wifi/internet issues: lots of odd problems

[VfiftyV1]

Today i was using speedtest.net to try to figure out where the bottleneck in my slow internet was. so i use the website for over wifi, on my laptop. i got ping of 34, download of 10.44 Mbps, and upload of 3.09 Mbps. this is over the lynksys ea6200 router, and this is with my dell inspiron 15 laptop (i hate it too, but im saving for a new desktop build)that has dell wireless 802.11 wifi, and a realtek PCIe FE family controller for its ethernet. so, wondering how much the wifi was decreasing the speed, i plugged in the laptop into the router using a cat5e ethernet cable. AND THE SPEEDS WENT DOWN! the new speeds were 32/9.42Mbps/2.59Mbps. I am confused, and then plug the laptop, again using a cat5e ethernet cable into my old motorola surfboard modem.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16825122003 my laptop connected to the ethernet, but displayed the connection as limited and with no internet access. I plug the router back into themodem using the same cat5e ethernet cable and everything works just fine. Why did any of that happen? Im so confused! someone help me please!

 

[tman1]

You need to power cycle the cable modem when you switch the connection to a router or direct to pc.

As for your speeds, do you know what you are supposed to be getting from your ISP?

10.44 to 9.42 and 3.09 to 2.59 aren't drastic drops so I wouldn't necessarily say wired for you is slower, perhaps the servers were busier when you tested that way.

 

[VfiftyV1]

You need to power cycle the cable modem when you switch the connection to a router or direct to pc.

As for your speeds, do you know what you are supposed to be getting from your ISP?

10.44 to 9.42 and 3.09 to 2.59 aren't drastic drops so I wouldn't necessarily say wired for you is slower, perhaps the servers were busier when you tested that way.

thank you, it worked after a power cycle. you are also probably right about the servers