E1505 Network Problem is Baffling

I have a new Dell E1505 Laptop with the Broadcom 10/100 Ethernet and a/b/g/draft-n WiFi.

Here's the brief explanation of the problem:

The Bad:
When I connect to my Home Wifi Router (SMC Barricade), it drops the Wifi connection every 3-5 minutes, then reconnects fine. The signal strength is always excellent and it works fast during those 3 minutes.

When I physically plug in to this router (or my other non-wifi router D-Link) it has a very poor transfer rate (speakeasy test fluctuates from 3.5 megabit down to 50 kbps IF it even finishes the test).

There are 2 other computers hooked up to this router 24/7 that show NO problems. I've even tried my other laptop and plugged it in to the same cord and it works great. I switch back to the e1505 and it fluctuates. The other laptop can also use the Wifi on the SMC with no problems what-so-ever. I've even run the SpeakEasy test on another computer and the e1505 at the same time: e1505 will fail to complete or get low rates while the other computer has no problem.

Funky:
I tested several Cat5 cables (as well as different ports on the routers) all of them fail to work (give fluctuating and slow connection). The ONLY one that works and it works consistently is a half-duplex Cat5 50ft cable. When I use this cable it connects in and works for hours without any speed problems. SpeakEasy tests continuously reach 3.5-5 megabit.

Note: the connection problems are not just internet, but also when connecting to another computer on the LAN.

The Good:
When I plug this laptop in at work either directly or WiFi it works flawlessly for hours!


What would cause this e1505 to work only when a 1/2-duplex cable is used?! Everything points to a bad router, but I've tried this on 2 routers that work with other computers running on them 24/7 without any issues, I'm at a loss. I'm baffled.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

 

Thats interesting. I would put the wireless down to issues between draft-n cards and none draft-n routers. As far as wired, that sounds like normal speeds for a 10/100 mbit connection. a gigabit connection will give about 11 mb/sec. However, the fluctuation could be a driver issue or chip issue.
I know I've had problems with getting my moms e1505 network (wireless) to work right, as well as some other e1505 owners, but they weren't draft-n units.
can you try different drivers? And are you using the windows software to control your wireless or are you using the manufacturers software? Sometimes people have both loaded on and they seem to cause problems when both are trying to control the wireless.

 

What's baffling me is that it works when I use a half-duplex Cat5 cable with the home router and works flawlessly no problems while at work (on WiFi and plugged in with any cable). I agree with you, the WiFi can just be iffy, but 10/100 should be solid.

So I'm hesitant to change the drivers since it works fine at work (10/100 & WiFi). I do have the latest drivers.

Could there by an incompatibility with the e1505 Broadcom and SMC WiFi & Dlink Wired (except at 1/2 duplex)? It just seems odd.

Let me know what you think!

Thanks for the help...

 

lol honestly go with intel ... but yet again they dont have N for another 1/2 a year?

 

I could be wrong, but there's no option to get a 10/100 from Intel? I thought all e1505's shipped with Broadcom 10/100? I know you can get WiFIi from Intel, but will this also change out your 10/100 device?