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ParryForte

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ParryForte

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August 22nd, 2019 15:00

Alienware Alpha R2 won't connect on 5GHZ

Hey friends.

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

  • GTS81

    2 Intern

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    2249 Posts

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    Posted August 22nd, 2019 22:00

    Hi,

    I see this on the documents page:

    Ethernet 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.

  • speedstep

    11 Legend

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    46969 Posts

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    Posted August 23rd, 2019 05:00

    Alpha R2 is not the ASM100 steam machine.

    Default card on this model is 2.4ghz only.

     

    • Intel Core i7-6700T 2.2GHz; 1256GB SATA; 16GB DDR3
    • NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 4GIG

    The ASM100 has GTX 860 with 2 gig video ram.

    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.

    https://www.walmart.com/ip/Edimax-AC600-Wireless-Dual-Band-Mini-USB-Adapter/32106870

     

     

     

     

  • savvy2

    4 Apprentice

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    Posted August 23rd, 2019 05:00

    NOT WITHSTANDING , wrong card in PC, even 2.4GHz only card,  there are vast ways to fail. 5Ghz.

    Down under.

    no distance from PC to router stated,  5GHz is not going to go through walls easy, that is a fact, !

    the denser the walls there, the worst it gets. and slower or dead.

    New Zealand has its  own FCC there that regulates both bands, for sure 5GHZ

    use the wiki here, learn that this complex in 1 click,  see those amazing restrictions?

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_WLAN_channels

    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)

    5 GHz (802.11a/h/j/n/ac/ax)??????????????

    there are 2 classes of 5 GHZ routers,.  ones that fail over to 5 when 2.4 fails and those that run both at same time (far better)

    where did you buy your PC or wifi card and where  router (I hope not EBAY , getting wrong parts is fail)

  • amstel78

    2 Intern

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    402 Posts

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    Posted August 23rd, 2019 06:00

    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.

  • savvy2

    4 Apprentice

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    Posted August 23rd, 2019 06:00

    what is in any old PC who knows.?

    even dell does CTO, configured to order.

    or changed out later by other or you and forgot, we do is :

    why not look first:

    wifi cards are complex for sure 5Ghz band. buying non N.Zealand cards would be very problematic.

    not only that but not just channels restricted by power restricted, and 5GHz for sure be dead through walls more so if power restricted.

    open case look inside,  gander at the wifi card ,get all data off that sticker and google it.

    then see what it is, and see what country it is FOR. (looking matters, for sure here)

    here is my yankee  router (extended wired access point AP)
    5ghz.JPG

     

    Settings matter

    and DISTANCE< on 5GHZ stinks,

    learn to use INSSIDER.exe (free) say on any laptop with 5GHz , then walk about in the home?

    see 5Ghz gets weak and slower so easy with distance and walls, (BINGO it is that is how RF works, on higher frequencies)

    5GHz is great if it added to the mix.  but by itself not so good at all, learn this with INSIDDER.exe.

    but if the PC is in the same room a the router well that be different and NOT STATED at all.

     

  • ParryForte

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    Posted August 24th, 2019 16:00

    >> Windows 8 and 10 this is plug and play.

    >> https://www.walmart.com/ip/Edimax-AC600-Wireless-Dual-Band-Mini-USB-Adapter/32106870

     

    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.

  • ParryForte

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    Posted August 24th, 2019 16:00

    >> 5GHz is not going to go through walls easy, that is a fact

    This is a good point - although in my instance, it's about ~1.5m from the hotspot, with LoS, so I don't think it's a signalling issue.

     

  • ParryForte

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    Posted August 24th, 2019 16:00

    >> 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"

    I infer from that it's supposed to be dual band