Windows 7: Slow Internet

I'm running on a custom system but my issues are this. I'm using a NETGEAR RangeMax(TM) Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111 with a Linksys WRT54G V.4.1, on Windows 7 64-Bit and I'm suffering some major internet bandwidth issues. Due to the fact that my router is upstairs and my room is in the basement CAT-5 Cable is just totally impossible. I'm getting download rates in the kb and it's unbelievably slow at just about everything I do. While watching Netflix it took 35 minutes to fully buffer a 25 minutes episode of Avatar: The Last Airbender. My drivers are as up to date as possible, is there any way anyone can help me out?



Here's A Speed Test:

Hi LostArchangelXx and welcome to SevenForums,

1.) If you have a computer connected directly to the router what speeds do you get then?
2.) Did you used to get faster speeds?

Regards,
JDobbsy1987

Yes, hardwire is definitely faster, I get a sort of throttle between faster speeds and slow ones, predominately slow, save when I boot up or reset the router or adapter.

For steaming video you really need good signal strength and also wireless N.

From what I'm seeing here you don't have either, wireless isn't magic, the connection speed and signal strength is only as good as you make it.

If you really want this to work right you would need to upgrade your router and your adaptor to the 802.11N standard or you could try using a wireless N bridge or access point to improve signal strength.

Kinda exactly what i was gonna say

Short term, stick a cat5e cable in (even if you have to disconnect it between downloads/streaming) i'm sure the cable wouldn't be anywhere near 100m?

No it's just the complication of running it from my basement room on one side of the house to the second floor on the other side of the house without making my mother-in-law furious that there are "wires" running about the house.

Not sure if it really helps but if you pair equipment from different manufacturers only the "compatible features" of their abilities will be used. The netgear Stick can go up to 108 Mbps (if paired with an Netgear router that supports the RangeMax technology under optimal conditions that is)

while your Linksys under optimal circumstances goes up to 54Mbps

But even that would be much more than what you're getting now.
The main question is now WHY is your connection so weak ?
Is it because of the construction material in between (say floors done in steel armored concrete etc.)
In this case you could try a booster or a matching netgear router but that's kind of like a gamble.
Or is it just because the channel you're using is saturated by other wifi nets in the neighborhood?
If that's the case try to switch your router to a different channel. (check the manual

Also check this out:
Top 10 Wi-Fi Boosts, Tweaks and Apps

You say CAT-5 is out of the question....I wonder...there should be existing cable channels going into your basement. (Ethernet 10BaseT or 100BaseTx allows for 100m cable length without any additional stuff) I assume you have at least power lines running down there Granted running CAT-5 next to a power line isn't the best possible solution but always better than a weak wireless connection. A phone like channel would be optimal.