VERY interesting article regarding WiFi and Lynksys Routers

[Blairware]

I asked Skygunner why he though that 9 separate Primes had WiFI issues and if he thought that the common link MIGHT be his E4200 Cisco/Linksys Router.

Since he had already abandoned the Prime, selling his FREE Prime and Keyboard that Asus sent him, I guess we will never know, but his last comment to me was "There is NO WAY that this is about the E4200. ALL my other devices work with it perfectly. Okay. Fair enough, but 9 Primes, ALL failing to get decent WiFi indicates otherwise. There is just no way that those numbers make any sense whatsoever.

Here is something that may explain it. Interesting, in any case. This article came out on Decrypted Tech's Site, here are two key paragraphs. Link follows:

"Although we are not 100% certain of the issue it does seem to be more about compatibility than an actual hardware or software problem. We took a look at the issue and it seems that the largest percentage of problems appear to be with Linksys wireless routers. This is not to say that there is an issue with Linksys, but it is more of a compatibility issue with the wireless controller and the way they implement their wireless handshake. We tested our TF101 with TRENDNet, D-LINK and also with a TP-Link Access point without any issues at all.

Unfortunately Linksys is a much more common brand due to pricing (and the Cisco logo) than the other three in the US so you are more likely to see this and have it reported. Most owners will also not think that their router (that works with everything else) could be the potential source (or part) of the problem."

Link:
http://www.decryptedtech.com/index....they-are-not-replacing-the-tegra-3&Itemid=138

 

[chamberc]

I too have an E4200 v1, but haven't had any real Wi-Fi issues with either my wife's 32gb or my 64gb. I have an Asus n66u on order so will see if that makes a difference.

 

[demandarin]

Very interesting to say the least. Good find. Will check out the link soon also

 

[jdbaker82]

Ive used 3 different Primes on multiple different routers (Dlink, Linksys, Netgear all different model #s) the only consistant in everything is that every single Prime hits its WiFi deadspot range sooner then any other WiFi device I own (Laptops (2), cell phone, and a Galaxy 10.1 tablet) this all leads me to with 99% certainty that the biggest problem with the Primes WiFi is simply the aluminum backing not a magic handshake.......Basically the range on the Prime would not work outside in the McDonalds parking lot but if I moved 10 ft closer just outside it would for example we are talking 5-15 maybe 20ft difference in range difference with the Prime in most scenarios.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Lol, can't be a problem with an E4200.

I actually bought one of those (a V1 model) to fix my Prime's weak wifi as it has the best 2.5ghz support you can buy. It boosted my speeds in all areas but it didn't increase the range.

 

[Timberline]

Linksys routers are fine, it's their firmware that stinks. Flash the DD-WRT firmware.

 

[PolishPoet]

Linksys routers are fine, it's their firmware that stinks. Flash the DD-WRT firmware.

You've got that right. For something with the Cisco name on it, their software and support sucks far worse than another company that we know and love.

 

[wifesabitch]

Ive used 3 different Primes on multiple different routers (Dlink, Linksys, Netgear all different model #s) the only consistant in everything is that every single Prime hits its WiFi deadspot range sooner then any other WiFi device I own (Laptops (2), cell phone, and a Galaxy 10.1 tablet) this all leads me to with 99% certainty that the biggest problem with the Primes WiFi is simply the aluminum backing not a magic handshake.......

Then how come my Prime with the exact same aluminum backing has perfectly fine wifi performance? Can't be the backing.

 

[jdbaker82]

Then how come my Prime with the exact same aluminum backing has perfectly fine wifi performance? Can't be the backing.

Because you dont know how to test the wifi deadspot range or you didnt bother to test it. The WiFi in most scenarios will work just fine for most people doesnt mean the range doesnt fall off before other WiFi devices.

 

[chamberc]

Lol, can't be a problem with an E4200.

I actually bought one of those (a V1 model) to fix my Prime's weak wifi as it has the best 2.5ghz support you can buy. It boosted my speeds in all areas but it didn't increase the range.

Wrong. The N66U and the 4200v2 blow the V1 away.

 

[wifesabitch]

Because you dont know how to test the wifi deadspot range or you didnt bother to test it. The WiFi in most scenarios will work just fine for most people doesnt mean the range doesnt fall off before other WiFi devices.

haha, nice try.
I tested it fine. Nothing wrong with the aluminium backing.

 

[Rumpelteazer]

I've got a Linksys Access Point WAP610N in the doorway between my office and bedroom because reception of the extender often falls away, the extender is one wooden floor down and two foot thick walls away from my rooms.

My notebook and Blackberry have no problem connecting to the AP, my internet radio has problems connecting but once it's connected it's good, my Kindle refuses to connect and my first Prime (waiting for the replacement) rather connected to the extender than the AP, occasionally it did connect but mostly it connected to the far away extender without any problems.

The most annoying thing is that with the latest firmware the AP keeps resetting itself to channel 11 (the busiest channel) every couple of days I have to change it back to channel 4 which is the one with the least interference/other networks on it. I'm now trying to find out what a good replacement AP is but that's harder than I thought.

 

[=jon=]

I've got a Linksys WRT610N router under my desk at work - having just bought my new Prime into work for the first time, it refuses to see it at all.

Disabling 'mixed mode' (802.11B/G/N) for 2.4GHz and setting it down to just B/G and now the prime sees the network and has full strength. Looks like the Prime has issues with Linksys and mixed mode networks - it works fine at home on my mixed mode airport extreme.

 

[rdalev]

Then how come my Prime with the exact same aluminum backing has perfectly fine wifi performance? Can't be the backing.

Apparently, you have one of the magic one out of one-hundred primes, that performs as advertised, with the exception of GPS, of course !

 

[Ride525]

I asked Skygunner why he though that 9 separate Primes had WiFI issues and if he thought that the common link MIGHT be his E4200 Cisco/Linksys Router.

Since he had already abandoned the Prime, selling his FREE Prime and Keyboard that Asus sent him

How do I get Asus to send me a FREE Prime and Keyboard that I can sell?

 

[Bender B. Rodgriguez]

Yeah lets blame it.on everything except the real problem....
Shotty design and poor quality control. Myself and 3 of.my friends all bought primes around Xmas. Wifi sucked on EVERY single one no matter what make, model of access.point was used. Tested.on netgear, dd-wrt firmware routers, REAL Cisco WAPs, trend net ,zyxel, Linksys, and others.

Sent via smoke signal

 

[wifesabitch]

Apparently, you have one of the magic one out of one-hundred primes, that performs as advertised, with the exception of GPS, of course !

Yup, most Primes don't work, need to be lucky to have the magic ones.

 

[Justin_Thyme]

Putting it in laymans terms that everyone can understand.....THATS 100% BULLSHIT!

I have an E4200 V1 and it works just fine. My prime works with it, my TF101 worked with it, all other wireless devices work with it. I do know it went through a firmware update but thats about it. I can connect to it with anything but the prime out in the street and get 450Mbps on my N devices.

Bottom line is the prime wifi is flawed regardless of what the reason is. Whether the aluminium back is all of it is anyones guess but its not rocket science that aluminum WILLL attenuate RF signals. My prime works fine at home where I have the E4200 and it pretty much saturates all 3500sqft. It did not work period at a hotel I recently stayed at where my laptop and crackberry had about half signal the prime didnt detect it at all.

 

[buxtahuda]

I've got a Linksys WRT610N router under my desk at work - having just bought my new Prime into work for the first time, it refuses to see it at all.

Disabling 'mixed mode' (802.11B/G/N) for 2.4GHz and setting it down to just B/G and now the prime sees the network and has full strength. Looks like the Prime has issues with Linksys and mixed mode networks - it works fine at home on my mixed mode airport extreme.

How strange. I use the same family of routers in my house and my brother's house, on Mixed (DD-WRT firmware though) and have no issues what-so-ever. After several tests, I actually found that Mixed gives me the most reliable distance and through-put as well, so long as I keep the channels low.

I use a WRT620N (with some D-Link as the Primary, required by our alarm set-up) at my house and WRT610N + WRT150N at my brother's.

 

[=jon=]

How strange. I use the same family of routers in my house and my brother's house, on Mixed (DD-WRT firmware though) and have no issues what-so-ever. After several tests, I actually found that Mixed gives me the most reliable distance and through-put as well, so long as I keep the channels low.

I use a WRT620N (with some D-Link as the Primary, required by our alarm set-up) at my house and WRT610N + WRT150N at my brother's.

This is running the stock linksys firmware - technically it's the company's router so I've not got around to installing DD-WRT on it yet...