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    wireless n question by wireless noob

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by Sacred G, Apr 2, 2008.

  1. Sacred G

    Sacred G Notebook Guru

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    hey i got a new computer with intel wireless n minicard and so i went out and got a linksys wireless n router. i have a max speed of 54 mbps, but randomly it goes down to like 9 mbps or lower every once and awhile for a minute or two.

    is this normal because its kind of a pain? and is a max of 54 mbps normal with n?

    thanks alot
     
    Sacred G, Apr 2, 2008
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  2. ScifiMike12

    ScifiMike12 Drinking the good stuff

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    The max is ~300Mbps but it depends on your router and also your wireless card. It seems like you have wireless-g as your default. Try going into your router's settings and change it so that it broadcasts N as well.

    Or.. it could be that your internal card is wireless-A/B/G only. If that's the case, then you have to buy a new internal wifi card.
     
    ScifiMike12, Apr 2, 2008
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  3. Sacred G

    Sacred G Notebook Guru

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    well i did the research (which i should have done before posting this thread) and changed around my settings and what not and now i get 130 mbps, i also did exactly what scifimike said. so i guess this thread can be a reference to the thread i found, if anyone else has these same problems heres a link to fix it:

    http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=234514
     
    Sacred G, Apr 2, 2008
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  4. gunned

    gunned Notebook Evangelist

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    I get 130Mbs as well...I have a WRT300n and I think you need a dual band 5ghz to achieve the faster speeds...
     
    gunned, Apr 2, 2008
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  5. nobscot6

    nobscot6 Wise One

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    sacred g

    you never told us what OS, what laptop or what wifi card........

    if it's an intel n card, you won't be able to get over 130mbps to the best of my knowledge unless you get a linksys n card as well
     
    nobscot6, Apr 2, 2008
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  6. Sacred G

    Sacred G Notebook Guru

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    oh sorry. I have vista 32-bit, Intel 4965AGN wireless-n card, and linksys WRT150n (not WRT300n).

    I'm still actually having problems with the speed lowering every once and awhile. Its usually at 130 mbps now, but sometimes it crashes to about 15 mbps or lower. I have noticed it does happen more often when i am gaming (cs:s, cod4).

    Again is this normal for it to drop like this? could there be something interfering with the card or is there something else i can do?
     
    Sacred G, Apr 2, 2008
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  7. Sacred G

    Sacred G Notebook Guru

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    in fact right now it is at 39 mbps and all i am doing is writing on this post. also the desktop that the router is connected to is not being used right now and router is secured so i believe no one else outside the house is connected.
     
    Sacred G, Apr 2, 2008
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  8. nobscot6

    nobscot6 Wise One

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    no, that's not normal......

    i imagine it is just a router firmware problem, maybe coupled w/ the intel card..........
     
    nobscot6, Apr 2, 2008
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  9. Sacred G

    Sacred G Notebook Guru

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    is there a simple fix if its the router firmware problem? i guess if its the wireless card i can ask for a replacement from dell, it seems pretty easy to replace yourself.
     
    Sacred G, Apr 2, 2008
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  10. ScifiMike12

    ScifiMike12 Drinking the good stuff

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    First update your router's firmware. But make sure you do it connected via LAN and not wireless.

    If the issue still persists, then try updating your Intel driver (if you haven't done already).
     
    ScifiMike12, Apr 2, 2008
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  11. Sacred G

    Sacred G Notebook Guru

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    Well I did a bit more looking around on the net and have found that the WRT150n is kind of the base n router and other people also have problems with it losing speed. I think I am just going to go exchange it for the WRT300n or something else for about $20-30 more tomorrow.

    Also i don't think it is my intel wireless card because i was at my friends today playing some games with him and he's got a wireless g and it was the same speed in the 2 or 3 hours i was there. much different story at home tho.

    what wireless n routers would you guys recommend?
     
    Sacred G, Apr 3, 2008
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  12. nobscot6

    nobscot6 Wise One

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    the dlink dir655- for a single band gigabit--~$120

    airport extreme ~$179- dual band, usb port for hdd/printer
    linksys wrt600n dual band
    dlink n gamer dgl4500 dual band $180
     
    nobscot6, Apr 3, 2008
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  13. blue68f100

    blue68f100 Notebook Virtuoso

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    With 11n expect problems, It is still draft and mfg are doing there own thing. The only thing you can do is make sure you have the latest drivers. These can change often depending on mfg and complaint calls. So your first call should be to the MFG, then here. MFG no there bugs and work around.
     
    blue68f100, Apr 3, 2008
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  14. Sacred G

    Sacred G Notebook Guru

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    Hey thanks for the recommendations nobscot6, i think i might go with the d-link dir655, its getting much better reviews than the equivalent linksys routers, and the price is not bad.

    I was also wondering about your adapter that you have in your sig, is that because you do not have the built in wireless n minicard or does it make the built in one even faster?



    also good ideas blue68f100
     
    Sacred G, Apr 3, 2008
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  15. Sacred G

    Sacred G Notebook Guru

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    So i got the d-link dir655 today and set it all up, updated the firmware and so far it is all good. It has stayed at a constant 130 mbps for the half hour i have had it connected, actually when it first connected it said 144 mbps. I dont know what that is about but if it stays at 130 at all times i will be really happy.
     
    Sacred G, Apr 3, 2008
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  16. nobscot6

    nobscot6 Wise One

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    good to hear you like it.....

    just read your other message- we use the dwa 643 on some other laptops for quicker networking/gaming/repair jobs

    it does not fit on this new dell, that's why i'm messing w/ the intel card that came w/ it
     
    nobscot6, Apr 3, 2008
    #16