Download speed - dropping tracert, Comcast says signal is OK

I'm trying to figure out if I'm getting the best download speed.

When I do a tracert - the packet is timed out at my router. I updated my router firmware and still have the problem. I had Comcast visit and they say the signal is strong (whatever that means). I'm supposed to get "up to 15 Mbps" download and "up to 3 Mbps upload" with the Comcast Triple package.

What do experts suggest?
--I wonder if I should buy the new Linksys router. - Linksys E3000
High Performance Wireless-N Router
-I wonder if I should check the speed w/o using the router - but I'm nervous to mess up my network and I'm a newbie - never did it before.
-Could it my my laptop software? or hardware?

Speed test

Speed Test #89664759 by dslreports.com
Run: 2010-06-10 17:20:26 EST
Download: 7324 (Kbps)
Upload: 3520 (Kbps)
In kilobytes per second: 894.1 down 429.7 up
Tested by server: 56 java
User: 2 @ dslreports.com
User's DNS: comcast.net
Compared to the average of 1065 tests from comcast.net:
* download is 24% worse, upload is 37% better

Here's info about my current configuration:
Laptop
Model Name Qosmio G45
Part Number PQG41U-001001
Serial Number 97016559H
OS Version Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Ultimate 6.0.6002 Service Pack 2
BIOS Version Version 2.20
CPU Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T7300 @ 2.00GHz
Physical Memory 2048MB RAM
Hard Disk Capacity 318,507,048,960 [Byte] 296.633 [GB]
Hard Disk Free Space Capacity 146,088,980,480 [Byte] 136.056 [GB]
Video NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT version=8.15.11.8603
Screen Resolution 1600 x 1024 Pixels
Color Quality True Color (32 Bit)
Sound Realtek High Definition Audio version=6.0.1.5397
Network Intel(R) 82566MC Gigabit Network Connection version=9.12.36.0 MAC Address=00:15:B7:7D:31:EF
Intel(R) Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN version=11.5.0.32 MAC Address=00:13:E8:65:4A:6B
Modem TOSHIBA Software Modem version=2.1.77.0
Internet Explorer 8.0.6001.18904
IDE Device ST9160821AS
ST9160821AS
IMD-0
TOSHIBA DVD/HDW SD-L902A ATA Device FW version=TF32

Router - Linkysys WRT300N v1.1, Firmware V 1.51.2

Tracert

C:\Users\April>tracert experts-exchange.com

Tracing route to experts-exchange.com [64.156.132.140]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

1 3 ms 1 ms 1 ms 192.168.1.1
2 * * * Request timed out.
3 8 ms 8 ms 9 ms 68.85.204.113
4 10 ms 8 ms 14 ms te-9-3-ur01.noblesville.in.indiana.comcast.net [
68.85.176.245]
5 11 ms 8 ms 9 ms 68.85.177.242
6 15 ms 15 ms 14 ms pos-0-15-0-0-ar01.area4.il.chicago.comcast.net [
68.87.230.9]
7 15 ms 16 ms 16 ms pos-1-13-0-0-cr01.chicago.il.ibone.comcast.net [
68.86.90.49]
8 16 ms 16 ms 14 ms xe-9-2-0.edge1.Chicago2.Level3.net [4.71.248.25]

9 16 ms 15 ms 16 ms vlan51.ebr1.Chicago2.Level3.net [4.69.138.158]
10 40 ms 41 ms 47 ms ae-3-3.ebr2.Denver1.Level3.net [4.69.132.61]
11 41 ms 52 ms 52 ms ae-1-100.ebr1.Denver1.Level3.net [4.69.132.37]
12 77 ms 88 ms 89 ms ae-3-3.ebr2.SanJose1.Level3.net [4.69.132.57]
13 78 ms 78 ms 80 ms ae-1-6.bar2.SanFrancisco1.Level3.net [4.69.140.1
53]
14 79 ms 78 ms 78 ms ae-4-4.car2.SanFrancisco1.Level3.net [4.69.133.1
57]
15 78 ms 79 ms 85 ms ge-9-1.hsa1.SanFrancisco1.Level3.net [4.69.142.1
50]
16 * * * Request timed out.
17 84 ms 83 ms 83 ms www-level3.experts-exchange.com [64.156.132.140]

Solution: Download speed - dropping tracert, Comcast says signal is OK

'tracert' often fails because they program their systems to ignore it. They don't want you to map out their system. They can disable ping response also.

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