2013 Archives

[njcurveball]

I just purchased this unit. I am playing around with the wifi settings. I think this issue is power related. I have unchecked the option for allowing the WIFI to turn the unit off.

I have 3 laptops and speed tested them all from different distances. The other two consistently test in the range of 20 to 25.

This unit tests in the range from 5 to 10. It is 2 to 3 times SLOWER.

I am trying to tweak the 20mhz/40mhz settings. Any other suggestions?

Looks like I may have bought a lemon.

I next tried moving the laptop closer to the router. The speed continually increased as it got closer. If I put it almost on top of the router, it went to 54 Mbps. Still only 1/3 of the other laptops. But since I only get 20 to 25 Mbps from the cable modem, that would be fine if it stayed constant. 

Windows 8

broadcom wifi

driver date 2013-03-29

driver version 6.30.59.144

I tried re-installing the Broadcom adapter. I had tweaked the connection to be 11 Mbps. Re-installing brought the speed down to 5.5 Mbps. A few other tweaks such as turning off IPV6 pushed the speed up for a few seconds. Then it returned to 5.5 Mbps. If you look in the connection properties on the other laptops, it is a constant 150 Mbps.

Why are they constant, even when they are further from the router? What is the bottleneck for the speed with this machine?

I also tried moving the display into every possible position. The speed did not change. 

[njcurveball]

I am new here, but need to make a decision whether to return this unit. I just installed Oracle 12c database and cannot spend the next week configuring it to work, only to have to return the machine due to lack of a solution to an obvioous issue.

I saw a post from Acer 2 weeks ago that read : We’ve been monitoring the complaints received regarding the wireless capabilities in the R7-571 for some time now and recognize that while it is affecting a small percentage of units, we want to address this immediately.

OK, so if I return like I have read others have done and get a machine with the exact same problem, the voracity of that statement is totally in question. I like companies that are up front. And I like companies that fix issues. If this were something minor like Microsoft Paint cannot work under water, then I can see a delay in finding a solution.

But there are now 30 pages here and countless other threads across the Internet on the EXACT SAME PROBLEM! The small percentage excuse seems great at first, maybe Acer is selling millions of these units?

I softened my stance on buying Acer, but unless I can get a laptop from them that can access my WIFI at the same speed as other laptops, there is no reason to doubt I was correct to stay away from their products.

If I have to return the Unit to Acer, then I would like to know the exact repair steps they will be taking. I doubt anyone would trust a mechanic who just writes. "repaired car" on a large bill.

[skylark332]

ok so i have the same issue as most, got a call from Acer on August 9th, lady asked if i was happy with my unit. I said no i have horrible wifi connections no matter where i go or what i try, so asked if i was able to speak with a level 2 tech. I said no as i was driving so she gave me a case number to get directly to a level 2 tech, so i went on vacation and called when i got back on august 19th was on hold for 40 minutes then got ahold of an operator took my case number and put me on hold for another 10 minutes when he got back he said he "cut through all the red tape" and was able to send me a new unit with "newer" wifi technology. So had to give a credit card for him to ship me a new unit while i keep my current then return my old when i get the new. All in all hope the new unit works but stucks to have to deal with this at all. 

[007timex]

 @skylark332

If you wouldn't mind, once you recieve your new unit, would you mind letting us know if the wifi is fixed whatnot? (And if possible, inform us as to what was changed) It would be much appreciated as currently I am using a nano usb wifi adapter, and am looking to eventually try replacing it with acer, but first I would like to see if this actually works. Anyways, any news as to your new unit will be much appreciated. 

[njcurveball]

Yes pkease post the results here. I feel like this was an unfinished unit they rushed to production and are using people who buy it as Beta testers.

It seems no matter what I try other then working next to the router (which would make buying a laptop kind of stupid), the speed returns to 5.5 mbps!

There must be a reason for this! Why is it so hard to figure out?

[R7]

On the phone with a level 2 tech right now...seems very responsive...will post results

[PBert]

I received my replacement unit from ACER.  I have not had enough time to really play with it yet but my initial feeling is the nothing has changed.  The replacement unit has the same Broadcom wifi adapter as my initial unit (the same one everyone has been showing in this thread). I couln't complete setting up the unit initially because of the internet connection. When I finally got a connection to stick I opened both R7s up and pulled up the control panel screen that shows the connection speeds.  Both were making similar fluctuations between 1, 5.5, and 18 Mbps.

The only thing that I noticed to be different was that the desktop screen now has text on the bottom right stating the Windows 8 build number which my original one doesn't show.

I am no expert but I looked at all the system information I could find and the two units are identical.

I am going on a trip for the weekend and am going to try connecting at hotels etc to see what results I get.

Another disappointment is that it looks like the one they sent me isn't new - just refurbished since the security stickers on the box were just new ones put on top of the previously opened ones and I noticed that the main body of the laptop on both sides of the top surface (up where the touchpad is) has what looks like slice marks in it. The box it came in also had a blue dot sticker put on one of the information labels that looks like something you would do to indicate a refurbish. (Just a guess on my part.)

If TwelveTone is still around - did your replacement unit get a different wifi adapter since your fix seemed to have worked?

[njcurveball]

That is good info, thanks for sharing!

[R7]

Just got off the phone with Ryan from Acer.  Will be receiving a call back on my case status but sounds like a new, not refurbed R7 will be sent as a replacement.  As a heads up to those that cannot afford a $1000 hold on your credit card, you can send yours in 1st & Acer will send the replacement.  If you give them a credit card, they will send the replacement & once they receive your original, the hold will be removed.

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.

[njcurveball]

I was just told to reinstall Windows. In doing that I will lose 2 days of work and my entire Oracle Database.

Has anyone done this successfully? Sounds like a lot of work simply because they are reading a script.

In order to resolve the issue, please perform a Windows refresh by following the instructions documented in the below link. The applications that came with your system or you installed from Windows Store will be reinstalled, but any applications you installed from other websites and DVDs will be removed. Windows puts a list of the removed applications on your desktop after refreshing your system.

http://acer.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/26295/kw/track/AvNEjQptDv8S~RTQGvYI~yLaF6cK4C75Mv_l...