apparently slow wireless connection

My PC is a Dell XPS M1330 with Windows Vista Home Premium OS, Intel T9300 CPU, and Dell Wireless 1490 Dual Band WLAN Mini-Card Wireless Network Adapter. It's connected to the internet wirelessly. The internet provider/source is Verizon fiberoptic which uses a Verizon-provided combination modem/router.

Since yesterday, I've experienced very slow internet service on the notebook PC only. The Internet Explorer browser takes 2-5 minutes to open and opening a new page takes the same amount of time, sometimes longer. The desktop that is co-axially hard-wired to the modem seems to have normal internet speed. I also tried my brother-in-law's XPS M1330 (Windows Vista Home Premium OS, Intel T8300 CPU, Dell wireless card, exact model unknown) on the wireless network and it displays the same sluggishness.

I haven't added any new software or freeware prior to the wireless internet slowing down, or otherwise made any alterations to the PC or its components.

I ran updated anti-virus and anti-spamware software but the PC is clean. I cleaned out temporary internet files and defragged and cleaned the hard drive. I also powered off the modem/router for 5 minutes and rebooted the PC at least 3 times after the above functions were done. All of these functions did not change the wireless internet speed, which again began slowing down only yesterday.

Any suggestions as to what might be causing the problem and/or what diagnostics I could do to ferret out the problem? Thanks for reading and for any help.

PG

 

Go through your head first and note whether you've added any new electronic devices in the vicinity of your system or Router that has wireless capablity - cordless phone base, appliance, etc. RFI and EMI can cause signal loss, and hence slower speeds.

While you might not have a virus issue, your A/V software can drain system resources which in turn leads to lower amounts of available RAM, which in turn increases the demand on the CPU - and slows the network speed down.

While a Power Reset can usually help a speed problem, you can also clear problems by doing a firmware flash with the most current FW revision for your Router. This is standard procedure for Linksys Support and other manufacturers for speed and signal issues before other troubleshooting options.

Your settings (both Adapter and Router) also need to be matched in order to get optimum speeds. If you're running with an adapter that has multi-standard capability (like an Intel 4965AGN, 5100, 5300, etc.), and your router is set to Mixed mode and your Radio Band and Channel settings are set to Auto, then the adapter/router will switch to the best available speed / standard for the signal and bandwidth congestion it's receiving. Your signal strength affects speed, so if your signal is in the medium-low range, it could be having an effect.

Your Router and adapter settings need to be matched in order to get the best signal and speed combinations. Access your Adapter settings via the Properties window of the adapter in the Device Manager (open the DM, right click on the adapter, click on Properties) and set them to match your Router's wireless mode, power other settings.

Remember also that since wireless runs at higher speeds than an Ethernet connection, you tend to notice more when the speed slows down. Remember that simple bandwidth congestion during peak usage times can affect even FIOS connections.

There's a good possibility that if you're connection is that slow, it's connecting to the 5ghz band at Wireless A speed and not Wireless N. If your Wireless Mode settings are set to Mixed and not N only, it will use the Wireless A band, which is slower than the Slowsky's.

If you've got only N devices, then set your mode to:

1. Network Mode: Wireless N Only
2. Network Name (SSID) - Set to a unique name that you can recognize.
3. Radio Band - 40mhz Wide Channel
4. Wide Channel - Auto (DFS)
5. Standard Channel - Should be grayed out.
6. SSID Broadcast - Enabled

If you're using Mixed Mode, set the Radio Band to 20mhz and the Channel to 11, and make the same change in your adapter.

Also, make sure you're connecting to YOUR network and not a neighbor's. Most of us who regularly post here cannot over-emphasize the importance of having a unique SSID name broadcasting so that it's clear that it's your network you're connecting to and not a neighbor's. What, you've got FIOS and think YOU are the only one in your area that's using your type of Router?? I'd be willing to bet there are at least 20 or 30 of the same router within broadcast distance of yours if you've got FIOS capability. Always ensure you're connecting to your own network - it's easier than you think to connect to a neighbor's if you don't change the default SSID to one that is distinctively your own.

If you're using any software and have automatic updates enabled, turn it off, save for your A/V program. Your Router is constantly being tasked by active processes, and unless you've setup your Router for Quality of Service (QoS) to allow your browser or other applications to have priority access to the Router, it'll be just one other process in the Router queue looking and waiting for access. The more processes you have vying for Router access, the slower your connection is.

 

Thanks much for the very detailed and thoughtful response, it has given me some homework to do. I've printed your note and will go through the items you suggested.

 

CyberVisions, et al-

I wanted to let you know my slow wi-fi connection problem was solved earlier today. I get Verizon fiberoptic internet and Verizon provided the combination modem/router. Based on your recommendation, I tried to log in the router to check its wireless settings and make sure they were matched up to my notebook PC. However, the site would not accept the username and password that Verizon provided. I set up a chat with Verizon and the tech suggested I reset the router first. Afterwards, I was able to log in and, based on your recommendation, I changed the channel from "automatic" to
11. The tech was kind enough to remain on the chat line and he also recommended I change the Wi-Fi mode from 802.11b/g to 802.11g only. These changes restored the PC I know and love back to me.

I had not change anything on my PC in the past month and I have had the Verizon fiberoptic service for over 2 months with no hardware or other changes. I also have not changed my cordless telephone or its position for many months or introduced any new electronics to my house in the same period. I am curious why my PC Wi-Fi internet would go from normal fast to very slow abruptly 4-5 days ago. Could the reason be interference from electronic devices outside my home?

In any event, thanks again for the advice, which helped me find the solution.

PG