Low internet connectivity

[Rumblyguts]

Hello,

Posting a question here as a last resort. We have very intermitant internet service over the past couple months. Sometimes it is lightning fast; other times a homepage won't open. This occurs on two seperate machines from two manufacturers, at sepreate times, and one machine is brand new. I can't identify a "trigger" or pattern to the poor service. OS's are XP and 7.

Steps taken to diagnose and fix problems:

1) Called ISP, went through their flow charts with an agent. Cabled into the modem (taking router out), got a ping, and the ISP said that their modem was working correctly. However, the internet rate was still extrememly slow. They told me to call the computer company.

2) Called the computer company, went through their steps of trying to get rid of me, reset the router, did a hardwire to the modem, etc....no dice. Told me to call the ISP or wipe the drive LOL

3) Went to local coffee shop, had lightning speed internet, so it's local to our house.

4) Switched-out ethernet cable from modem to router (and thus the computer), and it worked great.

5) Well, it worked well for a while, back to intermitant internet.

6) Virus scan etc. all come up clean.

7) Exchanging modem today to see if that will help

Other: When an ISP pings their modem or checks connectivity, can they check the output rate to my computer? Can they check, besides my doing a ping, that the modem is connecting to my computer?

Looking for other ideas to try, any suggestions?

Thanks, Rumbly