Abysmal Internet Speeds on Windows 8.1

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R

RGPRICE

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Jan 8, 2014
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I bought a computer recently because my laptop I got in 2010 died and it was almost as much to replace the motherboard as it was to get a new computer. The computer is downloading at less than 1/3 of the speed of the old laptop and much less than the computer my sister is using in the next room. I'm running a wireless connection.

Motherboard ASUS M5A78L-M LX PLUS

Realtek RTL8723A Wireless LAN 802.11n USB 2.0 Network Adapter version 1025.1.423.2013

Windows 8.1 64-bit (6.3, Build 9600)

Have already tried updating the adapter, "unlocked" the bandwith with regedit, uninstalled AVAST and it still isn't any faster. I've also flushed my DNS cache. Here is the speed test for it http://www.speedtest.net/my-result/3217141742
Speedtest for my sister's computer w/ Windows 7 and ethernet connection http://www.speedtest.net/my-result/3217232697

Speedtest of my PC attached to ethernet: http://www.speedtest.net/my-result/3217265575

UPDATE:



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So, here are the solutions that I've tried.

I've tried 3 different wireless adapters, not significant difference. I've gotten a new Belkin N600 router and installed that, my computer is about 10-15 yards away with a wall separating it from the router, so it should be getting a great signal, but no difference. I've updated my drivers, done a factory reset, nothing. I tried updating my BIOS but I can't get a BIOS support tool that's compatible with Windows 8.1, so that's where I'm at now. Honestly, I moved the computer right next to the router and it was working fine, but the 10 yards and a wall seem to have brought the download speed to a screeching halt. What's weird is I have the fastest upload in the house with this and my ping is around 10 ms, The internet will drop randomly and then I will only have limited access to it. I don't know what the issue is and it's really starting to piss me off
 
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J

johnbl

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Nov 4, 2012
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-I would boot into safe mode with networking and see if you still have the same issue. Some virus scanners that provide total protection can really bog down a USB network adapter.

- in your case I would look at the router next, the router type and the version of its firmware.
some routers have firmware bugs, or were based upon specs that were changed or updated. In these cases you will need to update your router firmware or just get a new router. for example, there are routers that will run fine with 802.11n until someone else connects with a wireless g device, then you get wireless g speed until the router is rebooted. Bug in the router firmware.

some old firmware will not know what the protocol that the new device is attempting to use and will go to a fall back minimum speed (generally wireless g)

anyway, something to look at

 
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R

RGPRICE

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Jan 8, 2014
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the adapter is a built-in one. I'm trying a USB adapter to see if it's just the adapter or if it's something else. How do i check the firmware on my router? Also, if my laptop, as well as the other laptops that have connected to our wifi have not had this issue, why should the desktop if it's the router?
 
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johnbl

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edit: you can also connect your browser directly to your cable modem, it depends on the make of the cable modem
for example mine is located at 198.168.100.1 and I can look at its stats, versions and errors

boot into safe mode with networking (to eliminate some common software issues)
plug your laptop directly into the cable modem via a ethernet cable to eliminate router issues.
See if the issue is still there.

to check the firmware on the router
start cmd.exe
ipconfig.exe <------ look for the default ipv4 gateway address

192.168.1.1 is a common default (depends on router brand)

then start a browser window and enter that number, that should try to connect your browser to your routers interface. It should give a pop up asking for you username and password for the router. if you don't know it, it is most likely the default (google for the default admin/password combination for your make of router)

- the router should display the version number and maybe a date, then you have to google for the brand and current version, I would check the list of bug fixes also.




 
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R

RGPRICE

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Jan 8, 2014
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It isn't a laptop, it's a desktop. When i plugged my desktop in via ethernet, as it says in the original post, the issue was not there. i was getting 28~ upload as opposed to ~3 in wireless.
 
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johnbl

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Nov 4, 2012
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edit: you might retest with your desktop wireless radio about 3 feet from your wireless router
edit #2: even lack of BIOS updates can cause this type of issue. current version:
M5A78L-M LX PLUS BIOS 1501
Improve system stability. dated 11/28/2013 http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/M5A78LM_LX_PLUS/#support

the routers will have two major methods of connection, wireless and wired.
your wired connection works as exected, that leaves you looking at the configuration of the wireless radio and its connection to your router and its wireless radio. distance between the radios, interference and other factors will effect the transfer speed. Also, bugs in the firmware setting up the wireless portion of the router. the version of the device driver you are using for your wireless card in your desktop can also effect the speed due to setting changes, and features that updated drivers have removed. This can and does happen, often it will depend on the version and where you got your local wireless driver (example: some vendors strip out code that used compression technology, then hand the driver over to microsoft windows update, in those cases you may find that the older driver works 30% faster, (this is more common in older wireless cards, some people go back to the older drivers to work around this))


 
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R

RGPRICE

Honorable
Jan 8, 2014
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So, here are the solutions that I've tried.

I've tried 3 different wireless adapters, not significant difference. I've gotten a new Belkin N600 router and installed that, my computer is about 10-15 yards away with a wall separating it from the router, so it should be getting a great signal, but no difference. I've updated my drivers, done a factory reset, nothing. I tried updating my BIOS but I can't get a BIOS support tool that's compatible with Windows 8.1, so that's where I'm at now. Honestly, I moved the computer right next to the router and it was working fine, but the 10 yards and a wall seem to have brought the download speed to a screeching halt. What's weird is I have the fastest upload in the house with this and my ping is around 10 ms, It's just the download speed and I don't know how to improve it
 
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J

johnbl

Polypheme
Nov 4, 2012
10,072
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67,090
windows 8.x implemented a bunch of Low power link states to reduce power. You might check to see if the adapter is going to a low power state to the radio. See if your power plan for your wireless adapter is set to the default power saving mode of "maximum power savings"
and set it to "maximum performance" The defaults kind of assume you have a laptop and try to save power.

less power to the antenna = less distance for a good connection. bad connection signal results in a lower speed negotiated with the router.





 
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