the easiest and most up to date program of this type.
SpeedNeed is a green, free, tiny, easy to use but efficient network optimizer & accelerator for everyone who need speed up broadband connection to the internet!
http://sourceforge.net/projects/speedneed/
DrTCP
http://www.dslreports.com/drtcp
It's one of the best of its kind - simpler, than TCPOptimizer, but 52,5Kb only, and still good.
I'm using Ashampoo Internet Accelerator.
If you try MB, Mega, check and see if the program interface comes up with a metallic-looking control panel. That's the "good" program. I can't remember where I downloaded that version (perhaps Download.com). That version of MB does a variety of checks, pinging for MTU tweaks, and seems more thorough than the other programs, but it may be smoke and mirrors. It claims to work with any type connection.
Regards.
There seems to be a problem, since I couldn't find it in Download.com. Although I did find Modem Booster, it was Shareware. You might have tried a modem booster software but not named "Modem Booster". Well, if you happened to get it bootlegged, then I would understand it's free (giggles inside). Since I am typing while researching, I did find a link to the metallic one, and it downloaded, installed, but it led me to a browser and it wasn't pretty (perverted image). Virus Alert to anyone reading this. Sick joke Anonymous dude.
Absolutely not! I'm not joking and would not offer such a thing. I don't know what you downloaded. My program is marked Modem Booster 3.0 by Inkline Global(I believe they are in Singapore). There appear to be at least two versions. One is a legitimate (both may be, but the other version looks and acts suspect). I'm sure MajorGeeks has one of the versions. I downloaded my original version (the pro looking one) earlier this year from Download or MajorGeeks. I stored it on disc. I then got the second version when I misplaced my disc (I since found the disc). The second version was different, asking for passwords and ISP providers. The original doesn't. I removed the suspect version and installed the older 3.0 version. I works, has no spyware that any of my spy sweepers have detected and has no porn.
I SINCERELY PROMISE YOU I DID NOT INTEND FOR YOU TO DOWNLOAD ANY TYPE OF PORN.
I'm sorry if you got some kind of scumware, but this program appears legitimate. For what it's worth, Mcafee Siteadvisor has flagged Inkline for suspect practices, but this program works well. I'll try to find the link to the first 3.0 program and post if need be.
Just Googled "Modem Booster 3.0." Mcafee Siteadvisor and Finjan flag several sites offering Modem Booster. MB 3.0 is freeware (at least mine was free when I downloaded it). One site that comes up early is particularly flagged by Mcafee as being rife with virus and scumware (and browser hijackers). I think Inkline offers the program on their site, but I know I got mine from CNET or MajorGeeks.
Again, I'm sorry about your experiences.
BT.
I am confused, since the virus carrying one was 5.0, and I have fun trying to get rid of viruses so I didn't mind, just avoid that one (site called wareseeker). The 3.0 is shareware, or the $24.95 is misleading everyone. You could make it more simpler by providing a link to the free version you speak of, but no sign of freeware. I certainly will try the shareware no problem, thanks.
The problem is, I can't recall which site I got the good one from. I can tell you the 5.0 was the one I downloaded which asked for the passwords and had the cruddy, amateurish interface.
I'm wondering if the version which was 3.0 (i.e. the better-looking, more professional version) has become the paid version and the 5.0 (which is amateurish-looking and suspect) is now freeware. There definitely is a difference between the two versions.
At any rate, in proof of my good faith, if you'll create a temporary email address with Gmail, Hotmail, Lycos or other provider, and then post the address here (if that's allowed by the admins), I'll try and email the good program to you (again, if that's acceptable by Gizmo et al and does not violate any copyright laws). You can scan the file for scumware and then try it. My MB 3.0 has been through Mcafee Spyware Killer, Superantispyware, Malbytes, AVG, and PC Tools Antivirus and none flagged it.
I'll only do this ONCE since even with MB3.0, TCP, and Cybertweak all trying their best, I only get around 30 Kbps on my modem. The file isn't huge, but I can usually drive the file to your computer via the motorway than over the web! ;>) Regards, BT>
I will say that, for all the trouble and discussion we've had over these "speed increasers", NONE of them gave ME dramatic performance increases. MB3.0 may not be worth all the trouble. What impressed me most was its APPARENT thoroughness (again, perhaps all smoke and mirrors). Pages do seem to download a bit faster. The 3.0 program puts a small icon in the startup tray which you must click to tweak the modem settings after the MB deduces the optimums.
Again, in light of Megaman's experience and my own experiences with MB5.0, potential MB users are best advised to beware the various versions out there. Perhaps in the long run, for safety's sake they might look at Cybertweak or TCP.
Just to get a few things straight.
1. On Yahoo! search, it shows bad sites with the Site Advisor and that one that gave me a virus didn't have the warning on it.
2. I have Cable modem, so I can't find my provider, nor can I provide a dial-up number, so I am confuzzled.
3. Shareware, so it wouldn't fit in this category, when it's clearly about Freeware. If you got it free, then it's bootlegged somehow. (giggles inside again).
4. I guess I am sticking with CyberTweak. XD
5. Thanks for the suggestion anyway. :)
Quite all right. Had I realized getting MB was going to be such a big deal, I wouldn't have mentioned it (I didn't intend to pitch it, but merely mentioned it in passing as an example of another modem "speed enhancer" I had used).
And just for clarity on my previous posts, Site Advisor no longer red flags Inkline's home site and the Site Advisor info page on Inkline has a statement from an Inkline customer service rep. Go figure...
Ye Gods, who'd have thought there'd be all this fuss over a TCP tweaker?!!
Regards, :>)
After checking out this section and Googling, there don't seem to be a lot of programs that do this kind of thing.
Cybertweak and Modem Booster both worked better on my machine than TCP or Netbooster. One note on Modem Booster: there seems to be at least two versions of MB. One is a professional-looking package with a clean interface and doesn't ask for passwords. The other seems to be set up the same, but has goofy drawings of modems, wizards and other things, and asks for your ISP provider and your passwords.
Just thought I'd pass this along.
Thanks, I will check out Modem Booster, just wondering if it works on my wireless, like CyberTweak did.
I forgot to add that CyberTweak worked on my Vista pcs and my XP, so don't be in doubt.
Thanks #2 Anonymous for the tip on Cybertweak. I was skeptical, but it did improve page-loading speed for my 56K modem, even more so than TCP and System Mechanic (I had no luck with either)! I was scared a bit to let the program tweak the settings after reading the programmer's warnings, but had no problems. Pages did seem to load faster and the speed indicated by the computer (I understand this isn't necessarily the actual connection speed) increased 4 Kbps. With my cruddy connection, any help is appreciated. Perhaps the editors of this site might want to give it a look...
Thanks much!
TCP Optimizer is essentially portable. I run it from an USB stick.
I used CyberTweak and my pages loaded faster, even without reboot. Keep in mind 2 things though.
1. You can't go beyond that Provider's set speed, if it's 2mbps, max will be 2mbps, period.
2. Also, not everyone notices the difference with CyberTweak either, but it's good to check out.
It's free too, so don't worry XD. http://www.cybertweak.co.uk/
YES it works , I tried CyberTweak and thought maybe it could boost my pageloading in IE7 on Vista , CyberTweak was installed easy and very fast .
And after testing o lot of sites ....... WOW the browser is FASTER than ever . Thank You , Kent
Windows Vista includes a feature called Auto-Tuning which can cause noticeable drag and even crashing when browsing certain web sites or using some routers or other network hardware. This tip was pulled from PC Magazine and explains how to turn off auto-tuning and skip the spinning blue circle of death.
The simplest way to turn off auto-tuning is to launch a command prompt as an Administrator (type "cmd" into the Start box, right-click on Command Prompt and select "Run as Administrator), then enter the following line:
netsh interface tcp set global autotuning=disabled
That should do it, and turning it off won't likely have any adverse consequences. If you find otherwise, turn it back on with:
netsh interface tcp set global autotuning=normal
Thanks as always for this excellent site.
I loaded TCP Optimizer in hopes of helping with my rather slow dial-up modem downloads. After the program ran its modifications, I truly could tell no discernible difference in performance. For the record, I also tried the free version of ModemBooster and had negligible results. According to the download speed readings from my version of System Mechanic, neither program resulted in any significant change. Of course, it could be that my dedicated modem phone line simply will not support higher speeds...
Keep up the fine work!
There isn't an application out there that can manipulate the speed of your internet. Such applications are created in Protocol test enviroments, and such lab enviroments doesn't equal a home enviroment my friends. My internet speed constantly fluctuates due to time of day/traffic or the service provider being a pain in the ass by limiting it.
It isn't really true that no "application out there that can manipulate the speed of your internet".
Fossil driver-based applications , for example, often show a 10% increase in speed.
You can also pay for a dedicated line, or non-limited use. Conditions also vary drastically all over the world.
TCPOptimizer worked very well for me. For about 3 weeks my WiFi connection had been getting slower, down to 1Mbs and getting socket errors and time outs on web sites and news server. Downloaded, 1 run and reboot and back up to 54Mbs no errors and much improved connection speeds and network response.
Highly recommended, I'm a very happy bunny, thanks for yet another good tip Gizmo.
Ken.
Did a number (10) of speedtests. Ran TCP Optimizer, rebooted, cleared cache and ran the same speedtests again. No noticeable difference.
FWIW I share your skepticism about Tweakers, and I question the value of manipulating MTU size. I think the most critical factor for home users is simply line contention.
However, have you thought of becoming a site editor?
People who are willing to do their own tests, and back their own judgements, are exactly what we need!
Does it pay? Highly fluent in windows and tech support type stuff...
ABsolutely not (at least not in money).
But you're still welcome; sound like just what we want ... and we have some empty topics right now.
So? What happened, then? eh Peter? Did he join or not?
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