The ACER versions constantly giving you "Limited Connectivity" on your wifi connection
I'll put this issue in the simplest terms for people like me who had not a clue what to do... and who have a hard time understanding how to follow pc fix-it steps because pc-lingo can be confusing.
Basically a few versions of the ACER computer came with a bad wifi-driver.
You can view your PC's driver by going to control panel > hardware/sound > devices and printers > device manager
double click device manager.
Scroll down till you see Network Adapter and click that arrow to expand it down.
You will probably see one or two adapters listed, including Atheros with a long letter/number combination next to it.
RIGHT click that Atheros adapter, after you right click, click Properties. In the properties window click DRIVERS tab at the top.
In the drivers window, next to Driver version you will see a 7 digit number most likely with 2 decimal points. No matter what the number is though, We are going to fix your wifi by changing that number to this: 10.0.0.225
I'm going to show you how, step by step.
Let's get started.
***It should be noted, during this entire process if you're going to rely on WIFI (that's what i did) you may lose Internet connection abruptly every now and then, considering you are messing w/ the wifi connection/wifi driver installation. If you get booted just reconnect to your network, no big deal.
If you have no internet connectivity you will need to get an ethernet cord and plug it into your router from your computer.
Any who, Choose a way to be connected.
When ready,
Go to this website http://www.acer.com.ph/ac/en/PH/content/drivers
You need to type in your computer's Serial Number or SNID in the search box asking for it. On most Acer V5 laptops these numbers are located on the bottom of the laptop on a white sticker. If not there, don't worry. On the website you can see the link "How do I find my serial number or SNID?" You can click that for more help with locating them. OR even better...
simply click "auto detect my Serial Number"
Once you get your serial number or SNID type it into the search box and click search. Then, scroll down to the bottom of the page.
It takes a second to load. But soon you will see a decently long list of updates for your PC.
Somewhere on the list, you should see the Atheros 3/18/13 update. It looks like this:
| Wireless LAN | Atheros | Wireless LAN Driver | 10.0.0.225 | 226.3 MB | 2013/03/18 | |
The last box on the right says "download" By clicking download your PC will start to install driver 10.0.225
So go ahead, click on download!
Click on Ok, or Yes, or whatever allows access for the installation if you see the prompts. After it starts installing it will do it's own thing for a while. When its done downloading (15 minutes tops, unless you're getting a "limited" wifi connection, and if so you should just plug in an ethernet cord from pc to router to do this installation)
After it's done downloading YOU are NOT done!
Go into your files..... like where you see documents, control panel, computer, programs, downloads, pictures, your name, etc
Double Click on the file that says "Your Name" (or if it's not your computer, who ever's computer you're using, you would click on the folder that says the person's name)
Then double click on DOWNLOADS folder.
After downloads window opens, find the newly installed: WIRELESS LAN ATHEROS 10.0.0.225
Double click on that.
Scroll down until you see "Set Up" There should be TWO (2) 'set up''s in the list. Double Click on the Set Up option with the Green colored icon that says 'Application' to the right.
After you double click that set up option...
Click on "Yes" if a prompt asks you to let it run.
It will start to set up you should see a green bar loading.
Then you will see a Welcome window where you can Modify, Repair or Remove.
I don't know why but ACER support says the correct selection here is "Modify" (and they must be correct because my WIFI works perfect now that i've done all this, whereas before i was constantly dropping connection or getting limited connection)
So de-select 'repair' if it is already selected.... and in stead click and select Modify.
Once Modify is selected, click "next"
Go through any prompts if they show up to allow installation to be performed (okay the install to let your computer do it's thing)
Wait until it's done installing. For me, the longest part of the install was the final part of the install (the bluetooth something or another finishing up) Finally it finished (about 10-15 min. tops is how long it took mine)
When it finished, no new programs opened up. So don't expect any "Congratulations You did it!" windows to pop up.
Anyways after the installation, you need to restart your PC to make sure it takes effect. We're going to make sure your new driver is installed.
After pc is restarted...
Go back to control panel, device manager, and under network adapter, right click on Atheros, click on properties, click on Drivers,
and next to driver version it should say 10.0.0.225 if you downloaded and installed correctly.
You won't have any more problems with your WIFI now. 10.0.0.225 is the version that fixes the "limited connectivity" issue.
United States