Is something slowing down my download speeds?

Question

My desktop (which is hooked up to the router) downloads files at 50 to 100 kbps. My laptop (which is connected to the router wirelessly) downloads no faster than 20kbps (when I'm sitting next to the router.) . I have AT&T DSL internet. Is there something I can do to speed up my downloading speeds on the laptop?

Answer 1

The first thing I would try is disabling the wireless on the laptop and connecting to the router with a network cable.  Then try your downloads and see if it's as fast as your desktop.  If it is, then troubleshoot the wireless further.  If it's slower just like when ur on wireless, it might be the laptop.

If ur laptop has a slower CPU, less memory, more apps running or other things can all contribute to slower download speeds... not just the wireless network.

Answer 2

Are you using the same download manager? Operating system? Wireless is always slower. You can hook your laptop up with a cable. Try using free download manager, i like it because it is very fast. Update your wireless adapter,s driver or buy another wireless adapter. The good ones start at $50 and the best ones at $70.

Answer 3

dump att [sbc of texas]  1.5mbps if you are lucky :(

our regional telecom, cavalier averages 200+ mbps

downloads video at 55mbps and uploads at 550kbps

Answer 4

More information required:

Check the wireless card. Is it an old one? In other words does it only run 802.11b ( 11 Mbits/s ) , if it is, the only solution is to get a new one or add a pcmcia network card if the wireless support is part of the motherboard.

Check the router is set to enable 802.11g, if it is set to run only 802.11b even if the card is 802.11g it will only run at .11b speeds.

Is there a 802.11b machine running on the network? If so it is likely this will cause the router to switch down to .11b speeds even for .11g clients regardless of what the router is configured to.