Help with wireless speeds?

rack04 · 12-05-2009, 11:10 AM

I just recently upgraded my cable speeds to 30mbps. Unfortunately I'm only seeing 10mbps speeds through the wireless connection. When I plug the computer directly to the cable modem I get 30mbps. When I connect wirelessly to the Linksys WRT54G I only get 10mbps. In my low tech opinion something is limiting the wireless speeds to 10mbps but I can figure out where. I am using Windows XP. Thanks.

T.G · 12-05-2009, 11:33 AM

Could be any number of things:

-Wireless distance and interferance lowering your speed (move computer closer, see if speed improves, turn off anything that might be generating EMI)
-Speed setting has been set to a lower rate on the router (check the firmware settings via the web interface)
-Speed setting on the card in your computer has been set to a lower rate (check the card speed settings via the control pannel, the systray icon in the lower right corner of the screen if present, or card software)
-Your computer is using an 802.11b card - which maxes out at 11Mbps. (upgrade the card)
-Card in the computer has been set to operate on 802.11b (check card settings per speed setting above)
-The router has been set to broadcast 802.11b only (check firmware settings via web interface)
-The moon is blue, it's Tuesday, and it's raining in Chicago, so sacrifice a rubber chicken over the computer while dancing the polka and singing the Ren & Stimpy "Happy Happy Joy Joy" lyrics to the beat of In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida.

rack04 · 12-05-2009, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T.G

-Wireless distance and interferance lowering your speed (move computer closer, see if speed improves, turn off anything that might be generating EMI)

Even with my laptop sitting 1 ft from the wireless router I still get the same speeds. We just moved into this house and only the essentials are unpacked, i.e. tv and computers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by T.G

-Speed setting has been set to a lower rate on the router (check the firmware settings via the web interface)

The Linksys WRT54G is running dd-wrt firmware. Any idea where to look in the GUI?

Quote:

Originally Posted by T.G

-Speed setting on the card in your computer has been set to a lower rate (check the card speed settings via the control pannel, the systray icon in the lower right corner of the screen if present, or card software)

I'm using the built in wireless adapter on my Asus P5K Deluxe WiFi-AP and built in wireless adapter on my Dell Latitude D830. Since both of these are experiencing the same slow wireless speeds it makes me think something in the router settings is limiting the speed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by T.G

-Your computer is using an 802.11b card - which maxes out at 11Mbps. (upgrade the card)

The wireless adapter in my PC is Realtek RTL8187 Wireless 802.11g 54Mbps USB2.0

Quote:

Originally Posted by T.G

-The router has been set to broadcast 802.11b only (check firmware settings via web interface)

In the GUI of the router the broadcast is set to mixed.

T.G · 12-05-2009, 12:08 PM

Haven't used dd-wrt in years, looking through their docs now...

ran across this interesting tidbit:
"Afterburner will only improve speeds when used with clients that also have the Speedbooster/Afterburner feature; use with "normal" 802.11g clients will actually lower performance."
http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Afterburner

Starz26 · 12-05-2009, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rack04

In the GUI of the router the broadcast is set to mixed.

Change that to g only and see if that helps

rack04 · 12-05-2009, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T.G

Haven't used dd-wrt in years, looking through their docs now...

ran across this interesting tidbit:
"Afterburner will only improve speeds when used with clients that also have the Speedbooster/Afterburner feature; use with "normal" 802.11g clients will actually lower performance."
http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Afterburner

Afterburner is set to disabled

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starz26

Change that to g only and see if that helps

Still the same slow speeds using g only.

Fishbeadtwo · 12-05-2009, 12:50 PM

" sacrifice a rubber chicken over the computer while dancing the polka and singing the Ren & Stimpy "Happy Happy Joy Joy" lyrics to the beat of In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida. " Oh, please make sure to get pics ok?

Kreth · 12-05-2009, 01:31 PM

A firmware update on the router might be worth a try.
Posted via Mobile Device

Starz26 · 12-05-2009, 04:28 PM

I know some dd-wrt firmware will reduce the performance speed depending on certain settings. Also dd-wrt is not the fastest firmware but fixes a lot of other needs / bugs.

You may want to try reflashing it with the factory firmware if the speed is a real issue.....dd-wrt's site should have the info you need to do so.

Sorry that my answer is not a quick fix...I love dd-wrt firmware but it has its own issues.

rack04 · 12-05-2009, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starz26

I know some dd-wrt firmware will reduce the performance speed depending on certain settings. Also dd-wrt is not the fastest firmware but fixes a lot of other needs / bugs.

You may want to try reflashing it with the factory firmware if the speed is a real issue.....dd-wrt's site should have the info you need to do so.

Sorry that my answer is not a quick fix...I love dd-wrt firmware but it has its own issues.

So is a wireless connection inherently slower than wired?

T.G · 12-06-2009, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rack04

So is a wireless connection inherently slower than wired?

It's more prone to interferrance and problems that could reduce speeds, additionally, the maximum speeds of wireless connections tend to lag many years behind the maximum speeds of wired connections.

mosesbotbol · 12-06-2009, 08:19 AM

What is your duplex speed on your wireless nic?

Wireless is not wired, no matter what speed they are claiming. The speeds are also maximum in theory, not average or expected speeds.

What are your repsonse times with tracert (both wired and wireless)? You can redirect to a file and post both outputs into the thread.

Thrak · 12-06-2009, 03:51 PM

When you plug in you're only @ 30mbps?

How are you testing that?

cort · 12-06-2009, 03:55 PM

I have Verizon FIOS and when I plug into my Ethernet cord I am runnin 100mbps but when I go through my router I only run 50mbps. I just figured thats the way it works.

rack04 · 12-06-2009, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

What is your duplex speed on your wireless nic?

Wireless is not wired, no matter what speed they are claiming. The speeds are also maximum in theory, not average or expected speeds.

What are your repsonse times with tracert (both wired and wireless)? You can redirect to a file and post both outputs into the thread.

Can you dumb it down a little?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thrak

When you plug in you're only @ 30mbps?

How are you testing that?

www.speedtest.net
www.speakeasy.net

Ratters · 12-07-2009, 12:24 AM

Yeah, I get about 7mbs on my laptop and 21 on my desktop with Comcast. I could be getting faster but I have an old modem they're telling me to switch out.

12-05-2009, 11:10 AM	#1
rack04 Lebowski Urban Achiever Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Justin Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 1,023 Trading: (20)	Help with wireless speeds? I just recently upgraded my cable speeds to 30mbps. Unfortunately I'm only seeing 10mbps speeds through the wireless connection. When I plug the computer directly to the cable modem I get 30mbps. When I connect wirelessly to the Linksys WRT54G I only get 10mbps. In my low tech opinion something is limiting the wireless speeds to 10mbps but I can figure out where. I am using Windows XP. Thanks. __________________ "Why don't you put them in your secret compartment" - 12stones (Ricky)

12-05-2009, 11:33 AM	#2
T.G Grrrrrr Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: The Other Adam Posts: 15,557 Trading: (37)	Re: Help with wireless speeds? Could be any number of things: -Wireless distance and interferance lowering your speed (move computer closer, see if speed improves, turn off anything that might be generating EMI) -Speed setting has been set to a lower rate on the router (check the firmware settings via the web interface) -Speed setting on the card in your computer has been set to a lower rate (check the card speed settings via the control pannel, the systray icon in the lower right corner of the screen if present, or card software) -Your computer is using an 802.11b card - which maxes out at 11Mbps. (upgrade the card) -Card in the computer has been set to operate on 802.11b (check card settings per speed setting above) -The router has been set to broadcast 802.11b only (check firmware settings via web interface) -The moon is blue, it's Tuesday, and it's raining in Chicago, so sacrifice a rubber chicken over the computer while dancing the polka and singing the Ren & Stimpy "Happy Happy Joy Joy" lyrics to the beat of In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida. Last edited by T.G; 12-05-2009 at 11:39 AM.

12-05-2009, 12:08 PM	#4
T.G Grrrrrr Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: The Other Adam Posts: 15,557 Trading: (37)	Re: Help with wireless speeds? Haven't used dd-wrt in years, looking through their docs now... ran across this interesting tidbit: "Afterburner will only improve speeds when used with clients that also have the Speedbooster/Afterburner feature; use with "normal" 802.11g clients will actually lower performance." http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Afterburner

12-05-2009, 12:50 PM	#7
Fishbeadtwo Another nut j0b Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Charlie Location: Washington, the state Posts: 1,175 Trading: (9)	Re: Help with wireless speeds? " sacrifice a rubber chicken over the computer while dancing the polka and singing the Ren & Stimpy "Happy Happy Joy Joy" lyrics to the beat of In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida. " Oh, please make sure to get pics ok? __________________ This white coat is a little tight...?

12-05-2009, 01:31 PM	#8
Kreth Ronin smoker Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Jeff Location: Oneonta, NY Posts: 3,620 Trading: (14)	Re: Help with wireless speeds? A firmware update on the router might be worth a try. Posted via Mobile Device

12-05-2009, 04:28 PM	#9
Starz26 Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Aug 2009 First Name: Eric Location: Ohio Posts: 486 Trading: (22)	Re: Help with wireless speeds? I know some dd-wrt firmware will reduce the performance speed depending on certain settings. Also dd-wrt is not the fastest firmware but fixes a lot of other needs / bugs. You may want to try reflashing it with the factory firmware if the speed is a real issue.....dd-wrt's site should have the info you need to do so. Sorry that my answer is not a quick fix...I love dd-wrt firmware but it has its own issues.

12-06-2009, 08:19 AM	#12
mosesbotbol That's a Corgi Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Moses Location: Boston Posts: 6,171 Trading: (6)	Re: Help with wireless speeds? What is your duplex speed on your wireless nic? Wireless is not wired, no matter what speed they are claiming. The speeds are also maximum in theory, not average or expected speeds. What are your repsonse times with tracert (both wired and wireless)? You can redirect to a file and post both outputs into the thread. __________________ Port Wine & Claret \| British Cars \| Welsh Corgi's

12-06-2009, 03:51 PM	#13
Thrak .. the man from Nantucket Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Canton, GA Posts: 558 Trading: (2)	Re: Help with wireless speeds? When you plug in you're only @ 30mbps? How are you testing that?

12-06-2009, 03:55 PM	#14
cort ◤◢◣◥ Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Gary Posts: 4,478 Trading: (41)	Re: Help with wireless speeds? I have Verizon FIOS and when I plug into my Ethernet cord I am runnin 100mbps but when I go through my router I only run 50mbps. I just figured thats the way it works.

12-07-2009, 12:24 AM	#16
Ratters Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,848 Trading: (2)	Re: Help with wireless speeds? Yeah, I get about 7mbs on my laptop and 21 on my desktop with Comcast. I could be getting faster but I have an old modem they're telling me to switch out.