Bad Wireless Adapter?

[Blu_Haze]

A few nights ago I purchased a TP-Link TL-WN821N, as a replacement for my aging Netgear WG111v3 (which recently developed stability issues likely from overheating).

After setting up the new network adapter I was instantly disappointed. Where my previous Netgear adapter was getting on an average day 3 to 4 bars, this new TP-Link adapter barely managed 1 to 2 bars. Bandwidth tests also obviously resulted in much lower speeds as well.

So thinking I simply needed a better signal I took it back to the store and spent a little more on the TP-Link TL-WN851ND. I figured with this being an internal card with multiple antennae it should perform better than the USB counterparts, right? Suffice it to say I was disappointed again when I found that it was just as bad as the previous one I just took back.

Currently I have both the Netgear USB adapter, and the TP-Link internal adapter installed (only one actually enabled at a time though) to run comparison tests. The old Netgear USB is testing at around 10Mbps, while the TP-Link internal is barely scraping out just over 2Mbps on most tests. The tests are also strange, as they start out incredibly low, around 0.20Mbps, then spike all over the place before a final result of about 2.8Mbps.


Have I just had really bad luck with both of these new adapters, or is this something else? Possibly some router (Linksys WRT-54G) setting which isn't working right with the newer wireless adapters?

 

[BigBadAl]

1) skip the wireless, go wired
2) check power settings for the wireless adapters, they may be on 'balanced' or 'power saver'
3) check and update drivers for the adapters, from the manufacturer, don`t rely on updates for those drivers from Big Billy Boy!
4) try a different brand of adapter, stick to well known/reputable networking people (DLink, Netgear, 3Com.

Not sure where you are geographically, but here in the UK, TP-Link aren`t really that well known for networking gear, they only really appeared a few years back.

That said, some people on here have had good luck with some of their switches!

I`m sure someone else will comment

 

[Blu_Haze]

As I suspected it was an issue with the router instead of the network adapter. Just finished installing a brand new Wireless N router, and retired the ancient Wireless G router that I've been using for many years.

Although I'm still not entirely satisfied with the speed of the TP-Link wireless adapter, the connection at least seems to have stabilized and is nearly at maximum bandwidth. I'm still considering returning it and going with an Intel 6300.