Mediocre WiFi Performance

[macmac]

I have a T40p with IBM's a/b/g Mini-PCI Adapter (Atheros AR5001X+ chipset) and I'm getting pretty bad WiFi performance.
Never noticed it before because I was previously using a wired connection 95% of the time.

Using speedtest.net, I get 2113 kb/s down, 854 kb/s up. The upload is about right, but the download is way off.

Yesterday, I tried a new HP DV2404 laptop, and I was getting 8800 kb/s down, and 880 kb/s up.

What could explain this HUGE difference?


Thanks for any assistance

[richk]

Try a different channel on your hub

[Wiz]

Were both computers connected using 802.11a, 802.11b or 802.11g? If the HP is connected using 802.11a and the Thinkpad 802.11g or 802.11b it's not really comparable. You should make sure they both connect using the same standard since 802.11a will in many cases give the best result because there are less noise on the 5GHz frequency. 802.11b (even if theoretically 11mbit) will probably give you a maximum speed which is about 6mbit (probably a bit lower). You could also try changing the power save mode to off for the Atheros when you do the test to see if that give you a better result.

Do you have a lot of software installed on the T40 like security software (antivirus, spyware, VPN clients etc) that could be the reason for the low throughput? Since the HP is new i assume it doesn't have a lot of software installed yet.

I also assume both computer is connected to the same wireless router?

[sktn77a]

I don't believe the T40/p came with the a/b/g cards (b or a/b only) so it sounds like someone added this afterwards. They may have reversed the antenna connections. MAIN is the inner (central) socket, AUX is the outer (corner) socket.

What is your signal strength on Access connections/Windows wireless and what speed does it say it's connected at?

[macmac]

Thanks for all your suggestions!

Try a different channel on your hub

It was originally on Channel 11, just tried 1, 6, and 8, no significant difference.

Were both computers connected using 802.11a, 802.11b or 802.11g?

Both computers were connected using 802.11g. Played with the power save modes, no difference.

Do you have a lot of software installed on the T40 like security software (antivirus, spyware, VPN clients etc) that could be the reason for the low throughput? Since the HP is new i assume it doesn't have a lot of software installed yet.

Both laptops are running the same firewall and anti-virus. The HP actually has a great deal of bloatware both manufacturer installed and due to Vista, much more so than the Thinkpad, which is running XP.

I also assume both computer is connected to the same wireless router?

Both were connected to the same router, a Netgear ProSafe WG102 (Atheros chipset).

I don't believe the T40/p came with the a/b/g cards (b or a/b only) so it sounds like someone added this afterwards. They may have reversed the antenna connections. MAIN is the inner (central) socket, AUX is the outer (corner) socket.

What is your signal strength on Access connections/Windows wireless and what speed does it say it's connected at?

I had the T40p upgraded to the a/b/g card by an IBM Authorized Reseller, so I’m assuming they did a proper job. However, I will check that out shortly.

Windows wireless shows full signal strength and a connected speed of 54Mbps.

[Wiz]

Hmm.....strange....maybe the problem is what sktn77a suggested. I'm using the IBM a/b/g as well. My computer came with the Intel 2200bg and i replaced the 2200bg with the Atheros myself. I don't have any issues with the throughput though. I mostly use 802.11a, but sometimes 802.11g without any problems like you describe.

What kind of mini-pci adapter is installed in the HP?

[macmac]

What kind of mini-pci adapter is installed in the HP?

Some Broadcom b/g card, don't know the specifics.

[sktn77a]

Windows wireless shows full signal strength and a connected speed of 54Mbps.

If that's the case, I think your hardware's fine and you have a software problem.

[macmac]

Ok, so I did a full windows re-install, but this time used A.C instead of Windows wireless management, and I get the same results.

DL speed ~2200-2500 kb/s, UL speed ~800-900 kb/s.

Didn't install any firewall, nor any anti-virus.

This is quite odd

[macmac]

No one has ever experienced this before?

I'm about 2 seconds away from ordering an Intel 2915ABG

[JHaislet]

Or you could pick up the IBM Wireless Card II, which uses the Atheros 5004 chipset (it's A/B/G as well). I actually upgraded to this card from a Intel 2915ABG and I think the newer IBM Atheros card has a little bit more range and tx power.

http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/IBM_11a/b ... Adapter_II


Be sure, what ever you do, to get an IBM branded part so you don't have to mess with the bios start-up errors.

[GomJabbar]

I am not familiar with the settings available with your card, but try this: Open Access Connections and edit your wireless profile, on the Wireless Settings tab, under 5. Advanced configuration, Settings..., see if you can change the Power save mode to Low (best network performance), and see if you can change the Transmit Power Level to 100%.

Next go to http://www.dslreports.com/tweaks and run Tweaktester.

I really don't know the capabilities of your present card, but these are a couple of things you can check before chucking it.

[sktn77a]

So, initially, you were using windows to manage your wireless networking - did you have AC installed at the same time? If so, it's not always obvious if one or the other is completely disabled. Same could be happening using AC to manage your wireless. Have you run the system with AC completely uninstalled?

[macmac]

I just did a fresh XP install, and did not install AC, and I am still getting the same bandwidth numbers