How can I find out what is using all of my upload bandwidth?


Recommended Posts

Something is randomly using all of my upload bandwidth, which makes my connection crawl.

I do not have spyware, adware or a virus.

How can I find out what process is doing this?

EDIT: This only started happening after I installed NetBalancer. However, it was uninstalled hours ago and I have rebooted, so I'm unsure how it can even be related.

Windows 7 x64 SP1.

EDIT: I rang Sky Broadband, they said it was an issue at the local hub and that it will be fixed within 30 minutes. I read a book for an hour, came back and the connection is now all good. Sorry, guys! Just seemed a massive co-incidence.

Look at the Task manager -- ctrl-alt-delete.

What processes are running ?

Also it may be a rootkit, and something has made your PC a zombie.

Do a rootkit scan.

http://www.sophos.com/en-us/products/free-tools/sophos-anti-rootkit.aspx

  On 24/07/2011 at 13:14, Hum said:

Look at the Task manager -- ctrl-alt-delete.

What processes are running ?

Also it may be a rootkit, and something has made your PC a zombie.

Do a rootkit scan.

http://www.sophos.com/en-us/products/free-tools/sophos-anti-rootkit.aspx

I have no rootkits. Only novices get rootkits, spyware, adware or virus'.

This only started happening after I installed NetBalancer. However, it was uninstalled hours ago and I have rebooted, so I'm unsure how it can even be related.

Maybe I should call Sky Broadband, it could be an issue on their end (i.e. a co-incidence).

  Quote
I have no rootkits. Only novices get rootkits, spyware, adware or virus'.

Well, you claim not to be a novice but can't even track your usage?

Check for rootkits and drop the superiority complex. If you can't rule it out (and opinion rules nothing out) then it still exists.

  • Like 2
  On 24/07/2011 at 13:24, njlouch said:

Well, you claim not to be a novice but can't even track your usage?

Check for rootkits and drop the attitude.

There is no attitude. It's very true. Just because I find it very easy to avoid getting rootkits, spyware, adware or viruses, it doesn't mean I know what software you guys recommend to discover what processes are using my bandwidth. I know that NetLimter can tell me what processes are using my bandwidth but in case that program is calling this issue, I am of course reluctant to re-install it.

The reason I know it's not a rootkit is because I doubt very much it's a co-incidence that NetLimiter was installed/uninstalled an hour before this issue occurred.

For ****s and giggles, I'll run Sophos Anti-Rootkit.

  On 24/07/2011 at 13:29, Detection said:

I think the clue is in the name "NetLimter "

Sounds like it has left something behind after the uninstall

That is not logical. The program was used to stop Firefox using all of my 130 KB/s upload bandwidth. I used it to limit Firefox to using a maximum of 95 KB/s in upload bandwidth. I then uninstalled it as, even though it worked, I decided just to go ahead and let Firefox do what it wishes.

So why would that program, installed or not, be doing this to my connection...?

EDIT: Sophos Anti-Rootkit found nothing suspicious. As expected.

As it is designed to limit bandwidth, your issue is bandwidth related, and it started around the time you installed and uninstalled this program I would say its more likely to be that than a coincidence.

I vaguely remember installing something similar if not the same program a while ago and completely losing my connection, programs like this install drivers I think, check hidden items in the device manager / services running in services.msc etc

If it all fails, as posted above, system restore to before the issue

  On 24/07/2011 at 13:36, Detection said:

As it is designed to limit bandwidth, your issue is bandwidth related, and it started around the time you installed and uninstalled this program I would say its more likely to be that than a coincidence.

I vaguely remember installing something similar if not the same program a while ago and completely losing my connection, programs like this install drivers I think, check hidden items in the device manager / services running in services.msc etc

If it all fails, as posted above, system restore to before the issue

It does install a service but from what I can tell, there appears to be no related services on my computer :/

  On 24/07/2011 at 13:36, _DP said:

Do you get the same issue with other browsers?

This is happening system-wide. For example, I can be playing a game fine then a few seconds later, I get 900 ping before getting kicked. It's then that I realize something was uploading using all of my 130 KB/s upload speed. I am using Rainmeter to find my current system down/up speeds.

If your looking to track what process is using upload, you could run tcpview http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb897437

You could run wireshark as well - great FREE protocol analyzer http://www.wireshark.org/ to see what is actually being put on the wire, etc. but what show you what process did it, just what is being done.

Or you could put netlimiter back on ;) It shows you what is using bandwidth heeheheh

I rang Sky Broadband, they said it was an issue at the local hub and that it will be fixed within 30 minutes. I read a book for an hour, came back and the connection is now all good. Sorry, guys! Just seemed a massive co-incidence.

I wasn't trying to be douchey earlier when I said it's not difficult to avoid getting rootkits, spyware, adware or viruses, it just really is easy to avoid them in my opinion :s Stick to legitimate websites, check comments when downloading torrents, keep your Windows and MSE up-to-date, don't start using dodgy Facebook apps etc. and you will be fine!

"all of my 130 KB/s upload speed. I am using Rainmeter to find my current system down/up speeds. "

Um how is your box uploading an issue at the local hub?

  On 24/07/2011 at 13:45, BudMan said:

"all of my 130 KB/s upload speed. I am using Rainmeter to find my current system down/up speeds. "

Um how is your box uploading an issue at the local hub?

I am not sure. The ping issues were due to an problem at the local LLU according to Sky Broadband and when they said it would be fixed in about 30 minutes, they were right!

Sounds like a common sense solution.. the program you installed which was "NetBalancer" has screwed with Winsock... you need to reset this.

Open up command prompt.... and type the following just as I've put it spaces and all:

netsh winsock reset catalog - Hit Enter

netsh int ip reset reset.log hit - Hit Enter

Now Reboot and test again.

Even if you think your problem is solved don't put that junk netbalancer back on there..its nothing but a sandbox and useless...control your bandwidth or monitor it using your router. Run these reset lines to get Windows7 winsock stacks back to default the way its supposed to be if anything did in fact alter it.

  On 24/07/2011 at 13:24, njlouch said:

Well, you claim not to be a novice but can't even track your usage?

Check for rootkits and drop the superiority complex. If you can't rule it out (and opinion rules nothing out) then it still exists.

Actually with most home routers it's not that easy to get per device bandwidth usage data.

Even the ones that allow collecting the data via something like SNMP usually only go down to the port level, which is no good in the case of wireless or if there's a switch further upstream of that port.

"I am not sure. The ping issues were due to an problem at the local LLU"

And are you still seeing an upload of 130 when your not doing anything?

And I agree with xbamaris the resource monitor in w7 is perfect tool for looking this up, not sure why I forgot it other than just habit from older windows versions not having the ability to look at this. But yes that is the best suggestion for looking to see what is uploading.

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • New Outlook for Windows landing in Microsoft 365 Education accounts next January by Paul Hill Microsoft has announced that from January 2026, Microsoft 365 Education users will be able to switch to a “modern, AI-powered” Outlook for Windows. The Redmond giant said that a new toggle will show up for eligible users that will let them decide whether to run classic Outlook or the new Outlook for Windows. The new version, Microsoft said, brings numerous improvements including more streamlined communication, features to boost your productivity, and more ways to personalize your experience. As this update is coming to Microsoft 365 Education accounts, it means it’ll affect both students and teachers. The refreshed interface more deeply integrates with Microsoft 365 Copilot to deliver: smarter email and calendar management with features such as Pinning and Snoozing; personalized themes that match your style and preferences; and Copilot-powered assistance to help you draft, summarize, and organize your emails and appointments. Microsoft is obviously keen for users to switch over to the new interface when it's available to foist AI on you. However, if you are reticent about using these AI tools, you can always revert back to the classic Outlook for Windows, at least for a while after the new version is released. The new toggle will begin rolling out globally next January. Before then, Microsoft 365 Education users will get in-app notifications ahead of the change to prepare them, and educational organizations will have the power to opt out or manage the experience through administrator settings. While most Microsoft 365 Education users will get the toggle, there are some exceptions. These include: organizations that have opted out of automatic migration; users with perpetual licenses; on-premises account holders; and devices where the toggle is hidden via policy. The upcoming changes will not require any administrative action during the rollout. Microsoft says administrators, if they want to, can notify users about the upcoming change; update their internal documentation; and review the documentation for Admin control over migration. The firm said that after the rollout, policy controls will become available through Group Policy Objects (GPO), Cloud Policy, and Intune. In terms of compatibility with other platforms, the new Outlook for Windows will be compatible, including with Mac. Users will still be able to access their accounts normally through the Outlook app available for macOS or via the Outlook web app.
    • Might be a joke to a shortsighted person, but that's the minimum for ANY EV to be as reliable and hassle-free as my '12 Highlander Hybrid. Sure my Hybrid gets even less at 372mi (in the winter) - 455mi (in the summer) on a tank, but at least I can refill it for another 372mi-455mi in merely 10 minutes or less without ANY of the following worries: Without all of that peace of mind, an EV will require 800mi/charge to give similar peace of mind for me. I ain't buying and worrying about separate vehicles just for city commuting and long road trips. That's a total waste of cash IMO. My Highlander Hybrid perfectly suits both use cases, and for any EV to be worth my consideration, they'll have to suit them too. Maybe for you that solely resides in 1 city and never travel by road it makes no sense, but for anyone with experience of traveling across cities here in Canada, it makes total sense given the long distances. I ain't suddenly adding another 1hr to my road trip just for EVs, mere coffee and snacks suffice for my trips (~800km), and those certainly don't take me 1hr.
    • Microsoft will reportedly hit Xbox division with a massive wave of layoffs soon by Pulasthi Ariyasinghe It was only a few days ago that a report came out regarding a mass layoff wave at Microsoft. While that report only mentioned sales staff that were to be affected, now, another report has landed that mentions the company's Xbox gaming division being another layoff target. According to Bloomberg's Jason Schreier, Microsoft has another major round of layoffs planned for the Xbox division as it reorganizes the company ahead of the new fiscal year. This unfortunate news for many staff will be announced as soon as next week, per the report Bloomberg has gained the information from sources that had asked not to be named, who had said that managers inside Xbox are already expecting the job cuts to take effect soon. While no specific developers, divisions, or numbers were mentioned, "substantial cuts" are reportedly incoming as a part of this change. The gaming division of Microsoft has gone through multiple layoff waves in recent years. Late 2024 saw 650 jobs being cut from Xbox corporate and supporting teams. Earlier in the same year, over 1,900 staff from Activision Blizzard, ZeniMax, and Xbox development teams were let go from Microsoft. Microsoft has released a number of high-profile first games as of late, including Doom: The Dark Ages, Avowed, and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and is also pursuing a multi-platform strategy that has Xbox games releasing on PlayStation platforms. It has also confirmed next-gen Xbox hardware is now in development and recently unveiled a first-ever official Xbox handheld initiative. If the latest report turns out to be accurate, we should have an official announcement sometime next week. Microsoft's current fiscal year is slated to end on June 30.
    • LibreOffice is fine for individual use, but its collaboration tools are far behind Office 365.
    • First thing I wondered as well. I miss the old color. I always thought it was nice how each app had its own color. Then they go and take 2 of the most commonly used apps and give them the same color.
  • Recent Achievements

    • Week One Done
      Sharon dixon earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • Dedicated
      Parallax Abstraction earned a badge
      Dedicated
    • First Post
      956400 earned a badge
      First Post
    • Week One Done
      davidfegan earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • First Post
      Ainajohn earned a badge
      First Post
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      593
    2. 2
      ATLien_0
      223
    3. 3
      Michael Scrip
      170
    4. 4
      +FloatingFatMan
      152
    5. 5
      Som
      135
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!