Why do people say my IP address is in the US?

I'm in the UK!

[Rightz]

Hi,

I was wondering why when I go to websites they assume I'm in the US?

I think even my logs for my website show I'm from the US.

I'm in the UK!

[Malteser]

Do you use AOL as your isp? They use a lot of proxy connections which show up as being in the US even if you're in the UK.

[Rightz]

I use wireless tiscali. I'm confused!

[chubba]

Web stats software is often rubbish - try something from the search below to see where a good IP geo-lookup places you:

[google.com...]

[Rightz]

Thanks I've tried it. Most places said I was in the US. But just got this result:

Your IP Address is ****** via proxy *******

You're located in
(UK) UNITED KINGDOM

You're connecting to the Internet through
TISCALI UK LTD

You're using proxy server in
(US) UNITED STATES,
CALIFORNIA,
MOUNTAIN VIEW

Whats a proxy server? It says Google - would this be because I've got something like google accelerator?

[Matt Probert]

Whats a proxy server

This means that all your web browsing is directed through a specific computer or group of computers. The software at the proxy checks if the requested page has recently been requested by another client, and if so sends you the locally cached copy, rather than passing your request through to the originating web server.

Similarly, when you request pages, they are fetched and held in a cache at the proxy so to be given to other clients of the proxy rather than them request them from the originating web site.

Thus, the final target web site sees not your request, but a request from the proxy server.

Matt

[chubba]

If you are using google accelerator then yes, all your browser requests will be piped through their servers and it certainly looks like they are sat in the US.

Out of interest, why are you using Google Accelerator? I know it says it is designed for braodband but honestly is it worth it!

Not everything Google puts out is a good idea!

If you are using a 56k modem then fair enough but otherwise I really would not bother.

[Rightz]

My computer is really slow. It's not the connection so much but i do find since I have downloaded it it has speeded up my internet usage. I used to sit for 2 mins for a page to load now its nearly normal!

I tried everything else I could to speed up my computer. Google accelerator seems to work. Also Brett recommended it so I thought it cant be all bad!

[chubba]

Gordon bennet! Sounds like the old days of the 33k modem let alone the 56k!

Sounds like time for a windows re-install if things are really that slow?

Tried other browsers? Any other web accessing apps that slow? If every web app is that slow and you are on ADSL / broadband then have a word with your ISP to get line tests done.

Well, if Brett suggested it and it works for you then I take back my comments about it being practically worthless :o)

[Rightz]

Tried FF. Tried sorted out applications in start up. The laptop was dropped about a year ago and hasn't worked properly since. Have another computer with the same ISP and its fine so its definately the computer - if you can suggest anything please feel free :)

[chubba]

Sounds like a network issue if the other PC is OK. I really would recommend a windows reinstall.

Back up all your files to the main PC - easy job if they are networked.

Make sure you have driver disks for the laptop or even better a manufacturers recovery CD.

Make sure BIOS is set to boot from CD, pop in the XP / recovery CD and reboot.

Once you know how to reinstall Windows it really is a breeze as sometimes when things like this crop up it can be the quickest way to get a PC back to good performance levels.

I can reinstall Windows and my fave apps in 2-3 hours these days. I keep all drivers and programs on a backup hard drive or on network so never have to go hunting for driver disks etc which usually eats up a load of time!

If you want to try some quick fixes then try running the network set up wizard and tell it how the PC connects to the internet again and see if it sorts itself out.

I had a client's PC start acting funny a few months ago and tried everything I could to sort the network out but in the end reinstalled windows and all was cool again...

[Rightz]

I'm on Windows XP so I don't think it came with a disk. I know there is system recovered which I've tried but it didn't do a thing.

[chubba]

If you bought the laptop new then it should have come with a recovery CD which basically is a copy of Windows XP but configured to your laptop.

Might be worth looking at the manufacturers site to lookup the model of the laptop and download the user manuals which should talk you through using the recovery cd.