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Weird Wi-Fi Connectivity Problem

Tags:
  • Connectivity
  • Wireless Network
  • Desktops
  • USB Adapter
  • WiFi
Last response: in Wireless Networking
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July 3, 2014 6:10:33 PM

So, I've been having some connectivity issues on my desktop.

I have a D-Link DWA 160B2 USB adapter and my room is really not that far from the router (I'm guessing 30ft max.)

The problem I'm getting isn't overall speed, it's just a lot of jumpiness. I just got 12, 30, 32, and 20 mbps in consecutive speed tests. Sometimes my wi-fi will stop working completely for a couple of seconds. My download speeds when I download files fluctuate wildly between 200 kb/s and 2 mb/s, sometimes taking a nice pause at 0b/s for a couple of seconds/minutes. Skype calls will occasionally drop completely after a few seconds/minutes, while other times I can talk for about an hour with no problems; but it gets even worse with video.

Note that I have none of these problems on my smartphone. I get a constant, though not amazing, 3mbps download on speedtest and skype works great. I'm pretty sure it's a problem with my computer.

My main question is, what could be causing this? is it a driver issue? other software? positioning? or, should I buy a completely new adapter?

More about : weird connectivity problem

July 3, 2014 6:15:59 PM

check if your usb adaptor is not overheathing and if you need a new one get a pci one .
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July 3, 2014 6:18:43 PM

scout_03 said:
check if your usb adaptor is not overheathing and if you need a new one get a pci one .


I'm not sure how to check if it's overheating, but that could be a possibility. It seems just warm to the touch though.
And what would be the benefits of a PCI one? it seems the whole "being inside a metal box close to the wall and ground" thing would make it less effective, am I wrong?
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July 3, 2014 6:27:43 PM

scout_03 said:
because pci one they are gone work in the system like the gpu or a audio card some have external antenna see this http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=E...


I know that but would that have an actual effect on reception quality?
I don't have any problem with speed, 30 mbps is more than fine to me, I just want something that won't be as wonky and inconsistent as what I have now. Also, I don't even know if it's a hardware problem!
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July 3, 2014 6:31:20 PM

could you borrow another wi-fi dongle from a friend or pci wireless card for test .
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July 3, 2014 6:39:25 PM

scout_03 said:
could you borrow another wi-fi dongle from a friend or pci wireless card for test .


Sadly, I don't know a lot of PC enthusiasts. Most of my friends have laptops, so no :/ 
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July 3, 2014 6:53:39 PM

since this is a usb one dongle check with one of your friend that do mostly the same thing you do on his laptop to test your dongle and see how it act .
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