Slow Speeds but Strong Signal

Question

I've been experiencing a frustrating problem recently with my wireless connection on my laptop. The problem has started in the past few weeks. My current setup consist of my laptop (Win XP) sitting on my desk with the WRT150N router residing in one of the desk drawer along with the DSL modem, a small NAS, USB hub, an external DVD burner and power bar. In the past, my laptop always connected at 54 Mbps with the signal strength being Excellent.
For the past few weeks, my laptop connects to the router at 54 Mbps with the signal strength being excellent once I turn on my laptop. After a few minutes, the speed drops to 48 Mbps, then 36 Mbps and then fluctuates between 5.5 Mbps, 2 Mbps, 24 Mbps, 1 Mbps, etc. The signal strength always stays at Excellent. Power cycling the router does not resolve the issue, neither does repairing the network connection.
Here are results from a continuous ping on my router:
Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.
C:\Documents and Settings\Owner>ping 192.168.0.1 -t
Pinging 192.168.0.1 with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=217ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=10ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=35ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=172ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=39ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=9ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=28ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=623ms TTL=64
Request timed out.
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=56ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=42ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=33ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=20ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=63ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=87ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=88ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=19ms TTL=64
Request timed out.
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=120ms TTL=64
Request timed out.
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=155ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=555ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=132ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=26ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=88ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=131ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=24ms TTL=64
Request timed out.
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=888ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=1339ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=14ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=4ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=114ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=35ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=41ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=45ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=15ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=8ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=27ms TTL=64
Request timed out.
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=9ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=53ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=130ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=92ms TTL=64
Ping statistics for 192.168.0.1:
      Packets: Sent = 45, Received = 40, Lost = 5 (11% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
      Minimum = 1ms, Maximum = 1339ms, Average = 139ms
Thinking the router might be the cause, I borrowed a WRT54GS router and configured it exactly the same as my WRT150N router. To my surprise, my speeds were still fluctuating as it was previously with the WRT150N router.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I could try to resolve this issue? Would installing DD-WRT possibly resolve this issue?
Let me know if you require additional information.
Thank you
Mario

Answer 1

toomanydonuts wrote:
First of all, give your network a unique SSID. Do not use "linksys". If you are using "linksys" you may be trying to connect to your neighbor's router. Also set "SSID Broadcast" to "enabled". This will help your computer find and lock on to your router's signal.
I do have a unique SSID and the SSID Broadcast was enabled.
toomanydonuts wrote:
Since you are getting poor speed between your wireless n router and wireless adapter, make sure the "Radio Band" is set to "Wide".
In your router, try a different channel. There are 11 channels in the 2.4 GHz band. Usually channel 1, 6, or 11 works best. Check out your neighbors, and see what channel they are using. Because the channels overlap one another, try to stay at least +5 or -5 channels from your strongest neighbors. For example, if you have a strong neighbor on channel 9, try any channel 1 through 4. For wireless n, make sure your standard and wide bands are at least 2 channels apart. For example try standard band on channel 11, and wide band channel 9.
Radio Band was set to "Auto" and has since been changed to "Wide".  Using Network Stumbler, I was able to determine that my strongest neighbors were using channels 1 and 11 so I changed my Wide Channel to 4 and my Standard Channel to 6 - 2.437GHZ.
toomanydonuts wrote:
Also, try to locate the router about 4 to 6 feet above the floor, in an open area. Do not locate it behind your monitor or near other computer equipment or speakers. The antenna should be vertical.
I will attempt to move the router on my desk in the upcoming days instead of having it hidden in a drawer.  The antennas are in a vertical position.
toomanydonuts wrote:
Also, in the computer, go to your wireless software, and go to "Preferred Networks" (sometimes called "Profiles" ). There are probably a few networks listed. Delete any network named "linksys". Also delete any network that you do not recognize, or that you no longer use. If your current network is not listed, enter its info (SSID, encryption (if any), and key (if any) ). Then select your current network and make it your default network, and set it to automatic login. You may need to go to "settings" to do this, or you may need to right click on your network and select "Properties" or "settings".
I have removed all listed networks with the exceptio of the one I am currently experiencing issues with.
toomanydonuts wrote:
If the above does not fix your problem, download and install the latest driver for your wireless card.
I will look on my wireless card's manufacturer website to determine if new drivers are available.
toomanydonuts wrote:
Some users have reported improved wireless performance by switching to WPA encryption.
I am currently using PSK2 Personal with TKIP or AES Encryption.  To my understanding, PSK2 is WPA2.
toomanydonuts wrote:
If you continue to have problems, try the following:
For wireless n routers, try setting the "n Transmission Rate" to 162 Mbps, and the (wireless g) "Transmission Rate" to 54 Mbps.
If you still have trouble, download and install the latest firmware for your router. After a firmware upgrade, you must reset the router to factory defaults, then setup the router again from scratch. If you saved a router configuration file, DO NOT use it.
I will try out my current settings for the next few days.  If the situation does not improve, I will try the above mentionned items.  I realize upgrading the firmware could be beneficial, but would installing DD-WRT be a better option?  I realize I might receive biased opinions here since it is a Linksys forum after all and not a DD-WRT forum.
Thank you
Mario