How do I increase WiFi throughput on my T40?

[dataBoy]

I have a T40 running windows XP Pro

I have Verizon DSL.

When I hook the T40 up directly via Ethernet to either the Verizon Westell Modem or to Ethernet hub on my Netgear WGM124 router I get good throughput. Measuring using infospeed.verizon.net I get 2.5 mbps or better but when I make the link to WiFi I'm only getting 1.2-1.5 mbps. Any ideas on how to optimize that WiFi link?

TIA
Jack

[sjthinkpader]

If you still have the intel 2100 card in your T40, then upgrade to a 2200 card capable of 802.11g.

[dataBoy]

If you still have the intel 2100 card in your T40, then upgrade to a 2200 card capable of 802.11g.

I have an
Atheros Communications Inc
11a/b/g Wireless LAN Mini PCI Adapter

According to the properties sheet in Device manager

[aaa]

Change the channel on the router, to something the neighbors aren't using.
Move either the router or the laptop around (is this slow speed happening from far away or close?).

[Harryc]

I have the same WiFI card in my T30 and I use Verizon DSL too. I just ran a test to speakeasy in New York - 2857 down and 730 up out of a possible 3000 down 768 up service. What speed do you get on a wired device? I agree with changing channels.

http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/

[dataBoy]

I have the same WiFI card in my T30 and I use Verizon DSL too. I just ran a test to speakeasy in New York - 2857 down and 730 up out of a possible 3000 down 768 up service. What speed do you get on a wired device? I agree with changing channels.

http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/

If I plug into the eithernet I get about 2500 sometimes 2700 either through the router or throught the modem directl doesn't seem to make any difference

[Harryc]

Yeah, there is something seriously wrong with your wireless. There should be a difference between wired and wireless but it should be slight...maybe a hundred or two hundred Mbps. You know what I would try is driving down to the nearest Starbucks, have a nice cup of Joe, and see what you get there as a test.

[sjthinkpader]

Are there any 11b devices on your network? Try setting the router to use 11g only.

[kajencik]

I've came through this too, as I until recently had four TPs connected through wifi, what I can say is that if you have an 801.11g access point, set it to g-only, and swap the b-cards in your laptops for g-ones, it really helps, but in my enviroment, 802.11g is definitely not 5times faster (54mbit compared to the 802.11b 11Mbit), it's about above 3 times faster.

some speed comparsion - not guaranteed, only as I rember, the values are in one direction, what I mostly tested was download, but it should be the same for both directions.

802.11b - 4 Mbit at most, sometimes not fast enough for my 4Mbit internet connection, especially when you need to copy something over the network

802.11b+g mixed enviroment - about 8-10Mbit

802.11g only - about 16Mbit at maximum, maybe more in good conditions

The ethernet connection (LAN) - it gives 100Mbit download

You should be also aware of the 802.11g being way more involved by interference than 802.11b


What I didn't personally tested but definitely can recommend is if you have the oportunity, go for the 802.11a, despite the fact it states the same speed as 802.11g, it operates at 5Ghz, insted of 2.4Ghz for b and g, so it gives you much better performance and thoroughput.