Slow webbrowsing even though signal good

[justy]

I have 2 machines running XP pro, using an ad-hoc connection (1 PC, 1 laptop), even though the laptop is only 2 rooms away (20 feet away and through 2 doors), and the signal indicator is usually 5/5 bars, why is my web browsing so slow??? I have a 150K broadband connection.

Is it to do with how the aerials are pointing? Although I would have thought if the the signal is great the data trsnfer should be too. It's even bad when I drop the connection manually to 1Mbps (still way more than I need).

Anybody help me?

[cszeto]

http://forums.practicallynetworked.com/showthread.php?threadid=2601

[justy]

Had a look thru' these but don't seem to apply to my needs... I only have a wireless PCI card in PC and wireless pcmcia card in laptop and signal is good (ad-hoc connection) - why is data transfer bad?

IE is fine over wired network, no problems - just wireless is slow/non-existent and it's only 20 feet distance?!

Could it be cheap 'n' cheerful hardware causing prob?

Thanks - any more ideas?

[cszeto]

It could be hardware and/or it could be settings.

Take a closer look, you may have interference issues that in some cases can be overcome with the use of different wireless channels. There's also the possibility of firmware updates or the other wireless settings (e.g. preamble).

[Greenstead]

To expand on the possibilities already suggested:

- the fact the (radio) signal shows strong does not mean it is good quality. Nearby metal objects (filing cabinet) can promote radio strength by refelection but distort the signal. Ensure you are away from such objects.

- Interference can also distort the signal. Turn off the other PC, do you still get a signal? Try moving the channel you use up the other end of the scale.

- Could be incompatibility of the wireless devices (unlikely). Ensure you have latest driver and firmware for each device.

- Check the driver configuration and ensure both are set to long preamble.

[justy]

I've tried the long preamble (not sure what this does really), I'm a newbie at this!

The room where the host PC is has a radiator in it, which the PC was backed up against, so I have moved the PC now.

I tried changing channels but it always reverts to channel 7 (can't manually override this).

I used the drivers supplied with the hardware. It's a generic brand - but wouldn't have thought this made much difference.

I do live next door to a mini-electricity substation (one of those very small neighbourhood ones which is essectially just a small box about 5 foot by 5 foot) - will this affect it?

The room I'm trying it in is 20 feet away, but downstairs - is it an antenna problem?

Still no luck..

[cszeto]

If the wireless NICs are supported under XP's wireless configuration, try using it instead of the manufacturer's wireless management utility.

You have pointed out quite a few possible obstacles. About the only thing missing from the accountancy is a few sets of 2.4 GHz phones...

There is also the chance that one, if not both wireless NICs are just out of specification too.

http://forums.practicallynetworked.com/showthread.php?threadid=3008

[justy]

Thanks for all yuor help on this byt the way. More helpful than anybody else on any other forum!!

Sorry to be thick but what does 'out of specification mean'?

[cszeto]

Bad radio not meeting the specification on the back of the box or manual... Shorter or hampered range then what has been stated, usually due to manufacturing defect and poor quality control...

[Greenstead]

What cards are these ? I never heard of a generic brand.

The software issued with the cards is likely to be well out of date and you need to get the latest firmware and software from their website.

That substation is a worry. Can you try taking the laptop to a hotspot or friends and try it.

[justy]

When I say generic I mean there's no brand name on the box. The PCI card comes up on System properties as 'Realtek RTL8180 Wireless LAN (mini-) PCI NIC' , but the pcmcia only comes up as IEEE 802.11b Cardbus/PCI Adapter.

Should I try and update the driver for at least the PCI card? What do I do about the pcmcia card? There's not even a brand on the packaging it came in.

Cheers

[cszeto]

You may be able to gleam "hints" on the chip set used by drilling into the hardware and/or driver properties. The PC Card Manager may also provide some additional hints too.