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    Speed and connection issues with Dell 1501 wireless card.

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by xorbex, Jan 19, 2012.

  1. xorbex

    xorbex Notebook Enthusiast

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    I am getting horrible speeds on my M17x R3 with a Dell 1501 wireless card and a linksys wrt610n. Here are the trouble shooting steps and issues I've found.

    When 3 ft from the router I get 20Mbs but when 20 ft away I get 50Kbs

    In safe mode and 20 ft away I get 20Mbs... Also have uninstalled and reinstalled the newest driver. It is a fresh install as the laptop is a day old.

    Only other device on the network is a wireless PC. When the wireless is off on that machine I get 20Mbs.

    I'm scratching my head on this one and have ordered a Intel 6300 as a replacement as I want faster sPeeds as I have a 100Mbs cOnnection. But until this new card arrives I would like to be able to at least use my Internet as its
    Impossible to even load a web page at current speeds wirelessly. I forgot to mention that in task manager network it says the 1501 is connected at 62 Mbs.

    Any help would be appreciated.
     
    xorbex, Jan 19, 2012
    #1
  2. too456

    too456 Resident Angry Bird

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    There can be a few causes for this. Download inSSIDer and scan and see if your network overlaps any other occupied channels. If it does, move it to another channel that has no overlap to minimise interference. Next, try these drivers and see if they do anything.
     
    too456, Jan 20, 2012
    #2
  3. westCoastgeekbaby2

    westCoastgeekbaby2 Notebook Consultant

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    Are both machines on wireless N? What security are you using? WPA? WPA2? What channel are you currently using?

    You're definitely getting some interference from the other wireless card on your network
     
    westCoastgeekbaby2, Jan 20, 2012
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  4. xorbex

    xorbex Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks for the reply. I am at work right now but will test when i get home and get back to you both. Thanks for the reply and ill be trying these asap.

    Yes both are wireless N. I have a dual band router and one is connected to 2.4 GHZ N and the other 5.0 GHZ N

    Where in the connection settings can I change the channel if necessary?
     
    xorbex, Jan 20, 2012
    #4
  5. tijo

    tijo Sacred Blame

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    You need to change the channel in the router settings, in the wireless netowrk settings, often under something like advanced settings.
     
    tijo, Jan 20, 2012
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  6. xorbex

    xorbex Notebook Enthusiast

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    Sorry for my noobishness but wouldnt I have to set static IP addresses to both wireless devices to designate a channel for different IP's?
     
    xorbex, Jan 21, 2012
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  7. downloads

    downloads No, Dee Dee, no! Super Moderator

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    Not separate channels for separate devices but different channel (than the one you're using now) for all devices.
     
    downloads, Jan 21, 2012
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  8. xorbex

    xorbex Notebook Enthusiast

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    OK here are the final results.... changing channels did nothing, they were changed to the settings in the link in my last post. The drivers that too456 posted helped me achieve approx 10Mbs so I can deal with that until my new card arrives. I will test a bit more and let you all know if the driver continues to work.

    Anyone ordering a laptop from dell I suggest you stay away from the Dell 1501 Mini card as my experiences have been nothing but a headache. Pay the extra few bucks and get a better card.
     
    xorbex, Jan 21, 2012
    #8
  9. westCoastgeekbaby2

    westCoastgeekbaby2 Notebook Consultant

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    There's still something wrong with interference . I hope that buying a new Intel Card solves your problem, but playing devils advocate, my dad has an Alienware m17x with the Dell 1501 (using the stock dell drivers) and he's getting between 10 to 15mbits down on the other side of the house from where the router is located. But at least now you are gettign 10mbits with the new drivers which is definitely decent
     
    westCoastgeekbaby2, Jan 21, 2012
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  10. too456

    too456 Resident Angry Bird

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    The Dell 1501 uses the Broadcom BCM4313 chipset. Don't have a lot of experience with this particular chipset, but generally (for me) Broadcom cards are crappy.
     
    too456, Jan 21, 2012
    #10