New High Spec Laptop, Very Slow Internet

ThaBigBoss · 9 Feb 2012 at 19:40

I have recently purchased a Dell XPS15 however despite it having a very high spec, while on the internet it runs very slow. YouTube videos take ages to load and often buffers halfway though while loading a Facebook pages also takes considerably longer than it should. My 6 year old Fujitsu Siemens had no issues loading such web pages despite having a significantly lower spec.

I have tried my new Dell on 2 different WiFi's that I used regularly with my Fujitsu Siemens and have experienced problems with both which makes me think that the issues isn't with the WiFi itself.

If anyone has any suggestions I would be very grateful.

Thanks

InQ · 9 Feb 2012 at 19:44

Have you tried a different browser? eg Chrome if you are on IE.

Have you tried it wired to the router?

ThaBigBoss · 9 Feb 2012 at 19:56

Yes I have tried different browsers. All of which are slow.

I have not tried wiring it to the router as I don't have a cable however I don't see why this should be an issue as I never wired up my Fujitsu Siemens.

InQ · 9 Feb 2012 at 20:03

Are you connected by wireless G or N?

BunnyKillBot · 9 Feb 2012 at 20:39

Bios up to date? Latest drivers?

Had simular problems myself. Suggested an XPS15 for the mother in law, got it 900 down to 550. Arrived with 2 dead USB ports and dodgy wireless connection. Dell customer service so far has been a ******* disgrace. Indian call centre responses, out of date copy pastas that refer to hardware not relevant and windows vista as the operating system of the day. Lies, missed call backs, and ******* incompetant.

For the price it was a great laptop but right now I am a damn site angry at Dell

ThaBigBoss · 9 Feb 2012 at 22:40

InQ said:
Are you connected by wireless G or N?

What does this mean?

Connected via a router. The networks providers I have tried are Virgin Media and TalkTalk.

ThaBigBoss · 9 Feb 2012 at 22:41

BunnyKillBot said:
Bios up to date? Latest drivers?

Had simular problems myself. Suggested an XPS15 for the mother in law, got it 900 down to 550. Arrived with 2 dead USB ports and dodgy wireless connection. Dell customer service so far has been a ******* disgrace. Indian call centre responses, out of date copy pastas that refer to hardware not relevant and windows vista as the operating system of the day. Lies, missed call backs, and ******* incompetant.

For the price it was a great laptop but right now I am a damn site angry at Dell

Yes the first thing I did when I got the laptop was update everything to the latest bios and drivers.

sehcure · 9 Feb 2012 at 22:42

ThaBigBoss said:
Yes I have tried different browsers. All of which are slow.

I have not tried wiring it to the router as I don't have a cable however I don't see why this should be an issue as I never wired up my Fujitsu Siemens.

It would show you if it was a wireless problem? :confused:

ThaBigBoss · 9 Feb 2012 at 23:01

sehcure said:
It would show you if it was a wireless problem?

I have since used by Fujitsu Siemens laptop and that still works fine, as does everyone else's laptop in the house. This Dell laptop is the only laptop in the house that is having internet issues.

bremen1874 · 9 Feb 2012 at 23:24

You've really got to try it with a wired connection. It'll immediately tell you whether it's a general problem with the laptop, or just a problem with its wireless connection.

radderfire · 9 Feb 2012 at 23:31

I also think connecting to the router via an ethernet cable would be a good idea, as a wireless issue is a strong possibility.

Rgds

InQ · 9 Feb 2012 at 23:54

ThaBigBoss said:
What does this mean?

Connected via a router. The networks providers I have tried are Virgin Media and TalkTalk.

It means is it 54mbit via G or 144/300mbps via N.

Anyhow, having an XPS 15 as well with the upgraded Intel Wifi 6230 card with Bluetooth have you got this card or the Intel 1000 (No bluetooth) or 1030 (also has Bluetooth)?
With Bluetooth on it does affect the wifi and it might not be apparent to start with how to turn it off but still have the wifi on. So, what card do you have?

To turn Bluetooth off but have wifi on;

Go to Windows Mobility Centre (Customized by Dell, use the touch sensitive "cogs" button)
Click on Radio Control Options
Tick the box for the hardware button to only control WPAN not wireless.
Use Fn+F2 to turn Bluetooth on and off while always leaving WiFi on.
You can use the Windows Mobility Centre to turn WiFi on and off.

EDIT

PS i should also add that it would be worth taking the bottom access panel off and you should see the wireless card there. Make sure the black and white aerial wires are connected to the card, there might be a couple spare but i think they are for the WWAN cards which it likely wont have (i might be wrong, mines a high spec and doesnt have it). There have been reports of the wifi cards without one or both of the aerials attached!

Sin_Chase · 10 Feb 2012 at 05:16

Plenty of wireless cards have horrible compatibility issues.

The Intel WiFi Link 1000 will not operate at N speeds on certain networks without WMM enabled....it's retarded.

Try changing your encryption from WPA to WPA2 and TKIP to AES or visa versa. Seriously, these problems are WELL documented all over the internet.

Just because your other laptop with a different wireless adapter works does not rule out a router config compatibility issue with your Dell.