Why does wired slow down my wireless?

D D Danneh · 10 Jun 2009 at 19:27

Basically, I just wired my PC up to the router, switching from wireless, and speeds and pings on this PC have improved, as expected.

However, the second I plug the ethernet in to my main PC, my mum's wireless netbook slows down. It's DEFINITELY the ethernet, as I've tried plugging it in and unplugging it to test the difference. Some webpages are also screwed up when the cable is plugged in. It's not the browser, as changing browser has no effect, and it's not the sites, as it's the same effect on them all. It only changes the second the wired connection goes on.

Does anyone know why this is, and if there is anything I can do to fix it? Online games are painful under wireless on my main PC, yet my mum can't watch videos online if I wire it up.

I would have thought the wireless would be slower if I had two wireless connections at once, rather than just one and a wired one.

Router is a BT home hub 2 (I know, I know

).

yashiro · 10 Jun 2009 at 19:44

Try a new ethernet cable.
Make sure all the network settings are correct on all machines.

D D Danneh · 10 Jun 2009 at 20:09

Tried 3 different ethernet cables, same issue with them all, they're all CAT5E, and I'm getting good speeds on the PC.

Network settings are fine on my PC's wired and wireless, not sure about my mum's. It has been working fine before though, and nothing has changed. She's never mentioned any connection problems before.

The only thing I can put it down to is the router, but I'd still like to know why this happens. As it is right now, either I can put up with the stuttering lag in games, or I can put up with her complaining about the internet.

xgermz · 11 Jun 2009 at 12:46

D D Danneh said:
However, the second I plug the ethernet in to my main PC, my mum's wireless netbook slows down. It's DEFINITELY the ethernet, as I've tried plugging it in and unplugging it to test the difference. Some webpages are also screwed up when the cable is plugged in. It's not the browser, as changing browser has no effect, and it's not the sites, as it's the same effect on them all. It only changes the second the wired connection goes on.

1: Just wondering, her computer slowdown - is it that the internet is slowing down, or somthing else?

2: what internet speed do you have? - if you have a low internet speed, and your gaming online, then it will have an effect on other users browsing the internet, even on a fast connection!?

In my old home, we use to have wireless/wired connections to various computers, and when one of my brothers was gaming, it was impossible for any other user in the house, wired or wireless to use the bbc iplayer to watch tv (and that was with a 7mb internet connection), so i assume its somthing simular here?