scolburn Tracker

Re: Qualcomm Atheros AR5BWB222 Wireless Network Adapter

scolburn — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 19:39:48 GMT

That pretty much sums up the situation. I see that Acer is heavily discounting their computers which have this WNA. No thanks, not for me, ever again.

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Re: Qualcomm Atheros AR5BWB222 Wireless Network Adapter

scolburn — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 17:28:36 GMT

Yep, this is definitely a firmware issue with Acer's implementation of the Qualcomm Atheros WNA. It has shown up in every model that Acer uses it in, from laptops to All-in-Ones, regardless of the OS that computer is running. Qualcomm has already told me that it's not their hardware, but the Acer firmare implementation. The only ways to get around the problem are (1) to direct-connect with a network cable to your router, or (2) buy an add-on WNA and disable (or replace, if buying an internal WNA card) the Atheros WNA. Doesn't matter what your router is, you will have problems maintaining the connection. I have an ASUS Dark Knight, which is just about the best, strongest, most capable, feature-rich router out there right now, and it can't maintain a wireless connection to the ASUS for more that 5 minutes without a reset, regardless of how I change the WNA settings, including the auto power-off option.

Re: Qualcomm Atheros AR5BWB222 Wireless Network Adapter

scolburn — Mon, 02 Sep 2013 18:11:43 GMT

Yes, that seems to have fixed the issue for my desktop All-in-One Aspire 5600U. The setting in Windows 8 is:

Control Panel>Hardware and Sound>Device Manager>Network Adapters.

Then choose Qualcomm Atheros AR5BWB222 Wireless Adapter and

Uncheck the box labelled "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power."

I have tested that setting for the past few days and have not gone offline once.

it's a shame that a lot of unnecessary fixes are being offered, that don't solve the problem,

and that Acer support does not advise customers to do that, before they try something more drastic.

If I had followed their instructions, I would have ended up paying to ship it to Acer for repair,

and who knows what I would have gotten back, since their technical support doesn't seem to be aware of this!

Turning in a brand-new computer for someone else's reconditioned computer is never going to be a good solution, to me.

Nor is having to pay for shipping to fix a computer that should work, out of the box. Very disappointed in Acer support. I doubt that I would buy my next computer from them, now that I know about the quality of their technical support and customer service.

This solution seems to work fine for a desktop, but not so well for a portable computer. So much for efficient energy management!

Thanks for the suggestion, at long last something that worked!

Re: Qualcomm Atheros AR5BWB222 Wireless Network Adapter

scolburn — Fri, 30 Aug 2013 13:23:15 GMT

Yep, the suggested fixes are no fixes. I also contacted Qualcomm's Atheros Division, and they replied that it is Acer's responsibility to provide the necessary drivers--they can't help, they just sell the components to the OEM's, who modify them to work with their products. Another dead end. That's a shame that the WNA is in your laptop, at least with my AIO, not being portable, I can direct-connect to my router.

I have had success tethering my tablet to my cell phone's internet connection, using a bluetooth connection. That's how I get online when traveling by car, when I want to read and am riding shotgun. Maybe that approach would work for getting a reliable connection on the latop, although I know that some CP providers block tethering, and the connection is rather slow on my 4G LTE Droid. So far the best solution I've seen is buying an external WNA (USB Dongle). I don't know what the speed or quality of that connection would be, never having used one. I'd look for a USB 2.0-3.0 model, hopefully with dual 2.4 & 5.0 bands.

I feel your pain! Your experiences with trying to work it out have saved me from jumping through hoops that didn't need to be jumped through, only to return to the same place you started. As an Senior Analyst, I learned over the years, working with various I.T. staff, how to spot a "solution", and keep asking for "another/better choice." Acer can lick this, they just need more motivation:-)

Review of Aspire 5600U With Atheros AR5BWB222 Wireless Network Adapter

scolburn — Sun, 25 Aug 2013 20:12:31 GMT

ASPIRE 5600U REVIEW, 2013/08/25

The Aspire 5600U is a nicely designed AIO with a great video display. However, it has one serious flaw, the Qualcomm Atheros Wireless Network Adapter, model AR5BWB222, which disconnects frequently (i.e. every few minutes, not just now and then) from the internet. This will drive you absolutely buggy when you are doing anything that requires a live internet connection! This is a known hardware problem that Acer is well aware of, but has been unable to resolve. Read the numerous complaints that purchasers have posted on the Acer Community Bulletin Board, and there you will find a record of Acer's failed attempts to deal with this problem, which will NOT resolve the connectivity issue. First, they will tell you to download an older version of the WNA's driver (DON'T), which will just create new connectivity problems that you didn't have before. Then they will tell you to download an updated BIOS (DON'T), which will have the same effect--new issues you didn't have before, and still you will be stuck with the same connectivity issue. Last, they will tell you to return the computer, at your own cost, to their repair facility. Most likely you will receive back from Acer a reconditioned unit (a/k/a "used computer") which will still have the same WNA and the same connectivity issue. Now if you've read this far, I can tell you that there IS a work-around solution, which you probably won't like: Get an Ethernet cable and connect it between your computer and your wireless router, and your internet connection will suddenly become rock-solid and reliable again, although you will be tethered to that wired connection. For some people, that won't be a problem (this is not a laptop, after all), though it seems like you should get what you pay for, and what is advertised (i.e., a WiFi, cable-free computer). More good news is: you will probably be able to connect by WiFi to nearby devices, just not to the internet. I can connect by WiFi to my scanner and my printer, no problem. This defect in the WNA only seems to involve the internet connection. HELLO ACER, THAT'S A CLUE! So folks, be sure you can return the computer, in case you decide that you don't want to be tethered by an Ethernet cable to your WiFi Router, and that you DO want a computer that performs as advertised. That's it, thanks for reading.

Work-Around for Aspire 5600U/Atheros AR5BWB222 Wireless Network Adapter Disconnects

scolburn — Sun, 25 Aug 2013 10:53:10 GMT

Here's a simple, temporary (or permanent) work-around for the intermittent WiFi disconnects that the Aspire 5600U using the Atheros AR5BWB222 Wireless Network Adapter experiences (BTW, this is also a good way to test/prove that it is the WNA that is causing the connectivity problem). After being given all kinds of advice about how to fix this issue (i.e. install an older WNA driver, install a different BIOS, return the unit and take your chances), none of which I followed, since users reporting back on fixes for their connectivity issues reported poor/no results with them...

Try this: Get an Ethernet cable and connect your computer directly to your wireless router. No more disconnects! I can't believe that no one at Acer thought to suggest this, if only to test whether it was the WNA that was creating the problem. They probably didn't suggest it, because they KNOW that the WNA is defective. Now if going wireless is more important to you than having reliable internet access, reconnect on and on and on. For me it's just not worth the hassle, constantly messing with it, I'd rather be getting some work done.

Cheers, and have a great day!

Re: Poor Wifi on new Aspire R7

scolburn — Thu, 22 Aug 2013 21:12:08 GMT

Unfortunately, the Atheros card in my Aspire 5600U seems to have a similarly poor performance. The handware specifics are: Qualcomm Atheros ARBWB222 WNA Ver. 10.0.0.27 2012-11-08.

Re: Poor Wifi on new Aspire R7

scolburn — Thu, 22 Aug 2013 20:49:18 GMT

Here is one clue that may be worth following up on:

Sounds like the POTENTIAL problem is related to the laptop trying to continuosly connect to a bandwith in the 5 mhz range instead of the 2.4 range which is what most of us have...he said it shows up as a slow connection but is actually a symtom of the laptop attempting this continuous connection...I'm not a techy, just repeating what he said might be the issue.

We have 3 computers (2 great Dell laptops, and the Acer desktop with the WiFi problem), plus a WiFi only Motorola tablet, and two Android smartphones, all going through a high-quality dual-band Asus Wireless N router. I can tell you that the 5MHz bandwidth range is extremely slow, to the point of barely working, regardless of where you are in the house (or outside), so I have totally disabled the 5MHz band on our WiFi connections, and only use the 2.4MHz band for internet connections. I don't know the technical details behind the huge speed difference between the two bandwidth ranges, but I can tell you that if you are connecting using a 5MHz band, you should expect connection problems and incredibly slow speeds. Hope that info helps.

Re: Need some tech savvy people to help me with my problem. Bluetooth/wifi issues V3-771G.

scolburn — Thu, 22 Aug 2013 19:40:24 GMT

Dear DBP,

Alas, the impracticality of the easy solution:-; ("Just turn off the computer and the issue will disappear, but Hey, I can't see the screen when the power's off!"). In my case, the proffered solution is even worse, since my computer operates with an included BT keyboard and mouse, which, stylishly, match the display, and provide the user input. Don't think I want to mess with the BIOS or drivers, since alas, it tends to create more problems than it solves, as you discovered. We'll see what the Elder Acer Statesmen have to offer, by way of a solutionie. Good things (sometimes) come to those who wait, and I have a 60-day return option to Best Buy. There's a reason that I bought the best-quality, most trouble-free dual-band N router, and that's so I would have a reliable connection. Oh well. Good chatting with ya, and best of luck with the work-around.

Qualcomm Atheros AR5BWB222 Wireless Network Adapter

scolburn — Thu, 22 Aug 2013 17:56:14 GMT

Hi,

I am having trouble keeping my brand-new Acer Aspire 5600U online. The WNA keeps going off, frequently. I know it's not my router, since I never had this problem with the old computer! Is this a known problem with the Qualcomm Atheros AR5BWB222 ANA, and if so, has anyone come up with a fix for it? I have saved a hard copy of the diagnostic info from the last time I got knocked offline, and