Office files open slowly using WiFi

[James R]

On my Lenovo X61 MS office files open very slowly, 30 - 40 secs, when using the
WiFi connection. I've downloaded a new WiFi driver, reinstalled Windows XP,
unchecked "auto look for network folders" in Folder Options, done clean boot
to ensure its not an app. When using a wired connection files open fine. My
Lenovo X40 did the same thing. Any suggestions?

 

[Jim]

On my Lenovo X61 MS office files open very slowly, 30 - 40 secs, when
using the
WiFi connection. I've downloaded a new WiFi driver, reinstalled Windows
XP,
unchecked "auto look for network folders" in Folder Options, done clean
boot
to ensure its not an app. When using a wired connection files open fine.
My
Lenovo X40 did the same thing. Any suggestions?

WiFi is not as robust as wired. Thus, wired will always be faster and more
dependable.
However, 30 - 40 seconds seems like much to long.
It was a waste of time to reinstall XP.
Did you download the new driver from the manufacturer? Never get drivers
from MS.
What does the wireless software say about the signal strength? Are you
certain that the adapter and the router are using the fastest protocol? It
ought to be b or n.
Jim

 

[James R]

Thank you for your thoughts. I did download the driver from the manu. I'll
have to look into signal strength and protocol. It seems odd that two
computers with XP would have the same problem - yet other Lenovo owners don't
experience it. I pondered whether it might be my setup for a home (wired)
network for my HP printer (like the OS is looking via WiFi for a printer
driver) but HP couldn't find anything.

 

[Patrick Keenan]

On my Lenovo X61 MS office files open very slowly, 30 - 40 secs, when
using the
WiFi connection. I've downloaded a new WiFi driver, reinstalled Windows
XP,

Reinstalling XP would really not be indicated if a wired connection runs
full-speed. The problem is with the adapter or other components of the
wireless network, not with the OS.

unchecked "auto look for network folders" in Folder Options, done clean
boot
to ensure its not an app. When using a wired connection files open fine.

And since wired works, and all of those impact the wired connection, it
likely isn't the OS settings.

My Lenovo X40 did the same thing. Any suggestions?

Check the data speed for your wireless connection - disconnecting and
reconnecting sometimes helps. On my thinkpad, wireless speed can drop
from 144 to 26, and comes back up when I disconnect/reconnect.

Note as well that higher encryption levels are somewhat slower; temporarily
disable this to see if it has any effect.

You might try swapping in another router to see if it works better. Or,
borrow and try another wireless adapter and disable the stock one.

HTH
-pk

 

[James R]

Thank you for your suggestions, Patrick. I'll try them.

- J

 

[Jim]

Thank you for your thoughts. I did download the driver from the manu. I'll
have to look into signal strength and protocol. It seems odd that two
computers with XP would have the same problem - yet other Lenovo owners
don't
experience it. I pondered whether it might be my setup for a home (wired)
network for my HP printer (like the OS is looking via WiFi for a printer
driver) but HP couldn't find anything.

The wifi signal is affected by the weather, wireless telephones, and
microwave ovens to name just a few. These devices and your wifi can operate
in the same UHF band. As an example of the weather affecting wifi, my
systems can operate with no trouble until a cold front comes through.
Evidently, the increased humidity affects the signal. My router is on the
second floor, but my laptop usually resides on the ground floor (about 25
feet or so away). The operation of the microwave doesn't seem to bother the
wifi, nor does the wireless telephone.

Jim

 

[C.Joseph Drayton]

WiFi is not as robust as wired. Thus, wired will always be faster and more
dependable.
However, 30 - 40 seconds seems like much to long.
It was a waste of time to reinstall XP.
Did you download the new driver from the manufacturer? Never get drivers
from MS.
What does the wireless software say about the signal strength? Are you
certain that the adapter and the router are using the fastest protocol? It
ought to be b or n.
Jim

Hi Jim and OP,

The fastest of the common protocols is actually 'g' NOT 'b'.
The 'n' protocol is faster, but I have seen so many hardware
incompatibilities between manufacturers, that I recommend
that they just get a good quality wireless 'g' router.

I would guess that the signal strength is your issue here.
If you are not getting a good signal, you might consider
getting a wireless bridge to exchange the range of your router.

Sincerely,
C.Joseph Drayton, Ph.D. AS&T

CSD Computer Services

Web site: http://csdcs.site90.net/
E-mail: (e-mail address removed)90.net