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    Intel 4965AGN Overheat/Fail

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by InsipidMonkey, Dec 8, 2008.

  1. InsipidMonkey

    InsipidMonkey Notebook Enthusiast

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    Recently I have noticed that my system log is filling up with errors related to my wireless card (Intel 4965AGN):

    Wireless performance has been poor, and eventually I lose all wireless connectivity and the wireless adapter stops responding. Also, I can tell that the card is getting very hot both through the palm rest and by feeling it directly. A call to Dell tech support resulted in them sending a new wireless card, motherboard, and fan. I should get them this week.
    Has anyone else experienced similar problems? Any ideas on what the above error means?
     
    InsipidMonkey, Dec 8, 2008
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  2. Chainik

    Chainik Notebook Guru

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    Interesting. I also have the Intel(R) Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN, and have seemingly random wireless problems. I will have to check my logs to see if there are any errors, but I have noticed numerous problems while gaming, or streaming vidoes. The card appears to be working and I'm connected to the network, but have no throughput. If I disconnect and re-connect I have Internet access again. I always thought that I was just too far away from the access point, but maybe it's something more.
     
    Chainik, Dec 8, 2008
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  3. InsipidMonkey

    InsipidMonkey Notebook Enthusiast

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    Tech came today to replace the wireless card, motherboard, and heat sink. Took him 3 hours, rebooted, and the problem persists. Either the refurbished parts they used were also defective, or it is a software problem. I've already tried updating to the latest wireless drivers from both Dell and Intel with no improvement. Maybe the latest round of Windows Update will fix it?
    Also, I think they replaced my motherboard with an older version. After my GPU failed, they replaced it with a motherboard that had a Rev A04 sticker near the DIMM slot. The (new) motherboard has a Rev A02 sticker.
     
    InsipidMonkey, Dec 9, 2008
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  4. 7oby

    7oby Notebook Evangelist

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    I think it's worth a try whether it's related to overheating. Therefore I'd try two things:

    a) in device manager properties of your 4965AGN you can select the transmission power. I have reduced this anyway and it still works fine. Receiving is not affected, and the antenne of th AP is sufficiently good to still receive all content.

    b) The recommended power settings by intel for this card are these:
    http://www.intel.com/support/wireless/wlan/sb/CS-024509.htm
     
    7oby, Dec 10, 2008
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  5. InsipidMonkey

    InsipidMonkey Notebook Enthusiast

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    After replacing the motherboard, heatsink, and wireless card and reducing the transmission power the problem persists. All the replacement parts were refurbished, so I'm not ruling out a hardware problem. It also only seems to happen when the laptop is warm. I may give up and buy a different wireless card. Any suggestions?
     
    InsipidMonkey, Dec 12, 2008
    #5