Wireless network slow but wired network fine

I have a Linksys WRT54G wireless router (firmware version is 8.00.2). My desktop is plugged in to the router. I have my personal laptop (Dell Inspiron 1520) and my work laptop (Dell Inspiron 9300) on the wireless network. I have the security mode set as WPA. I have had this setup since the first of the year. Everything has been fine.

Today, I have noticed an issue with my wireless network. The speed ranges anywhere from the 54Mbps that it should be all the way down to 1 or 2Mbps. And my download speed hasn't gone over 700kbps all day. This is on both laptops.

I did have to reset my router last nite. It reset fine.

My wired connections are getting download speeds around the 3200kbps range (which is what I've always gotten on my network). When I plug the laptops in to the router, they get the same. But when they're connected wirelessly, the download speed drops dramatically. And the connection says that the signal strength is 'Excellent'.

I have disconnected and reconnected to the network, and I have also repaired the connection. Nothing has worked.

Does anyone have any ideas? I'm a n00b when it it comes to wireless connections. This is my first laptop. As far as I can tell, there isn't anything interfering with the connection ... everything is in the same location it always is.

I appreciate any help I can get. If you need me to provide more info, just let me know. As I said, I'm a n00b, so I'm not sure what information to include.

 

Sounds like you may have some interference coming from somewhere. Maybe a cel phone, cordless phone or even a neighbor with a new router using MIMO. I don not know if Netstumbler will run on Vista, but it may be a good try. Have it scan for 10 min and see what it detects. If a neighbor you may need to talk to them and have them upgrade their firmware. 11n V1 was know to take down other networks.

 

I have XP and not Vista. I'll have to download Netstumbler and see what I can find out.

As for interference ... I don't think there's any coming from inside MY apartment. As I said, I haven't moved anything or brought anything new in. But it is possible for there to be interference from a neighbor's apartment? Interesting.

Things have sped up somewhat since I posted. I went into EasyLink Advisor and saw a couple of devices that were offline that I thought might be old instances of my laptop. I removed them, and then things sped up. I do have a secure network, so I don't think it was someone stealing my signal.