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    Why is my connection so slow?

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by Tim, Feb 8, 2006.

  1. Tim

    Tim Notebook Virtuoso

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    Hello,
    I just got my new compaq v4000t. It has been working great so far but I have a little wireless problem. Right know I am on my laptop which has a wireless DSL connection. We also have a desktop on this wireless connection. The desktop down stairs has a 54Mbps connection while my notebook only gets 1-18Mbps :( . The connection is very good.
    I think I know what the problem is but I just wanted to check to be sure. We have a wireless modem. Is this causing the problem? I believe it is but I wasn't sure. Should I get a wireless router? Will this fix the problem?
    Thanks for the help,
    Tim
     
    Tim, Feb 8, 2006
    #1
  2. nickspohn

    nickspohn Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    When you mean wireless modem, are you saying that a router is built into the modem? if so, there is no reason to have it replaced.

    Dowload the newest firmware by going to the maker of your modem/router and download it from there.

    Are there any cordless phones, kitchen appliances near the router right now? What is all near the router?

    Nick
     
    nickspohn, Feb 8, 2006
    #2
  3. Tim

    Tim Notebook Virtuoso

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    Yes, it is a wireless modem and is plugged up in my parents room at the other end of the house. However, my signal strenght goes from good to very good.

    The modem is an ACTIONTEC from Quest. We have a wireless router that is brand new and not installed yet. I was wondering if I should try turning off the wireless modem and install the wireless router through the modem. The strange thing is that the desktop which is closer to the modem has no problems.

    There is a phone close to the router which is pluged in. It is not wireless. They also have a CD player. Thats all.
    Thanks for the quick help,
    Tim
     
    Tim, Feb 8, 2006
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  4. nickspohn

    nickspohn Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    Alright, go to the ACTIONTEC website, and find your model modem/router. Try downloading all the lastest things for it
     
    nickspohn, Feb 8, 2006
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  5. Tim

    Tim Notebook Virtuoso

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    Which computer should I do this on? The one that the router is installed on?
    Thanks,
    Tim
     
    Tim, Feb 8, 2006
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  6. nickspohn

    nickspohn Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    Just do it on the desktop since its wired to the modem. Allthough it really doesn't matter
     
    nickspohn, Feb 8, 2006
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  7. Tim

    Tim Notebook Virtuoso

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    The desktop is wireless too. Just to let you know.
    Tim
     
    Tim, Feb 8, 2006
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  8. nickspohn

    nickspohn Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    Doesn't matter then. Although if it gives you trouble, you probaly might want to hook up the computer wired to the modem by an ethernet cable. but i doubt you will need to.

    Nick
     
    nickspohn, Feb 8, 2006
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  9. Tim

    Tim Notebook Virtuoso

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    Okay,
    I just downloaded new firmware for the modem by hooking it up to the desktop computer. It didn't change anything for the laptops connection. It still says it has a good connection, but only has a transfer rate around 11Mbps max.
    What should I do? Do I need to install drivers on the laptop from the qwest website?
    If this doesn't work I was going to reinstall windows anyways since there is so much junk on it.
    Please help,
    Tim
     
    Tim, Feb 8, 2006
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  10. daacon

    daacon Notebook Evangelist

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    Is the Wireless router running in mixed mode (802.11 b /802.11g ) ? Is your network secured ? Are you running WEP / WPA /WAP2 / nothing ?

    Maybe someone is hopping on with an 802.11b card ? I am not sure (Nick would know) but I think the signal will default to the lowest conection in a mixed envrionemnt.

    If possible try just running 802.11g and set your card to only accpet 802.11g see if that helps.
     
    daacon, Feb 8, 2006
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  11. Tim

    Tim Notebook Virtuoso

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    It is not really a wireless router but it is a wireless modem. Could that be whats slowing it down? Can a wireless modem handle two wireless signals coming into it?
    My laptop came with a 802.11b/g card. I am not sure what the modem's mode is, but it has to be able to run wireless g because that is what the desktop is using.
    How would I change the card in the laptop to accept wireless g only?
    I will be reinstalling windows and putting in 2GB of ram into the laptop either on Thur or Fri. Right now it only has 256mb. Could this be the problem?
    Thanks for the help,
    Tim
     
    Tim, Feb 8, 2006
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  12. nickspohn

    nickspohn Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    No that is not the problem (adding more ram)

    How old is this modem/router? If you just got it, keep it as it has nothing to do with this then. Since your desktop is on G, its a G router.
    At this point, im not sure what your saying.

    Is it displaying that the speeds are really low? Or does it just feel slow?

    Nick
     
    nickspohn, Feb 8, 2006
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  13. Tim

    Tim Notebook Virtuoso

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    On the little wireless icon in the taskbar it says I have a good connection with a transfer rate of 11Mbps. However, the rate will move from 1Mbps up to 11Mbps.
    I am just saying that we recieved a modem from qwest that had wireless capabilities. I think we have had it for a year or a little longer. Here is a link to the modem from qwest. http://www.qwest.com/internethelp/modems/gt701/index.html#general
    If you need more info let me know.
    Tim
     
    Tim, Feb 8, 2006
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  14. nickspohn

    nickspohn Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    How far are you away from the modem/router on the laptop?

    I would update your wireless cards drivers as well by going to there site.

    If your sitting right next to the router/modem, and get those issues, let me know.
     
    nickspohn, Feb 8, 2006
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  15. Tim

    Tim Notebook Virtuoso

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    Okay, I am right next to the router and it has improved alittle. Now I am getting between 36Mbps and 48Mbps. Still not 54Mbps .
     
    Tim, Feb 9, 2006
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  16. Tim

    Tim Notebook Virtuoso

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    Do you mean up date the intel driver for my laptop or the one for the modem. Or both. If I install the drivers for the modem do I install them onto my laptop or the desktop. The desktop has the modems software CD installed on it not the laptop.
    Tim
     
    Tim, Feb 9, 2006
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  17. Tim

    Tim Notebook Virtuoso

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    Okay,
    I better head off to bed here soon but I had a couple more things to ask. Could having multiple windows open cause the speed to slow? I just went back up to my room and I thought everthing was better because my connection speed was 54Mbps. Then I open up a second tab in firefox and it slows to 11Mbps. This is very annoying. Well I had better get some sleep so I can try fixing this Thur.
    Does anyone think it could be that the modem only works good for one wireless computer? If thats the case I have a DLink router that I could connect. Should I try this?
    Thanks for your continued help,
    Tim
    P.S. I wouldn't care so much but I really wanted to try out BF2 this weekend :(. Oh Well
     
    Tim, Feb 9, 2006
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  18. nickspohn

    nickspohn Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    Okay, do eveerything you said in your last post is not true so we can rule all of those out. Having more windows open doesn't matter, i have 5 FF open as we speak.

    Looking at your specs, you have the 2200BG card. You really should have told us first of all, so we could have known what card it was. That card has had issues ever since it came out.
    What to do is go find the thread in this forum that says "Issues with 2200 Card" (its the longest thread in here).
    Try reading up on that and update all the drivers mentioned for it. This issue is pretty common with the 2200 card

    Nick
     
    nickspohn, Feb 9, 2006
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  19. Tim

    Tim Notebook Virtuoso

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    Okay I will do that.
    Thanks,
    Tim
     
    Tim, Feb 9, 2006
    #19