Wireless internet speed?

I recently got a new router and I've not really had any issues with my internet until the past week or so, but since last Monday my desktop computer has been getting a significantly slower connection than my laptop. Using speedtest.net, it says the Desktop (pretty much brand new, got it in February) is getting around 15mbps, whereas my laptop which I've had since 2009 is getting between 35-52mbps. There's gotta be something wrong since the difference is so huge, but I don't know what it is.

I'm with Virgin Media in the UK if it makes a difference, my advertised speed is 60mbps and I've called them to ask but they couldn't help. Anyone have any ideas? :/

So, your desktop is new right?
What are the specs on the wireless device on it?

So, your desktop is new right?
What are the specs on the wireless device on it?

Yep, and I'm not exactly sure what you mean but here are the specs of the network tab when using Speccy (if this isn't what you meant then let me know and I'll find out):

 Spoiler

Network
You are connected to the internet
Connected through Dell Wireless 1703 802.11b/g/n (2.4GHz)
IP Address 192.168.0.4
Subnet mask 255.255.255.0
Gateway server 192.168.0.1
Preferred DNS server 194.168.4.100
Alternate DNS server 194.168.8.100
DHCP Enabled
DHCP server 192.168.0.1
External IP Address 86.12.112.127
Adapter Type IEEE 802.11 wireless
NetBIOS over TCP/IP Enabled via DHCP
NETBIOS Node Type Hybrid node
Link Speed 0 Bps
Computer Name
NetBIOS Name MIKESPC
DNS Name MikesPC
Membership Part of workgroup
Workgroup WORKGROUP
Remote Desktop
Disabled
Console
State Active
Domain MikesPC
WinInet Info
LAN Connection
Local system uses a local area network to connect to the Internet
Local system has RAS to connect to the Internet
Wi-Fi Info
Using native Wi-Fi API version 2
Available access points count 1
Wi-Fi (Meriden Home WiFi)
SSID Meriden Home WiFi
Frequency 2437000 kHz
Channel Number 6
Name Meriden Home WiFi
Signal Strength/Quality 64
Security Enabled
State The interface is connected to a network
Dot11 Type Infrastructure BSS network
Network Connectible
Network Flags Currently Connected to this network
Cipher Algorithm to be used when joining this network AES-CCMP algorithm
Default Auth used to join this network for the first time 802.11i RSNA algorithm that uses PSK
WinHTTPInfo
WinHTTPSessionProxyType No proxy
Session Proxy
Session Proxy Bypass
Connect Retries 5
Connect Timeout (ms) 60,000
HTTP Version HTTP 1.1
Max Connects Per 1.0 Servers INFINITE
Max Connects Per Servers INFINITE
Max HTTP automatic redirects 10
Max HTTP status continue 10
Send Timeout (ms) 30,000
IEProxy Auto Detect Yes
IEProxy Auto Config
IEProxy
IEProxy Bypass
Default Proxy Config Access Type No proxy
Default Config Proxy
Default Config Proxy Bypass
Sharing and Discovery
Network Discovery Disabled
File and Printer Sharing Disabled
File and printer sharing service Enabled
Simple File Sharing Enabled
Administrative Shares Enabled
Network access: Sharing and security model for local accounts Classic - local users authenticate as themselves
Adapters List
Bluetooth Device (Personal Area Network)
IP Address 0.0.0.0
Subnet mask 0.0.0.0
Gateway server 0.0.0.0
Microsoft Wi-Fi Direct Virtual Adapter
IP Address 0.0.0.0
Subnet mask 0.0.0.0
Gateway server 0.0.0.0
Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller
IP Address 0.0.0.0
Subnet mask 0.0.0.0
Gateway server 0.0.0.0
Dell Wireless 1703 802.11b/g/n (2.4GHz)
IP Address 192.168.0.4
Subnet mask 255.255.255.0
Gateway server 192.168.0.1
Network Shares
No network shares
Current TCP Connections
AppleMobileDeviceService.exe (2012)
AvastSvc.exe (1400)
C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe (3944)
C:\Users\Mike\AppData\Local\Akamai\netsession_win.exe (4872)
C:\Users\Mike\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe (1480)
C:\Users\Mike\AppData\Roaming\Spotify\Data\SpotifyWebHelper.exe (3064)
C:\Users\Mike\AppData\Roaming\Spotify\spotify.exe (4292)
C:\windows\Explorer.EXE (3628)
System Process
System Process
lsass.exe (736)
mDNSResponder.exe (2120)
services.exe (728)
svchost.exe (124)
svchost.exe (560)
svchost.exe (740)
wininit.exe (624)

This is the stuff under Network adapters in device manager:



Under WiFi status in Control Panel it says the desktop speed is 72.2 Mbps, and the laptop is at 117.0 Mbps.

Check for the latest drivers for your device (Which is Dell Wireless 1703 802.11b/g/n (2.4GHz) adapter )
Also check that your router has the same frequency for your device (your device is 2.4ghz), I doubt this could be the problem (the frequency.
Keep in mind that WiFi signal isn't made to go through solid walls.
So if you have your Desktop in a corner I suggest it to move it somewhere else.

Check for the latest drivers for your device (Which is Dell Wireless 1703 802.11b/g/n (2.4GHz) adapter )
Also check that your router has the same frequency for your device (your device is 2.4ghz), I doubt this could be the problem (the frequency.
Keep in mind that WiFi signal isn't made to go through solid walls.
So if you have your Desktop in a corner I suggest it to move it somewhere else.

Drivers are updated, and, new problem, I can't go to the router configuration page (192.168.0.1). It just times out.
The desktop isn't quite in a corner but I can't move it enough for that to make a difference, without relocating my desk downstairs at least.

Oh SORRY, didn't read this:

Under WiFi status in Control Panel it says the desktop speed is 72.2 Mbps, and the laptop is at 117.0 Mbps.

If this is the case, then it seems that this comes from your ISP.
Try to test your speed again in non-peak hour.

Oh SORRY, didn't read this:

If this is the case, then it seems that this comes from your ISP.
Try to test your speed again in non-peak hour.

Just tried it now and my desktop got this:



And my laptop got this:



Laptop download speed is 3 times faster =/

Just tried it now and my desktop got this:



And my laptop got this:



Laptop download speed is 3 times faster =/

Why is your desktop testing vs. London, while laptop is Maidstone?

Why is your desktop testing vs. London, while laptop is Maidstone?

...you raise a good point.

This is the Maidstone server:



---

The internet on my desktop has been randomly cutting out today too.. laptop seems fine, but 4/5 times today the connection has been lost on this computer. During Skype calls it'll just drop or if I'm playing a game it'll freeze and reconnect again after a few minutes. I'm guessing it must be a problem with this computer specifically but I have no idea whats wrong with it.

What I'm about to say makes no physical sense whatsoever to me, but it's what's historically happened on an anecdotal basis.

I put my desktop under the desk (the irony) with its back against a wall. I use a separate wireless receiver with a USB interface, and it's been noted that plugging the receiver in the front improves the performance compared to the back. I've never tried one of those PCI cards, so I can't be sure how well they perform when the antenna is pretty much covered up in every direction. If you have a similar set-up, then there are a few things you can try, which primarily involve moving the antenna to a more open space.

What I'm about to say makes no physical sense whatsoever to me, but it's what's historically happened on an anecdotal basis.

I put my desktop under the desk (the irony) with its back against a wall. I use a separate wireless receiver with a USB interface, and it's been noted that plugging the receiver in the front improves the performance compared to the back. I've never tried one of those PCI cards, so I can't be sure how well they perform when the antenna is pretty much covered up in every direction. If you have a similar set-up, then there are a few things you can try, which primarily involve moving the antenna to a more open space.

I'll do a bit of rearranging later today, I can probably put it under the desk if I move some stuff around... I got a USB WiFi adapter to see if that'd make any difference since a friend said that had worked for him (and it was pretty cheap) but it didn't change anything, I still get the same speed as I did without it.

Thanks for your help guys!

Any reason why you aren't using an ethernet for your desktop?

Sounds like your modem/router/switch has traffic shaping.

I'll do a bit of rearranging later today, I can probably put it under the desk if I move some stuff around... I got a USB WiFi adapter to see if that'd make any difference since a friend said that had worked for him (and it was pretty cheap) but it didn't change anything, I still get the same speed as I did without it.

I meant quite the opposite. In my case, extreme obscurity (having the antenna blocked in all directions) caused the throughput to suffer, so you would want to have some amount of open space around the receiver.

Also, as suggested, do a factory reset on the router to ensure that no traffic shaping is in place.

Any reason why you aren't using an ethernet for your desktop?

I can't use ethernet without getting the cable from downstairs in the front room up along the wall and into the floor of my bedroom, and I can't move my desktop downstairs. I don't want to destroy my house. :x

[MENTION=9742]Chew[/MENTION]; I just checked my ISP website and I think you might be right... it says they only do that during peak hours though, and 11am on a Friday isn't a peak hour and the speeds are still vastly different.

[MENTION=1102]Kalovale[/MENTION]; I'll factory reset it when I'm home alone later, since I'll have to set up all the computers in the house again. Thanks again for your help guys.

Ok... I reset the router and it didn't change anything, and my speed on the desktop now is this:



Laptop speed, tested them at the exact same time...



Something is definitely wrong ._.

the answer:

ur wireless device contains dual band technology

the answer:

ur wireless device contains dual band technology

What does this mean :<

What does this mean :<

Dual Band Wireless Adapters can use the "N" (5ghz + 2.4ghz) in ur wireless router its usually much faster than ur average single band (2.4ghz) wireless adapters


is ur desktop connected by ethernet or is it using a wireless adapter?

ethernet is usually the fastest

Dual Band Wireless Adapters can use the "N" (5ghz + 2.4ghz) in ur wireless router its usually much faster than ur average single band (2.4ghz) wireless adapters


is ur desktop connected by ethernet or is it using a wireless adapter?

ethernet is usually the fastest

Both the laptop and desktop are on wireless.