Slow transfer rates... Wireless network

[Mende]

Hello everyone, I'm new to wireless networking. My dorm offers a wireless internet service, and I opted to upgrade to the 4000kpbs connection. However, I'm getting very low total transfer rates. I'm using a Hawking Wireless USB adapter. Here's a link. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833164105) My connection speed is almost always at 54mbps according to the Windows network status window, and I'm getting 5 bars for my connection quality, but my total data transfer rates never push past 50KB/s. I'm just wondering if it might be the adapter? If not, what else do you think it might be? If you think it is the adapter, what adapter would you suggest I buy?

[bAdWaYz]

When you say "transfer rates" are you talking about from computer to computer? Example you are trying to get a folder or file from one computer to yours over the lan? Or do you mean your download speeds are slow? The 54mbps is the LAN speed or speed that you can transfer files/folders over the lan from computer to computer. You aren't going to get 54mbps downloads over the internet because the connection you use isn't that fast.

[Mende]

I'm talking about download speed. When I was on a wired cable connection I was getting download speeds close to 500kbps. I'm getting a tenth of those speed now on this wireless network.

[bAdWaYz]

There could be a few reasons for this. First you might take a look at what you are downloading and how. Songs and such off a p2p app like kaza or something? You said its a dorm right? Maybe the school limits bandwidth for p2p apps. This is being done more and more to slow down and or stop p2p use on school networks. Next thing to think about is the fact that it is wi-fi. The real world data speed over wi-fi just isn't as fast as wired. I know, they say its just as fast but the fact is at this point wi-fi is still just not as fast as a wired connection.