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Problem with wireless adapter or access point

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Wammer
Wammer Posts: 1,060 Forumite
Tenth Anniversary
I often take my Toshiba NB200 netbook on holiday and use the hotel's wifi. However more often than not, I seem to have a problem with pages not loading even though it shows that I am connected. I have Windows 7, 2GB RAM, it is an Atheros adapter and it says the drivers are up to date.

I used the diagnostics which said it detected a problem with the wireless adapter or access point. Previously it has detected a problem and fixed it.

I have configured the wireless network adapter to use the Maximum Performance setting, but that didn't help.

It seems to be a common problem if the results on Google are anything to go by.

I was thinking of taking it to the local computer shop and have them fit a new wireless card, but I read of someone who did that and still had the same problem.

Should I get a new wireless card or is there a simpler fix?

Would fitting a new card be a DIY job and if so, how can I find out the correct card to get?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks
«13456

Comments

  • Lum
    Lum Posts: 6,460 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Combo Breaker
    edited 4 January 2013 at 4:16AM
    This is going to be a difficult one. Atheros are a PITA as they don't make updated drivers available except through the manufacturer and most manufacturers are lazy about posting those updates unless the laptop in question is still sold. You can try this site for updated drivers, but only if you are comfortable with manually updating drivers.

    Further complicating matters is that hotel wireless is almost always a load of crap. Smaller independent hotels will often have a single residential ADSL connection shared with 50-odd rooms, so if the kid on the next floor decides they're going to run bittorrent while they're untraceable, you won't be getting reliable internet. Large chain hotels usually outsource their wireless to companies that somehow manage to be even worse.

    I eventually gave up on it, and made sure that whatever hotel I was staying in had good 3G coverage.

    Edit: Which model of Atheros is it?
  • closed
    closed Posts: 10,886 Forumite
    presumably it works at home?
    !!
    > . !!!! ----> .
  • Wammer
    Wammer Posts: 1,060 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary
    Thanks for the replies and apologies for the delay in replying, but I haven't been online since posting.

    The adapter is an Atheros AR9285.

    I don't seem to have these problems when I use it in the US. It seems to be more of a problem in Spain at different hotels. I usually ask if they can reset their router which meets with varying responses.

    The last hotel over Xmas said their wifi was provided by an external company. I spoke to a guy who was using his laptop in reception and said he didn't have any problems there or in the room. I couldn't even connect to the wifi in a bar so it wasn't just the hotel wifi that was giving me problems.

    I do sometimes have problems at home with it, only getting speeds of 0.3Mbps at times, but getting nearer my sync speed of 6Mbps if I put it next to the router.

    I normally use it in the kitchen which is approx 20ft from the router in a straight line. I get 1.5-1.6Mbps using it on the table and 2.4Mbps if I move it 4ft away to the worktop. There is a fridge and the electricity meter between where I use it and the router.

    Something which might be relevant is that I use a wireless mouse with the netbook. I shall also be taking a wired mouse next time I go away so I can see if that makes any difference.
  • Lum
    Lum Posts: 6,460 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Combo Breaker
    You can try this driver if you know how to update a driver from within Device Manager: http://www.atheros.cz/atheros-wireless-download.php?chipset=37&system=5

    What wireless standard does your router support. Is it limited to 11g or something?
  • closed
    closed Posts: 10,886 Forumite
    not ideal, but you could carry a spare usb wireless device with you if it's an issue
    !!
    > . !!!! ----> .
  • Wammer
    Wammer Posts: 1,060 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary
    Lum wrote: »
    You can try this driver if you know how to update a driver from within Device Manager: http://www.atheros.cz/atheros-wireless-download.php?chipset=37&system=5

    What wireless standard does your router support. Is it limited to 11g or something?

    Despite it saying my drivers were up to date, I have just been on the Toshiba site and found a more up to date driver which I have just downloaded from there. I had 9.2.0.316 and have updated to 9.2.0.419

    However under Network Adapters in Device Manager there is also a Realtek PCIe FE Family Controller listed. There are drivers for Realtek on the Toshiba site, but none for that particular name.

    What is the Realtek adaptor for?

    How do I find what wireless standard my router supports? It is a Sky Sagem F@ST2504n. I have gone into the router details, but can't see where I can check that.

    Thanks again. Just realised I haven't clicked Thanks so will do that now.
  • Wammer
    Wammer Posts: 1,060 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary
    closed wrote: »
    not ideal, but you could carry a spare usb wireless device with you if it's an issue

    Do you mean a mobile BB dongle or something else?

    I have a mobile dongle, but won't use it abroad due to the cost of data.
  • Oli.s
    Oli.s Posts: 548 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Combo Breaker
    Some hotels and other public places are hopeless becuase of the number of people using it at the same time, coupled with the distance you are from the wifi adaptor, coupled with the fact its usually a standard internet connection not really designed to be used by numerous devices at the same time.
  • Lum
    Lum Posts: 6,460 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Combo Breaker
    Wammer wrote: »
    However under Network Adapters in Device Manager there is also a Realtek PCIe FE Family Controller listed. There are drivers for Realtek on the Toshiba site, but none for that particular name.

    What is the Realtek adaptor for?

    That's for wired networks.
    How do I find what wireless standard my router supports? It is a Sky Sagem F@ST2504n. I have gone into the router details, but can't see where I can check that.

    I would guess from that model number that it supports 11n, so yes it's a bit worrying if you're not even managing 6mbps from close by with no walls in the way.

    As has been said above, hotel wireless is somewhat more challenging as there is usually a greater distance and more walls to get through, so will want to try and sort your home wireless out first.

    Did the new driver help?
  • closed
    closed Posts: 10,886 Forumite
    edited 5 January 2013 at 7:06PM
    no a normal wireless usb dongle, to override your internal wireless.

    video senders, microwaves, wireless cctv, neighbours routers etc can interfere. you could use inssider or wirelessnetview to see what other routers are around, and what channels they are on.
    !!
    > . !!!! ----> .
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