wireless vs direct line FFXI performance in Vista machine

[Sylphet]

I recently purchased a new Dell XPS laptop.

XPS M1330, Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7500 (2.2GHz/800MhzFSB, 4M L2 Cache)
3GB, DDR2, 667MHz 2 Dimm
128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS, for XPS M1330
200G 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive Free Fall Sensor
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition, English
Integrated 10/100 Network Card
Intel 4965AGN Wireless-N Mini Card
Dell Wirless 355 Bluetooth Module (2.0+EDR)

After installing the FF cds and downloading the FF Vista patch, I started to update pol at a friends place via direct line. It was EXTREMELY slow. Then we had to use the line so disconnected and re-connected the laptop to the wireless connection. POL worked normally.

I took the laptop back home (I don't have a wireless connection) and again it was very slow and the gameplay slowed down to 1fps. My first reaction was that it was an issue with the nvidia graphics card since that's been known to have issues with FFXI on a Vista machine. I then decided to try connecting to a neighbor's wireless network and the problem was gone. FFXI ran normally.

It's not the bandwidth (ran a test on both laptop and desktop connected through the same router)
It's not the cord (switched it out with another one)
It's not the router (tried running it directly to the modem with 2 diff cords)

I am frankly clueless as to what could be happening and I was wondering if anyone had any ideas about what could be going on.

Thanks in advance.

[SephYuyX]

Wired will always for the most part be faster and more stable than wireless. Doesnt really make any sense that it's running slow.. what about with the internet and an http download? Do those speeds seem fine on wired, and just ffxi sucks? Check your speeds at http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest ? If you unplug your laptop, and plug your ethernet into another PC, is it still slow?

[Sylphet]

It's only FFXI that's running slow however I don't have any other online games installed on it right now. Regular web browsing is fine.

When I had both the laptop and the desktop connected to the internet via a (wired) router the laptop actually performed better than the desktop.

I was wondering if it was some sort of weird vista security setting or something but I'm completely clueless as to why the problem is not there with wireless.

[SephYuyX]

Well, sounds like a Vista problem then..

Um, try going to "Control Panel" > "Network and Sharing Center" and look at "Network (Private Network) (Public Network)" if it's set to public, it's probably restricting network services. There should be a customize link somewhere, set it to private.

I think Vista also has problems with running some games and "tunnel" like programs. Do you have any VPN, SSH, P2P, etc programs installed, or have a VPN setup in your network connections? If you do, try uninstalling or disabling them.

Other than that.. switch to XP?

[Sylphet]

Changing to XP would be nicer if there actually existed legit XP drivers for my vid card.

http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/ has some modded/beta version drivers that might work but I guess I'm just a bit annoyed at having to jump through hoops to get this stupid game running on a brand new laptop.

[SephYuyX]

Supposedly this Dell driver works with your laptop (for XP) http://support.us.dell.com/support/d...&fileid=223573

[Sylphet]

Thanks I'll try that after I get XP on the machine. So funny that Dell told me earlier today that they would be unable to provide me with XP drivers for it. :/

[SephYuyX]

Yeah, I dunno, I just googled your vid card and found this http://forums.nvidia.com/lofiversion/in ... 51781.html with the link I gave you previously.

Dell guy probably didnt see a specific driver for you laptop, but this guy says it works with it. So take it for what it's worth.