Wireless slow down problem

[timjrocks]

Hi,

Firstly apologies if something like this is already on here. I've had
a good look through and can't find anything so here goes,

For some reason my wireless connection seems to slow down over time.
What i mean is that immediately after turning my machine on, my
network connection whizzes along fine, then about 10-15mins later
browsing and downloading is reduced to a crawl, download tests say
7kbps (when it first connects i get 3.6mbps).

My machine is an athlon 64 3000+ running at 1.3GHz, 1 Gig of RAM with
XP SP2 (fully updated, not the x64 version though). The machine runs
fine, apart from the internet connection. I was using a Netgear Range
max wireless usb dongle (WPN111GE) and thought that might be the
issue. I've just installed a D-link 53Mbps pci card (DWL-G510),
hoping that would solve the problem, but exactly the same thing
happens.

The router is a 54Mbps dsl netgear one (WGR614) and that is connected
to a virgin cable modem via ethernet.

This problem only happens on my desktop PC. When i connect it
directly using a huge long ethernet cable, I don't have a problem. My
laptop and my three housemate's laptops don't have any problem either
(They are all running XP SP2 as well).

I'm running Avast antivirus and switching it off has no effect, nor
does turning off the windows firewall.
If i disable the wireless card then re-enable it, it seems to sort
itself, then slows up again. I'm thinking is must be the hardware,
but to happen to two different bits of kit from different
manufacturers is a bit weird.

Any help would be massively appreciated, cheers

 

[smlunatick]

Hi,

Firstly apologies if something like this is already on here.  I've had
a good look through and can't find anything so here goes,

For some reason my wireless connection seems to slow down over time.
What i mean is that immediately after turning my machine on, my
network connection whizzes along fine, then about 10-15mins later
browsing and downloading is reduced to a crawl, download tests say
7kbps (when it first connects i get 3.6mbps).

My machine is an athlon 64 3000+ running at 1.3GHz, 1 Gig of RAM with
XP SP2 (fully updated, not the x64 version though).  The machine runs
fine, apart from the internet connection.  I was using a Netgear Range
max wireless usb dongle (WPN111GE) and thought that might be the
issue.  I've just installed a D-link 53Mbps pci card (DWL-G510),
hoping that would solve the problem, but exactly the same thing
happens.

The router is a 54Mbps dsl netgear one (WGR614) and that is connected
to a virgin cable modem via ethernet.

This problem only happens on my desktop PC.  When i connect it
directly using a huge long ethernet cable, I don't have a problem.  My
laptop and my three housemate's laptops don't have any problem either
(They are all running XP SP2 as well).

I'm running Avast antivirus and switching it off has no effect, nor
does turning off the windows firewall.
If i disable the wireless card then re-enable it, it seems to sort
itself, then slows up again.  I'm thinking is must be the hardware,
but to happen to two different bits of kit from different
manufacturers is a bit weird.

Any help would be massively appreciated, cheers

Check for any possible firmware updates for your router.

Also, I enxcountered such a problem where my wireless USb dongles
slowed down, or stopped completely, during my use. Turned out my USB
ports (add-on) seemed to be using a uncompatible USB controlling
chipset (Ali) and since replacing the USB ports by a NEC based card,
all is weel.

 

[timjrocks]

Check for any possible firmware updates for your router.

Also, I enxcountered such a problem where my wireless USb dongles
slowed down, or stopped completely, during my use. Turned out my USB
ports (add-on) seemed to be using a uncompatible USB controlling
chipset (Ali) and since replacing the USB ports by a NEC based card,
all is weel.

Cheers for the quick reply.

My router firmware did need upgrading, but unfortunately made no
difference.

I'm using a pci card now, but would what you said about the usb
controller be true of a pci card as well? My dongle, while i had it,
also went onto a pci usb card. Do i need to check stuff on the
motherboard?

Cheers

 

[smlunatick]

Cheers for the quick reply.

My router firmware did need upgrading, but unfortunately made no
difference.

I'm using a pci card now, but would what you said about the usb
controller be true of a pci card as well?  My dongle, while i had it,
also went onto a pci usb card.  Do i need to check stuff on the
motherboard?

Cheers- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I was also having problems with my PC booting. My Ali USB ports was
sometimes blocking my XP boot sector to be read. Not happening after
replacing them.

 

[Jack \(MVP-Networking\).]

Hi
Where is the PCI Antenna. If it stuck behind the case and the wall down
close to the floor it might get weak signal.
If the Antenna is removable get few feet of antenna extension and put it
above the system.
Otherwise replace your card with something like this,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833315041
Jack (MVP-Networking).

 

[HeroBadger]

Hi
Where is the PCI Antenna. If it stuck behind the case and the wall down
close to the floor it might get weak signal.
If the Antenna is removable get few feet of antenna extension and put it
above the system.
Otherwise replace your card with something like this,http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833315041
Jack (MVP-Networking).

The antenna is at the back of the machine, but it comes up as full
signal strength (54mbps), from when i first turn on the machine and
throughout the slow down. The dlink/windows software maybe lying to
me, is that likely?

I read somewhere that interference from other wireless networks can
slow down the connection over time. Is this true?
I've tried searching for other networks but i can't see any
broadcasting, if they can slow down my connection can they do it when
they are not broadcasting an SSID?

Cheers in advance

 

[smlunatick]

The antenna is at the back of the machine, but it comes up as full
signal strength (54mbps), from when i first turn on the machine and
throughout the slow down.  The dlink/windows software maybe lying to
me, is that likely?

I read somewhere that interference from other wireless networks can
slow down the connection over time.  Is this true?
I've tried searching for other networks but i can't see any
broadcasting, if they can slow down my connection can they do it when
they are not broadcasting an SSID?

Cheers in advance- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Yes, since most wireless networks all default to the same channel
(6??) you can have interference from othr WiFi networks. Other
interference can be caused by:

1) Microwaves
2) Cordless telephones
3) Some cell phones (GSM interference can be heard on most PC
speakers.)
4) Distance from router
5) Building materials used to build the walls between the PC and
router. Concerte and newer metal studs in walls can block signals.

 

[HeroBadger]

Yes, since most wireless networks all default to the same channel
(6??) you can have interference from othr WiFi networks. Other
interference can be caused by:

1) Microwaves
2) Cordless telephones
3) Some cell phones (GSM interference can be heard on most PC
speakers.)
4) Distance from router
5) Building materials used to build the walls between the PC and
router. Concerte and newer metal studs in walls can block signals.

Sorted it, it was a reception problem. I got hold of a powerlink
mains adapter with a wireless access point on one end which I put much
closer to my computer. Internet now whizzes along all the time.

Cheers for the help

 

[milleron]

Sorted it, it was a reception problem. I got hold of a powerlink
mains adapter with a wireless access point on one end which I put much
closer to my computer. Internet now whizzes along all the time.

Cheers for the help

Please explain the connection. Are you saying that you now have
essentially a wired connection from the original wireless router to
another wireless access point? If so, why fool with wireless to the
desktop at all? Why not just plug in a Powerlink Ethernet adapter at
the outlet where your computer is plugged in?

 

[HeroBadger]

Please explain the connection. Are you saying that you now have
essentially a wired connection from the original wireless router to
another wireless access point? If so, why fool with wireless to the
desktop at all? Why not just plug in a Powerlink Ethernet adapter at
the outlet where your computer is plugged in?

Mainly because i don't have one. There was a spare one these knocking
around at work http://www.netgear.com/Products/PowerlineNetworking/PowerlineWirelessAccessPoints/WGXB102.aspx
so I am using that for the time being. When work want it back, I'll
get hold of an ethernet powerline system as you suggest, but there's
no need to part with any cash till I have to.