Laptop broadband slow - why?

[AMG Merc]

Hi all

This one has me perplexed...

Virgin, latest router, 100mbps service.

5 year-old approx. desktop PC (Speetest - mostly get over 100mbps)

...but...

2-year old Dell laptop (get 10mpbs - if I'm lucky)
Same router
Does't matter if wifi or ethernet cabled
Updated Ethernet and wifi adaptor drivers
Running lates MS updates, etc.
Clean hard-discs (CC cleaner, McAfee)
Reboot the router often
iPad and iPhone get around 35-45mbps downstairs via wifi

Why can't the laptop see more than 10mbps? Hardware fault - but where/what?

[littlebasher]

Try a DNS flush?

in acommand prompt

ipconfig /flushdns

[AMG Merc]

littlebasher said:

Try a DNS flush?

in acommand prompt

ipconfig /flushdns

Cheers, just tried that - no change, barely 13mbps . Tried the PC again - 111mbps

[xtruss]

Have you tried a different ethernet cable?

[AMG Merc]

xtruss said:

Have you tried a different ethernet cable?

Yes thanks. but in any case I get the same slow speed on wifi

[HRL]

How far away is your laptop from the router?

[eps]

What model is it?

Just a thought, but when you plug straight in, is it still using WiFi?

I guess you've seen the 'Smartbyte' posts regarding Dell laptops? https://www.dell.com/community/Inspiron/Inspiron-1...

Is that installed / active?

[MissChief]

HRL said:

How far away is your laptop from the router?

Doesn’t matter. He’s said he’s tried a cable.

OP are you certain the laptop is picking up and running through the cable? With it connected what does the networking icon at the bottom right say?

[tangerine_sedge]

Odd problem as it's impacting ethernet and wifi...

My first guess would be network card config or hardware problem.

My second guess is that the router is throttling the connection. On my router I can limit the speed per device - might it have been changed?

[AMG Merc]

eps said:

What model is it?

Just a thought, but when you plug straight in, is it still using WiFi?

I guess you've seen the 'Smartbyte' posts regarding Dell laptops? https://www.dell.com/community/Inspiron/Inspiron-1...

Is that installed / active?

Dell Insipron 5759

I'm generally using wifi yes. No cable attached.

I must have Smartbyte because I just ran a full cycle. Intestingly it reported 56mbps in its bandwidth test! Ran Speedtest again still 12-13mbps.

[AMG Merc]

MissChief said:

HRL said:

How far away is your laptop from the router?

Doesn’t matter. He’s said he’s tried a cable.

OP are you certain the laptop is picking up and running through the cable? With it connected what does the networking icon at the bottom right say?

Yes, when on cable I disconnect the wifi

[AMG Merc]

eps said:

What model is it?

Just a thought, but when you plug straight in, is it still using WiFi?

I guess you've seen the 'Smartbyte' posts regarding Dell laptops? https://www.dell.com/community/Inspiron/Inspiron-1...

Is that installed / active?

I'm looking at SmartByte now and will look at removing it once I find out what its supposed to do. Cheers

[CorradoTDI]

Update the Bios plus all the other drivers...

Take it you've power cycled the router?

[AMG Merc]

CorradoTDI said:

Update the Bios plus all the other drivers...

Take it you've power cycled the router?

Hi, Updated wifi and ethernet car drivers, not BIOS.

Yes power cycle often for to grab the best available wifichannel

[AMG Merc]

Looks like Kudos to Philip/eps. It was that friggin Smartbyte app bundled with the Dell. Removed and now getting over 50mbps (was 13).

Can't see the point of Smartbyte - it permanently allocates bandwidth for video play - why?

Anyway, many thanks to all - the best IT support team I've come across this week

[eps]

Phew! Actually of use!! Glad you got it sorted.