Wireless freezes for a moment, periodically, when downloading files

Hi all,
I have a slight problem with the M14x's default WIFI adapter option, which I'm wondering if it's common or whether I've got a faulty WIFI adapter. Basically when I download files, e.g. 50MB+, all network traffic periodically suspends for about 10 seconds and then resumes. Periodically I mean around every 15-30 seconds. I've checked over my Draytek router settings, changed channel, forcing b, g or n modes only, and a number of other options including changing security, DHCP to a fixed IP, ensuring power management isn't setting the WIFI to save power, etc.

Any other suggestions or is this a common flaw with the default option for wireless networking? And if it is a flaw, is there a better internal card I can get which is compatible with the M14x?

Apart from that I've had no issues with mine, been a perfect laptop! I've overclocked the GPU and enabled XMP profile 2 on the Kingston 8GB memory I installed. Have also replaced the standard hard drive with my Momentus XT SSD/HDD Hybrid, but unfortunately partially broke the clip that holds the SATA cable in for the DVD writer, but it's holding the cable in place still so thankfully I'm alright for the moment.

 

could you pm me when someone gives you answer?

 

You could watch the thread yourself, like everyone else does?

@ Ixel: Have you tried reinstalling your network card's drivers? I'd give that a go before you try anything else. Have a look on Dell Support for the latest ones.

 

Well, speaking in terms of software, that generally you need a decent download manager to download anything.

My recommendation is FlashGet. Mine got resolved by using flashget. You can pause/resume downloads by it. It also speeds up downloads a bit, as well as protects downloads from getting stuck. For me, downloading seems to be a snap.

So if yours doesn't get fixed by this solution, you may feel free to ask.

 

Thanks for the replies. Unfortunately no suggestion has helped the matter. My Sony Vaio laptops and Nokia N8 mobile works fine on WIFI when downloading large data (I did a 1000mb.bin file on all devices to be sure) and they didn't pause occasionally and then resume. My only assumption is that the WIFI card inside the M14x laptop is poor and needs changing to a better option, so I'll look into the possibility of buying a different WIFI card for it and replace it accordingly. If you have suggestions please feel free to say.

 

Hi Bud,

It sounds to me that the laptop is struggling to keep up with the data transfer.

Try copying something to a pen driver on another machine, plug the pen drive into this laptop and try the copy.

If it still stuttering i would suggest checking your av settings. Also try the file copy with windows in safe mode(from the pen drive),

 

Hi,
Thanks for the reply, sadly I can confirm that although your suggestion has a valid point, that wasn't it. As I originally thought the wireless card in my laptop is not up to the job apparently. I've borrowed a separate USB dongle and that worked without hiccups. I also tried downloading a 1000mb.bin via LAN cable and that worked without hiccups too.

The problem I now have is what card or cards can I replace the current WIFI card with?

 

The one tech support installs for free when you call

 

ah thats weird, although wireless aint a perfect science, more like an art.

a couple of things to try :

update the drivers on the wifi card(if you have not already)

try the transfer with the laptop next to router, this will rule out whether its a range/reception issue.

take the back off your laptop and ensure that the two( or three) aerial cables are securely connected to the wireless card.

What signal / speed quality do you get to the access point?

What speed do you get on the likes of speedtest.net?