Alienware M15x (Core i7) Wireless Network Issue?

Hello Everyone ,

I purchased an M15x in early Dec (approx Dec 10th), and recieived it pretty quickly (got it on the 18th ). After having it for a few days, I called Dell/Alienware due to Command Center not working properly. After the tech spent around 3 hours remotly screwing up the computer, they told me to re-install Windows 7 to solve my problems. I went ahead and did this (this was the 22nd). The re-install worked, and Command Center functions correctly. However, I have a Windows Home Server, which I use to back up all of the computers on my home network, and even after the re-install, the Wireless network connection to the M15x is very flakey. The problem manifests on my local network, and even on the Internet when trying to transfer/download large amounts of data. Almost every time, I get a network time-out error. This prevents the backup from being succesfull to the Home Server (among other things). Doing a little searching, I came upon this driver from Intel for the Intel WiFi Link 5300 AGN:

http://tiny.cc/26WsG

Which is much newer (21 Dec 2009) than the one provided by Dell. I installed this driver, and the performance improved dramatically, and the timeouts stopped. However, this driver caused a BSOD, and Explorer crashs frequently while using it. So, I rolled the driver back to the Dell driver. Now, I am back to the poor performance and timeouts. Has anyone experieinced this issue, and better yet solved it? Thanks!!

Rich S.

 

My m15x is connected to a Netgear WNDR3700 wired and wireless at times and I have had no dropped signals at all. I purchased mine about the same time as you.

 

Hi,

What driver verstion are you using for your Intel WiFi Link 5300? They shipped mine with 12.4.1.11. The version at Intel, is version 13 something. Thanks!

Rich S.

 

go to intels website the newest is 13.0.0.107 ive never had any issues but im using a Dlink DIR-855 router

 

there are a couple of other posts on the network thread related to this: the Intel 5300 is a good card but the driver does heavily influence its performance and stability and varies with the router you are using -- it needs tweaking and there's not one solution for everyone.
Under wireless settings, check your configuration for the card: ensure that auto mode is enabled, n is enabled and turn off power management -- there's a bunch of settings which Intel allows you to configure but provides no guidance as to the relative benefits of the various settings: the most important aspect is getting the card and your router on the same page. I found a post on the Dlink site that had some specific guidance, which was better than anything on the NBR page.
For me, the most recent Intel drivers were problematic: I am using version 12.4.1.11 but it seems to play nice with my router. Trial and error I am afraid.

 

Same driver as you.