Slow speeds. Wifi problem?

Technical Ben · Nov 09, 2009, 16:51:45

I'm getting some slow speeds recently. I cannot get more than 1mb. However, I'm having to move the entire pc over to the router everytime I need to check the speed via a wired connection. If the problem is my wifi, is there a way to check it's connection speed without having to move the PC between rooms? My router stats are below if they help diagnose a simple problem.

Speed down 7360kbps, up 448kbps
Line Atten' down 4.0db, up 4.5db
Noise Margin down 8.0db, up 18db

Rik · Nov 09, 2009, 17:00:47

With that d/s attenuation, you should be syncing at the full 8128, so it suggests to me that either you have a noisy line or the target noise margin has been raised to stabilise the line. How is the router connected to the phone line, eg extension lead? What else is connected to the line.

You can use an ethernet cable of up to 100m to avoid moving the PC.

Technical Ben · Nov 09, 2009, 17:05:59

Thanks, I only have one filter, and the phone connected all by wire. Moved a couple of things, but don't think I moved anything when it lowered. Thankfully the speedtester I use automatically saves stats. So when I was trouble shooting at the weekend I still only got 3.5mb, and I usually get the full 6-7mb that is available on the line. I've tried faster servers, but still only getting 1mb.
I'll give it one more try all wired in, and see if I get anything better, but I'll wait till after dinner.

[PS, all the talk about power lines on another thread reminds me that the only difference is the extension lead for the power socket. Might try swapping that out first.

]

Rik · Nov 09, 2009, 17:15:11

ADSL is sensitive to so many RFI sources, that's it's worth changing whatever you can, Ben. How long is the lead from socket to router?

Technical Ben · Nov 09, 2009, 17:52:44

About 5cm.

It's a 1 meter cable I think, the one that came with it. Plug socket is not the problem, as I've just tried a different socket. Will brb after I try it wired.

Rik · Nov 09, 2009, 17:54:40

Technical Ben · Nov 09, 2009, 17:59:53

Oh no it works! Hold on. I know that is a good thing, but if the wires work, it means my wifi is not making the 3m to the desk.

So I have to get an extension areal, or try repositioning the pc.

Glenn · Nov 09, 2009, 18:02:59

Or change the wifi channel on the router

Rik · Nov 09, 2009, 18:11:56

As Glenn says, start by changing channel, 1, 6 or 11 are best.

Sebby · Nov 09, 2009, 18:17:20

These channels are the most spread out in the spectrum, iirc.

Technical Ben · Nov 09, 2009, 19:17:37

Nope, no change. Even moved the desk, and the book case... and the sofa. Got no difference. Actually, now the pc is a little closer, it's got worse.

[edit] As a note, when I built the pc last week, I tested the wifi next to the router and it worked fine. But not sure if it's the distance or interference.

[edit again]
Might be my drivers. As there are no netgear drivers yet, Microsoft just released one for them but it seems very slow. It might not be able to use the features on the card properly. I don't know.

I give up.

Technical Ben · Nov 09, 2009, 20:51:22

Ok. Found the problem. As mentioned, I have the "hotfix" emergency, backup, generic, temporary (guess they are beta) drivers from Microsoft for my wifi card. I was messing with channels, getting maybe half a megabit difference. Then wondered if the mode was set to b (11mbps) instead of g (54mbps). So I turned it to "g only mode" on the router. Then the connection died. Conclusion; the windows drivers do not support g mode, and thus I'm stuck on b, and at 11mbps, with a through put of 1 when all taken into consideration. Even that i s slower than it should be. So I've got the old patch cable out and it's trailed across the room. Got 5mb through the net, so that is still working fine.

Guess I'll have to wait for new drivers. And just rearrange the house each morning.

[edited speeds as I'd got em wrong ]

Lance · Nov 09, 2009, 22:02:53

So let me get this right, you have a netgear card in your machine, but netgear don't yet have any drivers available for it?

Sebby · Nov 09, 2009, 22:48:34

Furthermore, support for "g" has been around for several years. I can't imagine any drivers, beta or not, would only support "b".

Sebby · Nov 09, 2009, 22:56:00

Try using a small, flat-headed screw driver and carefully push down on the plastic clip/latch (can't think of the correct term!) whilst trying to pull the cable out.

Technical Ben · Nov 09, 2009, 22:57:56

It's probably because they are not the official ones. All I know is it does not work. And no, there are no windows 7 drivers out yet, and the Vista ones do not work.

Oh, and I just got my only patch cable stuck in the RJ45 socket. I might be able to remove it, but then I'm back to wifi. Today = FAIL.

Lance · Nov 09, 2009, 23:15:04

Ah I see. So it's a case that there isn't drivers for the card on windows 7. That makes more sense now.

rireed3 · Nov 09, 2009, 23:36:27

Quote from: Technical Ben on Nov 09, 2009, 22:57:56
Oh, and I just got my only patch cable stuck in the RJ45 socket. I might be able to remove it, but then I'm back to wifi. Today = FAIL.

I think Sebby posted this by mistake in another topic:
Sebby's reply

Simon · Nov 09, 2009, 23:46:00

Sorry, I think I may have confused things. Ben posted in the wrong thread, and asked for it to be deleted, which I did, not realising Sebby had already responded to it.

Rik · Nov 10, 2009, 08:18:19

Quote from: rireed3 on Nov 09, 2009, 23:36:27
I think Sebby posted this by mistake in another topic:
Sebby's reply

Now in this thread, above.

Technical Ben · Nov 10, 2009, 11:10:55

Ok, I'm not so tired now, so I may make more sense.

Seems I can get it to work in G mode. However no difference in speed.

Rik · Nov 10, 2009, 11:12:12

Try turning off encryption briefly, does that help?

Technical Ben · Nov 10, 2009, 12:31:12

Thanks lots! I don't know how to in windows 7 (half the options that were in XP seem to be hidden.

). So I turned it down from 128bit to 56bit. Even did a restart and no difference.

I tried uninstalling and reinstalling the drivers under compatibility mode. Re-seating the pci card. Using MS drivers, Netgear drivers. Old versions, the lot. Then it would not install at all. So I decided to do a roll back to Sunday.
Some how, impossibly, it's back to normal. I don't know how, as it's still not Windows 7 compatible, and I have had the problem since last week, so sunday should be no different.
Perhaps it was interference from some neighbour?
Getting 5.5mb over wifi now on speedtest, and 651KB/s downloading

Rik · Nov 10, 2009, 12:35:58

Turn it off at the router, Ben, the computer will 'follow the connection'.

It sounds weird, do you have auto-updates on?

Technical Ben · Nov 10, 2009, 12:57:51

As once said by the famous detective, "when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."
I put the case cover back on, and the speed died again. So I guess it's not a software problem.

I've been use to my laptop, that gets near perfect reception everywhere. On this machine, I can only detect my own wifi. I use to be able to pick up the whole street.

Rik · Nov 10, 2009, 13:00:17

The case could be shielding, or it could be the movement of putting it back disturbs something, Ben. Take it off, see if things work again. If they do, put it back on, but just rest it there, don't secure it.

Technical Ben · Nov 10, 2009, 14:43:28

Got the pc turned 180, and I get full speed. So I guess I'm going to have to get an extension aerial.

Rik · Nov 10, 2009, 16:29:33

Look like it, Ben.

Steve · Nov 10, 2009, 16:31:55

I find homeplugs perform better than wireless g and a lot less hassle.