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Thomas__

updated

13 years ago

T

Thomas__

3 Posts

0

115111

September 4th, 2012 06:00

really unreliable wifi connection

Hi

I have recently bought an xps13 with an  Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6235/6230 wireless adapter on board. I actually bought this machine because I heard about this project, assuming I would not have too many issues with driver support and such.

Unfortunately, my connection is really unstable, I've installed my machine using the iso provided throught the sputnik project, with all the latest updated applied. Still the same issue, I'm constantly getting disconnects and very low connection speed whenever I'm connected. I've looked far and wide, and there seem to be a few tricks one can apply (disabling certain modes, ... I'm no expert on this), but none of them seem to work reliably.

Seriously, how can this be a problem on a machine where a whole project like this is based on? I would assume that connectivity is the number one concern on *any* portable device, especially on an ultrabook.

I'd be more than glad to provide logs or any information that could be of use to get this issue resolved.

Other than the connectivity issue, I think this machine is the very best I have ever used, great portability, smooth keyboard, very very good build quality,... Just overall, a really great machine.

regards

  • 1030

    0

    Posted September 6th, 2012 09:00

    I'll share your issues with the team and see if I can get some feedback for you.  Have you submitted the issue into the bug reporting Barton and team set up?  launchpad.net/dell-sputnik

  • tyto99

    6 Posts

    1027

    0

    Posted September 6th, 2012 09:00

    I'm having similar problems. On my brand new xps13 network-manager

    sometimes simply can't make a connection -- the network's AP's visible

    but it just tries several times and then gives up. Rebooting the

    machine sometimes fixed the problem, sometimes not. Last night I sat

    on the couch and cold booted the machine 5-7 times. First time it

    connected, rest of the time if failed (10ft away from the AP).  It

    seems to be worse following wake from suspend, but it's so

    unpredictable I can't seem to track the cause down.

    Windows7 connects ever time under the same conditions.

    For completeness -- It's a brand new i5 xps13. I installed 12.04LTS

    and then updated from the sputnik ppas. I've tried this under both

    gnome and xfce4 (at first I thought this was an xfce4 problem, but

    it doesn't appear to be).

    Any ideas?  Basically things work ok -- my three issues are:

    1. this (erratic network-manager performance)

    2. squirrely touchpad

    3. occasionally lip closing doesn't trigger suspend (again, too

       random to track down so far)

    Any ideas?

  • 1030

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    Posted September 7th, 2012 10:00

    I spoke to my contacts and they also suggest posting the issues to the bug tool so it can accellerate the process of finding a solution.  Also when submitting the bugs, include information on the makes and models of the access points you are having trouble connecting to if you can.

  • MikeG1

    4 Posts

    1030

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    Posted September 7th, 2012 17:00

    Not seeing *major* issues here, but after 2 days continuously on wifi the XPS 13 decided it couldn't log in. Rebooting fixed.

    Hitting an Apple Airport.

  • parrsboro

    4 Posts

    1030

    0

    Posted September 7th, 2012 20:00

    I have the same problem,  I purchased a top end Dell computer thinking I wouldn't have such a problem, very frustrating and don't what to do.  Now I can't connect at all (using my old puter now) for the last few days. I'm thinking of purchasing a new card.

    Dave

  • DELL-Barton George

    9 Technologist

    537 Posts

    1030

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    Posted September 10th, 2012 20:00

    Hi Thomas,

    Sorry its taken so long to get back to you.  I pinged the team and they have not seen issues for connectivity reliability thus far on the units they've been working with.  That being said, you're not the first person who mentioned they had an issue with connectivity.

    To help us trouble shoot, can you provide the following:

    What type of WiFi protection they have (WEP, WPA, WPA2, none) and if they are using WPA/WPA2, what kind of security are they using (TKIP, AES, etc.).  Also, knowing what kind of range they are seeing this on would be helpful.  Is the connection unreliable even with the machine right next to Access Point? And attaching /var/log/syslog to a bug would also be helpful.

    thanks for your support of Project Sputnik and glad you are enjoying the system beyond the connectivity issue.

    thanks!

  • Thomas__

    3 Posts

    1030

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    Posted September 12th, 2012 01:00

    It seems to be especially bad with the wireless routers at work, it can take + 10 reboots and dozens of attempts to get connected. Once I'm connected, the connections seems to fail more rapidly when I'm generating a lot of traffic.

    There is no wifi protection enabled. The range doesn't seem to matter at all (and with other devices, I'm getting perfect connectivity from the very same location) .  

    I shall attach /var/log/syslog and the output of dmesg to the bug in launchpad.

    Thanks!

  • DELL-Barton George

    9 Technologist

    537 Posts

    1030

    0

    Posted September 12th, 2012 08:00

    Thanks!

  • parrsboro

    4 Posts

    1030

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    Posted September 15th, 2012 00:00

    Still frustrated, problem seems to be getting worse with time,  The Dell name doesn't  mean the same to me any more, it's not so much the connection problem, that is probable fixable, but it's lack of Dell support. to fix it.

  • 606

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    Posted September 15th, 2012 12:00

    Just to offer a contrary experience, I haven't had any wi-fi issues whatsoever. I have a funky mix of routers and extenders connecting to both cable and FiOS at home, and just used the Sputnik for a week at a conference connecting to conference and hotel wi-fi as well as my Verizion hotspot, and didn't have a single issue.