Slow PCI Network Card and Constant Freeze

**anthonyla65** · #1 18th Oct 2008, 04:36

Hi there, I recently bought a Realtek RTL8185 Wireless PCI Card from my local pc shop for £13, When i installed it and connected to my wireless network i was getting very slow speed and on the Utility Showed the speed was 1.0Mpbs but i only got about 10kps on a Speed Test and Constant Freeze (the wireless card suddenly stops working and then 10 seconds back to normal). I tried using the windows zero configuration utility and swapping PCI slot but it didn't change anything. It showed Signal Strength : Excellent. I'm living in the 2nd Floor in my house, On my old laptop i got Full Speed: 54mpbs and 2Mbps/247Kbps on a Speed Test and i still get those speed on my laptop but not on my PC. Should i get a different wireless adapter ? I used to nightmares with USB should i stay away from it ? I also wanna know that are Netgear WG111 54Mbps Wireless USB Adapters ( http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produc...7C10199045.htm ) anygood ? Any other sugesstions ?

I'll appreciate any reply please

**Hybr!d** · #2 18th Oct 2008, 04:38

Signal strength and signal quality are two different things.

How far are you from the router, how many walls, how thick etc.?

**anthonyla65** · #3 18th Oct 2008, 04:41

I'd say about 10 metres from the router and the wall are about 10-15 cm thick and about 5-7 walls away from the router

**Hybr!d** · #4 18th Oct 2008, 04:53

That is probably your problem, that's a lot of walls.

2-3 walls/floors is sort of max, although it depends on thickness and materials used in the build.

Can you move the PC into the room with the router, no obstacles, that will confirm if it is range or not.

**thingie2** · #5 18th Oct 2008, 05:04

That's alot of walls for only 10 metres, you sure it's that many?

**MJM** · #6 18th Oct 2008, 05:12

One thought I'm having is whether or not your card is set to G. I had a wirelesss once where I could choose between a/b/g standard and it was set to b by default, so it may be worth looking into the card options (if there are any).

**anthonyla65** · #7 18th Oct 2008, 14:32

well.. i depends if walls include floors? if it include floors its about 5-7 wall if not its about 3-5 walls cos theres 3 floors in my house and i'm on the top floor, the router is in the lounge

**Hybr!d** · #8 18th Oct 2008, 14:34

Range/obstacles are highly likely to be your problem.

3 floors and multiple walls is too much for most wireless equipment.

**anthonyla65** · #9 18th Oct 2008, 14:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Hybrid

Range/obstacles are highly likely to be your problem.

3 floors and multiple walls is too much for most wireless equipment.

But one thing: i tried one of my cheap "old" USB wireless that i had nightmares with and i got some decent speed although i had constant disconnect with it and i got very good speed with my laptop in my room

**Hybr!d** · #10 18th Oct 2008, 14:45

So you are saying it didn't work either? Disconnection due to range again...

I run an IT company and see this all the time, I personally reckon it's range, wireless equipment still just isn't very good, yet.

Take the machine downstairs, that will confirm, you could also try different channels on the router and disabling security, both increase signal output.