Solved Wifi signal strength dropped to 2 of 5 bars

patagriff

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Member
Messages
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Location
Tacoma, WA
I run Windows 8 on an Acer Aspire 5515 laptop with a Broadcom 802.11 network adapter. I have a modem about 50 ft. away from my laptop and until today my WiFi signal strength for my LAN was 5 of 5 bars and I was picking up 8 or 10 different wireless networks. Suddenly, this afternoon my signal strength has dropped to 2 of 5 bars and I only see 2 or 3 other networks.

I have made no changes to my modem, laptop or physical location of either. My room mates laptop is working normally and he has 5 bars and still sees 8 other networks. Any suggestions. If something has changed a setting somewhere on my laptop, would a system restore change help? I can't live with a weak and unstable internet connection.:cry:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 5515
    CPU
    AMD 2650e
    Memory
    3 Gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon Xpress 1200
    Screen Resolution
    1280X800
    Hard Drives
    160 gig
    Mouse
    logiitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    1.5 mb
    Browser
    Chrome (latest BETA)
    Antivirus
    Avaste Free Antivirus
I run Windows 8 on an Acer Aspire 5515 laptop with a Broadcom 802.11 network adapter. I have a modem about 50 ft. away from my laptop and until today my WiFi signal strength for my LAN was 5 of 5 bars and I was picking up 8 or 10 different wireless networks. Suddenly, this afternoon my signal strength has dropped to 2 of 5 bars and I only see 2 or 3 other networks.

I have made no changes to my modem, laptop or physical location of either. My room mates laptop is working normally and he has 5 bars and still sees 8 other networks. Any suggestions. If something has changed a setting somewhere on my laptop, would a system restore change help? I can't live with a weak and unstable internet connection.:cry:

System restore may help in some situations but it may not completely solve the problem in this case.

If you can post a screen shot of the ipconfig/all from this machine it would be very useful. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro WMC
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    Q9650 @ 4.05 GHz
    Motherboard
    Gforce 780i SLI FTW
    Memory
    8GB Gskill DDR2 1200Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX-480
    Sound Card
    Asus D2 Xonar
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HannsG
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Gskill 120GB SSD
    PSU
    Thermal Take 1000watts
    Case
    Thermal Take Xtreme
    Cooling
    9 fans air cooled
    Keyboard
    G15 logitech
    Mouse
    G9 logitech
    Internet Speed
    50mbps
Here is the information you requested. Wouldn't all fit on the screen, so there are two screen shots.
 

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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 5515
    CPU
    AMD 2650e
    Memory
    3 Gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon Xpress 1200
    Screen Resolution
    1280X800
    Hard Drives
    160 gig
    Mouse
    logiitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    1.5 mb
    Browser
    Chrome (latest BETA)
    Antivirus
    Avaste Free Antivirus
From the ipconfig everything looks normal and there is a valid IP.

It sounds like something on your system may be partially blocking the connection, most likely a third party anti virus is involved, which one are you running on this machine?

Have you tried start up in safe mode with networking to see if the problem persists? If the problem goes away in safe mode then you can be sure that an installed program is causing the problem. :)

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2757-safe-mode-start-windows-8-a.html
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro WMC
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    Q9650 @ 4.05 GHz
    Motherboard
    Gforce 780i SLI FTW
    Memory
    8GB Gskill DDR2 1200Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX-480
    Sound Card
    Asus D2 Xonar
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HannsG
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Gskill 120GB SSD
    PSU
    Thermal Take 1000watts
    Case
    Thermal Take Xtreme
    Cooling
    9 fans air cooled
    Keyboard
    G15 logitech
    Mouse
    G9 logitech
    Internet Speed
    50mbps
I'm using Avaste, but I've used Avaste for 2 years without a problem.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 5515
    CPU
    AMD 2650e
    Memory
    3 Gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon Xpress 1200
    Screen Resolution
    1280X800
    Hard Drives
    160 gig
    Mouse
    logiitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    1.5 mb
    Browser
    Chrome (latest BETA)
    Antivirus
    Avaste Free Antivirus
My machine is dual boot Ubuntu 12.10/Windows 8. Everything on the Ubuntu side is working normally.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 5515
    CPU
    AMD 2650e
    Memory
    3 Gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon Xpress 1200
    Screen Resolution
    1280X800
    Hard Drives
    160 gig
    Mouse
    logiitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    1.5 mb
    Browser
    Chrome (latest BETA)
    Antivirus
    Avaste Free Antivirus
I'd have to place the blame on Avast here, it needs to be uninstalled using the special tool in order to fix the problem.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro WMC
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    Q9650 @ 4.05 GHz
    Motherboard
    Gforce 780i SLI FTW
    Memory
    8GB Gskill DDR2 1200Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX-480
    Sound Card
    Asus D2 Xonar
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HannsG
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Gskill 120GB SSD
    PSU
    Thermal Take 1000watts
    Case
    Thermal Take Xtreme
    Cooling
    9 fans air cooled
    Keyboard
    G15 logitech
    Mouse
    G9 logitech
    Internet Speed
    50mbps
I tried to start windows in safe mode, but I believe the extra dual boot selection screen has prevented me from doing so. I restarted the machine as directed, but where the machine would start in safe mode, the selection screen where I can choose from Ubuntu 12.10 or Windows 8 came up instead. I'll uninstall Avaste as you suggested, but I'm not convinced Avaste has anything to do with the problem. Avaste has never caused any problems before.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 5515
    CPU
    AMD 2650e
    Memory
    3 Gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon Xpress 1200
    Screen Resolution
    1280X800
    Hard Drives
    160 gig
    Mouse
    logiitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    1.5 mb
    Browser
    Chrome (latest BETA)
    Antivirus
    Avaste Free Antivirus
I uninstalled Avaste per your instructions and this had no effect on the problem.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 5515
    CPU
    AMD 2650e
    Memory
    3 Gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon Xpress 1200
    Screen Resolution
    1280X800
    Hard Drives
    160 gig
    Mouse
    logiitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    1.5 mb
    Browser
    Chrome (latest BETA)
    Antivirus
    Avaste Free Antivirus
The only other problem I see is that you are showing two Msoft virtual adaptors, one is showing a hosted wireless network, the other is showing up as a WiFi direct virtual adaptor, you should go into Device Manager and disable both of the Msoft virtual adaptors as these can cause connection problems, I'm not even sure why there are two of them showing up.

You may need to go to the View tab in Device Manager, click the one that says "Show Hidden Devices".
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro WMC
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    Q9650 @ 4.05 GHz
    Motherboard
    Gforce 780i SLI FTW
    Memory
    8GB Gskill DDR2 1200Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX-480
    Sound Card
    Asus D2 Xonar
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HannsG
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Gskill 120GB SSD
    PSU
    Thermal Take 1000watts
    Case
    Thermal Take Xtreme
    Cooling
    9 fans air cooled
    Keyboard
    G15 logitech
    Mouse
    G9 logitech
    Internet Speed
    50mbps
I disabled the virtual adapters. What are all these other adapters showing up?
 

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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 5515
    CPU
    AMD 2650e
    Memory
    3 Gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon Xpress 1200
    Screen Resolution
    1280X800
    Hard Drives
    160 gig
    Mouse
    logiitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    1.5 mb
    Browser
    Chrome (latest BETA)
    Antivirus
    Avaste Free Antivirus
still trying to boot in safemode. Followed all the steps but on restart my screen comes up with my selections (ubuntu 12.10, advanced options Ubuntu 12.10, Windows 8 bootloader on sd4,Windows 8 bootloader on SD5). Luckilly I have the bootloader on SD4 to fall back on because after the changes I made to the bootloader on SD5, it just sends me into a loop no matter which mode of Windows I choose. Eight of Safemode restarts the computer and takes me back to the screen where I can choose from Ubuntu or Windows.

I installed Ubuntu first, then Windows so I guess it's the linux boot manager screen that comes up. Have no idea how to rectify this at this point. Still need to boot into safemode to see if wi-fi problem persists.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 5515
    CPU
    AMD 2650e
    Memory
    3 Gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon Xpress 1200
    Screen Resolution
    1280X800
    Hard Drives
    160 gig
    Mouse
    logiitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    1.5 mb
    Browser
    Chrome (latest BETA)
    Antivirus
    Avaste Free Antivirus
Yes dual booting with Windows 8 is terrible, I would think about using system restore at this point.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro WMC
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    Q9650 @ 4.05 GHz
    Motherboard
    Gforce 780i SLI FTW
    Memory
    8GB Gskill DDR2 1200Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX-480
    Sound Card
    Asus D2 Xonar
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HannsG
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Gskill 120GB SSD
    PSU
    Thermal Take 1000watts
    Case
    Thermal Take Xtreme
    Cooling
    9 fans air cooled
    Keyboard
    G15 logitech
    Mouse
    G9 logitech
    Internet Speed
    50mbps
Based on all the responses it seems pretty clear.

Restore the system. If the problem still exists then you're wifi adapter is shot.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Professional
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware m14x
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GT 650m
    Browser
    FireFox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Well, Spiderbite. I am in complete agreement that a system restore was the next step. But I'm a scorched earth kinda guy. Instead of a system restore, I just formatted the entire hard drive, and reinstalled Ubuntu 12.10 x86_AMD 64 bit, and Windows 8 64 bit, since I have a dual core 64 bit processor and like a coward, I went with the 32 bit versions of the two operating systems.

I appreciate your help. The Linux 64 bit is up and running beautifully, and the wifi situation is unchanged. I believe you're right about the adapter being tits-up. I haven't played with the Windows 8 side much yet, but both systems boot, and connect to the internet. The rest is a piece of cake.

I love the forum support process that's become popular. Beats the heck out of trying to talk things out with some overburdened tech at a call center. You guys are great.:D

:thumb::thumb:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 5515
    CPU
    AMD 2650e
    Memory
    3 Gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon Xpress 1200
    Screen Resolution
    1280X800
    Hard Drives
    160 gig
    Mouse
    logiitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    1.5 mb
    Browser
    Chrome (latest BETA)
    Antivirus
    Avaste Free Antivirus
Discovered the real cause- bad connection to Wi-fi Adapter

Tightened the two screw holding the wi-fi card in place a quarter turn each. Guess it wasn't grounded properly.

Problem solved.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 5515
    CPU
    AMD 2650e
    Memory
    3 Gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon Xpress 1200
    Screen Resolution
    1280X800
    Hard Drives
    160 gig
    Mouse
    logiitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    1.5 mb
    Browser
    Chrome (latest BETA)
    Antivirus
    Avaste Free Antivirus
Hi there

Although you seemed to have the problem sorted remember the following :

Physics 101. You are talking about a WIRELESS signal -- as anybody with even the tiniest smithering of Physics can understand any sort of wireless signal will be subject to interference from any number of sources varying from other wireless devices, other radiating devices such as Microwaves, or even changes in the standard Atmospheric pressure -- when the old Analog TV signals were around for example on some really strange days I could even get some TV signals from Russia several thousand KM away.
Note also the quality of the Wireless receiver in your PC will also count -- even the same models aren't identical so one computer might show 100% signal while another a 66% signal.

Even such things as the power delivered to your wireless card can cause the signal to vary.

The most likely cause though is other wireless systems or increasingly 4G mobile phones being used nearby -- note the fact you can't SEE other networks doesn't mean they aren't there -- a lot these days HIDE the SSID so you won't see them.

In Europe the 4G signals are either on the old analog TV systems - around 800 - 900 Mhz or on the 18-1900 Mhz band which in some cases can cause interference with the 2.2 GHZ of the older wireless systems --- if you can change your router to the "N" system you should get a lot more interference free reception.

If all fails you'll have to get a Wifi extender --this will usually swamp any local interference. However with 3 bars the signal is still perfectly useable.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
Is there a solution to this problem. The same thing happened to me, all of a sudden signal strength degraded from 5 to 1/2 bars. Have tried replacing the wireless card, re-installing the driver but to no use. PLEASE HELP!!!

I run Windows 8 on an Acer Aspire 5515 laptop with a Broadcom 802.11 network adapter. I have a modem about 50 ft. away from my laptop and until today my WiFi signal strength for my LAN was 5 of 5 bars and I was picking up 8 or 10 different wireless networks. Suddenly, this afternoon my signal strength has dropped to 2 of 5 bars and I only see 2 or 3 other networks.

I have made no changes to my modem, laptop or physical location of either. My room mates laptop is working normally and he has 5 bars and still sees 8 other networks. Any suggestions. If something has changed a setting somewhere on my laptop, would a system restore change help? I can't live with a weak and unstable internet connection.:cry:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 7
Can never rule out the router. Many posts online about the signal going south on older units.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer V3 771G-6443
    CPU
    i5-3230m
    Motherboard
    Acer VA70_HC (U3E1)
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 PC3-12800 (800 MHz)
    Graphics Card(s)
    HD4000 + GeForce GT 730M
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" Generic PnP Display on Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Screen Resolution
    1600x900 pixels
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250 GB
    ADATA SSD SP900 128GB
    PSU
    90 watt brick
    Mouse
    Bluetooth
    Antivirus
    Comodo
    Other Info
    Asus RT-AC56R dual-band WRT router (Merlin firmware). Intel 7260.HMWWB.R dual-band ac wireless adapter.
The same router is running another laptop and phone just fine.

I run Windows 8 on an Acer Aspire 5515 laptop with a Broadcom 802.11 network adapter. I have a modem about 50 ft. away from my laptop and until today my WiFi signal strength for my LAN was 5 of 5 bars and I was picking up 8 or 10 different wireless networks. Suddenly, this afternoon my signal strength has dropped to 2 of 5 bars and I only see 2 or 3 other networks.

I have made no changes to my modem, laptop or physical location of either. My room mates laptop is working normally and he has 5 bars and still sees 8 other networks. Any suggestions. If something has changed a setting somewhere on my laptop, would a system restore change help? I can't live with a weak and unstable internet connection.:cry:

Can never rule out the router. Many posts online about the signal going south on older units.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 7
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