New Laptop, Slow Wireless Connection

[FirefoxRocks 0]

I recently purchased a laptop and I've noticed that the wireless network connection is very slow and flaky. I have tried putting it in the exact same location as the desktop computer with a wireless receiver but the connection is still very slow. As far as I know, all the equipment in my house is 802.11n, so the speed should be faster.Moving the laptop around the house closer to the router doesn't help either, so what could the problem possibly be? I am running Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit if that helps.

[8ennett 0]

Maybe try switching the channel your router is using. I've found this is the case a lot of the time with other peoples wireless connections, especially in places such as apartment buildings. The problem with the channel comes from other equipment in your home using similar frequencies, cordless phones for instance. These don't tend to affect pc towers as they generally provide more power to their wireless devices negating a lot of the effects caused by other devices, however laptops tend not to provide as much power to their wireless devices and so if your router is on the same channel as a different device (even a neighbours router can cause this) then you will notice a significant reduction in wireless speeds.If you are using a netgear router btw just bin it, netgear need to learn how to make a real router lol (linksys all the way), but seriously if you are using a netgear router then turn off the auto-channel as that tends to set your channel to the same channel as everything else. Try going through all your different channels until you find one where you have optimal speeds.If that fails however then you probably have a faulty wireless card and need to replace it.

[zenia 0]

An option is to use a cable to connect the modem to the laptop. The speed of the wired internet connection can be measured when downloading a relative huge file from the internet. Open office is a file that allows to see the speed of the internet connection. When the speed of the wired internet connection is known it comes clear if the internet has issues. When the speed of the wired internet connection is like it is supposed to be the next step is to find the problem with the wireless internet connection.The speed of the wireless internet connection is most of the times lower compared to the speed of the wired internet connection. An issue can be that the modem is connected by a usb connection. A usb connection makes the speed lower too.One way to find the problem and to find a solution is to try different settings and to compare the results with eachother. When some tests are done and when some information is gathered and collected the information can be posted here.The information about the operating program is one part of the information that is needed to be able to give an answer built on stable conclusions and opinions. To be able to give more options about the possible solutions and the possible problems that can cause the low speed of the wireless internet connection more information is needed.

Edited September 1, 2011 by zenia (see edit history)

[FirefoxRocks 0]

Maybe try switching the channel your router is using. I've found this is the case a lot of the time with other peoples wireless connections, especially in places such as apartment buildings. The problem with the channel comes from other equipment in your home using similar frequencies, cordless phones for instance. These don't tend to affect pc towers as they generally provide more power to their wireless devices negating a lot of the effects caused by other devices, however laptops tend not to provide as much power to their wireless devices and so if your router is on the same channel as a different device (even a neighbours router can cause this) then you will notice a significant reduction in wireless speeds.
If you are using a netgear router btw just bin it, netgear need to learn how to make a real router lol (linksys all the way), but seriously if you are using a netgear router then turn off the auto-channel as that tends to set your channel to the same channel as everything else. Try going through all your different channels until you find one where you have optimal speeds.

If that fails however then you probably have a faulty wireless card and need to replace it.

Well I have determined that it is not the laptop's problem cause at the University of Ottawa (about 1800 km from my house hahah) the speed is extremely fast, granted that universities have super fast networks anyways.

I guess I shall try changing the channels on the home router when I go home for Christmas break, if the problem still exists there.