TP-Link Router not giving the speed

[kodina]

Hi,

Details:

1. Using XP Pro SP3 (32-bit)

2. Laptop = Sony VAIO VGN-FZ140E

3. Recently purchased a TP-Link Router (TL-WR740N) which claims to give 150 Mbps speed

The Problem:

When connected, my Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN shows a speed of only 65 Mbps . A friend came over with his laptop (having Windows 7) and was able to get 150 Mbps speed.

Can someone please help me fix the problem so that I can also get the same speed. Do I need to upgrade the driver? If so how and from where? Or maybe the solution is much simpler? Please help. Will be very thankful.

[IrfanL]

I think your Intel wireless adapter is somehow limited to single spartal stream (working on 20 MHz channel). Hence, max data rate you can get is 65Mbps (which is max. for single stream).

Moreover, check out the first footnote on this page: TL-WR740N - Specification

*The device leverages some 802.11n features to provide improved performance and coverage compared to 802.11a/g devices, and fully interoperate with 802.11n products, but it does not conform to all of the requirements in the IEEE specification and are not classified as "n" in the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED program.

Checkout the footnote on this page: Intel? Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN

Up to 2x greater range and up to 5x better performance with optional Intel? Next-Gen Wireless-N technology enabled by 2x3 802.11n implementations with 2 spatial streams. Actual results may vary based on your specific hardware, connection rate, site conditions, and software configurations. See www.intel.com/performance/mobile/index.htm for more information. Also requires a Connect with Intel? Centrino? processor technology certified wireless n access point. Wireless n access points without the Connect with Intel Centrino processor technology identifier may require additional firmware for increased performance results. Check with your PC and access point manufacturer for details.

^^^ very interesting rite???

What I can make out is that your client adapter and AP are not fully compatible. Try playing with your Intel drivers properties there must be something there to force it use 40MHz channel or some options to force 2 spartal streams. I feeling a bit lazy ATM to google around :-P.

BTW, start by installing latest drivers.

[kodina]

Tons of thanks for taking the time to research and post. Really appreciate it. I have already updated to the latest driver but no luck. I did go into the driver properties but to my surprise did not find anything more than 20 MHZ option though my laptop has the N-Series WiFi. It had a sticker which said that.

Am totally clueless really but if you want i can post some screenshots of the various settings of my wireless adapter. Will that help?

[IrfanL]

I think I posted this before: Intel? WiFi Products - How to access and configure advanced Wi-Fi adapter settings

Settings of interest:

802.11n Channel Width (band 2.4/band 5.8) = Auto

802.11n Mode = Enabled (Default)

Fat Channel Intolerant = Disabled

Wireless Mode = 802.11a and 802.11g

BTW, post the screanshot of your adapter properties.

[kodina]

Hi and thanks (again) for taking the time to help.

I have read the link you shared but that is for a different WiFi adapter and for Windows 7 whereas I am using XP SP3 and a different WiFi adapter. I hope the following (complete/additional) details will help in trouble shooting. Also, I am attaching the screenshots as PNG:

1. I am currently using XP WZC (Wireless Zero Configuration) and have already updated the driver from intel's website to the latest version (13.1.1.1)
   
2. Do I need the following services? Should I disable these? Maybe these 2 services have something to do with all of this? Kindly note that this laptop (one on which I am facing the problem for which I have posted this thread) is only used at home:
   1) Remote Access Auto Connection Manager (currently set to manual), and
   2) Remote Access Connection Manager (also currently set to manual).
   
3. I tried to install the latest version of Intel? PROSet Wireless WiFi Connection Utility for Windows XP 32-Bit but it did not detect my wireless. Should I disable the WZC Service, restart the laptop, and then re-install Intel? PROSet Wireless WiFi Connection Utility for Windows XP 32-Bit?
   

I hope the above shared details and the attached screenshots (attached in a sequential manner) will help.

Thanks.

[IrfanL]

Dude, second last screen shoot, set the wireless mode to 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g. Then save & restart. Cross your fingers :-P.

Windows XP WZC is fine (I prefer it). No need to disable them & no need to install Intel? PROSet Wireless WiFi Connection Utility.

[kodina]

Thanks buddy. Appreciate that you took the time. Also thanks for your tip about sticking with WZC; will follow :)

Tried your tip, rebooted, and the same results..... I guess I'll just leave this one. At least the internet is working. Again, am really grateful for the time you took to help me out.

Best.

[IrfanL]

Sorry dude, tried my best. As I mentioned in my first post there are in-compatibilities between the Intel adapater and TP-Link router.

My opinion is that TP-Link is way off standards. It only operates at 2.4GHz-ISM band. Doesnt support 5GHz UNII band which according n standard should be made available, as 2.4GHz ISM band is too small. This may very well be the reason that Intel cannot connect. Intel adapter need clear 40MHz channel on 2.4GHz to establish connection. Any interference will cause it to go back to 20Mhz operation. Different vendors/adapters have different level of sensitivity.

Secondly the documents at TP-Link suggest 2x2 MIMO attenna configuration but nothing says how many spartial stream. I believe TP-Link works with 1 spartal stream only (MIMO config: 2x2:1), as max. speed you can get is 150Mbps in 40MHz channel and 65Mbps in 20MHz channel (which is MCS index 7 as per 802.11n drafts and uses single stream). Could be one of the reason the product is not certified n .

[kodina]

Sorry dude, tried my best. As I mentioned in my first post there are in-compatibilities between the Intel adapater and TP-Link router.

My opinion is that TP-Link is way off standards. It only operates at 2.4GHz-ISM band. Doesnt support 5GHz UNII band which according n standard should be made available, as 2.4GHz ISM band is too small. This may very well be the reason that Intel cannot connect. Intel adapter need clear 40MHz channel on 2.4GHz to establish connection. Any interference will cause it to go back to 20Mhz operation. Different vendors/adapters have different level of sensitivity.

Secondly the documents at TP-Link suggest 2x2 MIMO attenna configuration but nothing says how many spartial stream. I believe TP-Link works with 1 spartal stream only (MIMO config: 2x2:1), as max. speed you can get is 150Mbps in 40MHz channel and 65Mbps in 20MHz channel (which is MCS index 7 as per 802.11n drafts and uses single stream). Could be one of the reason the product is not certified n .

Hey you literally gone out of your way to help me out and for that I'm really grateful. I am not a techie but based on what I have figured out is that you pay a price for going with brands like TP-Link. I could be totally wrong but your quoted comments also seem to indicate the same.

Thanks buddy.

[dennis1139]

I got the exactly same problem which the wireless connection limits to 65MB only,

my card is the same as yours (Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN);

I am using Buffalo 300M 802.11n router, enable 40MHz in both router and lan card driver setting.

I also updated to the latest driver 13.1.1.1, but still no luck...

So I guess the problem is caused by the DAMN card, not the router.

[IrfanL]

Exact model # is required to be precise. However, make sure you are using WPA with AES encrption.

[dennis1139]

I've found out why the speed of Intel 4965AGN cut by half after some digging.

The reason is that the 4965 only supports 802.11n 40MHz channels in 5GHz,

which means that it is forced to use 20MHz channels if the router only have 2GHz mode(in my case),

and thus not fully utilize the 40MHz max speed of the router.

(They called this limitation "Friendly Neighbor Assurance", what th......)

[shauge]

Am just encountering this problem now as I upgrade my AP to 802.11n.  I deduced from my max 54Mbps speed that my Sony Vaio laptop with Intel 4965AGN wilreless adapter was continuing to connect via 802.11g rather than 802.11n even though I had the 802.11n Mode ENABLED in my Advanced Adapter Settings.  ANiMaL's post above was the key for me.  The 6 Wireless Mode setting options for my adapter included neither an 802.11n mode (or any choice which included 802.11n) nor an Auto option.  His advice to select the -A  plus -G option in those settings sent me to 78Mbps instantly (which exceeds the 802.11g maximum).  Why this is so I'm not sure, but it works.  -A plus -B plus -G was keeping me at 54 Mbps.

 

Added note:  If you, like me, are in the process of upgrading your network to 802.11n, remember to ensure your security mode and ecnryption settings between your wireless router and all your client device(s) are consistent, or you'll be completely unable to connect.  WPA2 (if everything will support that, vs the older WPA) and AES encryption (you might've been using TKIP with 802.11g which isn't supported and is less secure than the more secure AES required by 802.11n). If you fail to do this, your Windows device, depending on your OS version, may simply not seem to "see" your network or may recognize it as incompatible:  it'll be due to the inconsistent security mode and encryption type, but this fact might not be spelled out and leave you stumped.

WPA2 (Personal) and AES - preferred

WPA/WPA2 (Personal) and AES - if some of your devices don't support WPA2; this "mixed mode" will be slower

WPA (Personal) - now out of date; not as secure as WPA2

(anything) and TKIP - won't work (as it did with ...g) ...

(WPAx come in 'Enterprise' flavors as well, which require you to be using an authentication server)

[remixedcat]

Check for congestion:
1)Dowload InSSIDer: http://www.techspot.com/downloads/5936-inssider.html
Or Amped Wireless's Version:www.ampedwireless.com/wifianalytics/
Install it and select the proper adapter. Let it scan for 1-2 minutes

2) Note the channels used by your neighbors. Note which channels are most and least used. However the only non-overlapping channels are 1,6,and 11. (you can use others, however you're subject to, and cause interference to the main ones)
For Really congested environments with no clean-clear channels (non-used non-co and non-overlapping)
I recommend choosing the channel that has the lowest signal strength that's around... like if the least use 11 and the only channel 11 in use has a really low RSSI (like -80+dBm) Use ch 11.

3) Log into your routers control panel and go to (for example) Wireless Settings>2.4Ghz or Wireless Settings>5Ghz and should be in the main of both sections. Configure those to use the least congested or best case channel.

PROTIP: DISABLE 40MHZ CHANNEL WIDTH! It uses a 2nd channel for higher bandwidth, however it's an overlapping channel and it would subject you to interference and would cause interference to other networks!!!

4)Apply the new channel setting, use the scanning software again and test downloads.

[+BudMan MVC]

So you guys think this is still and issue from March of 2010??

[sc302 Veteran]

Am just encountering this problem now as I upgrade my AP to 802.11n.  I deduced from my max 54Mbps speed that my Sony Vaio laptop with Intel 4965AGN wilreless adapter was continuing to connect via 802.11g rather than 802.11n even though I had the 802.11n Mode ENABLED in my Advanced Adapter Settings.  ANiMaL's post above was the key for me.  The 6 Wireless Mode setting options for my adapter included neither an 802.11n mode (or any choice which included 802.11n) nor an Auto option.  His advice to select the -A  plus -G option in those settings sent me to 78Mbps instantly (which exceeds the 802.11g maximum).  Why this is so I'm not sure, but it works.  -A plus -B plus -G was keeping me at 54 Mbps.

 

Added note:  If you, like me, are in the process of upgrading your network to 802.11n, remember to ensure your security mode and ecnryption settings between your wireless router and all your client device(s) are consistent, or you'll be completely unable to connect.  WPA2 (if everything will support that, vs the older WPA) and AES encryption (you might've been using TKIP with 802.11g which isn't supported and is less secure than the more secure AES required by 802.11n). If you fail to do this, your Windows device, depending on your OS version, may simply not seem to "see" your network or may recognize it as incompatible:  it'll be due to the inconsistent security mode and encryption type, but this fact might not be spelled out and leave you stumped.

WPA2 (Personal) and AES - preferred

WPA/WPA2 (Personal) and AES - if some of your devices don't support WPA2; this "mixed mode" will be slower

WPA (Personal) - now out of date; not as secure as WPA2

(anything) and TKIP - won't work (as it did with ...g) ...

(WPAx come in 'Enterprise' flavors as well, which require you to be using an authentication server)

 

 

 

He was just saying that Animal's post shed light on his issue and adding some other notes if someone else encounters the same issue.

So you guys think this is still and issue from March of 2010??