slow usb wireless modem

[eshort]

this is a weird one...

I have a Verizon um-175 (USB) wireless cellular modem for wireless internet access thru their cellular network.

Use 4 desktops:
. dell optiplexes with P4 2.2 single core/ P4 3.0 hyperthread/P4 3.3-D dual core
. HP with a P4-D (3.0)..all drivers up to date, all machines.

Using www.speedtest.net and Verzon's own speed test program to check down/upload speeds...the more powerful P4 The "D" and the "HT") desktops yield only 1/4-1.3 the down and upload speeds as the less powerful desktops???

My old PIIIs and Dell Vostro1500(Pent core 2-duo 1.6) give three times higher down/up load speeds.


All drivers etc up to date.

Verizon tech support doesnt have a clue as to reason for slownessd in latter two units.

Suspect the modem is not liking the P4-D and HT processors?--

Verizon will have to come up with a "patch"?

Any suggestions as to what may he causing the selective slowdowns?

(PS: Im on the third such modem..first two defective :()

[mattaggie]

Ive never heard of a modem not liking a processor. Does each PC have its own Verizon modem or are you sharing one modem with a router? If you are sharing, how are the desktops connected to the router, wired or wireless? Can you not get DSL or cable internet where you live?

[eshort]

tx good points...

this is a stand alone usb modem which connects the computer to the verizon "VZ navigator" inernet access program. It uses Verizon's 'VZ navigator wireless internet" program--so--i can achieve wireless internet accessibility anywhere there is a cellular signal..using any usb 2.0 equiped computer.

Given that I travel alot..this is ideal--since it operates wirelessly- anywhere a cell signal is present...elimnating need for dsl etc service.

The problem is...it is slower on the (P4-d/ P4HT) desktops computs i need to use..

It is as if the modem is not programmed correctly for P4-D/P4 HT chips?? (or-maybe some oither hardware in the respective computers??)

Naturally-Verizon is clueless and blames it on "my computers"!

Suspect Verizon has to come up with a patch to mate the modem more successfully with P4 chips??

Using my Dell Vostro laptop (core2-duo 1.6): the modem works fine (full thruput).

Want to use the desktop P4s--but--cant since their thruput-using this modem-is much lower!

TX

[not important]

Typical Verizon response! The CPU should have no affect on your reception.
What "receiver" are you using in the PC's? Are all Pc's using the same type of receiver? Have you tried switching the receivers from one PC to another? Perhaps something is blocking or interfering with the signal on the slower PC's?

[eshort]

the modem is the receiver..it is a usb2 device which is plugged into a free usb2 female slot on the computer. I switch it back and forth from computer to computer--that is one of the advantages of this system..ie..u can use (1) modem device on any usb equiped computer..no matter what your location--as long as a cellular signal is available.

problem seems to be the modem does not "like" certain computers..yields slower thruput on some..even more interesting in that the lowest thruputs r with the most powerful cpus!

With my "old" PIIIs..thruput is highest!

with mky norebook core2-duo- it is high

but with the desktop P4s (D and HT versions): it is very low.

[flanzig1]

Since your connection to the modem is by a USB connection, may need to check in the BIOS to see how USB is set up there.

[mattaggie]

I was asking about DSL because it is much more stable. The cellular cards are great for portability, but you run into situations like this. 1.5 Mbps isnt a bad connection, though I realize not as good as what you want. It could be the specific location of each PC that affects the speed. You could try getting a USB extension cable so you can move the modem around to see if there is a sweet spot around where it would work faster. Again, I dont think the connection speed has anything to do with the CPU. The connection speed is the modem talking to the network.

[eshort]

TX

that's what is so weird--dont understand how/why the same modem can yield diffeent thrupuit speeds at exact same location, on different computers..i get "4 bar"(very strong) cell signal here so it's not a weak signal..

with the "slow" machines: i get about 725 kbps vs 1.7 mbps with the "faster" ones--same location/same modem.

reason i dont have dsl= i travel to fla 4X/year for 1 month each time..id need two separate dsl accounts..also--this verizon vz navigator (wireless modem) allows me to access internet etc from any location with a cell. signal...great for travel.

tried playing with the m odem configuration on the "slow" machines--no effect on thruput..still slow :(

I suspect it is a driver issue--the modem simply isnt "getting along" with some hardware (slow machines)..for this-Verizon wld have to issue a patch/modified driver, which i seriously doubt they will ever do-since they do not acknowledge that their software may be at fault!