netgear wnr-3500l help with programs in windows

[totalmuchyared]

I have the netgear wnr-3500l router and I am having this problem, with different programs in windows, like your simple port forwarding program,filehippo update checker,drivereasy,etc, whenever i want to update these programs they all give me a cannot connect to remote server, i am getting frustated and wonder if there is a fix.
The simple port forwarding program can't access net either to get info it needs.What do i need to do? i have port 80 open in my netgear router, i'm lost at this point. Thks

[Evan]

That shouldn't be an issue with your router. You also only need port 80 open if you are hosting web server (website).

Are your regular browser programs like Internet Explorer and Firefox able to work without problem? I ask because I'm trying to find out where the problem is. It sounds like something wrong with Windows but I want to be sure.

Also, do you have any other computers in the home that are using the same internet connection?

Evan

[totalmuchyared]

Thks for reply ,yes i can use firefox,internet explorer,update norton, but those other programs i mentioned are a no go for updating. I am also adding openoffice in there ,another program that can't find server.

I have another computer ,but it is not mine using same connection wirelessly.THks

[Evan]

Does the other computer have any of the same issues with the same programs?

Evan

[totalmuchyared]

openoffice has same  update error ,other programs work.Is there a program out there that can check my tcp/ip settings and general network settings in windows?Thks

[Shane]

First we need to check that your firewall software isnt blocking them.

We should also check your hosts file. And also clear your dns.

First go to
C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc

and open the hosts file in notepad. What do you have in here?

Then lets clear the dns.

Open a command window, and in the window type in ipconfig /flushdns

Lets go from there

Shane

[totalmuchyared]

Thks for reply, what does flushing the dns do? Oh ya ,things seem better now ,I'm still wondering why i am getting slow download speeds sometimes could it be the wnr-3500l, even downloading torrents are slow.

Thks again

[Shane]

It could be the router, but some times it could just be the ISP or even the site you downloading from.

What do you get when you go to www.speedtest.net?

Shane

[totalmuchyared]

http://www.speedtest.net/result/1139437380.png
hope this helps
thks

[Shane]

http://www.unitconversion.org/data-storage/kilobytes-to-megabits-conversion.html

Looks like you should be getting around 450 kb/s download speed
and 50 kb/s upload speed.

Shane

[totalmuchyared]

what can i do for the speed though? Thks

[Shane]

Well that's the speed your ISP is giving you. 

What kind of speeds are you getting on things?

Shane