Wireless n connects only at 54 Mbps

J

jamarogers

New Member
I recently bought a new laptop (Gateway MD2614U), which has an Athros AR5B91 wireless adapter. From all indications, it is supposed to have a/b/g/n(draft) capabilities. I initially had a g router and upgraded to an n (Trendnet 652brp) to get greater range (>30') over what my g router would deliver. To my surprise, the distance and speed were exactly the same with the new router. After troubleshooting with TrendNet and trying different settings, they concluded that my wireless adapter would handle only g speed (it would not even connect when router mode was set to "n only"). TrendNet further stated that the vast majority of laptops come with g wireless to save money and suggested that I buy a n USB adapter to solve my speed/distance issues. I have no problem with this but have to wonder how gateway and others can get away with advertising n capability and failing to deliver on it.

Any advise or enlightenment is much appreciated...confused, abused and feeling used!

Jamarogers
 

My Computer

System One

check your computer specs, I'll bet is just set up for wireless G. This is the general rule of thumb that manufacturers set up laptops and desktops. Yes, it's to save money on the low end products. Yes, a usb N adapter is a cheap work around your issue. Most built in wireless N adapters for PC's and laptops are in your high end range with a hefty price to boot. It's all in the consumer preference, you pay for what you get and more and better tends to cost us more.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Self built
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64x2 6000+ 3.0ghz
    Motherboard
    Asus M4N78 Pro
    Memory
    3Gb PC2-5300 DDR2 @ 667mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    XFX Radeon HD 4770 512mb GDDR5
    Sound Card
    VIA HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual monitors: HP W1907 LCD 19" and Gateway HD Display 19" LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    Barracuda 7200.10 SATA 3.0Gb/s 320 x 2-GB Hard Drive
    PSU
    Antec Earthwatts 80 plus 500 watts
    Case
    Ultra E-Torque ATX Mid tower clear side w/2 120mm fans
    Cooling
    Thermaltake MaxOrb cpu cooler w/120 mm blue led
    Keyboard
    OEM HP
    Mouse
    OEM HP
    Internet Speed
    Download 6885 kb/s upload 367 kb/s
    Other Info
    Optical: Super Muliti DVD burner w/lightscribe, Hauppauge WinTV HVR-1800
I can't argue the virtue of saving $, but a $19 fix for n speed is the cost of shipping, and that's ridiculous to consider as a cost saver! My real burr is their advertising n capability and delivering only g. Maybe it doesn't matter to some but I was specifically looking for better range (>40') over the g adapter...more speed was just lagniappe! Thanks for your input...and curious, but what does one get in a high end computer that this one does not have? (Got multimedia, hi def wide screen, HDMI and VGA, DVD-RW, 64bit, plenty of ram and hard disk, webcam, premium graphics, lighted touchpad for multimedia and exceptional speed with the AMD Turion x2)...Not bad for $400 bucks here in Mississippi!
 

My Computer

System One

I concur with your statement but my point was that if your PC is not set up or equipped for wireless N adapter then getting a wireless N router will by default will revert to what ever you system is using. After rereading your post I see that you state that is equipped with wireless N. Have you checked in the device manager under network adapters to see if it is truly on your system and that it is turned on. If it is there then try updating the driver for it. After checking the gateway site I see that not all makes of that model come with the wireless N-draft. Here is the link.

Gateway Support - MD26 Series Notebook Specifications
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Self built
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64x2 6000+ 3.0ghz
    Motherboard
    Asus M4N78 Pro
    Memory
    3Gb PC2-5300 DDR2 @ 667mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    XFX Radeon HD 4770 512mb GDDR5
    Sound Card
    VIA HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual monitors: HP W1907 LCD 19" and Gateway HD Display 19" LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    Barracuda 7200.10 SATA 3.0Gb/s 320 x 2-GB Hard Drive
    PSU
    Antec Earthwatts 80 plus 500 watts
    Case
    Ultra E-Torque ATX Mid tower clear side w/2 120mm fans
    Cooling
    Thermaltake MaxOrb cpu cooler w/120 mm blue led
    Keyboard
    OEM HP
    Mouse
    OEM HP
    Internet Speed
    Download 6885 kb/s upload 367 kb/s
    Other Info
    Optical: Super Muliti DVD burner w/lightscribe, Hauppauge WinTV HVR-1800
The thing your not remembering is that its 'Draft' N meaning its pretty much beta and its not being promised to work with everything. Not saying its the PC manufactures fault, or even your router hardware but its simply a beta protocol, kind of like IPv6.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP
    CPU
    Intel Neo
    Memory
    2GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intergrated Intel Graphics
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    10.1
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 800
    Hard Drives
    160GB
    PSU
    Power Adapter
    Case
    It's special, it flips open :)
    Keyboard
    Acer
    Mouse
    Touchpad
    Internet Speed
    Down: 16mb/s Up: 1.6mb/s
    Other Info
    I killed my HP Laptop :'(
CrucialHoax said:
The thing your not remembering is that its 'Draft' N meaning its pretty much beta and its not being promised to work with everything. Not saying its the PC manufactures fault, or even your router hardware but its simply a beta protocol, kind of like IPv6.
Click to expand...

ipv6.... oh my. hah

Yeah, I agree with CrucialHoax. It's like a rough "draft".
 

My Computer

System One

Thanks for all your inputs...I guess I was expecting draft n to work with an n router...duh, my ignorance! Yes my wireless adapter is enabled and working fine...only problem is it only connects at 54 Mbps and has the range of my old g router. Kudos to TigerDirect, as they are sending me an N adapter (free of charge) that will plug into a USB port. Hopefully, this will solve my distance problem and add a little speed.

I really wish Gateway would have been more helpful in this whole thing...they simply wanted to blame the problem on TrendNet and charge me for high level support for a system under warranty. TrendNet was extremely helpful and really convinced me the problem was with the laptop adapter's "draft n". In retrospect, I think I will demand from Gateway, a list of n routers that will work with their "draft n".

Again, Thanks for all input, this has been enlightening!
 

My Computer

System One

jamarogers said:
Thanks for all your inputs...I guess I was expecting draft n to work with an n router...duh, my ignorance! Yes my wireless adapter is enabled and working fine...only problem is it only connects at 54 Mbps and has the range of my old g router. Kudos to TigerDirect, as they are sending me an N adapter (free of charge) that will plug into a USB port. Hopefully, this will solve my distance problem and add a little speed.

I really wish Gateway would have been more helpful in this whole thing...they simply wanted to blame the problem on TrendNet and charge me for high level support for a system under warranty. TrendNet was extremely helpful and really convinced me the problem was with the laptop adapter's "draft n". In retrospect, I think I will demand from Gateway, a list of n routers that will work with their "draft n".

Again, Thanks for all input, this has been enlightening!
Click to expand...

That was kind of TrendNet to supply a working adapter free of charge. I'm glad its all sorted out :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP
    CPU
    Intel Neo
    Memory
    2GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intergrated Intel Graphics
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    10.1
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 800
    Hard Drives
    160GB
    PSU
    Power Adapter
    Case
    It's special, it flips open :)
    Keyboard
    Acer
    Mouse
    Touchpad
    Internet Speed
    Down: 16mb/s Up: 1.6mb/s
    Other Info
    I killed my HP Laptop :'(
Are you ready for this? I continually remind myself that one's certainty varies inversly with one's knowledge...especially true with computers.

Got my new usb n adapter today, plugged it in, configured it and no connection. Called Trendnet and couldn't even get a connection with my old builtin adapter. Reconfigured router this time without security, (I'm in the sticks) and I suddenly have two wireless networks, My new n which connected at 135 Mbps AND my old builtin g (I thought) adapter, which connected at 175 Mbps. This is unfrigging believeable! I shut down and rebooted and all is still well. Removed the usb n adapter and still have a fast connection with my builtin adapter. I don't understand, but I am happy. If any has any theories, please share them. Thanks for all the help and advise.
 

My Computer

System One

You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top