M17x R3 - Killer N wifi issues

Hey guys I recently got my M17x r3 and I love it so far. I have one issue though. If I'm browsing (haven't tested other applications like gaming yet, busy with class currently) I will randomly have wifi disconnects. And I am nearly certain it is not my router because my other laptop doesn't disconnect. I have the Bigfoot Killer N installed from factory and when it's working everything seems awesome. I tried reinstalling the drivers from dell but the issue persists. Any help wpuld be appreciated, thanks.

 

Might wanna check the manufacturer to see if they have any newer drivers as dell doesn't always keep on top of driver updates. Hope this helps

 

Bigfoot's website has the latest driver and also deactivate the Application Control. That thing caused me massive headaches until I disabled it.

 

alright thanks guys. I'll do both.

 

IsaacSG, if you have installed the latest bigfoot driver but you're still having issues, I highly recommend installing the Atheros drivers. A brief google search reveals that there are no noticeable speed differences however, stability is achieved:

Original post by khetik:

Install Killer-N but with Atheros drivers:

I have the 1102 card which is basically the same card minus 1 antennae. I hated the killer software too, uninstalled the software and driver, rebooted and loaded the atheros driver. It should be the same for 1103. Haven't had a hiccup since.
Atheros_wifi_920458(www.station-drivers.com)

Steps:
1) Uninstall the Killer network software via control panel/programs and features, just like you would remove any other piece of software. The uninstaller removes the network manager as well as the drivers. Reboot when it's finished (IIRC, it prompts you to do so).

2) After you've rebooted, Windows should try to install the driver automatically but will fail. Close out that notification. Extract the Atheros drivers you downloaded to a folder.

3) Go to either control panel/system or right-clicking on Computer and selecting properties and select device manager. You should have a device labeled "network controller" or something similar with a yellow exclamation point. Double click on that device, and the dialog box should say that the driver is missing. There should be a button to install/update driver. Click on that. When prompted, select "browse my computer for driver software" which is the second of two options you're presented. Point the wizard to the folder where you earlier extracted the Atheros drivers. Windows should install the driver, and it will appear in device manager as Atheros Osprey wireless adapter (or something similar).

4) When it's finished, close out all the windows, including the wizard and device manager. Now you should be able to sign in to your network as you did before, using Windows' built-in connection manager.


**** link and instruction steps courtesy of saturnotaku

 

Thanks Slick I'll try that. Using the latest from Bigfoot didn't work and neither did disabling the application control. I'm not sure what the deal is.

 

Also is it possible that I have a bad card? I would think more people would be having issues if it was with the drivers. If so should I just call dell?

 

Hey slick it looks like your link isn't redirecting properly. Is this the page you meant? The second to the last box at the bottom? Have you tried the 14/12/2011 drivers? (.70)

Thanks! I too occasionally suffer from reconnection issues (1103 here) and am considering using these drivers.

 

yeah, it appears the link above isn't available on that site anymore. thanks for pointing that out

You are 100% correct, you want to download the .70 drivers

i.e., Version 9.2.1.470 WHQL

Atheros wifi 9.2.1.470 WHQL

 

have a look here http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m18x/618747-itunes-10-5-safari-bigfoot-killer-wifi-incompatibility-issue-updated-see-post-1-fix.html This fixed so much. I had heaps of issues. and this fixed all of them.. to this day I only use the drivers and leave out the Bigfoot application. the drivers were in the net directory under bigfoot install.

 

I never experience any problems with Bigfoot driver/software. iTunes working fine.

 

Thanks for the link, these driver works smooth on m18x R2

 

What driver do I download for my BigFoot 1103 in order to do this? I seriously can't read that page lol and then I think I found the right thing to click and it takes me to another page with even more drivers and names I don't recognize.

Please help my 1103 keeps randomly disconnecting me from my net!! Thanks!!