I've got a somewhat older Alienware Alpha R2, which still works great apart from one thing.
Got a new 5GHz router, and it won't connect on the 5GHz band (2.4GHz works fine). Other devices connect 5GHz no problems, but the Alienware refuses.
Drivers seem up to date and working. No errors in Device Manager. I figure there's probably a helpful regional setting (I'm in New Zealand) that would unlock the potential to use wireless AC/N on 5Ghz, but I can't find it.
Anyone had this problem and can offer some assistance? Thanks
10/100/1000 Mbps Realtek RTL8111 Ethernet controller integrated on system board
Wireless
Wi-Fi 802.11a/g/n
Wi-Fi 802.11a/g/n/ac
Bluetooth
So there is both the older and newer WiFi options for this Alpha R2. Was yours shipped with the Wireless N/ac adapter card?
Also, Dell seems to have marketed the Alpha R2 under Alienware Desktop but the support page is shared with the Alienware Steam Machine which is a console I believe so if you haven't posted in the Alienware Console community page, I recommend you post the same question there too.
ALPHA R2 also has the amplifier connector whereas the ASM100 steam machine does not. Easiest way to fix this is to remove the onboard wifi and use Edimax EW-7811UTC AC600 Dual-Band USB Adapter wifi adapter. Windows 8 and 10 this is plug and play.
that means do not buy parts from USA or Asia (west ) that use other frequencies or inf act have some channels dead or illegal in New Zealand.
let me be clear. use only Legit New Zealand WIFI devices. (see your list see all the "NO"s there?)
then
in the router , in the 5GHz page make sure AUTO is turned on, OK< this will help it skip channels
that are illegal in New Zealand (think like this, your country may use channels here for military or other vast resaons) that is why they have their OWN country WIFI GROUP and for sure is not ours.
also the letters on the end of 801.11xxxxxxxxx must be right. what do you have on both ends.
what FCC (N.Zealand) certification stamps are on your WIFI card and on the router (IDK)
Sometimes the 5ghz channel selected by the router may not be compatible with the 5ghz transceiver in the PC. Try changing channels on the router to something else and see if it helps.
You know I think you're right - I could spend 12 years trying to get this to work, or just buy a $12 adapter. Heck, where it is I could upgrade the switch with more ports and just wire it in.
>> Was yours shipped with the Wireless N/ac adapter card?
Apparently so. It's got the 8260 multichannel card onboard. The drivers install, and claim to have 2.4GHz and 5GHz settings (with things like prefer-5ghz as an option [which does nothing]). If the 8260 is a card with both 2.4 and 2.5/5g options, that would be problematic The build note says it has this in it:
"Intel(R) Dual Band Wireless-AC 8260 2x2 + Bluetooth 4.2"
GTS81
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Posted August 22nd, 2019 22:00
Hi,
I see this on the documents page:
So there is both the older and newer WiFi options for this Alpha R2. Was yours shipped with the Wireless N/ac adapter card?
Also, Dell seems to have marketed the Alpha R2 under Alienware Desktop but the support page is shared with the Alienware Steam Machine which is a console I believe so if you haven't posted in the Alienware Console community page, I recommend you post the same question there too.