Wireless netowork speeds vary?

Question

I recently hooked up my desktop to my netgear wireless router using a netgear wireless PCI card. Installed the netgear software, up and away, I'm online now.
Thing is, sometime the speed of the wireless connection to the router will be 54mbps, others 11mbps, currently it's 36mbps. It just varies even though the Signal Strength is low.

Any ideas? Is this normal? I have 8mb broadband so it's only an issue if it dips to 5.5, 2 or 1mbps.

Thanks

In response to danuitti
There is 1 thick wall and a floor for it to go though however I think it may take a different route, this being through a doorway, immediately up the stairs, through a thin wooden door with gaps around it then 5 feet to the PC's antenna.

It is an omni directional antenna which I guess isn't very good for different floors.

Anyway, glad to hear it's normal.

Answer 1

This is normal. The location of your access point is key. Try to locate your access point as high as you can possibly make it so that the signal is not impeded by any obstructions. Also, walls and floors will have a great impact on your signal strength and therefore your speed. The weeker the signal gets, the slower your connection becomes. This is to maintain a reliable connection.

Wireless access points generally have a good signal distance of up to 100 feet or so, unobstructed.....throw in obstructions like walls and floors and this distance will deminish greatly. Another variable that can decrease your speed is interferance. New phones (cellular and cordless) that operate on the 2Ghz spectrum may be on the same frequency as your access point. Change the channel of your access point to Ch11 to place the access point on the upper part of the frequency spectrum....and if you can, change the channel on your cordless phone to operate in the lower spectrum..........(not always possible on cordless phones and definitely not possible on cell phones). You can also buy high gain antenaes that will increase your access point's range....I have a linksys and replaced the antenaes with great results

Hope this helps

Answer 2

There could be some radio interference from your wireless telephone or other device. Try moving these away from your wireless computer and your wireless router.

Also, the signal can't go through brick or stone. Investigate that path, and make sure that you don't have any solid walls or chimney in the way. Moving your wireless router just a few feet can make a world of difference in signal strength.

Good luck and Happy Computing!

Answer 3

It is due to it not getting a good signal. You could try moving your router or just getting another one. If your laptop supports 801.11N then switching to a wireless N router should improve your signal and your speeds.

Answer 4

Radio waves like to go in straight lines. They can go through walls, but the walls attenuate the signal. They can also bounce off things, but sometimes this can be a bad thing. The frequency WIFI operates on typically is sentitive to microwave ovens.

Answer 5

well go to

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313242/en-us

but put your router up higher and put your pci card facing the router,

or change the channel and it will help

if it is omni directional face it towards the router it will work better,

also change the way you place the router mine works better on its side

Answer 6

Yes its normal

Answer 7

These sites are to check your download and upload speed

http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/

http://www.dslreports.com/stest
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Answer 8

it is normal