Found it and it works - THANKS !!

1. Right click on an empty space on the desktop to open the context menu
2. Select New
3. Select Shortcut with a left-click
4. In the location box type cmd /k

Hi Twee,

Still using XP at work but should be pretty much the same for Vista. It's under Start->All Programs->Accessories.

Failing that, it'll be in the following path:

C:\Windows\System32

How do I run CMD as admin ?

I get no option - other than to type CMD under START/RUN .....

I guess I need the CMD shortcut - where would I find it ?

hmmm, doesn't sound right.

as for the permissions thing. You are indeed the admin account, however for security's sake not all programs are set to run with full admin rights. Command prompt especially as it's a powerful tool. When you see the shortcut for Command Prompt or CMD, simply right click and select "Run as administrator". You'll need to do this every time.

Figured it out - I simply ran the app - without the path in - and pasted the files (from the clipboard) to the desktop

Sent them to my ISP and received the results back, No problem found - which concerns me - so am taking this further.......

Further to yesterdays question re Packet Loss - I asked my ISP for advice and have been told to run a Ping and Traceroute test to send to them

The problem is a lack of permissions - I AM logged on as MYSELF (FULL Admin rights) - But get told that I lack permissions to run the first part - is this a known Vista issue ?

If so - how do I overcome it ?

................................................ .................................................

"Load the Command Prompt (go to "Run" in the "Start" button, and then type in "Command" and click OK, or in Windows Vista click Start then type "cmd" and press enter)

Type in:

"ping 212.139.132.5 -n 50 > c:\ping.txt" (without the quotes) and press Enter

Then, type:

"tracert www.bbc.co.uk > c:\trace.txt" and press Enter
"tracert www.google.co.uk >> c:\trace.txt" and press Enter

If you are running Windows XP or Vista then please also provide some pathpings:

"pathping 195.112.4.4 > c:\pathping.txt" and press enter

To exit the Command Prompt, type "exit" and press Enter.

You can then send us the "ping.txt", "trace.txt" and "pathping.txt" files in your C:\ drive, which will contain the necessary diagnostic information."
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OK I have now tried creating a seperate ADMIN account and running it on that
Guess what ?
Same result !!!

My connection is "supposed to be" up to 8Mb/sec

I get around 2.5Mb/sec

or you could have a "lossy" phone line. Tell me Twee, what's the speed you're supposed to get with your ISP vs the speed you actually get?

As Huckster said, a lot of the time this can be due to poor internal wiring in the house.

Twee

I have run this and no such problems have been found with my VM service.

If you do a google for 'reasons for high packet loss', there are many forums where this is discussed.

One suggestion given is to connect directly to your router and not use the wireless to see if that make a difference. If you are using a fixed line (not cable), this may be due to problems with the particular line. Perhaps try the test at different times of the day, over the next few days to see if you are getting the same result.

I am no expert on this. I am guessing that packet loss would be leakage on your connection, which makes it more difficult for your PC to send/receive data. A bit like having a leaky water hose to fill a bucket at the end of the garden. If the hose has a few small holes, it will just make it slower to fill and if there are big holes, you will have difficulty in filling the bucket at all e.g. a failed or timed out connection/ web site will not appear.

Huckster

Here are the results of my Dan Eldwell's speedtest on my broadband connection - can anyone advise on reasons for high packet loss ?

Test 12: Packet loss en route to a UK server

Ideally, you should get a result of around 0 % (lower is better)

nationalrail.co.uk: 6 %
nationalrail.co.uk: 6 %

An unacceptable level of packet loss has been detected which should be investigated.

Test 13: Packet loss en route to a European server

Ideally, you should get a result of around 0 % (lower is better)

uni-erlangen.de: 10 %
apache.easy-webs.de: 8 %

An unacceptable level of packet loss has been detected which should be investigated.

Test 14: Packet loss en route to an east-coast USA server

Ideally, you should get a result of around 0 % (lower is better)

redhat.secsup.org: 22 %
mirror.candidhosting.com: 30 %

An unacceptable level of packet loss has been detected which should be investigated.