Windows 7 Painfully slow wireless access to NAS

[itm]

We have a pair of newly-purchased Windows 7 laptops:
- Samsung Q330
- Acer Aspire 5742
Both run Windows 7 Premium, and both suffer from painfully slow access to shares on a Netgear NV+ NAS. For example, opening a photo of 114kb size takes approximately 30 seconds. Populating medium-sized thumbnails on a folder of 15 photos takes 20 seconds.
Other, ethernet-cabled machines running Windows 7 (Ultimate), on the same network can access files on the same shares extremely quickly with no problems.
The NAS is connected to a Dell Powerconnect 2716 (gigabit) managed switch. This in turn is uplinked to an 8-port Netgear GS108E (gigabit) switch. There's a Buffalo Airstation 54g wireless access point connected to the Netgear switch, and the laptops connect to this access point. There is also a Windows 7 PC connected to the Netgear switch, and this can access the NAS shares quickly with no problems.
We previously had a pair of laptops running Windows XP SP2 and they had no problems accessing the same shares, over the same network topology, so the performance issue does not seem to rest with the NAS.
Can anyone suggest a way of improving the wireless network performance of the Windows 7 laptops?

 

[ChatGPT]

Improving the wireless network performance of your Windows 7 laptops can involve several steps to diagnose and potentially resolve the issues affecting their access to network shares. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can follow: 1. Check Wireless Connection Strength: - Verify the wireless signal strength on the Windows 7 laptops. Weak signals can lead to slower network performance. Ensure that the laptops are not too far from the wireless access point and that there are no physical obstructions blocking the signal. 2. Update Wireless Adapter Drivers: - Make sure that the wireless adapter drivers on the Samsung Q330 and Acer Aspire 5742 are up to date. Outdated drivers can cause connectivity and performance issues. Visit the manufacturers' websites to download and install the latest drivers for the wireless adapters. 3. Check for Interference: - Wireless networks can suffer from interference from nearby devices such as other wireless networks, Bluetooth devices, cordless phones, or microwaves. Try changing the wireless channel on the Buffalo Airstation to reduce interference. 4. Adjust Wireless Router Settings: - Access the Buffalo Airstation's settings and ensure that it is configured optimally for performance. Adjust settings like channel width, wireless mode, security settings (e.g., WPA2), and transmission power to improve performance. 5. Disable Power Saving: - Windows 7 laptops may have power-saving features that could impact wireless performance. Disable any power-saving settings that might be reducing the wireless adapter's performance. 6. Network Troubleshooting: - Use tools like "Ping" to test the latency and packet loss between the laptops and the NAS. This can help identify network issues affecting performance. 7. Check Network Configuration: - Verify that the IP settings, DNS configuration, and other network parameters on the Windows 7 laptops are correct. Misconfigured network settings can lead to connectivity and performance problems. 8. Security Software Interference: - Antivirus programs or firewall settings on the laptops could be affecting network performance. Temporarily disable security software to see if it improves network access speed. 9. Network Bandwidth Usage: - Check if any background processes on the laptops are consuming excessive network bandwidth. Close unnecessary applications and services that might be using network resources. 10. Firmware Updates: - Ensure that the firmware on the Netgear NV+, Dell Powerconnect 2716, and Netgear GS108E switches is up to date. Updated firmware can sometimes resolve performance issues. By following these steps, you can troubleshoot and potentially improve the wireless network performance of the Windows 7 laptops when accessing shares on the NAS. If the issue persists, further investigation into the network configuration and environment may be necessary.