WLAN speed issue(s)

Question

I realize there are a lot of threads on this, but I’ve not found a resolution for this problem.  I have a Latitude D610, originally configured with the Intel 2200 WLAN b/g mini-PCI card.  From day one, I found that even with signal strength at 'excellent' or 'very good,' my speed would gradually decrease.  I experienced the problem while on A/C power and on both b (would go over time from 11mbps to 5.5mbps or less) and g (would go from 54mbps to 36mbps) networks.  Tried technical support a few times, reinstalled drivers, etc., but no go.  Eventually, I had Dell send a new (well, refurbished) Intel card, but same problem.    After reading that this might be a known problem with the Intel card using the current driver—and having never had the problem with my prior Dell D400 laptop and a Truemobile 1300 card on the very same networks—I spent my own nickel (actually $45) and bought the Dell 1350 card.    Guess what, same problem, but worse.  On a b network at my office I seem to consistently start at 11mbps with very good signal strength and then degrade to eventually 'limited or no connectivity'.  On my home 'g' network, I get excellent signal strength and only between 18 and 36mbps to start, whereas I was consistently getting 54mbps at the same location with the 1300 card in my old D400 and even initially 54mbps with the Intel card in the new D610.  I realize it may just be a bandwidth issue, but the timing is awfully suspect.  Yes, I have latest drivers, firmware, bios upgrades, etc.    Finally, I would add that Dell thought the problem might be my firewall (ZA Pro), but the situation is no better with firewall off and even uninstalled.  Same with AV program—AVG Pro.  Also tried alternately managing with the Windows and card utilities, as well as switching channels on home router, all to no avail.   I realize there’s an awful lot here, but would be deeply appreciative if anyone has some thoughts on what else I might try, or just generally between the Dell (Broadcom) 1350 and the Intel 2200—since I now own both!  Many thanks.  LP Message Edited by lponoroff on 05-03-2005 01:58 PM Message Edited by lponoroff on 05-03-2005 07:16 PM

jefflloyd · Answer

I am having the same issue with the Dell 1370 WLAN card it would seem.  I have posted my own issues, which are very similar to yours, meaning, NO SPEED.   Good luck...

jefflloyd · Answer

No Solution from Dell. Typical tech support actually. Yet they seem to win all these awards over their tech support group.

I have learned to live with the slow wireless speeds, as I have no more patience with Dell and won't be buying another laptop from them ever.

rgmckenz · Answer

I have a serious issue with 7 Latitude D505 laptops and Cisco Aironet 1100 access points. We had Fujitsu Lifebooks with Cisco wireless cards in them before that had no trouble connecting to the Cisco WAPs. We purchased the Latitudes (as the Fujitsu's were not that nice) as replacement devices with the hope that the wireless would work out OK. Our mistake.

Since we've had the D505's (with the Intel Pro 2200 internal), we've had major problems keeping our connection to the Cisco WAPs. We'll start out with pretty good signal, then steadily degrade until finally, we drop connection altogether. At first, we thought we had a problem running with some mixed access points (some were B and some B/G), so we upgraded to all B/G units. However, the problem persists.

I'm going to check the antenna leads, drivers, BIOS, other interference sources, etc., but I'm really concerned. We may be able to boost the Cisco's with some high-gain antennas, but I'd rather see the Latitudes with the Intel cards working just like the Cisco cards did.

Did you ever find a solution? Anyone else experiencing this problem? Thanks ahead for your input!

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Was this post helpful?