Wireless Speed Slows During Use

urantian · 07-25-2006, 12:57 PM

I have a Dell USB Wireless network device, a Dell Dimension 8400 with Windows XP Pro, and a Netgear wireless router, which is connected to high-speed cable.

When the computer is idle, the wireless connection shows 11 mbs. However, whenever I access the Internet (email or Web), within a couple of seconds, the connection speeds drops to 2 mbs. The speed stays this way until sometime after the computer is idle. I reinstalled, and upgraded, the wireless device software driver with the same results.

The problem seems to be isolated to the computer and USB device, because I also have a wireless laptop that has a consistent 11 mbs connection with the router.

Any ideas?

---Michael Reynolds, Santa Barbara, CA

whardman · 07-25-2006, 03:24 PM

Have you tried the laptop at the same distance as the desktop? The further you go from the access point the weaker the connection. Other things like walls can decrease the range of the connection. Since it is dropping speed when you try to access the internet my thought is that the connection is too weak to handle that speed and will drop to allow for a better connection.

urantian · 07-25-2006, 11:14 PM

The laptop can maintain a consistent high-speed connection when it is further than the desktop from the router. Plus, I have another desktop in the same room as the problem PC, and it, too, maintains a fast connection, even though it is further from the router.

---Michael Reynolds, Santa Barbara, CA

whardman · 07-26-2006, 08:14 AM

Is the other computer using usb as well? If it is try switching the usb wireless adapters and see if either computer slows.

**Joefireline** · 07-26-2006, 09:41 AM

Are you sure you have the newist drivers? As I had the same problem, and found out it was due to the drivers.

urantian · 07-26-2006, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whardman

Is the other computer using usb as well? If it is try switching the usb wireless adapters and see if either computer slows.

No. The laptop's interface is built-in, and the other desktop is using a PCI card. However, I am thinking of putting the PCI card into the newer PC, which is having the speed trouble.

However, I am hoping to determine whether I have a problem with the wireless USB device, the PC, or Windows. If the trouble is not with the device, I will mostly likely still have the trouble after moving the PCI card.

---Michael

urantian · 07-26-2006, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joefireline

Are you sure you have the newist drivers? As I had the same problem, and found out it was due to the drivers.

That's interesting that you were having the same trouble.

Yes. I mentioned in my original post that I upgraded the driver. Are you using a DELL USB network card? If so, what driver version do you have?

---Michael

**Joefireline** · 07-26-2006, 10:25 AM

No, I am using a Intel built in one.

whardman · 07-26-2006, 11:34 AM

You could try disabling the PCI wireless card and connect the USB to that computer. If it continues to drop speed then it is definitely the USB adapter.

07-25-2006, 12:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
urantian Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 17 OS: XP Pro, 2K, 98, 95	Wireless Speed Slows During Use I have a Dell USB Wireless network device, a Dell Dimension 8400 with Windows XP Pro, and a Netgear wireless router, which is connected to high-speed cable. When the computer is idle, the wireless connection shows 11 mbs. However, whenever I access the Internet (email or Web), within a couple of seconds, the connection speeds drops to 2 mbs. The speed stays this way until sometime after the computer is idle. I reinstalled, and upgraded, the wireless device software driver with the same results. The problem seems to be isolated to the computer and USB device, because I also have a wireless laptop that has a consistent 11 mbs connection with the router. Any ideas? ---Michael Reynolds, Santa Barbara, CA

07-25-2006, 03:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
whardman Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 617 OS: Windows XP My System	Have you tried the laptop at the same distance as the desktop? The further you go from the access point the weaker the connection. Other things like walls can decrease the range of the connection. Since it is dropping speed when you try to access the internet my thought is that the connection is too weak to handle that speed and will drop to allow for a better connection.

07-25-2006, 11:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
urantian Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 17 OS: XP Pro, 2K, 98, 95	The laptop can maintain a consistent high-speed connection when it is further than the desktop from the router. Plus, I have another desktop in the same room as the problem PC, and it, too, maintains a fast connection, even though it is further from the router. ---Michael Reynolds, Santa Barbara, CA

07-26-2006, 08:14 AM	#4 (permalink)
whardman Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 617 OS: Windows XP My System	Is the other computer using usb as well? If it is try switching the usb wireless adapters and see if either computer slows.

07-26-2006, 09:41 AM	#5 (permalink)
Joefireline Enthusiastic TSFer~Joseph Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Portishead (Bristol) England Posts: 5,319 OS: Windows 7 64bit(Desktop) / XP Home SP2(laptop) My System	Are you sure you have the newist drivers? As I had the same problem, and found out it was due to the drivers.

07-26-2006, 10:25 AM	#8 (permalink)
Joefireline Enthusiastic TSFer~Joseph Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Portishead (Bristol) England Posts: 5,319 OS: Windows 7 64bit(Desktop) / XP Home SP2(laptop) My System	No, I am using a Intel built in one.

07-26-2006, 11:34 AM	#9 (permalink)
whardman Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 617 OS: Windows XP My System	You could try disabling the PCI wireless card and connect the USB to that computer. If it continues to drop speed then it is definitely the USB adapter.