Dropping wireless connection with Atheros card

[thegreatest]

I have the drivers updated. Is there anything I can do to fix it? I don't think it is my router or my provider since my xbox (on a wireless connection) never does it.

If I can't fix it, what are some good replacement cards?

[Boosted_R]

has it always been dropping wireless since you got it ? or did it just start ? check your mac address settings............. If you decided to change WIFI card the INTEL 6230 (WIFI and Bluetooth) is a great card, many users have switched to this card with good results.

[thegreatest]

It just started and I plugged in an ASUS USB card and it is working perfectly, so I guess that means my laptop card is bad. I can't find the Intel 6230 anywhere for some reason. How are these?

http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Ultimate.../dp/B0038A9HSK

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...d_i=B0038A9HSK

[BrodyBoy]

It just started and I plugged in an ASUS USB card and it is working perfectly, so I guess that means my laptop card is bad. I can't find the Intel 6230 anywhere for some reason. How are these?

http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Ultimate.../dp/B0038A9HSK

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...d_i=B0038A9HSK

If you go with a 6300, get the first version you linked. (The 2nd one has vPro, which is a separate set of security features for enterprise environments.)

That card is WLAN only, and it's an excellent card. If you also want or need bluetooth, you should opt for the 6230, which is a very simislar WLAN component, but also has integrated bluetooth.

[thegreatest]

Is the speed difference noticeable with a 20mb/s speed from my IP? I don't really use the bluetooth but if the speed isn't a big difference I may save the $10 and get the 6230.

Also, I can't find it, but does Newegg have them available?

[BrodyBoy]

Is the speed difference noticeable with a 20mb/s speed from my IP? I don't really use the bluetooth but if the speed isn't a big difference I may save the $10 and get the 6230.

Also, I can't find it, but does Newegg have them available?

The speed makes absolutely no difference, as both cards will operate at whatever speed your router operates at. In fact, if you have a 150Mbps router, none of these cards will increase your inter-network speed.....that will still be 150Mbsp. If you have a 300Mbps router, you'll probably get between 200-300 most of the time.

This won't impact your internet speed at all. On the other hand, a stable connection definitely adds to "perceived" speed, since even brief disconnects make the wirelss connection feel slow and laggy. And these cards do seem to be more stable in environments where the Atheros cards struggle.


I linked the 6230 for you....did you try that link?

[thegreatest]

Yes I tried that link. I will probably end up buying that one, but I like going through Newegg better since IMO opinion they have great customer support in case something is wrong with the card or it is DOA or something. Do you have a link there? I can't for the life of me find it on Newegg. All I can find are laptops with that card in it.

[BrodyBoy]

Yes I tried that link. I will probably end up buying that one, but I like going through Newegg better since IMO opinion they have great customer support in case something is wrong with the card or it is DOA or something. Do you have a link there? I can't for the life of me find it on Newegg. All I can find are laptops with that card in it.

No, I can't help you with retailers.

You're not going to get "support" for the card from any retailer. You'll just get a good card or a defective one, and if you get a defective one, you will want to return it. Any retailer that makes that easy and has competitive pricing should be okay. IMO, Amazon has the best return policies in the business....easier than Newegg's, most of the time. I use both of those retailers extensively.

[thegreatest]

I find that I get it faster from Newegg and I really like their RMA process. Also, the card at Amazon is from a third party which is sort of concerning.

EDIT: I'm going to go ahead and buy that one at Amazon. Is there a guide around to changing it?

[BrodyBoy]

First, download the new driver you'll need. Then uninstall the driver for the existing card.

Power down, and physically swap the card. Here's a photo from a G74...your WLAN card is probably located a little differently, but all the directions otherwise apply.



Boot up, and install the driver for the new card.