My internet connection on my Toshiba laptop suddenly slowed a couple weeks back. I connect through a wireless router at home. There are 2 other computers (one desktop and one laptop) that also connect using the same wireless network. They both work fine. I also have a wireless network at the office. My connection is slow there also.

When there is no wireless connection available, I have a Verizon Broadband Access Card (USB) that I use to connect to the internet. It seems to be running at normal speeds.

Do I have a problem with my wireless NIC?

Thank you in advanced for your help

These cards are noticably slower (sometimes very much so,) than a typical 802.11g WiFi connection.

If you are in the USA, goto http://speakeasy.net/speedtest
you can test your connection speed when using the two different connection methods. Choose a server from the list that is closest to you.

If the results differ significantly, with the WiFi getting more than the Broad band card, then your actual connection speed may not be the problem. Check it randomly for a few hrs or when you believe the problem is happening. Part of it will depend on the level of service available at the home and office. I have 768Kbs at home and 7Mbs at work.....WiFi will max-out at just under 3Mbs, (or 3000Kbs on the speakeasy scale,) and since I use WiFi at work, (right now,) I do not get to use the full available bandwidth.

Tallon41

This post has been edited by Tallon41: Oct 10 2008, 02:24 AM

Hello Tallon41,

Thank you for the reply. Here are the results...

Broadband Access Card (USB) - 1.2MBs download / 600KBs upload
Wireless Router Connection - after a delay "preparing for the download test" - 3.6MBs download / the connection stalled while preparing for upload test.

I tried closing the site and accessing it again. No luck. I tried refreshing my wireless network connection. No luck. I tried unplugging my router, replugging, and refreshing my wireless network connection. Nothing works The site starts to come up, but it stalls at "Waiting for http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest." Yahoo.com, my home page, loads, but it takes a while.

The only solution was to turn my wireless card off and reconnect using my Broadband Access Card.

Then it sounds like there is an issue with your uploading speed.

And when you run that test from one of the other 2 PC that do not seem to have a problem.....

[do you use torrents ? XP--SP3 ? is this a recent problem ? ]

This post has been edited by Tallon41: Oct 10 2008, 02:22 AM

I don't use torrents. I am running XP SP3. It is a problem as of 2 weeks ago.

The speeds on the other 2 computers are...

Computer 1 - Download 3.3MBs / Upload 960KBs
Computer 2 - Download 3.1MBs / Upload 900KBs

Also,

I was able to complete a speedtest on the wireless router connection. Again, it delayed for longer than normal before the download test started. It completed at 3.6Mbs. The upload test completed at 659KBs. It took a long time to start up also.

Hope this is helpful

Your in very good hands with Tallon41.

I did want to just chime in to give Tallon something to think about which accured to me as I was reading the post.

The "delay" and possable timeouts.

A very some handy tools to see if and which piece of hardware might be going out is tracert, ping, and netstat.
The delay makes me think it might be something either going out hardware wise OR maybe some software that might be monitoring that interface.

Have you scanned and checked for malware, viruses, and trojans?
Most likily not one of those because it only effects the one card and not the other.
Are you using the built in wireless card or maybe a USB wireless card?
Do you know what verision you have for the driver(s) for your cards?

LoL sorry I tend to come up with to many questions at one time.

Hello tonka001,

Thank you for your input. To answer your questions:

1) Yes, I've scanned and checked for Malware, Viruses, and Trojans. The Malware forum helped me with that.
2) I am using a built-in wireless card
3) I don't know which card is responsible for my wireless internet connection in my house, but here are the two cards I found in Devise Manager, and the driver info on each.

-Marvell Yukon 88E8036 PCI-E Fast Ethernet Controller.
Provider: Marvel
File Version: 8.24.3.3 built by WinDDK
Digital Signer: Microsoft Windows Hardware Compatibility

- Intel® PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network Connection
Provider: Intel
Driver Date: 10/29/2004
Driver Version: 9.0.1.9
Digital Signer: Microsoft Windows Hardware Compatibility
Under the Advanced Tab in Device Manager for this NIC, "Ad Hoc Channel" is selected. 802.11b/g 10
Hardware Version: 4.1.3
Mac Address: 00:13:CE:9D:54:16

You should also know that I ran driver updates for both just before I posted this log. The Marvel Driver updated with a newer software version. The Intel driver did not have a more current version than the version I am using.

Hope this is helpful.

agreed, when your connection appears to be lagging, open a command prompt window [start---accsessories----command prompt ]

maximize the window. type "cd \ "
then "Ping yahoo.com -t "

it should constantly ping yahoo and show results like this :

C:\>ping yahoo.com -t

Pinging yahoo.com [206.190.60.37] with 32 bytes of data

Reply from 206.190.60.37: bytes=32 time=115ms TTL=55
Reply from 206.190.60.37: bytes=32 time=115ms TTL=55
Reply from 206.190.60.37: bytes=32 time=114ms TTL=55
Reply from 206.190.60.37: bytes=32 time=112ms TTL=55
Reply from 206.190.60.37: bytes=32 time=111ms TTL=55
Reply from 206.190.60.37: bytes=32 time=126ms TTL=55
Reply from 206.190.60.37: bytes=32 time=125ms TTL=55
Reply from 206.190.60.37: bytes=32 time=123ms TTL=55
Reply from 206.190.60.37: bytes=32 time=122ms TTL=55
Reply from 206.190.60.37: bytes=32 time=120ms TTL=55
Reply from 206.190.60.37: bytes=32 time=119ms TTL=55
Reply from 206.190.60.37: bytes=32 time=117ms TTL=55
Reply from 206.190.60.37: bytes=32 time=116ms TTL=55
Reply from 206.190.60.37: bytes=32 time=114ms TTL=55
Reply from 206.190.60.37: bytes=32 time=113ms TTL=55
Reply from 206.190.60.37: bytes=32 time=113ms TTL=55
Reply from 206.190.60.37: bytes=32 time=111ms TTL=55
Reply from 206.190.60.37: bytes=32 time=126ms TTL=55
Reply from 206.190.60.37: bytes=32 time=124ms TTL=55
Reply from 206.190.60.37: bytes=32 time=123ms TTL=55
Reply from 206.190.60.37: bytes=32 time=121ms TTL=55
Reply from 206.190.60.37: bytes=32 time=120ms TTL=55
Reply from 206.190.60.37: bytes=32 time=118ms TTL=55

Ping statistics for 206.190.60.37:
Packets: Sent = 23, Received = 23, Lost = 0 (0% los
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 111ms, Maximum = 126ms, Average = 118ms
Control-C
^C
C:\>

it will continue until you press Ctrl-C or close the window. What you're looking for are entries like "no response" or "request time out".
Note also the "time=xxxms" this is the time in milliseconds that the yahoo Ping travels (round trip, 1000ms=1second.) It should be fairly consistant.

As you can see, mine is a bit over 1/9th of a second, on average.

If your Browser session still laggs, but there is no significant changes in, (or lack of,) ping responses, this would indicate that your issue is software-related, rather than your NIC. If you ARE experiencing packet loss, then it would / should be true in whatever network you join if it is your NIC.

If you connect via a wire at Home or office and do NOT experience the problem, this would also indicate an issue with the wireless NIC. If on the other hand, connecting via a wire does not change your browsing experience, this then indicates a software issue on your laptop.

Tallon41

This post has been edited by Tallon41: Oct 14 2008, 11:19 AM

Hello again Tallon41,

I did the cmd prompt ping yahoo.com -t.

Over about 40 pings, I averaged 83ms. No "time outs" or "no response".
The range was consistent (80 - 86ms). I tried to open yahoo.com during the test. It was still lagging.

According to your last response, it seems I have a software problem. When I use a wired connection at home, my connection speed is very good. I get a 4.9Mbs download and a 1MBs upload. No delays.

Any suggestions on finding out what the software problem might be?

Thank you

Do you have Anti-Virus software that also has a "personal firewall" ? Norton Internet Security does.
Pretty-much any product that has "Internet Security" in their name, (with few exceptions,) has a Firewall of some kind. There are also Anti-Spy/Ad-ware products that offer real-time protections as well. Because of this, it is possible to have TOO-MUCH protection.

Occasionally, I see a PC with more than one firewall on it. This is not really necessary. If you have an AV product with a firewall, then turn-off the windows firewall. Ensure that you do not have more than one Anti-Virus product [not the same as anti-spy/ad-ware.] This will also slow-down the entire system, not just web browsing. If you DO want to keep it, then disable it's Firewall [if any] at least.

If you Lack protection, then you likely are infected. If you want to eliminate your browser as the possible problem source, you could download another one like, Mozilla Fire Fox and try it. If the problem persists.....you likely are infected regardless of your AV protection level.

Download Hijackthis and post in the Malware thread. Once you get a clean bill of health, if you still experience this issue, post back here.

Tallon41

This post has been edited by Tallon41: Oct 14 2008, 11:34 AM

I was directed to the networking forum by the HJT forum. The HJT forum gave me a clean bill of health after we removed some spy/adware and added AV. My computer is clean of viruses. I'll try to disarm Window Firewall, leaving my AV firewall up, but I had this computer slowing problem before I had more than one firewall. I don't think the firewall is the problem in this case. Any other suggestions?

Hi slo36,

I read your HJT log, and see you are clean of Malware.
I would agree, having two Firewalls is over kill and for sure would slow you to a halt so to speak.

I have ZoneAlarm Free on my systems, when you download and install it, Windows Firewall is automatically turned off.

To disable Windows Firewall do this

• Start
• Control Panel
• Windows Firewall
• Turn it off if you are confident you have a secure alternative

Keep us posted if this lets your computer show some speed.

kind regards,

I'm sorry, but I do not seem to be able to locate a thread in the HJT forum (withing the first 5 pages...) started by slo36 could you post a link to in ?

Tallon41,

My pleasure.

To find the link, click on

• 'slo36' > scroll to
• 'find members topics'
• and your there.

kind regards,