ASUS UL30 Wifi problem

I have just purchased a new ASUS UL30. I get very good signal strength, however I am unable to connect to my wifi network on many occasions, despite the computer showing full signal strength to my network. It should be noted that when connecting I am only a few inches from the router. There seems to be no consistency with it as sometimes I can connect, but most of the time I can't

There is nothing wrong with my network as I have an old HP laptop that can connect without problem. What can I do about this? Do you think it is a faulty wifi card?

 

Folks will need a bit more info to help you. Make and model of router, whether you are trying to connect via WiFi N or G, what does your laptop support N or G. Are you using stock drivers or have you made any changes, etc...

Cheers,

 

You might wanna read UL30a Wireless Issues Poll.

I ordered one ul30vt-x1 (brother) and ul30a-x5 (mom), and both are working fine, just the X5 has very bad wifi. Im gona be changing the wifi next week to a Intel 6300 and routing 2 extra antennas, atm it can barely sustain connection atm less than 25 feet open space.

 

I purchased my laptop from the Carphone Warehouse and on the bottom of the laptop it says MODEL X32A. Today I took my laptop apart and have taken a picture of my WiFI card. Please see the following picture (click to enlarge to full size):

As you can see the card says Azure Wave Model No: AR5B95
My card only had one antenna fixed to it, so I may try buying another antenna and routing it to the LCD screen. I see from the other thread that some people report that installing another antenna fixed the problem. The weird thing is I don’t think it can be a signal problem, as I am only feet away from the router and windows tells me it has a full 5 bar signal. Sometimes it connects, however most of the time it does not. My problem seems different to most of those in the other threads, as I have plenty of signal bars showing but just have connection problems. If the wireless card is faulty I thought about installing another card. I know some people have suggested the Intel cards, however I am put off by this as some people say they drain battery life very quickly. I obviously don’t want to reduce the battery life as this was one of the main reasons why I purchased the computer.
My router is a Netgear DG834G, however there are no problems with this as I can connect with wireless using my other computers without problem.
If anyone is wondering how I took the laptop apart. I followed the instructions found on another thread below and everything went to plan. It really was not that hard.
Here's what you have to do to replace the wifi card:

1. The basics: Ground yourself. Remove battery, hard drive, ram, dummy SD card and disconnect the antenna from the wifi card from the hard drive compartment.

2. Remove keyboard. Unclip 4 latches on top of keyboard with a small flat-head screw driver. Flip keyboard towards you. Disconnect keyboard FPC cable from mobo.

3. Disconnect cables. Disconnect the power switch FPC, hotkey FPC and touchpad FPC cables from mobo and unscrew all screws (should be 10 screws).

4. Flip: laptop upside down and unscrew all screws (should be 13 screws total).

5. Pry: Starting from the top two corners of the laptop, gently pry open the top case assembly with your fingers. Work your way down. You'll start hearing clicking sounds as you keep prying the case - this is normal. Don't worry if the hinges start coming off, just remember which side they came from.

6. Disconnect more cables: Once the top case is removed, you should see the mobo. Disconnect the 2IN1 and LVDS cables from the mobo (next to the fan), the bluetooth cable (lower left corner) from the mobo and lastly the speaker cable (bottom middle-right).

7. Unscrew: Remove the 3 screws with white triangle arrows pointing at them on the mobo. They are located 1. above the bluetooth module, 2. next to the speaker cable connector and 3. the very lower right corner of the mobo.

8. Remove mobo: Remove dummy SD card if you haven't already. Starting from the RIGHT side, gently remove the mobo. You will have to pull the right side of the bottom case outwards to release the mobo. Slide the mobo upwards and to the right at the same time.

9. Replace wifi card: Flip the mobo around. Remove the black plastic sticker cover over the wifi card. Unscrew the 2 screws holding the wifi card down. Swap wifi card.


To put everything back together again, just follow the same steps in reverse order.

If you want to add extra antennas to your UL30VT, you'll have to open your LCD case. Please continue with the instructions below.

10. Remove pads/screws: Remove the 6 rubber pads from the screen bezel (4 on top, 2 on each lower corner) to reveal the screws underneath. Remove screws.

11. Pry: Again, with your fingers pry open the bezel. Start with one of the top corners.

12. Lay antennas: Run your extra antennas along the sides of your LCD panel any way you want and depending on the length of your antenna cable.


So does anyone have any ideas?

 

any ideas anyone?

 

I brought UL30A 3G Version form O2. Came with the same card. It's actually Atheros 9285 (AzureWave rebranded)

Try to update the driver. Download form here (Version 9.0.0.202)

I don't have problems with connectivity.

 

Well I am downloading the driver 9.0.0.202 but I don't see that it refers to the Atheros 9285? It says it supports:

Atheros : AR5001X, AR5002X, AR5002G, AR5004X, AR5004G, AR5004A , AR5005G, AR5005GS, AR5006X, AR5006XS, AR5006EXS, AR5006EX, AR5006EGS, AR5006EG, AR5006GS, AR5006GS, AR5006G, AR5006 AR5007/AR5008 /AR9xxx/AR2427 Serie 802.11b/g/n Wireless Network Adapter

Have you made a mistake? Also did the updated driver solve your problems as I have heard people say they still have the same problem after driver update, and even bios update.

 

AR9XXX series. BTW no idea about BIOS update. When you install the software don't install bluetooth. (select only wifi)

 

Well I updated the driver like you suggested but am still having problems. I can see the network has 5 bars but can't seem to connect very often. Many times it even goes as far as to asks me for my network security key and then fails to connect. It does not happen all the time, as sometimes I am able to connect without problems. It has nothing to do with my router as I have two HP laptops that have no problem connecting?

I was thinking should I try and fit another antenna to the card? I can't see how this would help as I am not having the same problem as other people since I am able to see a 5 bar signal but just not connect. Maybe it is a very poor signal, but for some unknown reason windows shows full coverage?? What should I do?

 

Try to change the router channel & security method (Eg: WEP to WPA/WPA2)