Different Wi-Fi download rate with Windows XP and Ubuntu

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Manuel · #1 Post by **Manuel** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 11:32 am

Hi,
I have a ThinkPad T30 2366-R7G with Windows XP Pro SP2 and Ubuntu Linux 7.10 in dual boot. To access the Internet I use the 802.11b Intel High Rate Wireless LAN Mini PCI Adapter with Modem II (Intersil Corporation Prism 2.5 Wavelan chipset) with WEP enabled.

My Netgear wireless router display the following data for my DSL Internet connection:

Connection Speed
Downstream: 6432 kbps
Upstream:480 kbps

With Ubuntu the effective download rate is 5000 kb/s.
With Windows the effective download rate is only 2040 kb/s.

Of course I have installed the latest Windows drivers and firmware from the Lenovo website (Driver: 3.00.04.0205 - Firmware: 1.04.09.02).

Why Windows download performance is so poor compared to Ubuntu?

Thanks
Manuel

#2 Post by **jdhurst** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 12:21 pm

Based on using both Windows and Ubuntu, it seems to me like more a driver issue, or perhaps other software (A/V, Firewall, Anti-Spyware) rather than a pure Windows issue.

Windows has aQoS packet scheduler installed in NIC drivers and you might try disabling that, although it does not seem too affect me. .... JDH

Manuel · #3 Post by **Manuel** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 12:34 pm

Hi,
on my ThinkPad there are not antivirus/spyware programs. The Windows firewall is enabled but when disabled the download rate is the same.

Please note that the wired connection under Windows is a lot faster: the download rate is the same as Ubuntu wired/unwired (probably the max effective download speed 5000 kb/s). The problem is only with the 802.11b connection under Windows. As for the drivers the latest drivers from the Lenovo website were released in 2003. Probably Ubuntu drivers are more recent.

nikki605 · #4 Post by **nikki605** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 10:40 am

The speeds on my T21 were low until I adjusted the TCP stack settings in WinXP.

Go to http://www.dslreports.com/tools

First, run the Tweak Test. It will give you recommended settings to change.

Then, run Doctor TCP and try the recommended changes. Be sure to write down any settings before you change them in case you have to go back.

There are also several speed tests you can run before and after making any changes so you can compare results.

Good Luck!

Manuel · #5 Post by **Manuel** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 11:42 am

nikki605 wrote: Go to http://www.dslreports.com/tools

Thanks for the tip: a very useful website. Unfortunately I have not solved the issue.

I think it's a driver problem. Where can I find updated drivers for my PCI wireless adapter?

If I don't solve the download speed cap issue I will have to buy a new wireless adapter (PMCIA). Or I will have to leave Windows forever (wi-fi download speed with Ubuntu is stellar!!)

SpawnyWhippet · #6 Post by **SpawnyWhippet** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 9:48 pm

Where did you find the Linux drivers for your T30?
I am about to load Ubuntu 7.10 on mine and Lenovo has zero drivers on their website.

MooNWalker · #7 Post by **MooNWalker** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 2:12 pm

SpawnyWhippet wrote:Where did you find the Linux drivers for your T30?
I am about to load Ubuntu 7.10 on mine and Lenovo has zero drivers on their website.

Search GNU/Linux community websites.

aaa · #8 Post by **aaa** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 2:24 pm

SpawnyWhippet wrote:Where did you find the Linux drivers for your T30?
I am about to load Ubuntu 7.10 on mine and Lenovo has zero drivers on their website.

You usually don't install drivers on Linux, they are supposed to be there already (otherwise it's pretty annoying to load them).

SpawnyWhippet · #9 Post by **SpawnyWhippet** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 6:56 pm

I gave up with Linux on my T30, could not get WPA encryption working. I managed to get WPA running on Ubuntu 8.04 with my T41 after a lot of reading of Ubuntu forums and blacklisting drivers.

It was hardly a plug and play process.

Different Wi-Fi download rate with Windows XP and Ubuntu

Different Wi-Fi download rate with Windows XP and Ubuntu

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