Anyone else think the M17x wireless is crap?

Is it just me or does the chip in the M17x suck? My old Toshiba laptop had an Intel 4965 chip in it and connected to my router instantly. So does my MBP. My M17x, on the other hand, takes about a minute or two after booting before I can even go in and tell it to connect to a wireless network and then it takes another 30 seconds to a minute to connect to the router.

Also, I could never get it to auto-connect in Vista. It does in Windows 7 but it still takes forever just like it did in Vista.

It has the same problem in linux as well so I'm really thinking its hardware, not software.

It isn't the biggest issue in the world but it does kind of suck.

 

it's been perfect for me, while browsing web and gaming. connects instantly with great signal

 

Perfect here.

Maybe you should try another router....

 

Something is not right. my WIFI connects instantly in Vista. very strong signal strength, comparable to my Sony Z and much better than my Desktop or MID.

I suggest you bring the problem to Dell and see what they say

 

I've already tried another router... And besides, this is a router that Dell specifically offers when you purchase the laptop (WRT160N) so I guess I'm going to have to call Dell and have the wireless card replaced.

Once its connected, its perfect. I get 60 down and 19 up on speedtests with my 50/10 connection and I can download a consistent 6.25MB/sec without a problem but its just getting it connected initially that's a hassle.

 

Just because Dell sells the router with the laptop doesn't mean it isn't crap.

Get a WRT54GL. Best router I have ever used

 

Also, you could have other routers in your area interfering with the one you have.

Had that happen to me, but since I got the wrt about a year ago haven't had any problems.

 

Its not fast enough for me. I have to have an N router. I tried running my 50/10 connection through a WRT54G with DD-WRT and the max speed I could get out of it was about 40.

EDIT: Well as for other routers interfering, my MacBook Pro, PS3, Wii, 360, Satellite X205, and PSP connect to it instantly so I don't think that's the problem.

 

when I can find a router over here, I connect immediately....

 

Alright, guess I'm calling Dell.

 

There must be a service that take a while to start up thats holding everything up. Try booting your system and the start the task manager and see what service is taking a while to start. If its not needed go to the search bar in the start menu and type "msconfig" and stop that service from starting on boot. That should help your wireless connect fast as you want it too.

 

I was thinking it was a service. I honestly think I'm going to just disable all the Alienware services... I've already got my AlienFX set how I want it and don't plan on changing it and I don't use any of the other features... And after the 3.5GB memory leak with alienfusion the other day... Over it.

 

Yeah i forget what the service name was that was holding it up, but i know it was an Alienware one that was not important to be running. In windows 7 though, you do not have that problem at all.

 

I didn't have that problem with Vista. In Windows 7, it started.

 

Yeah disable Command centre and the face recognition software then try it.

Its always slow services holding up the connection at boot.

I have an M17 and it connects instantly but I dont have much running at boot.

 

I like this broadcom Wifi, works great for me.

 

I noticed that under Vista 64 my wifi connection takes several seconds before it shows as being connected in the task tray upon system boot up.

I use CCleaner (easy access to startup items) and disabling the following startup items corrects this and startup is considerably faster:

LaunchCC.exe
Launch.exe

Both are part of the AW OSD software. Hopefully they will correct the delay with the next update. In the meantime, I have them both enabled since I want OSD functioning - just have to accept the slight delay.

 

So is the M17X wireless card inferior to the Intel 5300 as found in the M17? on paper that is!

 

I don't think I've ever had better WIFI on a laptop.