Wireless Problem on Vortex IV: Killer wireless N1202 network card

[Mpatel89]

Hey I recently (December 2013) brought a vortex IV 15.6 inch laptop. The wireless internet seems to randomly drop a few times a day. No idea what the cause is. I have been in touch with pcspecialist who gave me the driver to download. I did not uninstall the original driver, just installed what they sent me. the problem has not been resolved. They have offered to send me a new card or send the laptop back unfortunately I am studying abroad during term time so can't get it to them till Easter.

When I try running the manual diagnostic test through Intel Proset wireless software, the hardware test fails outright saying 'wireless hardware not bound to transport driver'

When the internet drops I either go troubleshoot problem which automatically diagnoses something and resets the wireless adapter (I have pasted the diagnostic report below) or I have to go through network sharing centre and enable/disable the wireless adapter manually because troubleshooting doesn't realise that the internet has dropped.


Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated

Thanks

A copy of the windows network diagnostic report


Issues found Detection details

5 Problem with wireless adapter or access point Fixed Fixed

Reset the wireless adapter Completed

InformationalNetwork Diagnostics Log
File Name: 26F30498-0092-41C9-BD5B-7B330E1380EE.Repair.Admin.1.etl


Investigate router or access point issues Not run

If you're connected to a hotspot or domain network, contact the network administrator. Otherwise: 1. Unplug or turn off the device. 2. After all the lights on the device are off, wait at least 10 seconds. 3. Turn the device back on or plug it back into the power outlet. To restart a router or access point that has a built-in battery, press and quickly release the Reset button.
Refer to Windows Help and Support for more information about wireless connectivity problems Not run

Windows cannot resolve your wireless connectivity issue.


Detection details Expand

InformationalDiagnostics Information (Network Adapter)
Details about network adapter diagnosis:

Network adapter Wireless Network Connection driver information:

Description . . . . . . . . . . : Killer Wireless-N 1202 (2.4GHz and 5GHz)
Manufacturer . . . . . . . . . : Qualcomm Atheros Inc.
Provider . . . . . . . . . . . : Qualcomm Atheros Inc.
Version . . . . . . . . . . . : 10.0.1.247
Inf File Name . . . . . . . . . : C:\Windows\INF\oem24.inf
Inf File Date . . . . . . . . . : Friday, May 31, 2013 12:46:12 AM
Section Name . . . . . . . . . : ATHR_DEV_OS61_946x.ndi
Hardware ID . . . . . . . . . . : pci\ven_168c&dev_0034&subsys_20031a56
Instance Status Flags . . . . . : 0x180200a
Device Manager Status Code . . : 0
IfType . . . . . . . . . . . . : 71
Physical Media Type . . . . . . : 9



InformationalDiagnostics Information (Wireless Connectivity)
Details about wireless connectivity diagnosis:

Information for connection being diagnosed
Interface GUID: 6ac5090e-1746-4a14-ba3b-5f9fe842a8ea
Interface name: Killer Wireless-N 1202 (2.4GHz and 5GHz)
Interface type: Native WiFi

Connection incident diagnosed
Auto Configuration ID: 1
Connection ID: 1

Connection status summary
Connection started at: 2014-01-14 12:05:45-579
Profile match: Success
Pre-Association: Success
Association: Success
Security and Authentication: Success

List of visible access point(s): 2 item(s) total, 2 item(s) displayed
BSSID BSS Type PHY Signal(dB) Chnl/freq SSID
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
16-09-0F-49-B7-97 Infra <unknown> -73 1 UNic Public WiFi
12-09-0F-49-A9-F7 Infra <unknown> -66 6 UNic Public WiFi

Connection History

Information for Auto Configuration ID 1

List of visible networks: 1 item(s) total, 1 item(s) displayed
BSS Type PHY Security Signal(RSSI) Compatible SSID
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Infra <unknown> No 68 Yes UNic Public WiFi

List of preferred networks: 5 item(s)
Profile: UNic Med School Students WiFi
SSID: UNic Med School Students WiFi
SSID length: 29
Connection mode: Infra
Security: Yes
Set by group policy: No
Connect even if network is not broadcasting: No
Connectable: No
Reason: 0x00028002
Profile: CHOUSE
SSID: CHOUSE
SSID length: 6
Connection mode: Infra
Security: No
Set by group policy: No
Connect even if network is not broadcasting: No
Connectable: No
Reason: 0x00028002
Profile: UNic Public WiFi
SSID: UNic Public WiFi
SSID length: 16
Connection mode: Infra
Security: No
Set by group policy: No
Connect even if network is not broadcasting: No
Connectable: Yes
Profile: HITRON-D3D0
SSID: HITRON-D3D0
SSID length: 11
Connection mode: Infra
Security: Yes
Set by group policy: No
Connect even if network is not broadcasting: No
Connectable: No
Reason: 0x00028002
Profile: SKY84C55
SSID: SKY84C55
SSID length: 8
Connection mode: Infra
Security: Yes
Set by group policy: No
Connect even if network is not broadcasting: No
Connectable: No
Reason: 0x00028002

Information for Connection ID 1
Connection started at: 2014-01-14 12:05:45-579
Auto Configuration ID: 1
Profile: UNic Public WiFi
SSID: UNic Public WiFi
SSID length: 16
Connection mode: Infra
Security: No
Pre-Association and Association
Connectivity settings provided by hardware manufacturer (IHV): No
Security settings provided by hardware manufacturer (IHV): No
Profile matches network requirements: Success
Pre-association status: Success
Association status: Success
Last AP: 16-09-0f-49-b7-97
Security and Authentication
Configured security type: Open
Configured encryption type: None
802.1X protocol: No
Key exchange initiated: Yes
Unicast key received: No
Multicast key received: No
Number of security packets received: 0
Number of security packets sent: 0
Security attempt status: Success
Connectivity
Packet statistics
Ndis Rx: 5539
Ndis Tx: 4262
Unicast decrypt success: 0
Multicast decrypt success: 0
Unicast decrypt failure: 0
Multicast decrypt failure: 0
Rx success: 58
Rx failure: 1698
Tx success: 109
Tx failure: 0
Tx retry: 5
Tx multiple retry: 2
Tx max lifetime exceeded: 0
Tx ACK failure: 558
Roaming history: 3 item(s)
Times: 2014-01-14 12:07:47-305
Roamed from BSSID: 12-09-0f-49-a9-f7
Reason: 0x00000002
Times: 2014-01-14 12:06:57-426
Roamed from BSSID: 12-09-0f-49-a9-f7
Reason: 0x00010002
Times: 2014-01-14 12:06:42-431
Roamed from BSSID: 16-09-0f-49-b7-97
Reason: 0x00010002




InformationalDiagnostics Information (Wireless Connectivity)
Details about wireless connectivity diagnosis:

For complete information about this session see the wireless connectivity information event.

Helper Class: Auto Configuration
Initialize status: Success

Information for connection being diagnosed
Interface GUID: 6ac5090e-1746-4a14-ba3b-5f9fe842a8ea
Interface name: Killer Wireless-N 1202 (2.4GHz and 5GHz)
Interface type: Native WiFi

Result of diagnosis: There may be problem






InformationalNetwork Diagnostics Log
File Name: 26F30498-0092-41C9-BD5B-7B330E1380EE.Diagnose.Admin.0.etl

InformationalOther Networking Configuration and Logs
File Name: NetworkConfiguration.cab

Collection information
Computer Name: MEHUL-PC
Windows Version: 6.1
Architecture: amd64
Time: Tuesday, January 14, 2014 12:17:20 PM

 

[ubuysa]

I wasn't aware that the Intel Pro/Set diagnostic tool worked with any wifi cards other than Intel ones? I don't have a Killer card so I have no idea whether the INtel diagnostics work with it or not. It wouldn't surprise me to find that it doesn't, at least not properly. So the first thing I'd check is that the Intel Pro/Set tools will run on Killer cards, because if they don't all that diagnostic info is meaningless.

I can see that your wifi card is working because you are making connections. Random dropped connections is a common problem with wifi and is often environmental rather than a physical or software problem with your laptop and/or wifi card. Wifi uses low power microwave signals which are easily absorbed, reflected, refracted and jammed by a range of things. Rebar in concrete walls and ceilings is a very effective barrier to wifi signals and cordless (landline) phones, fluorescent light fittings, microwave ovens and a similar range of everyday devices can (and do) interfere with wifi. I was once involved in locating an intermittent wifi problem that turned out to be arching in a faulty electric light switch nearby. So the second thing I'd try is to change the location of the laptop looking for an area of better or more reliable reception.

Try to eliminate environmental effects before you start suspecting a faulty wifi card.