LAN mysterous data flow and QoS Packet Scheduler problem

QoS Packet Scheduler is installed on my laptop and apparently interferes with performance for the whole machine even though it's only a network thing. I noticed a problem when I couldn't reliably connect wirelessly to the DSL modem/router from the laptop. I also noticed when connected thru ethernet cable to a lan router box along with my desktop, both downstream of the DSL modem, that large amounts of data were being exchanged both in and out on the lan connection (~5:4 out:in at 1GB/day) even when the pc was idle. Found that by disabling the QoS scheduler WiFi connection worked every time and that the large volume, mysterious data transfer went away, too. The WiFi DHCP registration of the pc was held up by a mysterious ip address starting with 169.254.16...., which showed up in the status details for the WiFi adapter after it failed to connect functionally. The 169.254.16.... ip address appears as a default in a MS note on the MS Loopback adapter installation.

I about pulled my hair out before finally finding a solution to my connection difficulties!

Questions:
1. Why would QoS (RSVP service on startup) result in large, automated data volumes? What was being exchanged and with whom?
2. Why or how can QoS keep WiFi from linking reliably? My problems with my pc registering on a WiFi network has been getting progressively worse as evidenced by trying to run on various networks in motels, campground and airports as we've traveled these last 4 years.
3. Why does the Loopback Adapter default to this ip address for the WiFi adapter?
4. Where can one get more details on networking setup?

Note: tcp/ip is the only protocol or service I allow when away from home. QoS, MS Client, and File/Printer sharing are not enabled on the road. At home MS Client and File/Printer sharing are on and work okay, safely behind the hardware firewall. With QoS disabled (startup mode manual, unchecked in connection properties window) I can link up WiFi or Ethernet fine and see data xfr on the laptop LAN connection only when the browser, email client, firewall, updates, downloads, etc, require it.

Thanks, guys! I hope this helps someone else out there.

System: Dell Inspiron 8200, WinXP SP2 all updates installed as of 1/28/2008, internal wireless adapter 1150

 

QoS default installed

Thanks for your reply, TonyT. If it isn't really needed why is it installed as the default? Can it also explain the toubles registering my laptop on the wireless network and the mysterious high data rates when nothing is supposed to be going on. Currently I have it disabled in startup and in connection properties. The network performance is amazingly quiet and efficient. I think I'll uninstall it and see if anything complains.

 

Because Microsoft tend to enable elements that might be needed rather than hope users will enable it when they need it.

The main use of QoS is with Voice over IP (VOIP) systems. This was a really not topic when XP was released. Most market analysis suggested that VOIP would be used a lot by the time XP became the main OS. My guess is that it made some sense to Microsoft at the time to enable QoS from scratch. However, VOIP hasn't taken off as quickly as expected and most people don't use it and therefore most people can get away without QoS.

 

QoS default installed

Thanks, ReggieB, for your timely reply. I understand why MS may have defaulted to have QoS turned on alright. My problem was also that QoS apparently was related to my difficulties linking up with WiFi and to anomalous, high data rates for both WiFi (when I could get it to work) and wired links, but only at my home DSL connection. Any thoughts on these issues? Having turned off QoS I find the anomalous high data activity and also the WiFi link-up have gone away.