My download speeds with my desktop using wireless connection have dropped from ~20 to ~2 Mbps, any help?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
C

croy3

Honorable
May 9, 2013
5
0
10,510
Hi I know this has been posted before (many times) but I have read through about 5 of these and not found a solution.

In more detail my situation is this:
My desktop uses the D-Link DWA-556 wireless adapter. I have updated the drivers for this. My provider is shaw but I have already contacted them and there are no problems on that end. The laptops in my house get good dl speeds (~20Mbps) when wireless. I tried by passing the wireless router and wiring a laptop to the modem, this also returned good download speeds. Both modem and router have been restarted. I ran scans on my computer, CCleaner, Defraggler and checked the position of the antenna on the wireless adapter. Still no luck.

Edit: My router is the Linksys E900.
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
Tom Tancredi

Tom Tancredi

Judicious
May 9, 2013
4,999
0
32,960
First quickest solution would be to turn off the wireless in the desktop, then plug it (hardline) into the Router, similiar to what you did with the laptop and see what happens. Bypassing the router when other devices (your laptops) work fine wasn't a best solution, as the router doesn't keep one computer from working and let others work fine (takes some specialized settings to do that, that are very complicated and not necessary for this).

So do you get the same results? If so then it is specific to the desktop (OS, Malware, etc.), since your laptops all work without issues your stating. If your answer is you don't want to move the computer to test this, well sorry that is the first and best solution to determine 'where' the problem lays (wireless, OS, malware, etc.).

Second, as I was not immediately familiar with that model D-Link I did a quick Google (very easy way to see others whom also bought it and see if the problem is repeatable). It seems http://reviews.cnet.com/adapters-nics/d-link-xtreme-n/4505-3380_7-32340968.html this is a very old model card (based on how far back the posts go on it when I googled) that doesn't play well for Windows 7-8, which you didn't specify what OS your running. Most likely that MAY be the reason, but easily could be malware hidden in the back sucking down bandwidth.

Just remember, just because you 'ran scans' with antivirus, does not necessarily protect you from malware (difference between seeking a doctor when your sick (virus) and trying to stop telephone solicitors from calling you all the time (malware)).
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
C

croy3

Honorable
May 9, 2013
5
0
10,510
Wow thanks for the fast response. I am running windows 7 but I have been running that OS for over a year with no problems till the last week. Due to the size of my computer and wiring situation it would be VERY inconvenient to move but I may give that a shot. Not sure if this is a good solution but I ran Malware-Bytes, Super Anti Spyware and a Microsoft security essentials scan. Any malware specific things I should do?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Tom Tancredi

Tom Tancredi

Judicious
May 9, 2013
4,999
0
32,960
Nope that was very smart, most people don't know to use those to determine malwarebytes. Have you upgraded Windows 7 to SP1 as well as IE 10. Believe it or not when they update 'IE' actually they are updating all networking connections. The 'hardline test' is the most reliable to determine if it is a Windows problem "been running that OS for over a year with no problems till the last week" for everything or is it just the card/drivers.

Normally based on your suggested answers, it seems to me there is more interference where that desktop is located or a driver issue (update that didn't update correctly). Have you sat a laptop ontop of the actual desktop box and see what happens to the signal speed? Does it change at all? If it does that maybe a indicator as well (you had 8 wireless neighbors, now you have 9 since Bob got Internet down the hall, and now the desktop can't get through).
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
C

croy3

Honorable
May 9, 2013
5
0
10,510


Windows and IE are updated and it doesn't seem to be interference (laptops get fine reception in that area). I am beginning to suspect that it is the D-Link adapter that is failing but can't say for sure. Soon I'll be getting a connection wired to the room in question. Again thank you for all of your help.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom