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.
I have a situation regarding with the Network adaptor 1073 802.11b/g/n. I am connected to my router over the N network connection but my Wireless Network Connection Status only advises a speed of 72.2 mbps. I thought that the speed using N would be upto 300 mbps. My router is only 10 feet away. I've had a play with the pre installed Atheros Smart Net program but this makes things worse. Anyone else have issues or any ideas why this is happening.
XPS 8500 - Network adaptor Dell 1073 802.11b/g/n. Issues