Area 51 - Win7 - Network TX Slow

Question

I'm having an issue with my Area51 Desktop (APA51H - 8/2011) running Win7. On a certain program the network is transmitting very very slowly. The program works fine on other Win7 computers with no issues. It's not just a network card issue but something overall in the system. I tried installing a USB Gigabit Network adapter and was experiencing the same issue. Obviously there is something weird in the interaction between this program and just the Alienware.

My question is does anyone know of a Win7 or Alienware specific setting that could be choking some functions of Network connectivity. I have checked some obvious settings (making sure TX/RX is auto instead of being limited to 100MB or else). I should also note that I have tried using the same network cable/connection on other computers running the same program and it works fine.

jabadger · Accepted Answer

I believe I found the problem. I turned off a feature called "Interrupt Moderation" in the network adapter properties and then it all started working correctly.

The program that I'm using is called Pharos Designer (www.pharoscontrols.com). It's an entertainment lighting control program. The program itself works fine however there is a function by where I can control a proprietary device by streaming UDP commands to it in real time; This is the function that was acting 'slow'. Turning off the Interrupt Moderation corrected the issue.

8081.InterruptModerationDISABLED.png

DELL-Rajath N · Answer

Hi jabadger,

I suggest you to update the BIOS to the latest version and check if the network card communicates properly. You can download the latest BIOS from the following link by punching in the Service Tag:
http://dell.to/QjjZDA

Please let me know about your findings and the name of the program with which you are experiencing this issue.

jabadger · Answer

The BIOS reported that it is already at the current version (A10) and wouldn't update.  In the downloads for my service tag, only A10 is available.

DELL-Rajath N · Answer

Hi jabadger,Thank you for your reply and for providing an update on the status of the issue. I suggest you to perform the steps provided in the link below to optimize the Internet connection in Windows 7: http://dell.to/YzUCntPlease let me know about your findings.

Tesla1856 · Answer

The only unique thing about the Alienware desktops is they have an MIO-Board. However, this shouldn't cause any network related compatibility problems unless program is trying to enumerate USB ports (like some old games I've found and a few apps). See my Favorites to disable it for testing (but I really doubt that's your problem).

I suggest you attack the problem by checking what works, not what is broken.

Do you have any strange Network Protocols loaded? Most people just use TCP/IPv4 & v6 these days. Check with www.speedtest.net . If that works (upload, download at ISP's rated speed and good Ping), your on-board Gigabit/1000 Broadcom port is likely fine. For Windows networking, you can browse/use network shares and transfer large files in both directions. Also, some 3rd party utils like Qcheck will test it.

I assume you are behind a hardware NAT Router so it should be ok to turn off local software firewalls for testing. They control quite a bit so turning them off is a easy way to temporarily eliminate them from equation.

If connecting at 1000 you must use Cat-5e or better cable or you will likely have random problems. Also, check QoS at router

I un-installed the "heavy" Dell supplied Broadcom Network Driver Suite long ago. I use the simple (lighter) Broadcom driver from Windows7-64. If you want to try it...
- Programs and Features / uninstall Broadcom Suite
- Reboot
- Windows will detect the Broadcom device and offer a driver. Install it.

jabadger · Answer

Thanks for the good info.

Specifically I'm not having an overall internet connectivity issue, that's fine; It's just an issue on the internal network in how it's dealing with certain packets of data from the one program I'm using. I'll dig into it again next week.

DELL-Rajath N · Answer

Hi jabadger, Thank you for your reply and for providing an update on the status. Please let me know the name of the program that you use, so that I can check for a workaround or resolution.

Tesla1856 · Answer

I can control a proprietary device by streaming UDP commands to it in real time;

Glad you got it fixed ...

However, I would have guessed the local software firewall (Windows Firewall or other) blocking the UDP commands on whatever port it was using. You can also exempt traffic by program (allows any port and I think any protocol).

jabadger · Answer

Firewall is/was completely off to no effect.

Locked Topics – Alienware General

Area 51 - Win7 - Network TX Slow

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