Hi all
We're having troubles with a laptop (fresh out of the box). It is a new Inspiron 15R (N5110) which has the Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1030 Bluetooth adapter.
The problem we're experiencing is when the laptop connects via wireless, all other wireless devices are intermittently disconnected and pings to the wireless router go from 1-2ms up to 100-400ms - this makes all machines virtually unusable and we end up turning off the new laptop. I have tried the laptop on 3 different wireless AP/routers (different locations and manufacturers) and the same problem occurs. I have reloaded the laptop to the factory image and tried re-installing the wireless drivers found on the Dell support site.
After a bit of trouble-shooting I found that the issue only occurs when the laptop is running on battery. I checked the Windows power settings and the wireless adapter was set to 'Medium Power save' when on battery, I changed it to 'Full performance' and it appeared to solve the problem. However I have been informed that the laptop has started mis-behaving again.
I'm suspected faulty wireless adapter - any other ideas?
Cheers,
Aaron
I´m on the same situation, windows 7 64 bits, Inspiron 15r, my other wifi devices performs well in the same place
This is likely a problem where Intel's PSP (Power Save Polling) mode is not compatible with the APs on your wireless network. This is especially the case if changing the power management setting to Full Performance helped. Here is a link from Intel documenting the problem.
www.intel.com/.../cs-006205.htm
Cause:
PSP mode is a feature that provides extended battery life for notebook computers. It requires coordination between the AP or router and the Wi-Fi adapter. Intel has discovered that some APs or routers may not implement the feature correctly or completely.
Solution:
Contact the AP or router vendor for updated software or firmware that corrects the problem.
Alternate Solution:
An optional workaround is to manually put the Wi-Fi adapter into Continuously Aware Mode (CAM). This disables the PSP feature. The Wi-Fi adapter can be put into CAM using the following methods:
Use Intel® PROSet/Wireless WiFi Connection Utility to Set CAM
Click Advanced > Adapter Settings > Advanced tab.
Select Power Management and uncheck Default / Auto and move the slider to Highest / Maximum Performance.
If the slider is already at Highest / Maximum Performance, move the slider to another setting and then back to Highest / Maximum Performance.
Use Network Control Panel Applet (NCPA) to Set CAM
Put the wireless adapter into Continuously Aware Mode using the following steps.
Click Start > Settings > Control Panel.
Double-click Network Connections.
Right-click the wireless connection and click Properties.
Click Configure.
Click the Advanced tab.
Select the Power Management setting, uncheck Default / Auto and move the slider to Highest / Maximum Performance. Note: If the slider is already at Highest / Maximum Performance, move the slider to another setting and then back to Highest / Maximum Performance.
You can also go back into power options and change it back to maximum performance.
I hope that this helps.
TB
Hi guys, I thought I'd chime in to say I'm having the exact same issue on my i3 model of the device. Thanks for the troubleshooting method Terry but unfortunately this has not been a solution for me. My wireless adapter drops out the instant the machine switches to battery power and the machine needs to be restarted in order for the adapter to be recognized again.
Kokusho
If the system is not recognizing the wireless adapter (the adapter disappears from device manager), then you may have a corrupt wireless driver or a defective wireless card. I suggest uninstalling the driver and if the wireless adapter is easy to access in your model of computer reseat the wireless card.
If the problem is the wireless card is not seeing any wireless networks when under battery power. You are connected to your wireless network and you disconnect the AC adapter to the system so it switches to battery and all of a sudden the wireless nic can't see any networks. I certainly suggest checking with the manufacturer of your router / AP and see if there have any firmware updates available to make them compatible with Intel PSP.
One other possible workaround if there are no upgrades available for the router is to make sure that there are no power management settings in device manager for the wireless card. Click start, right click Computer and choose properties, then click on the device manager link to the left. Double click on the wireless adapter and click on power management. Make sure that “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power” is unchecked.
Hi Terry
Thanks for the info relating to the issue.
As for the fault, I haven't had a chance to check whether the APs support the PSP mode, however I did try the laptop on three completely different APs (1x D-Link, 1x Linksys, 1x Edimax - admittedly all are at least 3-5 years old) and all of them reacted the same way. Either I'm am extremely unlucky with the APs I tried it on, or I would've thought that support for PSP must be quite limited and should've been disabled by default?
As for the laptop, the customer is happy with the current operation of the wireless, and the battery life is good, so have left the Maximum performance setting on (I assume that it will not use a great deal more power).
It is a shame I lost so much hair troubleshooting it in the first place, but I will know if I come across it again.
Does a Dlink DI.524 router have this PSP support for the Dell wireless card?
Palinka
I certainly suggest updating the firmware on your router if any is available, then try the work around listed on the following link
http://www.intel.com/support/wireless/wlan/sb/cs-006205.htm
If the problem continues please try updating the wireless driver
support.dell.com/.../driverslist.aspx
Please let me know if the problem continues.
Hi
I've got the same problem, brand new Inspiron, with Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1030.
When I click to configure the wireless connection, and select Power Management (which is it's own tab, NOT under Advanced) my only two options are "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" which was originally checked (I unchecked it and it made no difference to the loss of wireless so I have re-checked it) and "Allow this device to wake the computer" which is greyed out.
Where can I find this all important power management slider?
Help please!
Right, I found the power management stuff - Power Options via Control panel, Dell plan, click to change advanced settings, then adjust wireless adapter settings - power saving mode - to maximum performance, but it still makes no difference, I cannot connect wirelessly for more than about a second. My Sony Vaio laptop is working fine (unless the Dell's tripped the router...) - this brand new Dell is no good..
Beeblebrox42
What is the brand and make of the wireless router that you have tried? If you are fairly comfortable in configuring your router what form of WIFI security are you using WEP, WPA 2 or WPA 2 with EAP extensions? If you have tried, have you noticed any change in performance when changing the security type?
It's a Thomson 585 v.8. I wouldn't be happy changing the security (it's WPA2) as I do internet banking etc. However, someone suggested I disabled wireless n on the card on the Dell and that has worked, it now connects wirelessly and stays connected, although I presume it's less than ideal as it's a brand new laptop.
Hi,
Now I know what the heck is going on my laptop. I am in the same boat with you guys. It is a brand new Inspiron N5110 with Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1030. I am in a room with ten other people. Their laptops are working well except mine. There was also no prolem with my old laptop (Lenovo G470). I am really upset since my job need to get in internet.
I tried all the suggested solutions but they does not work. I am very disapointed with Dell if they don’t fix this problem. I think they should not use Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1030 anymore.
I found in another post that the only solution is get another wireless adapter.
en.community.dell.com/.../19390055.aspx
Have you tried disabling wireless n on the card?
No, I do not.
Can you show me how to disable wireless n? I mean I did not know exactly what is wireless n. Thanks.
Tu