Super Slow Wi-fi

http://www.speedtest.net/result/1119184913.png

Not sure if that works or not. My DL speed is only 2.76 Mbps? How is that possible when I am supposed be getting 54 Mbps? I realize it is going to be worse with a Wi-fi setup, but that's a little more than just worse. let me know if there are any diagnostics programs I need to run.

 

The 802.11 Wi-Fi ratings ("g" = 54Mbps) are based on the maximum theoretical wireless speed between the Wi-Fi router and wireless PC. Factoring in reality (walls, interference, etc.) the true maximum speed is much, much lower.

Another key issue is the broadband speed you have signed up for. If you're paying for a 3Mbps connection or less this speed is in line with peak traffic times for Internet access in your area. If you're signed up for a faster speed plan with your ISP, try re-running the test at an off-peak time (late evening or early AM).

Hope this helps.

 

Love speedtest. How many tests did you run and how many servers did you try? Is it possible to test with an ethernet to your router a few times to see how different the results are? Do you have any software firewalls that you can turn off temporarily?

Call your ISP for troubleshooting if
- the results are consistent and not a result of ISP network maintenance or a traffic problem to one server, you've tried a few servers and at a different time
- it's still pretty slow when you are wired too


Any other result is going to point to a different solution - software firewall configuration, wifi, wireless card, etc.

I've had bad speed tests when my modem was going bad and when trunk traffic had to be rerouted thanks to a drunk driver with good aim.

 

Also, if you have RoadRunner cable access in New England, the speed test to their servers is at http://www.timewarnercable.com/northeast/learn/hso/speedtest.html I would run it just for comparison sake. The techs will ask you to do the same.

I have a feeling this old laptop is running on g. If it can speed test at the full 3.0Mbps that I'm paying for, so sad, surely your new setup should show at least that on wireless while paying for 18 times the speed.

One last point - if you have a powerboost option, that speed probably won't show on a speed test. Regardless, you are still way off.

 

Its very likely that your wireless connection to the router is 54 meg, but pretty unlikely your paying for 54 meg internet speed to your house. Probably just confusion in the connection to internet, and connection to the wireless router. That speed test is testing your internet speed not your router to your laptop speed.

 

I thought that I saw elsewhere that speed tests are only your connection and not anything past your modem. When I went to speedtest.net to copy and paste the info here, it says you may possibly need to disable software firewalls to allow flash to run the test properly. I was thinking that there could be something in the wireless router that is also affecting the test based on other info on the speedtest.net help section but if Colemanguy says no, then it's going to be a modem/traffic/testing server or ISP issue.

@ Colemanguy, why is it unlikely that he's paying for 54 meg? I've been offered 24 meg by uverse and Roadrunner offers 50 meg without the powerboost option. Why not go big?

MrFester, if you were on uverse I would say turn off the TV receivers when you test, especially DVRs as they can affect the tests. I've not familiar with your cable setup and if the internet is brought in on a separate line or not, might also be something to consider when testing.

 

Ran three more speedtests using different servers, all came back with similar results. Then it hit me, moved the cpu up about a foot off the ground and voila, much better signal now that it is near the back window, since that is where the router is, just on the other side of a wall.

http://www.speedtest.net/result/1119384592.png

Upload still sucks but the Download is definitely much more acceptable. At least now I can play DDO without constant lag. I am sure the time difference mattered as well since this last tast was run way off peak. Will check during peak again tomorrow.

Also ran Iobit's Internet Optimizer. Seems to have helped as well. Do they sell such a thing as a Wi-Fi booster? Or just easier to buy a new card?

Not sure if I am paying for 54, that's just what it says when I hover over the taskbar icon. I will find out tomorrow what it's actually supposed to be. Either way, it is much better now.

 

Simplest way to find out handygal for the poster to call his isp and confirm what package he is paying for. But, i know most people want cheap internet, which means bottom tier, most people that request or have a need for the highest package, tends to know more about way and thusly, the different in 54 meg from router to laptop, and wan internet connection. Thats how i estimate what speed i believe he is paying for, that and my experience of having seen similar posts over the years. Speedtests the whole path, from your pc, all the way to the server the test is hosted on. Thats way some speedtests are labeled bad, or not good tests, because as speeds start to increase, there are many internet connections that are faster then certain testing sites. Its like this, i can have 100 meg connection to the internet, but if my computer is using a dialup link to get from one computer to the other, then out to the wan via cable or what not, the most speed ill ever see is the speed of the phone link.

 

By chance are you running Norton? THere has been some discussions stating it slowed things down quite a bit.

 

Nope, no norton. I think it was really the signal. It seems to be a hundred times better now.