Quick Question Re: Wired Vs Wireless Speeds...

blobert

Hello Folks,

Not sure if this is the appropriate forum.

I have a 6mb internet connection, when I'm downloading using a wired conection to the modem I get 6mb, when I use wireless I rarely get over 4mb, often less.

Just wanted to check if this was normal, ie will a wireless conection always be slower than wired.

When I'm wireless I'm only about 5ft from the modem so there are no walls/barriers etc.

I'm using a Samsung NC10 Netbook, the wireless router is the Thomson one that Smart gave me.

I'd appreciate any opinions on the matter.

Thanks,
Robert

snappieT

Strange. If you have 802.11g (high speed Wifi), then this wouldn't be a problem.

I suspect, however, that you're using 802.11b (standard Wifi), which runs at 11Mb/s half duplex, or 5.5Mb/s one way. After all the protocol headers and muck, you'll probably land with 4Mb/s one way.

There should be an option either in your wireless router to use 802.11g instead, unless the router is very very old.

Cuddlesworth

Even using G, there are a load of variances that can happen to reduce speed as well as the fact that actual speeds from Wifi are well below the theoretical speeds given when selling it.

blobert

Thanks guys, cant find any option to choose b or g:

It says:

Interface Type: 802.11b/g
Actual Speed: 54 Mbps
Band: 2.4G Hz

PogMoThoin

4mbit is probably the max of the wireless card in the laptop. Laptop makers are renowned for using poor wifi cards

calex71

Using windows Xp right ????

copy paste from an old thread of mine:

Solution:
download tcpic optimzer http://www.speedguide.net/downloads.php

whack the slider over to the right , check the box for optimal settings,
apply changes, reboot.

unnameduser

make sure to back up settings b4 using above technique. It doesnt work on all occasions. Worth a try though

blobert

I tired that but it I could not get my newsgroups downloader working afterwards so I just switched back.

I think the problem may lie with the Samsung NC 10 or some of the settings on it instead of the router. Have the latest drivers for the card.

Any further suggestions would be much appreciated.

godskitchen

Do you have anyother wireless device to test the connection, that way you could narrow it down to the laptop or router.

I would say it is the laptop myself.

cpu-dude

PogMoThoin wrote: »

4mbit is probably the max of the wireless card in the laptop. Laptop makers are renowned for using poor wifi cards

Not in the NC10, I have one and it's grand.

OP, you most likely have some sort of wireless interferrence around you. There are wireless 2.4Ghz signals all around us (from Bluetooth to Wi-Fi to Cordless Phones to Video Senders). If you have any wireless devices in your house or near your router, turn them off and see if that makes a difference. If not, login to your router and change your channel (11 is best IMO) because a neighbour could have a wireless router next door. After all that, move your router to a different point and try it again, process of elimination.