Internet Slowing down because of Old Router?

[Cntcomplain]

Hi,
I have a Lynksys 2.4ghz, model 802.11b wireless router. It's about 4 years old or better. My internet speed on my desktop is about 3mhz. The internet speed used to be wide open on my laptop, but for the last while it has been slowing down and says low connection most of the time.

I'm only about 20 feet from the desktop with the router when I use the Laptop. It's usually about 1000 to 1500 kbs slower when I do a bandwidth test online. I've done all I know to do. I have the processor speed and RAM to be much faster. I've deleted temp. internet files, run a couple of spyware programs, but that doesn't help much.

The question I have is, is it possible that the age of the router has something to do with it? Is it also possible to go into the settings of the router and change some settings?

I appreciate anyone's ideas in advance.

Thanks Again,
Chris

 

[NickCat11]

Cntcomplain,

The age of the router shouldn't affect your speed. It should be the same as when you originally used it. I have had my one router now for 3 years and it has the same performance. Wireless pc cards are more likely to go bad than the router. So that may be an option depending on your setup.

There are some other factors. Some objects may cause interference with the router which may in turn cause you to lose some signal strength. Such as Cordless Phones, microwaves, and other radioactive devices. So keep it away from them as best as possible. There are a few things you can try in order to improve your signal. Here is a pretty good web site that will give you some ideas. Hope this helps.

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/moredone/wirelesstips.mspx

 

[muthabored]

I'm not a wireless guru but have you checked the website of the device's manufacturer to see if there's a firmware update for your router?

 

[allteltec]

When you pass the mouse pointer over the connection icon in the tas bar what speed is you wireless connected at, if your router is putting out a weak signal your computer will speed stepping back to a slower speed 5,2.5,1. You could be getting interferince from cordless phone for other 2.5meg div. But your router signal could all so be getting weak. I go though a new router ever 2-4 years, they normally start dropping the wireless signal ever 10-20 mins. long term over heating problems.

 

[G0AOZ]

If you're saying the Desktop PC is fine, but the Laptop PC is slow, then eliminate the WiFi part of the equation by temporarily cabling the Laptop to the router. Don't forget to temporarily disable Wireless. You will then know if it's the Wireless or the Laptop that's causing the slow-down...

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[Cntcomplain]

Thanks so much for the suggestions! I'm going through them all now. Thanks again
CntComplain

 

[Cntcomplain]

Hi,
Just to give an update. I was about to buy another router because I was getting nothing but low connections when I decided to go back to this thread. I check for a firmware update, and there was one. However, all it changed was the layout of the settings page when adjusting them.

However, I changed the name of the network from "linksys" to a new name I picked out. I also changed the channel from, 6 to 11. Now it's like brand new. Signal strength hasn't dropped below excellent since.

I didn't really think that would work, but it did. I figured I'd report back so maybe as to help others who may have experienced the same problem. Troubleshoot First!

Thanks again for everyones help,
Chris Kidd

 

[G0AOZ]

Glad to hear you're wireless connection is back to full speed!

It's possible that a neighbour is now using ch.6 or close to it. Your move to ch.11 has maybe taken you away from the interfering signal...

ROGER - G0AOZ.