T4 freezing / losing network connection

[allie181]

Hi

I have a T4 and the beyonwiz wireless-N USB adapter (purchased in May 2017). The T4 is connected wirelessly to my home network. I have mounted a folder on my laptop to watch videos stored on my laptop. I also use Icetv on my T4. My router is an Asus DSL-AC68U. I have an Opticomm fibre internet connection which is fairly reliable.

For the last few months my T4 has been freezing during playback of videos on my laptop. It doesn't unfreeze and all I can do to fix it is turn the power off on the back of the T4. Usually when I restart the T4 I then have to remount my laptop to the T4.

This problem has become more frequent to the point where I can't watch anything without it freezing.

My modem is in the other end of the house and I can't move it, so a wired connection isn't an option.

I don't have any spare routers lying around to use as a wireless access point. If I go down that path I'll need to buy one. I would prefer the adapter option though as it is a simpler "plug and play" option and avoids extra mucking around (I have a 10 week old newborn so finding a block of time to work on this will be difficult!).

I don't know why it has become problematic lately as there have been no changes at home / to the home network.

The T4 network info page says:
* Link quality: 100/100
* Bitrate: 144.4 Mb/s
* Signal strength: 50 dBm

I'm running off the 16.1 firmware (upgraded 2017-03-10). I had upgraded to 17.5 but it was causing the T4 to have even more connection problems (like aidianshade outlined in https://beyonwiz.com.au/forum/viewtopic ... 43&t=12974) so I reinstalled 16.1.

(1) Could the wireless adapter be the problem and need to be replaced, or is this unlikely? (If replacement is suggested, is this OK? https://www.msy.com.au/vic/pascoevale/p ... apter.html

(2) Is there a way I can connect my laptop directly to the T4 to avoid the need to use wifi at all?

(3) If I do need to go down the wireless access point path, am I correct that this ( https://www.msy.com.au/vic/pascoevale/p ... tenna.html ) is a decent option?

Thanks in advance!

[Grumpy_Geoff]

For the last few months my T4 has been freezing during playback of videos on my laptop. It doesn't unfreeze and all I can do to fix it is turn the power off on the back of the T4. Usually when I restart the T4 I then have to remount my laptop to the T4.

That sounds like the IP address of the laptop changes. Do you have the laptop on a static/reserved IP address within the modem/router?
Is the laptop still in the running state (i.e. not in sleep mode) when the video playback freezing occurs?

This problem has become more frequent to the point where I can't watch anything without it freezing.

Is the laptop still in the running state (i.e. not in sleep mode) when the video playback freezing occurs?

My modem is in the other end of the house and I can't move it, so a wired connection isn't an option.

The freezing sounds like the T4 is losing its wireless network connection.
You could consider using powerline/ethernet-over-power/homeplug adapters, as you might get a more consistent network connection.
The wireless-N adapter (RTL8192CU chipset) you have from Beyonwiz is not a great performer in later 17.5-series firmwares. I believe it was okay in 16.1 and earlier series.
If you wanted to purchase another adapter, I'd be looking at one I tried recently - TP-Link T4U, but you have to go on to the latest 20190206 beta firware as that is where the driver for the RTL8812AU chipset was updated to identify the TP-Link adapters.
https://www.msy.com.au/vic/pascoevale/n ... apter.html
Don't believe the "On Sale" banner, $54 is its usual price but they did have it for a while at $39.

You can also use a wireless-to-ethernet bridge, that TP-Link TL-WA801ND access point you identified can operate in ethernet bridge mode (its "Client Mode"), handing off an ethernet connection you'd plug in to your T4. That makes it Beyonwiz firmware agnostic.

[allie181]

Thanks Geoff for your reply.

Yes, the laptop is set to always on and both the laptop and T4 have their own static IPs.

I think I'll buy the new adapter you've recommended and update to the beta firmware and see how I go.

Thanks again.

[allie181]

Hi Geoff

I've purchased the TP-Link T4U.

I've updated my T4 to run the latest firmware (beyonwiz-17.5 20190206).

I plugged in the T4U to the back of my T4. I pressed WPS on my modem/router (Asus DSL-AC68U) and on the T4U and then ran the network wizard on the T4, but it says my internet connection is not working.

How do I get the T4U to work?

Thanks!

[MrQuade]

You'll need to reboot the T4 before it can find and use the new adaptor.

Also, as a general note, using WPS is generally Jyoti the best idea in terms of security. Best to avoid using it.

Sure you have rebooted, go through the exact steps you are taking, and let us know where the process is failing for you.

[allie181]

Hi Geoff

I did the following:

1. Rebooted the T4 with the T4U plugged in

Once the T4 had restarted
2. I pressed the WPS button on the T4U
3. About 15 seconds later, I pressed the WPS button on my router
4. About a minute later, I ran a "network test" and got the following result:
* Lan adapter - LAN connection (green)
* Local network - disconnected (red)
* DHCP - enabled (green)
* IP address - unconfirmed (red)
* Nameserver - unconfirmed (red)

I've gone into "edit settings" and manually added the nameserver IP but this hasn't helped.

I've done the above several times, to no avail.

Any ideas?

Thanks again

[Star6key]

... Jyoti ...

Are you showing off your new Hindi skills, or is that some crazy ass Auto-Correct you're using?

[MrQuade]

Are you showing off your new Hindi skills, or is that some crazy ass Auto-Correct you're using?

Just Trevor at it again.

[MrQuade]

Any ideas?

First thing is to not use WPS. Aside from being insecure, I doubt the T4 knows how to deal with it.

Just run through the network setup process manually on the T4.
Make sure the T4U has been detected.
Makes sure the T4U is selected as the active network adaptor.
Perform the network setup on the T4 by searching for your WiFi access point.
Select your WiFi network, enter your password and other network settings.

[Grumpy_Geoff]

2. I pressed the WPS button on the T4U

I don't know if the driver recognises WPS, so I think you should set it up using the "network wizard".

MENU>>Setup>>Network>>Network adapter selection>>OK, then scroll up/down to Network wizard>>OK.
Press OK on the "initial welcome" screen, then select Scan available networks>>OK.
Wait for the results.
Select your wireless network name/SSID from the list of results, and press OK to get to the configuration screens.
Enable 'Use interface'.
Then on the expanded screen set 'Use DHCP' to enabled.
For 'Encryption type', check your router setup to see what you've set there (either 'WPA2' only, or both 'WPA/WPA2') and set the same type in the T4.
Scroll down to 'Encryption key' and press TEXT to bring up the on-screen keyboard to enter the wireless password. Once the password has been entered, press GREEN to return to the config screen (double-check the password).
Press OK to now connect to the wireless network. Press OK to any "are you sure you want to activate..." prompt. Await all three prompts to timeout (activating, activated, testing).

If that doesn't work, take some screenshots with the 'Shootyourscreen' plugin. Since your T4 doesn't have a working network connection, you'll have to download it to your computer, put it on a flash drive, sneaker-net it to the T4 and install it.
See ShootYourScreen plugin download / setup post

[allie181]

Make sure the T4U has been detected.

How do I do this? (I’ve searched all menus on the T4 and have looked through the forum for the answer but no luck)

Makes sure the T4U is selected as the active network adaptor.

Same question as above. Sorry

[allie181]

2. I pressed the WPS button on the T4U

I don't know if the driver recognises WPS, so I think you should set it up using the "network wizard".

MENU>>Setup>>Network>>Network adapter selection>>OK, then scroll up/down to Network wizard>>OK.
Press OK on the "initial welcome" screen, then select Scan available networks>>OK.
Wait for the results.
Select your wireless network name/SSID from the list of results, and press OK to get to the configuration screens.

When I do the above, I don't have the "initial welcome" screen. See the attached screenshots of what I see...

[Grumpy_Geoff]

When I do the above, I don't have the "initial welcome" screen. See the attached screenshots of what I see...

It hasn't detected the wireless adapter/dongle, as it's showing a LAN (ethernet) connection on the 'Network Setup' screen.
Here's mine -

Please confirm your firmware version - from live TV, MENU>>Information>>About; the value shown against the 'Revision:' label.
Please confirm the version of the T4U adapter - look on the box, barcode label on the bottom, mine states: 'Model: Archer T4U(US) Ver:2.1
If you plug the T4U into your laptop, is it detected and you can configure it?

[Grumpy_Geoff]

If you got a V3 adapter, then I think you're stuffed, as it uses a RTL8812BU chipset and the Wiz doesn't have a driver for that.
https://wikidevi.com/wiki/TP-LINK_Archer_T4U_v3

[allie181]

Please confirm your firmware version - from live TV, MENU>>Information>>About; the value shown against the 'Revision:' label.

Revision: 20190206

Please confirm the version of the T4U adapter - look on the box, barcode label on the bottom, mine states: 'Model: Archer T4U(US) Ver:2.1

T4U: mine is the same as yours except it says "Ver:3.0". Does this mean it won't work?

If you plug the T4U into your laptop, is it detected and you can configure it?

Yes.

I've observed that when I plug it into the T4, the green light on the T4U does not turn on. The USB ports on the T4 aren't the problem because I've used a USB device without problem.

[Grumpy_Geoff]

T4U: mine is the same as yours except it says "Ver:3.0". Does this mean it won't work?

See if you can swap the V3 adapter.
Perhaps you could find another MSY(?) branch that still carries the older V2.1 version.
Or swap at the place of purchase for a more expensive adapter that we know does actually work on the T4 (from a user post on Whingepool) -
ASUS USB-AC68:
https://www.msy.com.au/vic/pascoevale/p ... apter.html
https://www.asus.com/au/Networking/USB-AC68/
(RTL8814AU chipset)
... and I'm guessing that it's quite likely its slower sibling will work too -
ASUS USB-AC56:
https://www.msy.com.au/vic/pascoevale/p ... apter.html
https://www.asus.com/Networking/USBAC56/overview/
(RTL8812AU chipset)

For an RTL8812BU chipset driver, peteru may be able to work some magic on this -
https://www.opena.tv/openatv-6-2-image- ... post336743
I don't know if the file that's attached to the post (EW-7822ULC_Linux_Driver_1.0.0.9.zip) could be used direct.
https://github.com/brandon-bailey/rtl8822bu

"Our" new member 'captain' from the openATV world may also be able to shed some light on it (next couple of posts down from the above) -
https://www.opena.tv/openatv-6-2-image- ... post353616
-or- from this thread -
https://www.opena.tv/air-digital-zgemma ... stick.html
(I think the RTL8822BU is the same as 8812 + added bluetooth).

The other consideration is: does the RTL8812BU driver support the TP-Link Device ID for the V3 adapter (ID: 2357:0115).

[allie181]

Thanks Geoff.

A lot of this technical stuff goes straight over my head, so I'll try the simplest option, being to return the T4U and buy the ASUS USB-AC68.

[allie181]

Or swap at the place of purchase for a more expensive adapter that we know does actually work on the T4 (from a user post on Whingepool) -
ASUS USB-AC68:
https://www.msy.com.au/vic/pascoevale/p ... apter.html

So I purchased the above adapter. I plugged it into my laptop and was able to get it working. I then plugged it into my T4, and once again the T4 isn't recognising it.

I've reinstalled the latest firmware (beyonwiz-17.5 20190206), rebooted and tried again, but still no luck. The light on the adapter isn't going on. I don't understand what is happening! Any ideas?

Thanks.

[Grumpy_Geoff]

That's bad news.
Here's links to posts stating the adapter worked on a T4 -
https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/thread/ ... #r55844118
https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/thread/ ... #r58275184
You can see the date of the first is even prior to 20180417 firmware.
Here's our T2 on 20180417 and it contains the RTL8814AU driver -

Code: Select all

root@beyonwizt2:~# opkg list-installed *8814*
enigma2-plugin-drivers-network-usb-rtl8814au - 1.0-r1.2
kernel-module-8814au-3.14.2 - 4.3.21-r1.6
rt8814au - 4.3.21-r1.6
root@beyonwizt2:~#
root@beyonwizt2:~# cat /etc/image-version
box_type=beyonwizt2
version=17.5
build=20180417
date=20180417045137
creator=Beyonwiz
url=http://www.beyonwiz.com.au
root@beyonwizt2:~#

Have you confirmed the USB ports work (tried a flash drive, portable HDD)?

Have you tried the adapter without the desktop cradle or extension cable?

I'm not sure the adapter is lit until the interface is enabled. Have you tried the wizard/SSID scanning?

[allie181]

That's bad news.
Here's links to posts stating the adapter worked on a T4 -
https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/thread/ ... #r55844118
https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/thread/ ... #r58275184
You can see the date of the first is even prior to 20180417 firmware.
Here's our T2 on 20180417 and it contains the RTL8814AU driver -

Code: Select all

root@beyonwizt2:~# opkg list-installed *8814*
enigma2-plugin-drivers-network-usb-rtl8814au - 1.0-r1.2
kernel-module-8814au-3.14.2 - 4.3.21-r1.6
rt8814au - 4.3.21-r1.6
root@beyonwizt2:~#
root@beyonwizt2:~# cat /etc/image-version
box_type=beyonwizt2
version=17.5
build=20180417
date=20180417045137
creator=Beyonwiz
url=http://www.beyonwiz.com.au
root@beyonwizt2:~#

Thanks. I had found the post on that site. I factory reset my T4 and then installed the 20180417 firmware, but that hasn't helped.

Have you confirmed the USB ports work (tried a flash drive, portable HDD)?

They must work as I used the USB ports to do the firmware update.

Have you tried the adapter without the desktop cradle or extension cable?

Yes,I've tried both with and without the extension cable.

I'm not sure the adapter is lit until the interface is enabled.

That's probably right.

Have you tried the wizard/SSID scanning?

Do you mean use the network browser to search for network shares? If so, when I go into that menu it says "searching your network. Please wait..." and it is frozen on this. I waited 10+ minutes to see if it would do anything before having to turn the power off on the back of the T4 to restart it.


The T4 has been a pain since day 1. It may be time for me to look at options other than a Beyonwiz.

[MrQuade]

Do you mean use the network browser to search for network shares? If so, when I go into that menu it says "searching your network. Please wait..." and it is frozen on this. I waited 10+ minutes to see if it would do anything before having to turn the power off on the back of the T4 to restart it.

No. The network browser won't work until you have the network connected and running.

With the new adaptor plugged in, and after rebooting the Wiz, what happens when you go into
MENU->Setup->Network->Network adaptor selection

Do you see the USB network card listed there?

[Twizzle]

Do you mean use the network browser to search for network shares? If so, when I go into that menu it says "searching your network. Please wait..." and it is frozen on this. I waited 10+ minutes to see if it would do anything before having to turn the power off on the back of the T4 to restart it.

No. The network browser won't work until you have the network connected and running.

With the new adaptor plugged in, and after rebooting the Wiz, what happens when you go into
MENU->Setup->Network->Network adaptor selection

Do you see the USB network card listed there?

A few weeks ago I had a hell of a lot of trouble connecting my U4 to the network I was using Network Wizard and it found the right network ok but when I went to test it, I did not get the Green for Connected nor for IP Address nor Nameserver confirmed

After wasting a lot of time trying everything, I eventually discovered that though I had chosen the correct name on the Network Wizard, the name shown under information was still the 2.5ghz SSID name from my Dlink modem and not the 5ghz SSID it was only when I went in and changed it manually that I got it to work. I'm sure that is probably not your problem and I may be on completely the wrong track and if so I'm sorry. It just I know how draining it can be trying everything & still drawing a blank.

[allie181]

With the new adaptor plugged in, and after rebooting the Wiz, what happens when you go into
MENU->Setup->Network->Network adaptor selection

Do you see the USB network card listed there?

Nope It only shows the LAN connection.

If I reinsert the old beyonwiz dongle I have been using, then I can see both it and the LAN connection, so I know the problem isn't the USB ports.

A few weeks ago I had a hell of a lot of trouble connecting my U4 to the network I was using Network Wizard and it found the right network ok but when I went to test it, I did not get the Green for Connected nor for IP Address nor Nameserver confirmed

After wasting a lot of time trying everything, I eventually discovered that though I had chosen the correct name on the Network Wizard, the name shown under information was still the 2.5ghz SSID name from my Dlink modem and not the 5ghz SSID it was only when I went in and changed it manually that I got it to work. I'm sure that is probably not your problem and I may be on completely the wrong track and if so I'm sorry. It just I know how draining it can be trying everything & still drawing a blank.

I don't think that is my problem, because to have that problem the adapter would need to work and see SSIDs. I can't even get to that point


There isn't a plugin I can install is there? (That would be too easy :/ )

[MrQuade]

You may even want to try a different USB port just to make sure the one you are using isn't struggling to supply enough power for some reason. There may be enough juice for the old adaptor but not the new fancy one.

[Grumpy_Geoff]

A powered USB hub may also assist if the supplied power is borderline.
Yes, more expense. You may have been better off with a router or extender operating in its Media Bridge/Wireless-to-Ethernet Bridge mode (feeding ethernet to the T4), e.g. -
Asus -
RT-AC66U
RT-AC68U
D-Link -
DAP-1650
DAP-1665

[allie181]

A powered USB hub may also assist if the supplied power is borderline.
Yes, more expense. You may have been better off with a router or extender operating in its Media Bridge/Wireless-to-Ethernet Bridge mode (feeding ethernet to the T4), e.g. -
Asus -
RT-AC66U
RT-AC68U
D-Link -
DAP-1650
DAP-1665

Thanks Geoff. I think it is time for me to give up as I can't keep throwing good money after bad. Thanks anyway for trying to help. I think i'll have to put up with my T4 for now and look at replacing it with something other than a Beyonwiz in the near future.

[MrQuade]

Did you try a different USB port? That's a free test.

[allie181]

Did you try a different USB port? That's a free test.

Yes, I've tried both USB ports. Thanks though.

[MrQuade]

Yes, I've tried both USB ports. Thanks though.

And the front port. That one runs off a different power source to the others.

[allie181]

Yes, I've tried both USB ports. Thanks though.

And the front port. That one runs off a different power source to the others.

I can't see one at the front. I thought only the T3 had a front USB port, not the T4 ...?

[MrQuade]

I can't see one at the front. I thought only the T3 had a front USB port, not the T4 ...?

There is a hatch on the left hand side of the front panel that flips down.

[Paul_oz53]

It's behind the fold down panel beside the front display. A gentle nudge with a finger is all it takes to open. (Snap MrQuade! )

I have an older EDUP AC wifi dongle that works well with my T4 but normally I used wired ethernet with no playback issues. Obviously the problem is the drivers not keeping up with the latest chipsets.

[allie181]

I can't see one at the front. I thought only the T3 had a front USB port, not the T4 ...?

There is a hatch on the left hand side of the front panel that flips down.

Lol, I can’t believe I never knew that!

I tried it but no luck either. Frustrating!

I wish there was a way I could direct all the power for the 3 USB ports to 1 port so I can see if that would work.

[Grumpy_Geoff]

I wish there was a way I could direct all the power for the 3 USB ports to 1 port so I can see if that would work.

See if you can borrow a powered USB hub from someone.

[allie181]

I bought an AC powered USB hub (this one https://www.harveynorman.com.au/targus- ... d-hub.html) and plugged it into the T4 and the wireless adapter into the hub but still no luck

[Grumpy_Geoff]

I'm beginning to think your USB ports are suspect - perhaps this gave rise to your original issue.

[prl]

I'm beginning to think your USB ports are suspect - perhaps this gave rise to your original issue.

+1

[peteru]

Surely the simplest explanation is that what you bought is an updated hardware revision of the adapter that is not compatible with the pre-installed drivers. It seems to me like all manufacturers had to move to a newer chip revision (probably because the old chips are no longer available) and as a result you have greater odds of receiving an incompatible USB adapter than in the past. Bad luck getting two in a row.

I also think you are barking up the wrong tree here as far as the original problem goes. If the old adapter worked, but with issues only after several minutes of video playback, I'd investigate it with a long running throughput test. Monitor the performance of the network while copying tens of GB of data to/from the Beyonwiz. See what kind of speed fluctuations you get and whether they correlate with something in the house, such as making phone calls, using the microwave or even the fridge running.

If you are really intent on blaming the USB ports, you can test those in a similar way. Hook up an external HDD and copy few hundred GB in both directions.

[MrQuade]

I also think you are barking up the wrong tree here as far as the original problem goes. If the old adapter worked, but with issues only after several minutes of video playback, I'd investigate it with a long running throughput test. Monitor the performance of the network while copying tens of GB of data to/from the Beyonwiz. See what kind of speed fluctuations you get and whether they correlate with something in the house, such as making phone calls, using the microwave or even the fridge running.

If you are really intent on blaming the USB ports, you can test those in a similar way. Hook up an external HDD and copy few hundred GB in both directions.

That's a good thought.

Something that also occurred to me is that the router may have WiFi "airtime fairness" enabled and that might be messing with high-throughput transfers.

[Twizzle]

I also think you are barking up the wrong tree here as far as the original problem goes. If the old adapter worked, but with issues only after several minutes of video playback, I'd investigate it with a long running throughput test. Monitor the performance of the network while copying tens of GB of data to/from the Beyonwiz. See what kind of speed fluctuations you get and whether they correlate with something in the house, such as making phone calls, using the microwave or even the fridge running.

If you are really intent on blaming the USB ports, you can test those in a similar way. Hook up an external HDD and copy few hundred GB in both directions.

That's a good thought.

Something that also occurred to me is that the router may have WiFi "airtime fairness" enabled and that might be messing with high-throughput transfers.

Could you tell me what "airtime fairness" is please? And how one can enable/disable it. Thank you.

[MrQuade]

Could you tell me what "airtime fairness" is please? And how one can enable/disable it. Thank you.

It's basically a setting that some routers support, which allows it to take time away from the slower devices to give your faster devices an even shot at getting airtime. It can sometimes backfire though depending on your environment and mix of end devices.

This article is far more detailed (and accurate) on the subject than my paragraph though .
https://routerguide.net/airtime-fairness-on-or-off/

Your router may or may not have such a setting.

You may also have settings for things such as "Bluetooth co-existance" as well which can affect things on the 2.5GHz bands.

[allie181]

Thanks for the above thoughts.

My router settings haven’t changed and they are set to prioritise streaming.

An offer just came out to trade in and get $ off the U4. I’m contemplating taking advantage of this offer ...