Asus X202E Atheros WiFi Intermittent, Bluetooth Working (AR9485WB-EG)
On-hold / Will update soon:
I will try to replace the I/O board to try to narrow-down the potential cause of the problem. I will post my findings and update here when I do that.
- Big thanks to @jayeff for guiding me and for being so patient.
Background:
Bought this as a pre-owned device. Everything that should work, works, except for the Wi-Fi.
Problem:
- Wireless Adapter: Qualcomm Atheros AR9485WB-EG Wireless Network Adapter
- The Wi-Fi software switch on Windows is DISABLED intermittently (grayed-out).
- Bluetooth from the very same wireless card always works.
(Though the Bluetooth device is identified by a different model number) - (ADDED) When the Wi-Fi software switch does work, websites may or may not load, even when signal strength values seem acceptable.
Things already tried:
- I already tried a fresh install of another operating system (Windows 10), the same problem is present.
- (ADDED) I already tried DISABLING "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" in the properties window of the wireless adapter in the Device Manager.
This did NOT make the issue go away, and also causes the laptop to get "stuck" when going to sleep or hibernation. - (ADDED) The software switch will work, when it works, will NOT work when it doesn't, regardless of which power state I resume the device from: boot with fast startup; cold boot via restart or via restart + interrupt next boot to power on using power button; resume from sleep; resume from hibernation.
- I already tried reseating the wireless card, and also try another Wi-Fi card, the software switch still will not budge if it is DISABLED.
- I already tried reseating the I/O board / secondary board.
- USB wireless network adapters work.
- Windows Device Manager "sees" the device, does NOT report any problems.
- Problem seems present regardless of which driver I'm using.
(The built-in one from Microsoft; Version .260 by Qualcomm from Windows Update; Version .263 by Qualcomm from the Asus website) - Problem seems present even after updating the BIOS version from 207 to the most recent one, version 210.
Other hypotheses:
- This may be an issue with the black " sheet covers" missing from the "I/O board / secondary board" that also connects to the wireless card?
(There seems to be two [2] boards inside this laptop: the motherboard with the CPU and memory, AC power port, and I/O ports like the one USB 3, two USB 2, HDMI, and Ethernet;
The "I/O or secondary board" that surrounds the SSD, and connects to the PCI wireless card, with I/O ports for VGA, USB, 3.5 mm audio jack, and SD card reader) - This may be an issue with the missing screws (not all screws were included on purchase) interfering with the Wi-Fi, or other similar electrical issues?
Does this make sense? - This may be an issue with the "I/O board" itself, potentially needing replacement.
We have reason to believe that it is NOT the contact point between the I/O board and motherboard, nor the motherboard itself that's causing the issue because all other I/O ports on the I/O board, also including Bluetooth connectivity are working well.
Image(s):
[Screenshot of the Device Manager]
[Screenshot of the "software switches" on Windows 8.1]
Update (10/24/2022)
@jayeff hello
I do not know how to add images to comments.
When closer to the router, I get around -50 to -45.
Here is the screenshot when I'm at my usual spot (farther from the router):
Esta é uma boa pergunta?