Underoptimised network speeds(router issue)

[jmoussa87]

Hi guys,
I just went all out and splurged on a new(and much needed) PC system after pretty much weeks of price comparison shopping, reading reviews and technical specifications of so many products, more research etc. Basically it just takes so much time and effort to ensure you buy a good system, especially when you don't keep up to date in the industry which evolves so rapidly. Will post system specs up soon.

Anyways....
I am having a problem with my wireless connection. I bought a WN311 USB adapter for my new system and it is running flawlessly, after returning a very crappy 54G netgear PCI adapter which was all deadspots and connection drop outs due to having our router some considerable distance from my PC, and many walls and micro signals. However, there seems to be a problem with my WG624v2router as the LAN light connection is amber, which denotes a drop in speed from 100mbs to 10mbs. It has been at this status for a while. Even on my PC, internet speed seems reasonable but when i start downloading torrents(low bandwith between 50-150kbs usually) connection severely slows down. I have 512k cable, not the fastest but should be able to handle this stuff as it has in the past. I believe it is definitely a router problem. Further on my netgear connection status it is usually only "connected to router", and hardly ever "connected to internet".

My router warranty is expired so i don't think i can get help from netgear, without handing over coin anyway. I have scoured the net for a solution but realise it could be from a multitude of possible causes. I have disabled firewalls, changed settings, done a hardware reset, so many things without any difference. That's what i hate about home networking, despite industry practices to make it more simplified and easier to set up for the average user there are still a thousand and one things that could go wrong with it or cause adverse performance. Out of all my IT hardware i think the router is probably the most problematic device.(Yeah, i know your probably thinking "time for me to get a new router" but i don't have any money left and if i bought a new one it would probably be the same old situation and besides it still works okay most of the time). If it was up to me and we had a smaller house i would probably go good old fashioned cat5 wired connection, its cheap, reliable and no headache! Just a few personal sentiments...anyways.....

I just want to know what is causing it from "connecting to internet"(not literally as it does, but not full speed 100mbs) and consequently why the LAN port speeds are low. Signal strength on my USB wifi are full.

I think i might need to change the MTU settings, maybe there is too much traffic volume over the router.
Any networking gurus or someone who has had similar experience?

I hope that is enough info and well explained so that you guys can help me. I can't even enjoy my system yet as all i am thinking about is this problem and want to get it resolved. I greatly appreciate any help. Cheers.