Windows Tablets

[Wrench]

girarcat,

A valid point, certainly a place you don't/can't controll the router's firmware would be and issue. In my case I couldn't connect at home and had no problems connecting at work which has a Cisco set up (which I believe was mentioned as a possible issue) and to be honest I haven't tried a cafe/coffe shop/hotel.

Since I work on a campus, and have no issues connecting there I can check both those off.

As I stated in my first post, it was one more thing for users to check, not a be all end all solution. Certainly it's not an option if you don't have administrative access to a network. But, is a valid point for someone that has connection issues at home.

[Happyboy]

I think I fixed my problem with the wifi awhile ago with the 217 V3 version, however I'm currently on the 221 version. I usually use my W700 fairly close to the router so I wouldn't notice a problem if it came and went. However, I have done a fair bit of testing.

When I take my W700 and my ipad some distance from the router I get similar speeds. They vary from less than 1 down to more than 7 down. However, both the W700 and the ipad get similar results. Close to the router they get 35 down. I'm assuming since my ipad and W700 get about the same results my W700 wifi issue is fixed.

I have done all kinds of things to fix this as already mentioned here - including removing the atheros program in the control panel and removing the bluetooth devices and wireless devices in the device manage and unticking the box to stop windows from turning off the wireless to save power. However, I have also removed everthing under the network controller in the device manager. When I restart windows there are 3 devices that are reinstalled - 2 bluetooth and the atheros version 221. So, if you have more there you could try removing them.

If that doesn't fix it, I would begin to think it may be router related as mentioned above. I have used mine in 2 routers - both different D-Link routers but both using dd-wrt. I'll get a chance to try some different routers this week and will let you know.

[BiscuittM]

Just a quick thought. Does anyone know if you can install a different wireless card in the W700 to solve this issue? I just got mine a couple of days ago and took it apart to upgrade to a 256 mb crucial m4 SSD before I even turned it on the first time. I am really pleased with everything except for the WIFI performance and didn't think about checking it out while I had it opened up, as I was unsure of whether it was going to be a problem for me too.

[pstomike]

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BiscuittM wrote:

Just a quick thought. Does anyone know if you can install a different wireless card in the W700 to solve this issue? I just got mine a couple of days ago and took it apart to upgrade to a 256 mb crucial m4 SSD before I even turned it on the first time. I am really pleased with everything except for the WIFI performance and didn't think about checking it out while I had it opened up, as I was unsure of whether it was going to be a problem for me too.

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I don't know about swapping the card, but did you try my instructions earlier for removing the Acer WiFi and BT Suite and using the the v 221 WiFi driver from atheros.cz and the generic MS driver (automatically installed) for BT?

[cylemmulo]

how hard was it to replace the SSD?

also I would be interested in replacing the wifi adapter too.

[mrtee]

i think i have narrowed down the problem, i have tried everything in this thread from deleting drivers upgrading drivers etc and using generic bluetooth drivers, i have a n900 router and i can have the wifi either 2.4ghz or 5ghz wireless n. i have found if i have both on with the same ssid and password it seems to pick the 2.4ghz band but this makes the wifi slow to a crawl 0.2-2mbps

i then proceded to turn off the 5ghz band, this did not affect the speeds it was still slow. then i switched off the 2.4ghz band and turn 5ghz band on and low and behold the speeds shot up to 70-80mbps ive tried everything from bluetooth headset with keyboard and mouse all operating at once it does not affect the wifi speed

all these tests were done upstairs with the wifi router downstairs through 2 walls

i have not had any speed issues or disconnects i am using the asus n66u router with the 2.4ghz and 5ghz band on seperate ssid the 5ghz is solely for the w700 it works perfect but its hardly a long term fix.

there must be some serious internal interference on the 2.4ghz band or the atheros is very prone to picking up interference or just fighting with the bluetooth

this small fix only applies at home and not cafe work etc since you cant control the wifi there. let me know if anyone can test this aswell

[CollinFX45]

As sad as I am to say this, I actually returned mine. I'd been losing sleep over this and still having to carry my iPad for a reliable connection, so I finally said enough is enough. I really hope Acer takes care of everyone with this issue. It will be unforgivable if not as I don't feel the device is functioning as advertised. 

Best of luck and I really, really appreciate those who have gone to h*** and back to help me/us. Surprisingly, none of those people are from Acer; just good people willing to help out on their own time. Thumbs up to this community. 

-Collin-

[cylemmulo]

Well as a temp fix i bought a micro usb wireless n adapter and stuck it in the cradle, now whenever I'm in the other room in the cradle with it I have a reliable connection atleast just a suggestion if anyone hasn't thought of it.

[BiscuittM]

Going to try that tonight. The SSD wasn't hard, just a little sketchy and delicate because you have to seperate the screen from the body. I went really slow and was really careful not to scratch anything. There is a video on you tube showing how to get it apart and a couple of things popped when I googled it. After switching it out I just used the recovery disks and an external drive to load all of the software.

[1stTimeAcer]

The trickiest part is removing the plastic strip without damaging parts. To removie the screen is actually quite easy, just use a suction cup from a navigation unit on the center top area of the screen, and with a light pull the screen pops right off without any digging or prying.

When you put it back together, pay extra attention to make sure the wifi and bluetooth antenna connectors are taped back on very securely. The last thing you want to to have wifi trouble due to mechanical errors. My wifi is currently working quite well with the .221 driver and I'm actually pretty happy with the tablet.

For those wondering, my wifi signal strength still isn't as strong as a external usb dongle wifi card, but it is far and away from being pathetic at the moment. With what dd-wrt is showing as 39% I'm getting in the range of 5~14mbit from my 55mbit connection.