Very slow browsing-ubuntu; winxp is ok.

Could you try download same big file in XP and Ubuntu and verify you get same time.
So we will know if issue is in network management or Firefox.

The delay seems to be in the connection process to the site I am trying to get to. I click on a sight I want to look at and the process display shows an incredible amount of businesss and then come the "waiting for xxx". It will show a very long "waiting" time. At first I though it was a specific site, but in time most spend a long "waiting" time.
I've re-tried time and again to make the connection but the problem remains and I don't really have a clue what or where the problem may be.

To compare the way winxp and Ubuntu work, I have connected using each and it seems that winxp is more reliable and fast (yes, I dread saying that). My isp provider had me pinging and other stuff and all seemed ok.

I wish this problem would just go away. I wonder if it is something I have done incorrectly or is it some problem somewhere else.

Thank you for your help

Are directly connected to Internet or do you access via an ADSL box ?

The phone line goes to a ADSL modem. The modem goes to a linksys router. The laptops use wireless.

I don't use WIFI. Could you check with wired connection, to check if it is a wireless connection issue or a IP stack issue.

On laptop "B", wired connection is faster as is winxp (generally). Ubuntu time to "done" remark on bottom left panel is varied from 56 seconds to 4 seconds; winxp varied from 13 to 6 seconds. On another IBM t23 (A) the same trend, Ubuntu max time >120 seconds on one site.

The laptop connection step in another room is slow on winxp and Ubuntu.

I have turned off the power to an Access point used for a Sony Locationfree player -- no noticed affect. I also have a ROKU that uses the router and I plan to see if it affects performance.\

The slow performance is a total turn off. I may just reformat one of the laptop to see if that helps.

"On laptop "B", wired connection is faster as is winxp (generally)." Don't understand!

On a wired connection, to download a file:
1) Is the bandwidth more with XP than Ubuntu ?
2) Is the connection time faster with XP than Ubuntu ?
On a wired connection, to browse Internet
3) Is Firefox faster with XP than Ubuntu ?
To download a file, in Ubuntu
4) is bandwidth of wired connection more than than wireless connection ?

Thanks for the help.