Yes, sat next to me.

Does it improve if her PC is off?

no, hers is off now.

What OS does her laptop run Stu? I'm seeing quite a few wireless 'issues' on Vista ATM, including flaky connections. Both laptops and desktops. Haven't seen it manifest itself in sky-high ping times though, yet. Any ping tests performed on the machines I've looked at have been consistent, whether wired or wireless.

Have managed to track the cause down yet - too many variables

Sreve

This is why i hate wireless.

all it takes is someone nextdoor to have a MIMO router on a nearby channel and itll f**k your connection.

If its just your machine i would suggest getting the latest drivers for the wireless.

also if its a dell laptop, it probably has a Intel wireless adaptor.. which are usually the best in the business when using the proper drivers and controller software...

I don't think anyone has MIMO as we only have BT in the area and everyone except me has a HomeHub.

As above the Dell wireless card is no longer in the machine and the ping was the same when it was installed.

OS is Vista Business.

One thing that often helps wireless connectivity is to limit it to G @ 54mb/s if you're using a router that offers 'high speed' modes - these aggregate multiple channels to get the claimed speed, and can often stomp over or get badly affected by neighbouring boxes. In reality 54mb/s is way faster than your phone line will comfortably carry so you're not losing anything.

Are you on a MaxDSL connection? Those can turn interleaving on if you've had a rash of disconnects in a relatively short time, and that can thoroughly knacker your ping times.

My router is a Linksys 54g. I don't think we are on ADSL Max as there is only 1mb at our exchange. Surely an exchange or router issue would have been ruled out by SWMBO getting a good ping, wireless card issue ruled out by my having a new one and I would guess it makes it an OS problem.

I agree; I think it's a driver and/or Vista issue. Is the other laptop on XP?

I'd also check for router firmware updates.

Steve

Surely an exchange or router issue would have been ruled out by SWMBO getting a good ping, wireless card issue ruled out by my having a new one and I would guess it makes it an OS problem.

It's suggesting that, I'd say. Did you say what OS SWMBO has?

Win XP.

Surely an exchange or router issue would have been ruled out by SWMBO getting a good ping

*slaps forehead*

Apologies for not reading the original post clearly enough

I found this to check excess network traffic but there is nothing running -

Control Panel --> Performance Information and Tools --> Advanced Tools --> Reliability and Performance

Just out of interest - does your ping change depending on if you're using the wireless card's own software to manage the connection, or Zero Configuration?

I don't know what zero config is. I am using the software that came with the card and which has been updated by windows update.

Zero Config is just Windows' own wireless config settings, rather than using a manufacturer supplied program to manage/search for wireless networks.

Steve

Log into the router and post up the noise and other settings recorded by the router.

Sounds like either a noisy line or a dodgy ADSL filter. If you have a spare, even if simply in another socket, swap them over with the one that the router's plugged into.

Did this at the in-laws and it solved their ping and noisy line issues.

Also, make sure the linksys has the latest version. If it's the WAG54GS, which is what I had, I think they're still on 1.14 annex B

But as I said above SWMBO's ping is fine, through the same router.

I don't use the Maidenhead one. When I do Speedtest I use the London one because the results will be better.

Having said that I then go and contradict myself.

I think some of this must be down to your perception and whether you believe it to be a problem.

i find my daughters pc which is wired to the router is hell of a lot faster than any of my laptops which connect by wifi.

London -

Maidenhead -

Dublin -

Have you managed to try it with a cable yet Stu?

Can't get near the router yet - It's on SWMBO's desk and she growls at the merest mention of her moving out of the way!!

I'll send you down a long piece of CAT-5 then!

Have managed to get near the router now so here we are -

London -

Maidenhead -

Paris -

You have to wonder how reliable this test is when you get such varied results.