Can a 2nd computer on a lan slow down the first?

[davehenrie]

I have two computers connected via a modem and router to the net. Both access the net ok, but when my system is on, then my wife's becomes very laggy. Mouse movements are delayed, clicks become so slow they appear not to have happened, until several seconds later when the action is then completed. Even screen refreshes take longer. Here internet games frequently display blank loading screens that take 15 to 20 seconds before being replaced. When my system is off, her's is smooth as butter. I don't even have to be doing anything on the net, whether I'm dloading or emailing or just in windows, her system bogs down. Mine does not 'seem' to be affected if either box is on.

Any ideas? My net connection is a kludge. The isp only gave us a single port DSL modem. So I ran that through an old wireless/G router. I can't use the wireless, but both systems connect perfectly to the net via wired connections. It's just when my box is powered up that her's goes into lag mode.

dh

[Geekboy]

It can lag the internet for sure, but I can't see how it would affect the actual operation of the other computer.

[DurgeDriven]

I would guess it is something to do with the daisy chain setup
Maybe it is looping back to switch

[Alpha01]

Are both pc's on the same workgroup?
If so change one computer to a different workgroup name.

IE change your workgroup to COMPUTER an maybe put hers as LAPTOP.

Do you share files between the two?
As it sounds like your pc is slowing her laptop down by constantly cross referencing and checking files that where moved.

Or you have a spyware thats trying to check her laptop.

Either way changing workgroup will divide the two.

[Hirowazu]

When you said "old router" how old is it?