Wireless Network Slows Over Time

jgbishop

Senior member
May 29, 2003
521
0
0
My desktop machine at home uses a PCI wireless card to connect to my family's home LAN (I'm too far away from the NAT box to run a cable). I've been noting for some time now that, over time, my network connection gradually gets slower. If I reboot my machine, the connection speed is restored.

After a reboot, when I run the bandwidth test at Speakeasy, I get a download rate of ~4 mbps, and an upload rate of ~350 kbps. When I notice things going slowly, running the same speed test yields much slower rates (~750 kbps down, ~50 kbps up). Again, a reboot when in this condition solves the problem.

Any ideas on what could be causing this? The fact that a reboot fixes the problem makes me think that it's software related, but I don't know where to look. Are there any free apps out there that could help me track down what programs are using the network?

Also, wireless reception in my room is a little low. Could that be the cause? I'm using a NETGEAR WG311v3 802.11g Wireless PCI Adapter, if that helps at all. Our wireless box is a DLink DI-624.

I should also point out that other machines in my house do not apparently see this problem. In other words, when I am experiencing the slow down, other machines are able to get the ~4 mbps download rate. So, that rules out our modem (and possibly the NAT box as well).
 

spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
76
Wireless speeds will constantly change over time depending on conditions. So what you're seeing "can" be normal. As a start update the software on your access point and router.

The reason a reboot "fixes" it is you disconnect from the AP and the algorythm that controls what speeds you connect at is reset.