1 - I recommend you try running a communications program like Telix, Procom or
Hyperterminal in a Windows DOS window doing a "Z-Modem" download from a
bulletin board. Using COM port speed of 57600 and 19200 bps. See if you get
any errors during the download which would indicate "data overruns" because
your computer is not reading the COM port fast enaough and missing some data
coming in. Then do the same from the Windows "Full DOS" mode by pressing 
Function key F8 during windows bootup. You made find no errors in the full 
mode. Which may suggest that something is causing your computer to miss data 
on your COM port. Not really PPP related. But COM port related.
Edward Jozis 12/9/00

 
2 - Windows 95 is known to have some problems with PPP and Windows Socket.
This can cause very slow performance on the internet.
Windows Sockets 2.0 Update is available from Microsoft.
It involves updating of file VTCP.386 Version 4.00.955 8/6/95 47413 Bytes.
Edward Jozis 10/7/00

3 - Download Windows Sockets 2.0 for Win 95
Edward Jozis 10/7/00

4 - Install Dial Up Networking V1.3 for Win 95
Edward Jozis 8/9/00

5 - Reinstall Dial Up Networking.
This process does the REAL removal and replacement of the necessary files.
Edward Jozis 12/9/00

6 - In Windows the client application may run out of windows space. Leading
to very slow performance on large downloads.
Edward Jozis 10/7/00

7 - On some computers there is a script called network.vbs and it loads itself
in startup. Causing ALL applications to be slow through the windows PPP
dialler.
c:\windows\start menu\programs\startup\network.vbs
If its there it causes this fault. Don't know why or what it does. Please
email micronica@micronica.com.au if you can shed any light on this for
everyone's benefit.
Steve Pyrros 10/7/00

8 - Sounds like one of the many nice little trojen horses like "Back Orrifice".
When it's running really slow, use the windoze "netstat" command to see what
sockets have been bound. You'll probably see some non-standard sockets bound.
Maybe time to do a thorough virus check.
Dave Keller 10/7/00

Also we find that for some reason simply doing a complete reinstallation
of Windows 95 fixes the problem COMPLETELY ! Which suggests that something
in your system has been inadvertantly changed. Perhaps by a proprietary
installation from another Internet Service Provider who may have given you
one of those "free" internet access packs :). Or that you have installed
some software which is "hogging" the data transfers from your COM port which
results in missed data and consequesnt data errors and slow performance !
Try doing a data download using Telix or Procom in Win95 Dos Prompt mode and
then the same from within a Win95 DOS Window. Also try downloading using
Hyperterminal. These will give you some idea of how bad your data errors are
if you download from a Bulletin Board service WITHOUT using Internet PPP.

Apart from that, please consider bringing in your system for a checkup or
just general consultation as to why your equipment is performin poorly. Call
Edward on 96998844 to make an appointment.
Normally a fairly thorough Checkup is not costly and can save a lot of 
hassle and uncertainty, reduce your costs and improve the pleasure of your 
internet experience.