Anybody good with computers?

[tbergman]

Alright, I have a problem. Well, many but just one I'll address right now, my wireless internet on my laptop will connect just fine for about 3 minutes then it slows down to 1 Mbps until I disconnect/reconnect then it's just fine again. Any ideas?

 

[alexwakelin]

I would start by downloading and installing updated drivers.

 

[Ito]

I have several ideas, it could either be you a getting a crappy signal or there is something wrong with your router? Just some ideas, but maybe you might wanna see if you can't find another router and test your speeds with that.

 

[tbergman]

I should probably add a little data, the drivers are updated and I don't think it's the signal or router. Reason being that the laptops been sitting on my desk forever and this problem just started, and there are 5 other people on this router and I seem to be the only one with problems. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[alexwakelin]

Unless you already tried reinstalling drivers, I would still try it. It only takes about 5 mins to do, and sometimes drivers can get corrupted for no good reason. Does your laptop have built in wireless or are you using a wireless card?

 

[rnatalli]

It appears the router is fine so that narrows it down to the computer. Try drivers as alexwakelin suggested. If it still doesn't work properly, it could be the actual hardware.

 

[mperfct]

If you want dedicated throughput, you have to do wired. There are too many variables to wireless. You could be running into 2.4 gHz interference, the other people could be eating up a lot more bandwidth, there could be some other anomaly.

If this is 802.11g, the advertised rate is 54 mbps. The real throughput put of .11g is roughly 15-16 mbps, and you have to realize this is divided every time someone else is on. This is also half-duplex. Wireless AP's can only talk or listen, then can't do both at the same time.

 

[krzywica]

If you want dedicated throughput, you have to do wired. There are too many variables to wireless. You could be running into 2.4 gHz interference, the other people could be eating up a lot more bandwidth, there could be some other anomaly.

If this is 802.11g, the advertised rate is 54 mbps. The real throughput put of .11g is roughly 15-16 mbps, and you have to realize this is divided every time someone else is on. This is also half-duplex. Wireless AP's can only talk or listen, then can't do both at the same time.

Yep I would guess since there are 5 clients on concurrently you are just taxing the physical limits of the .11g standard. What are you doing exactly that you notice a loss in speed?

 

[tbergman]

When I say 54 mbsp, that's just what the icon in the tray says, but it goes from that, to 24, to 1 and at that point I have no internet access but it's still connected. I will try uninstalling and reinstalling the driver and see what happens. I understand that with all of us on the router at once is going to slow it down but we've had this router since august and this is the first time I've had these specific problems. Once again, thanks for all the help.

 

[mperfct]

When I say 54 mbsp, that's just what the icon in the tray says, but it goes from that, to 24, to 1 and at that point I have no internet access but it's still connected. I will try uninstalling and reinstalling the driver and see what happens. I understand that with all of us on the router at once is going to slow it down but we've had this router since august and this is the first time I've had these specific problems. Once again, thanks for all the help.

You might also try updating the wireless access point's firmware too, just to be sure.

 

[krzywica]

It would help to know the router make and model. Are you running an integrated or PCIMCIA wireless card? If it's integarted, I would pop the hood and see if both the radio jumpers are still firmly attached. If its PCIMCI I would say your card may be damaged and to try a different one.

If it is your Router I would try and back up your existing firmware, and reflash it with DD-WRT firmware which is excellent and will be much more stable than any consumer grade router or AP. It will also add extensive features to your router that would normally cost several hundred dollars.