This page has been archived.
The content on this page may be out-of-date or have been superseded by newer information, and links on this page to other sites may not work. This page has been archived for future reference.
Tema
I originally posted 3 weeks ago and I have been watching this thread since – I am interested in hearing more feedback on the end result of the option of calling Acer support to request that they send a new Aspire R7 with a wireless fix. So far the results do not appear consistent. I was heartened by TwelveTone’s report that the new R7 sent out no longer has wireless issues. However, DISMAYEDUK seemed to have no luck.
As I originally noted, I also have the same problems with poor 2.4 GHz wifi reception with the Aspire R7 Broadcom 802.11n Network Adapter, Driver 3/29/2013, v6.30.59.144 and Windows 8 x64. I originally ordered an ‘Amped Wireless’ High Power Wi-Fi Adapter for Windows 8, TAN 1 ( http://www.ampedwireless.com/products/tan1.html ) and this solved my weak 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi problem. As CTT noted, who also had good luck with this USB wireless adapter, the Tan1 is a small device with high powered amplifiers and antennas that clips onto the top of the computer monitor and connects with a USB cord. It doesn’t sit right at the USB port. It is plug and play. (Note, however, that this device only uses the 2.4 GHz Band – not the 5 GHz band – although most people seem to be reporting weak wifi problems on the 2.4 GHz band.)
Since that time, I have changed to a Wireless dual Band Router (Netgear N600 WNDR3400v3) and repositioned the router into a central room. I have cable internet rated at 16 Mb/sec download. I also purchased, from the Acer Store, the Acer USB to Ethernet Cable (white) SKU#AK.USBRJ.001, in order to supply the R7 with an ethernet port. This USB to Ethernet adapter is working fine and giving me the expected download speeds.
I ran a small experiment comparing download speeds (obtained from www.speedtest.net; 3-4 tests/condition) in 3 locations at which I commonly use the R7 – near the router and in two rooms on either side of the central room with the router, and using an Ethernet connection or using wireless connections on the 2.4 GHz band using the TAN-1 adapter, on the 5 GHz band using the built-in Broadcom adapter and on the 2.4 GHz band using the built-in Broadcom adapter. I posted the results below. In my case, the TAN 1 on the 2.4 GHz band gives the fastest wireless download speeds overall, with the Broadcom wireless on the 5 GHz band in second place, and the Broadcom wireless on the 2.4 GHz band limping in last. The Broadcom on the 2.4 GHz band gave slow speeds even with 4-5 bars in the Windows 8 wireless icon. I no longer have another laptop to compare speeds and I also do not use Bluetooth with my computer. My wireless, using the TAN 1 adapter on 2.4 GHz or the Broadcom on 5 GHz, has been relatively stable since I got the new router, with no wireless drop offs or ‘limited’ errors. Since I do have a solution in my working environment, it may not be worth my having to restore all of my programs and settings on a new computer, but I will continue to watch this thread to see whether the R7’s sent from Acer appear to have a wireless fix. [Edited to fix links]
mlindstrom wrote:
I am having the same issues as most people on this message posting. Wifi signal is weak only 10 feet from my wifi router, and basically useless anywhere throughout my home. Also, the download speed is terrible at best. I bought a second Aspire R7 in hopes I had faulty hardware the first time around, but that was not the case. I shipped this 2nd laptop to Acer to have it 'fixed' so that I wouldn't be without a laptop for the 7-10 days while an Acer engineer looked at it.
I received the laptop back from Acer today and just tested the wifi range. It doesn't seem to be any better. It loses connection the same as before and at similar ranges as the other R7 that I didn't send it to be 'fixed'. Also, I went to speedtest.net on both laptops and got similar download speeds: 0.5-0.9 Mbps. To compare speeds on a different system, I tested my 6+ year old Dell Inspiron 6400 on speedtest.net I repeatedly got 4.1-4.9 Mbps.
The Repair notes that were sent back with my laptop from Acer state, "Updated BIOS and fixed Wifi issue. Tested system thoroughly, all tests passed." It does not look like the wireless card was replaced nor were any drivers updated. Obvsiously, the BIOS update didn't help with the wifi issue. And I can only guess at what the notes mean "..and fixed Wifi issue."
I have been asking questions and requesting more information/status on this issue (for the Aspire R7 since obviously I'm not the only one having these problems) through the Acer Support site and have been met with limited help. Either they have no idea what the problem(s) are with the system and/or are unwilling to admit to the issues many of us are facing. I will continue (for a few more days) to work the back and forth messages on the Acer Support site before I return both laptops.
I am very disappointed in Acer, and unless the issues we are all having are addressed soon, I for one will probably never purchase another Acer product.
If anybody knows of somebody that has purchased an Aspire R7 and has no issue, or had any problems fixed, I'm sure we'd all love to hear that least some Acer customers are happy with their purchase... I won't hold my breath.
I'm sorry to hear that you're still experiencing issues with your wifi. That is definitely not the solution we're looking for when you send it to us. Could you PM me with your Serial Number and I'll dig into this on Monday and return the PM. I'll make sure we get this corrected.
Give Kudos button to offer a thumbs-up for good post content and a pat on the back to the author.
United States