Bob Goodwin wrote: > > > My ISP limits my usage to 17 gB per 30 days and updates this number > continuously, the exact manner by which this is computed is n unknown to > me and possibly to them too? But I have been fighting this problem for > a number of weeks now having been warned once that I had exceeded the > 80% point [13.6 gB]. We have used the system pretty much without > concern for usage for more than a year so this is new. > > I have four computers connected to the LAN with internet access. This > F7 box, an Apple Mac, and two MS XP computers. > > One of the XP boxes is my teen aged [15 yrs, twins] grandson's. In the > process of trying to get usage under control I had physically removed > their access device [Linksys WET11]. After getting our usage reduced to > about 6 gB from 15+ not long ago I gave them back the internet device > and enabled access to iTunes this last weekend since one boy wanted to > download some music. I left the Netgear [WGR614v6] router unblocked for > about an hour and they collected what ever it was they wanted and I > restored it to blocked again. > > What else they did with the computer, what sites they visited, I don't > know but they are limited by what I've blocked in the router and some > parental control software I also subscribe to. > > However once they were allowed back on line it appears that our usage > score per the [Wildblue indications] has begun to skyrocket again, about > 800 megs in the day following their system reconnection. It looks to me > like most iTunes downloads are on the order of 5 mB, 800 mB at the speed > we have would take more than an hour. Most of the time their computer > has been turned off. I have VNC installed and if I see it on and not in > use [I check the Netgear router] I shut their computer off. > > My question is is it possible that some site they have visited triggers > something that is driving our usage up even though all the computers are > powered down leaving only mine and the Netgear router running. Even > then when I am not using the internet I usually "deactivate" it via > "system control network." > > Gkrellm seems to keep an accurate reading of what I am using in this > computer, both upload and download so I don't think I am causing the > problem and it seems to have restarted since I re-enabled the kids XP box. > > Any suggestions as to what to look for will be appreciated. May I make a simple suggestion as it sounds as if you are fighting a battle that will continue to be fought? Keep in mind that I forgot the family dynamics in play. Is your connection to the internet ADSL? If so, why not just get a second phone line for ADSL only and another ISP account that is dedicated to the twins to use. Maybe you can get it for a discount as you have one account already and maybe you can get them a lower usage level. If they use it up, so be it. You are unaffected. Your choice as to who pay the freight.
