MSN Messenger File Transfer Speeds

Matt555

Matt555

iMod
I was just wondering why MSN Messenger takes so long for people to download files from me and for me to download files from them. I've been trying to send people pictures that I've taken and it takes forever (my upload speeds don't usually go above 3kbps when transferring through MSN) and when downloading from someone else it takes ages as well, (again transfer speeds don't usually go above 3kbps).

I'm on broadband (576kbps) and was wondering why this is happening.

I have Sygate Personal Firewall on this computer aswell as McAfee Internet Security (which comes with a firewall) I've always had these both enabled and things have worked great using the net, and my broadband speed hasn't been limited by these.

My curent way of connecting to the net (it's not the greatest and I know this and plan on changing it soon though...hopefully) is:

Computer downstairs connected via USB ADSL Modem.
My Computer networked to the computer via a crossover ethernet cable.

The computer downstairs has Sygate Personal Firewall on it as well, that computer is my brothers and I really hate it, slow, sluggish and generally not too good but that's the way things are, soon he'll have this heap when I go to Uni.

Thanks in advance.

*Matt
 
Try Tools > Options > COnnection Tab > and try the Connection troubleshooter!
See if it helps at all, other than that it could be a firewall problem or an incorrect setting in MSN itself.
 
As far as I'm aware, MSN doesn't directly transfer data between the 2 clients, instead it sends the data to the server and then it is sent to the receiver. Maybe thats why you get slower speeds.
 
I did what pelvis_3 said, it just says...(on the top half of the window)
"You are directly connected to the .NET messenger service."

"You are currently connected to the internet through a UPnP IP restricted NAT. (Administrator)"

Any ideas on what that means? (I'm a total network n00b...) :O
 
I am not sure if this helps at all but just to let you know that the same happens to me when I am connected with skype.
If I am talking while sending or receiving the speed is apalling.
If I stop the chat the speed goes up but nothing like normal downloading speed.

Addis said:
As far as I'm aware, MSN doesn't directly transfer data between the 2 clients, instead it sends the data to the server and then it is sent to the receiver. Maybe thats why you get slower speeds.
Click to expand...

Maybe it is the fact that the connection is not direct?
 
Is their internet routed through another computer?
Have you tried re-installing MSN at all?
 
No I haven't tried re-installing, and I think some of my friends computer are, although some probably aren't.
 
i think it may be the connection of the other client, becouse sometimes i take about 3 minutes to download 5mb off msn, sometimes takes forever.
 
Actually you've already been provided with your answer: "NAT Restriction"

UPnP allows devices running UPnP enabled software to obtain Internet access through a UPnP enabled gateway, ie you need to have your firewalls, or more importantly your routers firewall / port settings correctly configured to allow for UPnp software to transfer data.

Also, MSN does not route the data through their servers, its a direct TCP/IP connection of data transfer, i can send my brother (on the same internal network connected via a 100Mbps ethernet connection) a 700MB file in about a minute. (about 9Mb/s - a more than reasonable LAN transfer speed given overheads)

UPnP unfortunately is not used very often by software to transfer files, there are better protocols to use for data transfer than UPnP, UPnP is also well known for its insecurities as an open port - hence most programs or parts of programs use different more reliable, security concious protocols such as TCP/IP.

MSN is pretty much one of the only commonly used programs to use UPnP by itself with no other option, hence most Routers or firewalls are configured with a disabled UPnP port, this will allow data transfer (unless completely disabled) but at a very slow speed.

Sort your port / router or firewall configs out and you'll successfully get a better data transfer.

Also bare in mind any type of data transfer depends on the two ISP's being used, different sets of ISP's have different connection times to other ISP's, for instance on my NTL Cable i have dreadful connections to anyone on Wanadoo via file transfer.
 
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