Asus UL30VT-A1 (silver) also missing an antenna

Hi all,

This is very interesting. There are two versions of the UL30VT, the X1 (black) and A1 (silver). The UL30VT-X1 came with an Intel 1000 card. In this video ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7a6iRlT0_-k) that guides users how to swap out the HDD to a SSD, you can clearly see his X1 with TWO antennas.

On my silver A1, I recently noticed that my wifi signal is weak. I also recently swapped out my hdd to a 7200rpm hdd. That's when I noticed that one antenna is missing. Only one is installed! Incidentally, the A1 uses the AR9852 card, exactly like the on used on the UL30.

I surmise that Asus figured the atheros is a much stronger card and thus they can save money and forgo the one antenna. I can't think of any other reason. That's a really crappy reason though.

Anyone else noticed this?

 

Yup, refer to this thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=5489045#post5489045

It's not missing one, just the antheros (or whatever it's called) only gets one.

 

Why would the card have two physical connectors and use only one? It makes no sense. In the thread, someone mentioned that his signal was significantly improved after he installed another antenna, although it's a short one and not routed through the LCD.

My signal is relatively weak. I was able to get full bars with my HDX18 and am only getting 3-bars with my UL30VT-A1

 

At some point an Asus rep had advised a user that the cards are calibrated specifically for 1 antenna.

I'm not sure of the reason for this but Asus will definitely have a reason, whether it is to save 50 cents or prevent other issues... we'll probably never know

 

It sounds like a cost saving measure to leave out an antenna. Considering that the A1 featured a better battery and a longer warranty, I am not surprised that they cut costs on the wireless card/antenna to keep the prices as low as possible. A couple cents over a couple thousand machines makes for quite a bit of savings/margin for ASUS.

Just a wild guess though, don't quote me on it

 

I totally don't buy the 'calibrated' for one antenna nonsense. It's just a way to placate the customer. Why would there be 2 connectors if it only needed one?

 

My little ASUS had a horrible horrible weak signal. Was getting half the bars my other laptops and netbook was getting. I loved this laptop but couldn't even get a constant connection at work. I tried all fixes, driver updates, extra antenna, changed power saving settings, etc and nothing worked. Well I'm HAPPY TO REPORT Amazon sent me a new one and its fantastic! I can confirm that the poor wireless performance I experienced is NOT the norm and is simply a case of some defective wireless cards. I have them side by side right now in my kitchen as I'm typing. 2 Bars versus 4, and 3 wireless networks visible versus 9!!!! Thought Id share the news for those of you with the same issues. Also posted this over at Amazon. Thanks to everyone who posted regarding this issue.
Anthony

 

ElectricFX, which one did you have? The A1 of X1?

 

The New A1 (Silver)

BTW I'm at work now always a poor signal in my building where my desk is located.

This New Replacement getting four bars.
First one I received got one or NONE.

What a relief.

 

How did you go about doing the exchange? Did you have to send your original back to Amazon before they shipped a new one out to you? What was the process you went through?

 

Have you tried updating your BIOS? I have the atheros card as well but the signal is really great for me, especially when i'm at school with hundreds of other people online too.

 

Was very simple. They ordered my new one. Gave me instructions to print the return label. It was out of stock when I called so they gave me a full 60 days to return the old one (since they weren't expecting shipped for 2-4 weeks). New one arrived yesterday (only took about a week). Received an email from Amazon notifying me of shipment etc, and telling me I have 30 days to send back the old one before I am charged. Quite fantastic, Great customer service rep I talked to.

 

My bios is the latest, 204 I believe. So I don't think that's an option.

 

Fantastic! I will do that! Thanks ElectricFx! Rep for you!

 

Yes I updated the BIOS, checked for new drivers, changed the power settings, reseated the card, even added the second antenna some suggested. Nothing worked. Really loved the laptop, thought I was gonna have to use a wireless USB or replace with an intel 5100 (actually ordered one). This new replacement is working great though! 2-3 Times the signal both laptops sitting side by side (I even have the new one sitting "furthest" from the router...cause I'm a nut .....)

 

Oh btw, when u call make sure he understands that yours is defective, you have called ASUS tech support and they determined it was a faulty card. At first the AMAZON rep thought I wanted to exchange it for another model (they don't do those types of "exchanges" etc and was telling me I had to return and then buy another etc. Once he understood I just wanted the defective one replaced it was.... "Ohhhhhh No problem!" We can take care of that right away! It was almost like they are used to doing straight returns. Not sure if that makes sense. Let me know if you have any other questions. Glad I could help. I was so upset about the problem, and so happy when it was resolved, I joined this group (last night while testing new laptop, 30 minutes after I opened the box!!!) just to share my experience with others who might be having the same problem!

 

How did you get to the card? I opened the hdd cover and saw the card. But then I couldn't figure out how to take out the card to reseat it. I just added a second antenna, although a shorter one, the signal quality hasn't exactly improved. Still seeing 2-3 bars at home. My HP HDX18T is getting full bars. My A1 is totally unusable at work because it would not hold the signal and kept dropping it. The signal was very weak at work.

 

EletricFX, you're my hero! I just called Amazon and the rep was very helpful. She understood that the wireless card is not working properly and will exchange it. The only problem is, I was one of the early ones to get the laptop (got it on the 12th Jan). I have until Jan 31st to return this faulty original unit to Amazon. The problem is, the A1 is out of stock at Amazon and is schedule to become available and shipped to me on Feb 9th. I would be without a laptop between the 31st and Feb 9th (or so). Oh well, I will deal with this if it means it fixes the problem!

 

Just removed the HD, two screws holding the wireless card, tehn just gently wiggled and pulled it out. Its a half size card. I know this because I ordered a replacement intel 5100, and like a dumba$$ ordered the wrong size!
Anway, now it doesn't matter because the signal on this new one is fantastic. Again not just a little, but 2-3 times better, kinda crazy. Musta been a bad batch? Oh yeah, one more thing, when u pull out the card it might "fight u a little, because they affixed a pretty big piece of black tape, to the back of the card, taping it to the motherboard. I left the tape, but trimmed it a little before putting it back. Hope this helps.

 

Again, you're my hero! I wanted to do the same thing - replace the card. I did know it was a half-height minipci-e card. However, when I tried to wiggle it, I thougth there might be a pin-lock like a ram slot pin lock that I have to press to unseat the card. So I stopped there because I didn't want to break anything.

The amazon CS rep was a bit incorrect. In my order email post my conversation with her, it said that I have until Feb 27th to return my original unit. I will do what you did, compare the signals between the two units and post back.

When you ordered your replacement, did Amazon show 2-4 weeks before shipping too?

 

I was in the SAME exact situation as you! So two things, like I said because it was also out of stock (2 to 4 weeks) when I called and I was among the first also, he offered to extend the return period to 60 days (I didn't ask, he offered), and second, I didn't need any where near the sixty days he offered. The new replacement offer was placed on JAN 12, and arrived yesterday, Jan 20. So ask them nicely and I'm sure they will extend, but you might not even need to, mine surprisingly came pretty quick.

 

yeah 2-4 weeks originally

 

I don't think I'm going to need the 60 days. I hope I am as lucky as you are, getting a better working wireless in my replacement. I can't figure out what would account for the defect. What would cause a weak signal? So strange!

 

Yes, I agree, very strange. I was honestly NOT very optimistic about the replacement which is why I started to explore replacement cards etc. And figured if I was gonna test and crack open the computer case it might as well be the one I was gonna send back! Then I figured when the new one arrived I'd then know how to proceed if it had the same problems (I honestly assumed it would). So I was more than pleased when I saw the new machines signal. Couldn't get over it actually. Anyway, glad I could help and I hope you have the same luck I did. I'll be checking back to see what happened, I'm pulling for you!!!

 

Thanks ElectricFX. I'm still baffled that they choose to be stingy and installed only 1 antenna!

 

I was also, but to be honest, with this new one it doesn't seem to be an issue. The wireless signal is really great with just the one! Go figure!

 

Has anyone considered that they may have chosen to install only one antenna, in order to lower the power draw for the wireless card. Perhaps these Atheros based cars are not the most power efficient, so they chose to limit the amount of power they use by only installing one antenna. I'm not sure how big of a difference it would make. But, it's an idea...

 

It did cross my mind... But come on. All they had to do was put the Intel card in it like the X1 and problem solved. There Atheros must be cheaper or something!

 

Any News Buddy?

 

Has anyone else tried to replace their wireless card? If so, which one did you replace it with and was it difficult removing the original one?

 

I tried replacing my defective one with the Intel 5100 (half card) before I sent it back to Amazon, just to satisfy my curiosity. Not hard at all to remove or replace (see my previous post). That being said i never could get it working. I'm not sure if my card was defective, or if there were just different drivers I needed. The new lappie with the Atheros is working just fine though. I have a really good signal. Hope that helps.

 

I did ended up replacing mine with the Intel 5100, then Intel 5300. I think I have a fake Intel 5100 from eBay. The A band would not work. Got a second one (Intel 5300) and it worked fine.

It's a bit hard to remove the original card because of the shielding tape over the card itself. Once you have that tape loose, it comes off easily.

 

Thanks guys. Just a couple of follow ups:
- how did you get the shielding tape loose from the card to pull it out?
- where can you purchase the Intel card?
- does the Intel card have three antenna connectors or just two?

 

OK, this is totally interesting! I just got my replacement A1 from Amazon after waiting since Jan 21st. At first I hoped they would put a second antenna in. BUT... it appears they are using a different network card... at least in appearance.

There are still ONE antenna, but the second antenna socket is now gone!


This is the original card from my first A1. Notice the location of the solder points (I don't know the right term for them) are still exactly the same, but the second antenna socket is intact.


I also noticed that this new A1 does indeed see MORE networks! WOW! The new one sees about 13 networks, while the older one only saw 5! They are both still the same card at least in the model number.

One thing I did notice is the build quality. While the chassis of the new unit is tighter, the keyboard is raised higher, a bit loose, thus making more clacking noise when typing. The power button lit symbol is also a bit off from center (a bit to the left). I wonder what kind of QA did these machines go through?

 

I picked up an Intel wifi link 6200 for about 30 bucks and replaced that POS atheros card. No more wifi problems, great range on a single antenna too.

 

Oh.. I don't like these kinds of changes in different units. When I spend 850 bucks it shouldn't be lottery.

 

Curiosity killed the cat they say...

After reading this thread I just had to open up my UL30VT-A1 to see which wireless card is in there: bummer, it's the one with two antenna sockets! Well, what if I switched the lead to ANT 2?

NOTHING. It was like I didn't even have a wifi card any more, after searching for a bit Windows put the big red X right through the wifi on the task bar.

So for anyone curious like me it would seem the 2nd socket does absolutely nothing, and putting a second antenna, short or long, there is a complete waste of time.

In normal operation I get 4 bars, BTW, out on the deck where other machines get 5. So those of you who have the one socket version have definitely lucked out; I don't feel my reception is bad enough to return the machine to Amazon, however. Just not all it could and should be, but not bad enough to call it "defective."

 

FWIW, I put a second antenna in my original A1 with two antenna sockets and it made a huge difference. I don't know why...

 

Great to know, just in case; thanks!

 

I think they made some changes. My first A1 in some aspects has better build quality. Everything seems perfect, except for the WIFI card. The replacement A1 seems slightly rough. Some of the plastic trim have a few rough edges. But the chassis is tight. Seems like they were in a rush to pump them out... and we all know why. They were in short supply everywhere!

 

Interesting; maybe socket 1 has to be populated for socket 2 to do any good? Where can I get the right lead to try it with both, any ideas?

 

I have this one http://www.oxfordtec.com/us/p120/La...eed-to-open-the-Base-or-LCD/product_info.html

It works great, much better than one I got from eBay. The one from eBay was totally worthless.

 

I've seen a lot of references to Amazon in this thread. Did everyone with faulty Atheros cards order from Amazon?

I got my A1 from Gentech and I've had no issues. The Atheros card performs as good or better than anything else I run from home.

 

Ordered; thanks! Any tips on installing it? Use the full length or trim? How did you route it?

 

Does yours have one or two antenna socket connections?

 

I just stuck it under the chassis. Since the end tip is rubber coated, no worries about short-circuiting anything. I just made sure that it's not behind any shielding tape, otherwise, it would be pointless.

 

Outstanding, thanks again. Plus rep for you; I hope it works as well for me... otherwise I guess I'll try the Intel 5100 card others have installed.

 

I love my A1. I picked up a short wireless antenna from ebay and attached it to the second antenna connector. I tucked it into the housing towards the front speaker. It sees about a dozen access points near the front of my house!
Now, I'm waiting for the Intell 5300 card I purchased from ebay along with another short antenna. I just need to figure out where to stick that the 3rd antenna once I attach it. I'll post back when I receive it.

 

Wow really interesting scoob, what a ride huh?! I'll check the wireless card in my replacement and see if I can confirm I have a new updated card also out of curiosity (although i'm not having any problems with this one). So to clarify on your replacement, are u keeping the stock card or are u gonna replace it with that 53000 u bought? They giving u about the same results??

 

Wow thats really curious!? I did the same thing with my first unit and got NO improved results! It almost seemed worse! So glad it worked out for you.