Laptop Internet Problem

[Mizzou415]

I got a new Dell Inspiron last month and for some reason, if I'm not running on AC Power, my internet doesn't work for crap. It doesn't completely stop working but it works off and on and even when it's working, it works extremely slowly. Any ideas on what the problem might be?

 

[MulletHorn]

Your NIC probably has a power save feature. You should be able to turn it off. Also, on Dell laptops, if you don't use the power cord, it will normally drop your CPU speed down about 2/3.

 

[UnBiased Horn]

^^^
Unless you have Centrino (Pentium M processor)

 

[zork]

Edit: Well you can on latitudes anyway. I guess with the inspiron 1100 type you can't adjust it? Not on mine I just found out. The phoenix bios in mine is bare bones as hell but the machine was very inexpensive to begin with.

You may be out of luck. Your version of bios and inspiron laptop might have it though. Maybe not.


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Go into your bios, press F2 on boot, and turn the "feature" off that turns your processor speed down when on battery power. They do that to save battery life but it can be a pain in examples such as you describe. Just realize your battery will discharge faster because more power will be used.

 

[KMcCoy33]

Dell tech support is pretty good about getting stuff like that taken care of right away. As you just got it a month ago, I would put a call in before you just end up living with it and run out of warranty time.

 

[Mizzou415]

I couldn't find anything in the BIOS. Guess I'll give Dell a call.