I've a similar problem and others with the same computer, XPS 8500 and the Dell Wireless 1703 that I got 10 days ago. Been playing with it ever since.

I did find something that helped, on the Device Properties I noticed on the Advanced tab that the 802.11n Bandwidth was set to 20MHZ only, changed that to 20/40Mhz Auto, which helped a little, not completely.

I see conflicting 'information' too... the connectoid on the Systray shows only 3 bars of 5 bars1. Open some utilities like Wireless Wizard and it says speed of 150Mbps and only 50% strength. The wireless connection status under properties of the card shows 135Mbps?

I've enabled the Atheros connections settings too, no help (where is there documentation on this and the HOTSPOT???).

Additionally, coming out of SLEEP is a hit or miss thing. I'm checked EVERY setting on all devices and Power Option to MAKE sure the 1703 is NOT powered off during sleep, however returning most of the time it will NOT reconnect immediately. Sometime after a short period is will, other times I have to manually reconnect, and rarely, NOTHING will help and I have to re-boot.

Suggestions and assistance please? My computer is away from the router, but other devices further way have NO problems. In addition, about the ONLY thing I can say is working right is my Internet speed, which is 40Mbps down, 5Mbps up, at least that is correct (but any connection above 40Mbps would support that).

Irv S.

Hi all sorry to here others are having a problem.

Just an update regarding my problem I sacked off the wireless adaptor in the system and opted for an external wifi adaptor (netgear). Everything is running fine plugged in and getting 300mbps no problem. Not ideal as I wanted not to have an external wifi adaptor. Didn't want to go through what you guys are going through although Dell should really address this issue. Its obviously an issue with there oem internal wifi adaptors.

Just one hint. Get the free app inSSIDER. It will tell you the max rate / speed of your router. Obviously you lose a percentage of this over a wifi connection.

Just as a note it would be nice of Dell to offer us a solution or some sort of voucher.

abseloutly rubbish

have you checked the web recently is full of people with the same problem

i had the same issue ,i brought the british telecom engineer and called dells help desk together

after 2 hours of dell logging to my system ,they admitted there is a fault with their wireless card

the beauty is the problem is so widespread dell doesnt have the part to replace

they can give you an ETA ;1 MON OR 1 YEAR

its a disaster

and you talk about router issues

the thing is you guys living in past with your wireless card ,people are using fibre optic connection with n signal but dells wireless card cant handle the

N signal and transfer to a G or B signal

my router was checked by dell

the new drive was updated

but problem was still there

they issue is so clear even if you ask for replacement  desktop they say we can not gurantee the new one would not have the same problem

i have recorded all conversation as BT engineer advised me ,he has seen this with other customers

dell also says everyone on forums complaining about this has been refunded

so if you not call them ask your money back

i have contacted consumer watchdog and they asked for my tapes for their tv programme