Linux/Internet Speed Question...Strange!

Hi,

Now I know there are some Linux wizz's on here...

I'm running ubuntu on a computer at home and I'm very pleased with it, except for one problem... When ever i'm downloading something (bitorrent or otherwise) The download will be fine for the first couple of minutes (100k/s+) but will then slow down to a ridiculously slow speed, like 50b/s. So basically I can't download anything (unless I wan't to wait an estimated time of 12d 5hrs 11m, which on linux especially can be a bit of an issue when downloading new (legal!) programs...etc.

Now, 1st thing I thought is those scheming bstards at virgin media have throttled my connection at peak times, but after reading their unfair usuage policy on their website (more than 500mb a month constitutes unfair usage apparently...) they say they only reduce it to 50% of maximum. I have a 10mb connection so it still shouldn't be that slow right?

So does anyone have any idea what else this could be? or is there someway of knowing if i'm being throttled?

I think you'd be best pointing this at the Ubuntu forum, its most helpful and I use it myself. I'm with Virgin myself and have had no problem with speeds, though my brother has mentioned that since the upgrade to 10mb from 4mb his connect is awful now at peak time, sometimes lucky if he gets faster then 1mb. Mines seems fine through-out the day, the most speed I've been able to see is about 6.5mb rather then the max of 10mb.

whats your upload speed set to? if its too high, it slows your downloads.. set it to about 13k..
Steve

Probably virgin throttling your connection as your downloading stuff that could infringe copyright law!!