Wireless Network Problem

Matt

Following on from this thread, it looks like it's just the wireless connection from my Desktop PC upstairs which is running slow.

Example, I've just tried downloading a file from my server, and was only getting 30kbps, the same file on my laptop, I was getting 300kbps notsure.gif

I re-installed the network card last night, and it was working OK for a while, but this morning, it's running like a dog with 2 legs.

Can anyone suggest anything else to look at, other than buying another network card?

My current card is this: Belkin F5D7001UK. It's been working fine for the past couple of months, and started playing up a couple of days ago.

DBcoup

A guy at work had a similar problem then found out his neighbour was pinching his bandwith, but im sure you have right security set up, so maybe the card is just knackered?

Matt

Yeah, the router is locked to to MAC address and also running 128bit WEP, so now one else is robbing the bandwidth. I've just done a fresh install of XP, and is still the same.

I've got 54Mbps connection to the router, but the internet traffic is slow as hell. I'm going to try switching PCI ports just incase, but failing that, I think a new card is needed.

Matt

As per the above, the 54Mbps to the router is VERY flakey. I've just looked round the back of the PC, and the Arial is snapped off.It's still connected, but only being held on by the wire running inside it. Think this may have anything to do with it?

Edit: It's also not the signal coming from the router either, as I've currently got my laptop on my Desk above the PC, and I'm getting over 300kbps download and a 54Mbps connection to the router.

DBcoup

hows it snapped? kids?

Matt

Probably me putting the PC back under the desk when I had it out the other day to put the new soundcard, firewire card and RAM in. You reckon this is whats wrong with it?

DBcoup

almost sure even if there is a wire still connected they're really prone to interferance, and like you said your laptop connection is fine

Matt

Cool, is it worth getting another PCI one, or are the USB ones just as good?

Daz

I got a usb one matt that i use on the pc in the car,works ok but the signal drops out occasionally...

Matt

Well this is how the card looks at the minute, going to get another one tomorrow I think.

DBcoup

as the cable comes out the card is that a sheild molded round the cable? a few inches long?

DBcoup

wot i mean is some antenna have a sheild round the cable to protect it from interference.

Anyhow as daz said usb are ok. if u aint got a spare pci slot, but if you got space i would use pci, as you can minimise interference and generally of higher quality imo

Matt

Stinky said:
as the cable comes out the card is that a sheild molded round the cable? a few inches long?

Yeah it is. It's about an inch and a half in length, and then goes into the normal ariel.

DBcoup

that could be the problem matt coz now with the bare wire exposed the sheild is useless, lots of other stuff has them as well that are sensitive, my scanner is one of em! Hope you get sorted

Matt

I'll just go buy another one tomorrow mate, just a shame as because I broke it I can't get it replaced

Sjdickso

Matt i would deff say that is the problem, I did a similar thing a few months back and i only bent the internal antenna, this made it drop signal all the time and when it was connected it gave very poor connection.

I have tried a few USB dongles but found them to be ok for the odd bit of surfing. But i would highly reccomend getting another PCI card. I have had a few at a couple of sites and have found that netgear / linksys seem to be very stable.

Hope this helps.

Matt

Cheers Simon, I'm going to go get a new one this afternoon. I've always preferred the Netgear equipment, as I have a Netgear PCMCI Card for the laptop and a Netgear router as well. Will see what PC World have in stock this afternoon.

Sjdickso

Just had a quick look for you and this looks ok.

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/ ... oid=-28363

Matt

Just had a look for the "Collect In Store" and they don't have it in Sheffield, Rotherham or Chesterfield 🙁

Matt

Been to PC World in my dinner, they only have one PCI Wireless Network Card in stock......Belkin F5D7001UK....the one I had before. Got it for the same price I paid before as well, so will be fitting that when I get home tonight.