Intel 7260?

Welcome to the NBR forum

You can check in the Lenovo forums for a modded bios to get around the whitelist

 

News is coming out about Qualcomm's new Multi-user Multi-Input Multi-Output (MU MIMO) AC chips. Most are for APs (both enterprise and Consumer), Mobiles and Tablets but more importantly for this thread one/two are for Laptops.

QCA 6174

QCA 9378

Both chips are PCI-e 2x2:2 AC Wifi just like the Intel 7260 AC but with the new bluetooth 4.1. I think the QCA 9378 is more likely to come as a mini PCI-e card for use in a laptop.

Here's a link for more info: AnandTech | Qualcomm Announces MU-MIMO 802.11ac Family: Increasing the Efficiency of 802.11ac Networks

 

What's the difference between Bluetooth 4.1 and 4.0? Also, I don't see myself changing wifi cards anytime soon unless a 3x3 + Bluetooth card were finally released (I honestly don't know if Bluetooth can be done with 3x3 or not).

 

Bluetooth 4.1 is a small update to 4.0 based around the Internet of Things 'IoT', its main feature seems to be LTE co-existence which is useless for these cards. 4.0 can be updated to 4.1 though a software update. The real reason to get the qualcomm chips is for MU-MIMO.

Bluetooth 4.1: what is it and why should you care? - Opinion - Trusted Reviews

 

"Qualcomm isn't expecting announcements based around any of these solutions until the end of this year at the earliest, with product availability sometime in Q1 next year".

With the Qualcomm MU MIMO products almost a year away from being on the shelves I'm hard pressed to muster any degree of excitement.

The big issue with present Bluetooth is getting devices to connect.

BT 4.1 is supposed to fix connection issues plus offer Bluetooth connectivity to devices that currently use WiFi.

Better speeds over BT 4.0....let's wait and see.

Bluetooth 4.0 should be able to be upgraded to Bluetooth 4.1 through a software update.

 

I think MU-MIMO can be added to the Intel 7260ac through a software update, It would be interesting to see if Intel will do this or release another product line.

Qualcomm MU-MIMO triples 802.11ac throughput | SemiAccurate

 

Interesting. I'm gonna bet money on two things - no update from Intel and on the fact that it does not triple the throughput nor is it close to doing so. But it's interesting nonetheless - thanks for sharing.

 

I won't take that bet.

I'm sure I'll be one of the early adapters to give this or another MU-MIMO solution a shot but I too am skeptical about what is promised and what is delivered.

New toys to play with are always enticing.

 

Guessing by how many issues there have been with this driver on their first ever AC device, you could say that this driver was made from scratch or at least brand new driver branch for all their AC chips, if this is true maybe intel will add MU-MIMO to this driver branch for this generation of WiFi cards in order to have it debugged before releasing their next gen chips (i.e. 8xxx series). That way the 8xxx cards wouldn't have a launch as bad as the 7xxx series.

Pipe dream? maybe.

Either way i'll buy the next card that beats the 7260 for combined speed and reliably as WhatsThePoint said, new tech always excites me. I'll move the 7260 down to my ethernet connected desktop just for the bluetooth (crappy BT is better than no BT).

 

Intel may need to change their driver strategy as evidenced here in this forum about different drivers being much better on one band and less than stellar on the other.

So to get the best WiFi performance on 2.4ghz we may need drivers developed just for that band and the same for a 5ghz band driver.

It seems that this driver selection according to band used is what many N 7260 and AC 7260 owners posting in this forum are doing anyway.

Not great if you often switch bands.

 

I've just ordered an Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6235 to replace this ac 7260 on my samsung ativ book 8. Do you guys think this "downgrade" possible?

 

Yes it's definitely possible. Samsung doesn't use any form of whitelisting so as long as it's not a Lenovo or Dell card it will work fine.

 

Welcome to the forum.

What issues did you have with the AC-7260 that's causing a possible change to a 6235(may have same or other issues)

Which router did you pair with the AC-7260

Which band were you using?

Which driver version?

How far from the router?

Router set to WPA2 PSK(AES)?

WMM enabled in QoS setup?

 

Ok, don't shoot me but I just installed the 7260AC on my 3 month old HP Envy 17t-j000 and now I have no Bluetooth. I went to the Intel website and downloaded the most recent drivers with no luck. My smartphone had previously been paired with the old wifi card, and I am unable to remove it from the pc.

Any suggestions -- or am I just better off removing it and putting my oem wifi card back in?

 

I pair my Nexus 5 smartphone to a Windows 8.1 installation on an MSI GT780DX notebook without issue

Some notebooks require the previous card and it's drivers to be completely uninstalled before putting in a new card and installing the drivers for it.

Is there a button or keyboard key on your model to enable and disable Bluetooth.

Does Device Manager show the Intel Bluetooth or the old Bluetooth?

For my AC-7260 I have WiFi driver version 17.0.0.34 and Bluetooth 17.0.1312.404
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=23707&keyword=Ac-7260&lang=eng
Proset/Wireless Bluetooth Software Version 17.0.1312.0404

 

Intel WHQL Wireless ProSet driver/software version 17.0.1.5

PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software

 

My Bluetooth/wireless button is turned on on the keyboard, so that's not the issue.

I downloaded these two drivers from the Intel website, but did not delete the old ones before installing the new ones. My new Bluetooth is showing up like in your thumbnail.

My smartphone shows to be connected but will not pair, and I cannot remove the device from the pc, despite having also had HP Remote TEch Support attempt to remove it. I was, however, able to pair and connect my Galaxy Tablet, so Bluetooth does work...it seems to just be my phone causing the problem.

any suggestions? My issues have been escalated to a higher level of Tech Support within HP but I really don't trust them.

 

Do you have a spare drive to do a clean install of Windows?

Whenever I run into issues that are not easily solved I save more aggravation by wiping my drive and doing a clean install.

This usually does the trick for me.

I loved my Windows 7 but lately I'm using Windows 8.1 mostly.

 

New Intel Official Bluetooth Drivers v17.0.1401.422

Intel® PROSet/Wireless Software for Bluetooth® technology for Windows 7
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?lang=eng&changeLang=true&DwnldId=23770

Intel® PROSet/Wireless Software for Bluetooth® technology for Windows 8
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?lang=eng&changeLang=true&DwnldId=23760

Intel® PROSet/Wireless Software for Bluetooth® technology for Windows 8.1
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?lang=eng&changeLang=true&DwnldId=23761

The following list of wireless adapters are supported.

Intel® Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260
Intel® Dual Band Wireless-N 7260
Intel® Wireless-N 7260
Intel® Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 for Desktop
Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 2230
Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6235
Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 135
Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 1030
Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6230
Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 130
Intel® Dual Band Wireless-AC 3160

EDIT:In Device Manager the Intel BT driver is listed as 17.0.1401.422 but in Control Panel>Programs and Features it's listed as 17.0.1401.428 after installing the Official BT driver

 

I don't have a spare drive to do a fresh install of Windows.

I have tried all of those downloads from Intel for Bluetooth to no avail.

The clown from HP Tech Support who took remote control yesterday fiddled around with services.msc and got into the Bluetooth Support Service Log On Screen, where he ended up changing the Log On as from "This Account (he removed whatever name was there) with a hidden password to "Local System Account" before he concluded he need to escalate the problem. I have NO idea what this was for or means, and am waiting on Escalated Tech Support to call me.

If anyone has any ideas, it would be appreciated!

 

i might have one: start by removing the bt drivers and intel proset drivers, remove the new card,

stick the old one back in and uninstall any of its drivers then turn off the button.

Re-install the new card and drivers and check your bluetooth.

 

What does using that Bluetooth driver from Intel do? I've only installed the wifi driver and proset software for the card, not the Bluetooth so I guess I'm running off the Windows default drivers. I have no issues with Bluetooth connecting though.

 

ehm, btw, this is not an option anymore, i've opened my samsung ativ book 8 to install an ssd and noticed that the ac 7260 is soldered to the motherboard...
Gonna buy one of these https://www.linksys.com/en-apac/products/adapters/AE3000 waiting for better intel drivers.

 

Station-drivers posted a new firmware for the TP-Link Archer C7 AC router if any of you guys are interested

http://station-drivers.com/index.ph...-Archer-C7-Firmware-Version-3.13.34-(140227)/

 

I have given up on this Wifi card. Put any load on it whatsoever and the speed drops to a crawl, followed by high pings and eventually disconnect. Last time I ever buy a laptop with AC7260. (Sold my first one, and returning my second one during the return period)

 

@Apoxxx

Running at 2.4GHz band?

 

I keep seeing these cards pop up on ebay and at forums, they can be had for as little as 15-20 pounds, and each time i come here hoping to see some comments about it all being fixed and now working well, and each time i leave thinking i'll be keeping my 6230-N card, i rely heavily on the Bluetooth on that card, and there is no way i want to upset the apple cart for the sake of Wifi AC - i installed some MS keyboard/mouse software once that goofed with the bluetooth, and i lost all sorts, am now back on the previous software !
I have bluetooth mice,keyboards,media pad and now Sony MDR-10RBT headphones, so no way i want to risk that lots connections if the card is crap.

 

Yup, connected to the same router as my 2 other laptops and my desktop, an Apple Airport Extreme.
No other device show any sign of latency or disconnect issues, and I need the 2.4Ghz for range, if I switch to 5Ghz I won't get a signal at all.

1 of the laptops has a 6300 card, and the other a Qualcomm Atheros device. Desktop has an Asus card. None of these have had any issues at all, ever.

 

7260 has issues with 2.4 GHz band especially when there's a lot of WiFi interference going on. Most people who buy the 7260 only connect to 5 GHz which is 100% working perfectly and has no ping spikes and connects indefinitely. If you don't get a signal @ 5 Ghz, you might want to setup an AP or a repeater to extend the range.

 

IMO,Intel made a mistake in making the AC-7260 a dual band card.

It should have been a 5ghz only wireless card as per the AC spec and develope driver just for the 5ghz band.

If you're determined to use the AC-7260 on 2.4ghz then I suggest experimenting with different driver versions suggested in this forum.

Install inSSIDer FREE version and walk around your location with your notebook in hand while inSSIDer is running to find dead spots and poor reception areas.
Download inSSIDer - MajorGeeks

I'm currently using "Beta" driver v17.0.1.5 on 5ghz > 22' from my Netgear AC router with 2 steel reinforced cement wall between the notebook and router.

Intel's Connection Utility and Windows WiFi Status thow my connection as Excellent with an average of 526.5Mbps~702Mbps.

If I move to a line of sight location It's mostly at 866.7Mbps

 

same here, i have this and a netgear router R6250 , 5ghz and no drops.

 

New driver is out 17.0.2.5 WHQL

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and predict it changes nothing at all

 

Here is my setup. I have Netgear R6250 and Linksys E2500(with tomato fw). R6250 is running netgear fw and acting as AP, but E2500 is setup as bridge on 5 band and AP on 2.4 band. I have 1 laptop with AC 7260 card, couple old dell latitude laptops with, I think, 4365 that support G and A bands and ASUS with 2.4 only N(150) card and mix of tables with 2.4 only or 5 and 2.5 bands wifi.

So with 17.X driver I don't have any issue connecting to R6250 on 5 band would it be AC or A cards, 2.4 devices on N or G are straggling. They would connect at their max speed, but after a load they start decreasing in performance. I don't seem to have too much trouble if I connect all devices to E2500 on 2.4 band including AC 7260 and then bridge over to 5 band to get to R6250. It seems to R6250 may have some issues with 2.4 band. I live in townhome association and do get a lot of interference on 2.4 band. I'm going to try dd-wrt fw for R6250 and see if it makes any difference for 2.4 band vs Netgear fw.

I hope it helps.

Thanks

 

Nah, I'd rather get a laptop with a normal working Wifi card.... Can't risk traveling and not being able to connect just because the place I'm staying at runs 2.4Ghz.

 

IMO, after running file transfer and connection tests,the best driver choices for the AC-7260 using the 5ghz band are versions 16.6.0.8 and 17.0.0.34

Versions 17.0.1.5 and 17.0.2.5 don't offer better connection speed,stability or connection quality on my hardware.

Naturally your mileage may vary.

My old notebook with a Killer 1103(3x3) installed is very stable with excellent connection quality on both bands with the generic Atheros 10.0.0.287 driver.

 

I also tested the most recent driver (and also on 5GHz only) and there's no difference whatsoever in terms of throughout in my case.
It's to early to say more about the stability at this point though.

 

i have sony vaio sve1513b1ew , replace atheros con intel ac7260 , device manager ok but radio off , no software change turn on . tape pin 51on the front and pin 20 to the back , and it's work . thanks for DAY_MEN .sorry for my bad language .

 

sony vaio VPCEB4J0E-WI , replace intel n 1000 con ac7260 , but for work remove hardware bluetooth T77H114 BCM2070 and it's ok

 

Correct me if i'm wrong but i think the latest Intel driver 17.0.2.5 adds a new feature: U-APSD Support



Wikipedia says this about it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UAPSD

Does this mean better battery life?

 

I think so, if done right. Hopefully the drivers are smart enough to use full transmit power whenever a high throughput is needed.

 

I'll give the 17.0.2.5 driver another shot when/if it's released as official Intel for the AC-7260

The early 7260 drivers had my link speeds fluctuating between 90Mbps and 520Mbps from my non line of sight location about 20' from the router.

As drivers matured the fluctuations became less severe.

Drivers 16.6.0.8 and 17.0.0.34 reduced link speed fluctuations greatly.

I stay mostly at 526.5Mbps with an occasional drop to 390Mbps and surge to 702Mbps

Beta drivers 17.0.1.5 and 17.0.2.5 have a more often drop to 260Mbps.

Transferring files to and from a USB 3.0 SanDisk Extreme flash drive in the router's USB 3.0 port is best for me with 17.0.0.34

Driver 16.6.0.8 was ever so slightly less throughput transferring between desktop and notebook.

The beta 17.0.1 and 17.0.2 are the same as the 17.0.0.34 and 16.6.0.8 in download from internet speeds and speedtest.com results.

A 500 ping test (bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=64) with all 4 versions.

 

good observations wtp, its been 2 months since i used my ac card (waiting for parts from polland takes a while (now that's an under statement, lol) i should have gone with msi lol)

anyway soon as i have the laptop up and running again i'll update my drivers and see which ones work best in my environment.

 

I haven't done any real speed tests but the 17.0.2.5 driver seems to have fixed the random disconnect issues (at least for me.) I tried every revision of the 16.x.x.x driver and all the 17.x.x.x drivers and this has been the most stable one. So far it's been 5 days with no drop offs while browsing, sending/receiving data from my NAS or playing online games.

 

The source of the Intel Wireless ProSet 17.0.2.5 download from station-drivers I believe is Lenovo.

http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc/pccbbs/mobiles/n14w204w_64.exe
http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc/pccbbs/mobiles/n14w204w.txt

Monday and Tuesday were holidays here(Children's Day and Buddha's Birthday) so I did a clean Windows 8.1.1 installation with Wireless ProSet 17.0.2.5

Much better on clean install rather than over 2 older versions.

Also my Netgear Nighthawk R7000(US Model) got a firmware update yesterday.
Firmware Update Info;
Current GUI Language Version: 1.0.3.24_2.1.36.1
New GUI Language Version: 1.0.3.56_2.1.38.1
Current Firmware Version 1.0.3.24
New Firmware Version 1.0.3.56_1.1.25
Release Notes:
1. [New Feature] Support DFS Channel for Japan Country.
2. [Bug Fix] Fix 5G bridge mode cannot connect issue.
3. [Bug Fix] Fix the iTunes Home sharing doesn t work thru bridge mode.

 

Intel Wireless ProSet 17.0.2.5 now Official dated 05.08.2014

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/SearchResult.aspx?lang=eng&keyword=AC-7260

This download is valid for the product(s) listed below.
Intel® Dual Band Wireless-AC 3160
Intel® Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260
Intel® Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 for Desktop
Intel® Dual Band Wireless-N 7260
Intel® PROSet/Wireless Software
Intel® Wireless-N 7260

 

Something seems to be wrong with this new supposedly intelligent power-saving technology recent driver introduced.
Throughput goes down like a stone when the notebook is running on battery (regardless od what setting is chosen in Windows) but that is not the worst part. Unfortunately when you reconnect the notebook to the PSU the throughput stays dreadfull. Nothing seems to help apart from reboot.

It's most definitely not router that is at fault here seeing as rebooting the notebook helps without any need to even touch the router. I'll get back to previous drivers to see if this is a new "feature" or something that used to be there before.

 

Intel Bluetooth driver 17.0.1403.438

WHQLbut non official (Lenovo?)

Intel Proset/Wireless Bluetooth Software Version 17.0.1403.0438
___________

Just tried ISO file transfer from notebook to SanDisk Extreme USB 3.0 flash drive attached to an R7000 router.

17.0.2.5 driver from Intel Downloads
21' from router non line of sight
Windows 8.1.1 Pro x64
5ghz
Channel 161
WPA2 AES

I had gotten higher transfer speeds with 16.6.0.8 and 17.0.0.34 on AC power but never tested on battery.

The battery in my 2.5 year old MSI GT780DX with i7 2670QM 16GB ram notebook is pretty crappy.

 

Has anyone tried miracast & widi with this wifi card? I'm having trouble getting it connected to my tv from my laptop below.

 

any solution for connection drops/slow downs ?

there are drivers released on 5/8/2014 (17.0.2),

do they make any improvement ?

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Se...AC+7260&ProdId=3714&LineId=1784&FamilyId=1783

edit: nvm, found my answer.

 

Thinking of buying one of those, but wondering ..

After like a year of crappy 2.4ghz connection with this card, is there still hope that this gets fixed ever ?