Wireless HELL with Asus z33ae and Intel PROSET

Repost from http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=1339392&posted=1#post1339392 Didnt know if I was in the right topic area.

I just got and assembled my Asus z33ae and I'm having –HUGE- problems getting the wireless network adaptor (Intel® PRO/Wireless 2915ABG) to even connect to my wireless router.

It will find the network but it just won’t connect 95% of the time. If it does connect it’s only for about 1-4 minuets before the connection is dropped and it doesn’t appear to notice the connection is dropped.

These are the steps that I have taken to try and solve the problem. If anyone has some new or different ideas I would really appreciate it because I'm at my wits end and if I can’t fix the laptop by Sunday I’m sending it back!

• Upgraded to newest Intel PROSet/Wireless software and drivers.
• Changed my router to function on B band instead of G I have read that the Intel cards have problems connecting to G band.
• Turned off all security on my wireless router.
• Turned off Power save Polling (power management: highest, transmit power: highest).
• Updated my routers firmware to the newest version (I have a Linksys WRT54G, there is another laptop in the house that uses this router and has for months, with no problems it's an Acer Aspire).
• Tried working with the Wireless Zero configuration (default windows wireless client) instead of the software supplied by Intel.

 

can you run an ipconfig /all from the command prompt and post your results here? (remove your MAC address before posting)

 

Have you looked at your Windows firewall settings? Even with Linksys to Linksys I had to disable Windows Firewall to get my wife's laptop to connect to my router.

 

Wow. All the grief I see people having with the intel sets makes me glad my fujitsu uses Atheros.

 

refund your asus & got yourself a Fujitsu, IBM or LG...!

 

Here are a few links I found regarding the "media disconnected" message. Hopefully one will help.

http://www.anetforums.com/posts.aspx?ThreadIndex=29913
http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-6142-0.html?forumID=5&threadID=143194&messageID=1781173
http://www.mcse.ms/archive230-2004-6-806752.html

 

I have a Portableone UX, which is a modified Z33a and am running the wireless through the windows utility (windows zero config.) rather than Intel Proset becuase that's what my daughter's school requires.

First of all, don't follow Talon88's suggestion- I had the Fujitsu S7020D with the Atheros card and it is plagued by BSOD- and from what I've read, there are many people who get the blue screens because of some driver conflict and Fujitsu has no clue as to what the problem is. I know many people do not have this problem- but, if you're unlucky like I was, it is a nightmare.

I shared your problem initially. I did have to make adjustments in the Sygate firewall settings because they were set too high for any connection. After that, my daughter was able to connect flawlessly in her school environment but not in her apartment or when at home.

For us, at least, the connection drops with the 2915 card seemed to be directly related to other wireless interference and signal strength of the wireless network. In her school environment, with presumedly a strong commercial network set-up and strong wireless signal, her connection was great. In her apartment (in a large, city apt. building, with lots of other wireless signals) she was constantly disconnected. When visiting home (a single house with some neighbor's signals being picked up) she suffered frequent disconnects, but not nearly as bad as in her apt.. At the time, we both had D-link DI-624 routers.

I switched routers to the Netgear Rangemax- first the WPT824- and noted a solid connection. Swapped it for the newest Rangemax 240 (the WPNT834) and the signal strength was stronger and the connection flawless. We've had it now for over 3 months and other than having to restart the modem/router (by unplugging/plugging) a couple of times, characteristic of any of these set-ups, the connection is flawless. Even though the 2915 card doesn't give the faster speeds of these routers, the router's stronger signal strength makes a huge difference. So, if you want to stop tearing your hair out trying to troubleshoot these wireless cards, consider changing your router.

 

You could also see about getting an atheros wireless card, although maybe you don't want the one that m61376 had I think the the two are swappable. Mine uses a 5001 chipset, I think, and it works great- even in 'noisy' environments.

m61376- was it really the wireless card giving you the BSOD? That must have been hard to figure out. I would never have suspected a wireless to cause that.

 

Yes, it definitely was. Unfortunately, the Fujitsu tech support people were clueless and began swapping out parts (and 3 motherboard replacements later, a new Atheros card, a new Bluetooth card, a new Hard drive, a new speaker/hinge assembly and even a new LCD....) without detecting that it was a wireless card problem, which no one ever could resolve. Ivan from Portableone was the first to note that it was a wireless card issue and was actually upset that Fujitsu started down the replacement road. A google search of the error message revealed a lot of people having the same issue, btw. Ultimately, with all the repairs the Fujitsu literally was falling apart and we were still getting BSOD, which their tech people could not figure out...so after 3 and a half months it went back.

 

m61376 do you know which version/chipset the wireless card was using? Might be good to post up that people should avoid that one.

 

It was the Atheros card that came standard in the S7020D last June/July; I don't know the version. The error referred to ar5211.sys, fyi. Others here have mentioned having the problem and several people had pm'd me about it. We tried all the driver updates, etc., but never was able to figure it out before the machine itself started to fall apart and I insisted on a return.

While I realize that my experience with Fujitsu was unique and its horrible durability was related to the repair work done, I don't think they are making the s7000 line, at least, to the same standards as they used to, judging by everyone's raves. The quality of the Asus machine being discussed herein, for example, is FAR superior. After three months of use, besides the stress carcks, there wasn't one part that didn't creak. In contrast, after 6 months of heavy use my daughter's UX looks as good as the day it arrived, except for the keyboard sheen from sheer use (as she said, everyone of her classmates has the same sheen on their keyboards), despite being used daily and in and out of a messenger bag crammed with books.

I, for one, will never buy another Fujitsu and I am not surprised that Portableone is no longer carrying the line. My impression is it isn't what it used to be, although there are still many fans on this board.

 

I tried the computer out at the public library and at my buddy’s house. I couldn’t connect to any networks, encrypted or not. So I'm starting to think the card is actually faulty. So maybe I will just send back that part.

 

Update: It seems that I can connect consistently but only within a two foot radius from the router, if I move more then 4 feet away the connection drops instantly.

How is it that I can pick up networks normally but not connect? Is there two separate antennas maybe the transmitting antenna is disconnected? What could cause this?

 

Hm, two laptop you say? Asus range is only 2 feet eh? Drivers update didn't work? Did you check the internal antena? Maybe the guy at the store forgot to connect it. Asus makes high quality computer but since the particular model you have is an OEM, the retailer actually install that wireless card that you have. Your symtom is from having bad connection to the router (bad signal), which probably due to the internal antena. Ask your retailer to check the antena and tell them you can't get clear signal farther than 2 feet, they probably forget to plug the wires to the card. There should be two wires with a cap on the end in there and 2 "o" on the card. Just plug those in and make sure it "click" when you press it on.


Also, there is no problem with intel card picking up A/B/ or G. I have one, tested it, never have a problem. If you won't know what's going on, don't start blaming the equipment. You can't conclude that the equipment is defective just because someone doesn't know how to get it to work.

 

Are you using the 2915 ABG version that us "lead free" or something? I have a theory that it maybe because of this (I am using one). I ended up using the drivers that came from ASUS because HControl would crash. HControl controls the wifi leds and buttons for power management and stuff. I am currently reduced to flying "B" until this issue is resolved...and I am okay. I am on a WRT54GS of that helps....