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Broken Wireless Card?

Tags:
  • Wireless
  • TP-Link
  • Internet Service Providers
  • Wireless Network
Last response: in Wireless Networking
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September 11, 2014 9:43:19 AM

I use the TP - Link PCIe TL-WN881ND. I'm connected to a BT Home Hub 5 and have fiber optic package 2 - 76 mb download and 19mb upload maximum.

PC Specs.
Windows 8.1 64-bit,
CPU: Intel Core i5 4670k,
RAM: 8.00GB DDR3,
MOBO: Asus z87 - K,
GPU: 2047MB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760 (EVGA),
STORAGE: 931GB Seagate ST1000DM003.
PSU: Corsair 550W

My Network Cards driver version is 10.0.0.209. Devices connected to the router (not all at the same time) is about 12. That includes phones and ipads.

I am not receiving any error messages.

My transmission rate (no idea what this is) goes from 1mbps - 30mbps it sometimes goes up to 144mbps but only for 1-2 seconds. I am unable to game or watch high quality videos on YouTube or other sites. Even using Google is slow. I got my wireless card 6 months ago and it was fine up until 2 months ago. I tried installing drivers but all I get is a file with 3 things in it. None of these things inside the file will open anything or start a download.

athw8x.cat
athw8x.inf
athw8x.sys

These are the things in the files.

It could be an issue with windows 8 but the card was working fine a few months ago so I am clueless and would appreciate some help.






More about : broken wireless card

September 11, 2014 10:14:10 AM

If I had access to a USB WiFi device, then I'd do an Uninstall on the TP-Link drivers and Device itself, then power the computer down, physically remove it, power the computer up and plug in the USB WiFi with it's drivers. See how it works.

If you've got another Desktop, I'd plug in the suspicious TP-Link card, load drivers into it and see if the problems follow the Card, or are 'solved' by a new install.

I've never found a single "one answer for all" reason why cards fail, die or go flakey. Frustrations with this religious endeavor often makes me ponder sledgehammers, anvils and whatever-electronic-device is in focus.

I love thinking THEN I could certainly claim why the device no longer works. I think I'd be right.
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September 11, 2014 10:22:35 AM

christinebcw said:
If I had access to a USB WiFi device, then I'd do an Uninstall on the TP-Link drivers and Device itself, then power the computer down, physically remove it, power the computer up and plug in the USB WiFi with it's drivers. See how it works.

If you've got another Desktop, I'd plug in the suspicious TP-Link card, load drivers into it and see if the problems follow the Card, or are 'solved' by a new install.

I've never found a single "one answer for all" reason why cards fail, die or go flakey. Frustrations with this religious endeavor often makes me ponder sledgehammers, anvils and whatever-electronic-device is in focus.

I love thinking THEN I could certainly claim why the device no longer works. I think I'd be right.


I tried that a few weeks ago and the issue I had was the drivers that came with the USB wifi adapter don't work for windows 8 and I couldn't get the ones online as I didn't have internet. Then I got the drivers and tried again but all that was in the driver files were these three things.
athw8x.cat
athw8x.inf
athw8x.sys
and none of them did anything. I would try this again though If i can get drivers that work. Thanks for your reply.
BTW the wifi adapter is TP-Link TL-WN823N 300Mbps Mini Wireless N USB Adapter

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September 11, 2014 10:47:44 AM

Which Win8 do you have? 8.0 32- or 64-bit? Or 8.1 32- or 64-bit? All four will be unique.
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September 11, 2014 10:56:57 AM

Oops... I took a look at the TP Link drivers. They are for Win-8.0 only, so if you're using Win8.1, these two devices are probably non-functional. If they worked with 8.1, then it was during some WinUpdate patch, and maybe something else happened - a reversion? - that 'killed' their functions. But I bet both devices work - if that's any consolation.

(How do I know these are non-8.1? Their dates - only one file has a date after 9/2013, 8.1's release.)

This is not a good thing from TP-Link - refusing to provide updated drivers for past equipment.

This should be a big red-flag for any future consumer, therefore: "We won't support our products - we want you to keep buying new ones." Too bad they don't take these back for THEIR landfill.
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September 11, 2014 12:36:22 PM

Yes I do have 8.1 and I thought it wouldn't be a problem but it obviously is and I will complain to them. Have you any suggestions for a new card that is suitable for gaming?
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September 11, 2014 12:44:20 PM

This is an angering situation to me. "Manufacturers have no incentive to keep older products working with a few minutes for a new driver format." That's what happens, too. The decision is made, "Let's not waste 30 minutes to reformat the old driver - let's trick people into buying new equipment."

We all know the profit-motive. But in a carrot-and-stick world, the stick SHOULD be those decision-makers accept all the landfill crap THEY are thus creating. Let their backyard pools get filled with this stuff. Let them consider landfill costs instead of a new Re-Order and Re-Compile Driver expense. We KNOW which would be greater.

Then...

There's the "This Ain't Over" Department, whereby we recognize these TP-Link products are merely assembled from many standardized parts, and might be exactly identical to another vendor's product.

I am researching this, trying to determine which radio-chipsets on are these products. If I can find the same (or similar) products, I'll bring up downloadable drivers for those, and you can test 'em out.

In the interim, I have converted away from internal cards and now prefer USB WiFi adapters, especially those with 'cradles' and extension USB cords so I can move the WiFi Adapter away from the back of the computer.

Those are running in the $15-30 range, but I'd certainly ensure they have "Win 8.1" drivers listed explicitly.
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September 11, 2014 12:48:59 PM

christinebcw said:
This is an angering situation to me. "Manufacturers have no incentive to keep older products working with a few minutes for a new driver format." That's what happens, too. The decision is made, "Let's not waste 30 minutes to reformat the old driver - let's trick people into buying new equipment."

We all know the profit-motive. But in a carrot-and-stick world, the stick SHOULD be those decision-makers accept all the landfill crap THEY are thus creating. Let their backyard pools get filled with this stuff. Let them consider landfill costs instead of a new Re-Order and Re-Compile Driver expense. We KNOW which would be greater.

Then...

There's the "This Ain't Over" Department, whereby we recognize these TP-Link products are merely assembled from many standardized parts, and might be exactly identical to another vendor's product.

I am researching this, trying to determine which radio-chipsets on are these products. If I can find the same (or similar) products, I'll bring up downloadable drivers for those, and you can test 'em out.

In the interim, I have converted away from internal cards and now prefer USB WiFi adapters, especially those with 'cradles' and extension USB cords so I can move the WiFi Adapter away from the back of the computer.

Those are running in the $15-30 range, but I'd certainly ensure they have "Win 8.1" drivers listed explicitly.


Thankyou! I have a budget of 30 pounds so the best one possible would be great.
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September 11, 2014 1:24:57 PM

Do you have stores locally that sell these? These shouldn't be much more expensive locally than mail-order and, by buying one locally, then you could return it if it doesn't work perfectly, out of the box.

Tell the clerk that you'd like to buy an "N300 USB Wif Adapter" and let them choose. Brand name, not so important. At this point, all of the N-Adapters should have standardized all the differences that older N-Routers offer.

(I don't believe any claim of "Best One" because everyone's environment is different, and those differences render many advantages of one device in one environment moot. So, "Best For You" is something you'll discover. Sorry. Wish I could be certain, but I am fairly convinced "no claimed best ones" work for everyone, everywhere.)
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September 11, 2014 1:31:44 PM

I have a currys/pc world.
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September 11, 2014 1:33:05 PM

By the way, if and when the solution is found AND if you can't use these, set them aside for "non Win 8.1" installations - they will probably be fine for 7, 8.0 and it would be interesting to install one before loading Win 9 to see how Win9 treats them!
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!