Help with new laptop

badger09

grumpycrab said:

badger09 said:

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New laptop has never managed a download speed more than 2.71Mbps and most are below 0.5Mbps, whereas Old laptop were between 18 & 31. iPhone between 9 & 22 today. 

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Does the new laptop have an ethernet port?  if so, try an ethernet cable to router.  disable wifi while you test it (although it should prioritise ethernet)

No it doesn’t. 

But ….
Before lunch I took new laptop into same room as router and when very close to router, it finished downloading & installing Bitdefender in a couple of minutes. 

Ran another speed test - 40.69 down & 12.09 up! Back in study bedroom where other devices work perfectly well, it’s back to 0.29 down 5.02 up. 

Can’t believe this aspect is so much worse than my 13 year old Inspiron. Is there anything I can tweak or should I contact Dell? 

grumpycrab

I think the WiFi aerial(s) in a laptop go around the screen.  It sounds as if the aerials aren't connected in this case. Yes, try Dell.  Check how long you have to return the laptop as that may be the easiest option.

badger09

grumpycrab said:

I think the WiFi aerial(s) in a laptop go around the screen.  It sounds as if the aerials aren't connected in this case. Yes, try Dell.  Check how long you have to return the laptop as that may be the easiest option.

Thanks

It was delivered on Tuesday. I’ll give them a call tomorrow. 

Jumblebumble

HillStreetBlues said:

Eyeful said:

Have you tried the Brave Browser yet?

At the moment I am dual booting, Windows 10 with Linux Mint.
This month Microsoft keeps nagging me & I have seen many people complaining about Windows 11
So I will not be buying a new computer with Windows 11 but will just continue with Linux Mint instead. 

How many of the over 1/2 billion Win11 users are complaining? as needs to be put into  perspective.

Perhaps all the users who have 4 year old Optiplex  11 Gen  I5s which are significiently worse on 11 vs 10
( Based on a  sample of 14 where half have been upgraded and half not

Vitor

-This morning I tried to download & install Bitdefender Free AV - 

The included Windows Defender is perfectly fine. Slugging machines with questionable 3rd party AVs before it's even working properly isn't a good option IMHO.

Try a network reset -

Reset network settings:

• Start > Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset.

• This will reboot the system and reinstall adapters.

Eyeful

This morning I tried to download & install Bitdefender Free AV.

Q. Why when you have already got Windows Defender installed do yo you feel the need to downloaded a 3rd party AV?
https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/home-windows/
 From their tests Windows Defender shows up just as good as Bitdefender.

RavingMad

The laptop could be connecting to the 5ghz network which can struggle over distance and walls. If you're comfortable going into the settings of your router, you should be able to separate your WiFi into 2.4ghz and 5ghz.  You can test both and see if it makes any difference 

badger09

UPDATE
I spent several hours yesterday, and again this morning, on both live chat & the phone with 2 people @ Dell tech support. 1st agent worked through various system changes, updates etc which became increasingly frustrating for both of us because the WiFi connection was ridiculously slow & kept failing completely unless laptop was positioned next to router. As a last resort he suggested a Factory Reset, which also kept failing to complete. When it did, I had a US keyboard & US date & time setting, and the problem was still there!

2nd agent also tried various updates, again same problem re connection and eventually he said he would initiate a return of my new laptop, which will be collected on Friday. 

I was considering agreeing to a replacement but having searched online today, seems I’m not the only one to have this problem with this laptop. 

Now need to search for a replacement Going on holiday in a couple of weeks so it can wait. 

badger09

UPDATE

30/5 pm DHL collected laptop

2/6 am Dell confirmed receipt of laptop 
2/6 pm Dell email Credit Note 
4/6 refund appeared on Barclaycard statement, credited 3/6

I can’t fault Dell’s Tech support or their Returns process. Just wish it hadn’t been necessary. 

Still need to find a replacement. I’ll have a read around here for recommendations & start new thread if necessary. 

Thanks to all who helped/tried to help. 

Sicard

I use Revo Uninstaller (free) because it has the option to uninstall everything, even leftovers.