m17x R3: Anyone having problems with their wireless connection?

Hi guys, I'm having an issue with my wireless connection (dell wireless WLAN 1501 half mini card). My speeds are normal for a while (8-11Mbps), but then randomly drops to 0.3-1.0Mbps for a long time unless I reboot the router.

I guess this implies that it is a problem with the router, but if I use wireless on two other laptops we have, the speeds are normal. This only seems to happen on the R3.

Things I've done, but hasn't resolved the problem:

- Fresh Win7 Ultimate 64bit install (bought a new hard drive). Problem existed on the original install and the new install.

- Uninstalled the dell (mini-card) wireless driver and install latest from the dell site.

- Using a LAN cable solves this problem, but switching back to wireless brings it back.

- Configured the router wireless settings to several different channels. Problem still occurs.

This problem seems sporadic. I may have a few days where it is okay, and then bam a speed drop in connection for no reason. I know when it happens because it takes an age to open a webpage, or some multiplayer game I'm playing just drops the connection.

I'm interested if anyone else has had this problem, and if so how they solved it (short of buying a new card).

 

You've done some pretty thorough troubleshooting
Now what about laptop location? Does this only happen when you are in a certain room? you might be getting some interference from someone or something on the 2.4ghz spectrum. maybe a neighbor is talking on a powerful 2.4ghz phone that is interfering with your signal

 

Have you tried factory resetting the router?

I had this issue on my dlink dir-615 router until i factory reset. When pinging the web it would drop 25% of packets, internal traffic was fine.

This wasn't on an alienware laptop though.

Also could try changing your mtu settings?

 

I found with my router it didn't like wireless N devices connecting (or mixed mode for that matter). I had to force it to wireless G mode only before it stopped constantly dropping out the connection on one of my laptops. It still drops out every now and then, but thats due to the crappy-ness of the router

 

That's an interesting suggestion. It is pretty random and I can't reproduce it. I'm hoping it isn't the wireless card or the antenna. I've got the R3 2.5 feet away from the router, and only use it in the same room.

I thought it may be the Dell wireless driver, but it that was the case I'm guessing the forum would have been swamped with these problems. Not sure what proportion of people actually have the mini-half card though.

 

Sorry, I think you guys were writing about the same time as me.

@ratchetnclank:

I'm a bit loathed to change the router settings any more, as I know it is fine for the other two laptops. Also I think the only thing I changed is the wireless channel. But I might give it a go.

@prank1:

I have a crappy abc (no N) router I'll have a look into this. Can you remember where the settings are for this?

 

If your Router is supported, i would suggest using www.dd-wrt.com | Unleash Your Router .
They offer a custom, opensource linux Kernel for various Routers, especially crappy ones.
With this firmware you could even set up things it didn't support previously, like QoS (comparable to the things the KILLER-WLAN-Card does, just for the traffic from router to ISP) or UPNP etc.

If i would want to make sure its not my Laptops problem, the fastest thing i could do is forcing the router to a specific standard like 802.11g. Some Routers use proprietary hoax standards that aren't certified with any other manufacturer or the WiFi-Alliance, just to sell their products better (look for things like "g++" "turbo g" etc.).

 

Thanks, yes I'll run a few more tests so I can rule out that this isn't a wireless card/driver issue first. If it isn't then i will try your suggestion