Internet connection problem?

[Steve]

Being close or far from the router makes no difference. Your laptop Ethernet adapter (wireless or wired) connection may not be setup correct or cannot transfer at speeds the router is setup. Older laptops used 54G, new laptops are now 1Gig. You should be able to look at the connection in the Networking control panel and it will tell you the speed it is connected. But, your laptop may not establish that speed, it might be lower. Check your adapter speeds from the Laptop manufacture, Dell, Apple etc.. Then have someone check the settings of the router wireless and see what speeds it is setup to transmit. There are so many variables it is not an easy answer.