Flaky Wi-Fi since updating to 19.3-20191106

[Stew]

Hi all,

I recently updated my T4 from 16.1 to 19.3-20191106 (I know, I'm a little late) and since then, the connection to the internet via the Beyonwiz supplied dongle has been extremely flaky. When I was on 16.1, it was rock solid.

(I use IceTV and since updating it only connects every now and then to grab the EPG)

When I do a network test, both the IP address and Nameserver are "unconfirmed"

I've done some reading and have discovered that Wi-Fi drivers and 19.3 don't play well together?

I'm assuming the best way forward is to go back to 16.1? I've has a quick look around here but can't see where it can be downloaded from?

Can anyone assist?

Thanks!

[MrQuade]

Buying a cheap wireless bridge device to replace the wifi dongle would make for a more reliable connection and allow you to remain up to date.

A cheap router that supports operation as a wifi client would work as well.

A TPLink TL-WN801N would be an example.

You have to hunt for the thread that had the latest version of the firmware series you are looking for.

I think this was the latest in the 17.5 series.
viewtopic.php?f=45&t=12456

16.1 is here (again I think)
viewtopic.php?f=45&t=11006

I would really discourage you from using those old versions though, they are very out of date.

[Stew]

Thanks heaps for the reply!

Do the guys at Beyonwiz know that the dongle is now pretty much useless? (or is what I'm experiencing is an isolated incident?)

Anyways, the TL-WA801ND sounds like the way to go.

So this literally replaces the dongle?

It connects via a ethernet cable into the LAN port on the back of the T4 and then wirelessly connects to my router therefore acting as a "bridge"?

[MrQuade]

Do the guys at Beyonwiz know that the dongle is now pretty much useless? (or is what I'm experiencing is an isolated incident?)

Yea, the drivers for that dongle on the T2/3/4 are known to be a bit of a problem. I think it's a dicky one to solve as the problematic code is in the hardware drivers from the manufacturer, and the driver version is required to support three latest software. The U4 and V2 run on a different hardware platform and the drivers are a bit different.

Anyways, the TL-WA801ND sounds like the way to go.

So this literally replaces the dongle?

It connects via a ethernet cable into the LAN port on the back of the T4 and then wirelessly connects to my router therefore acting as a "bridge"?

Yep, exactly.
That's just one example of a cheap solution I could find, but you can get others that have an integrated network switch that can be used to connect multiple wired devices to WiFi. Some manufacturers like Asus and Netgear also have their "wireless mesh" solutions which can be used in a similar fashion.

[Stew]

Thanks heaps for the advice ...

It's really appreciated.

I've just done a quick Google and have found I can grab a TP-Link TL-WA801N (as opposed to the TL-WA801ND) from Mwave.

Would this be OK?

[MrQuade]

Would this be OK?

Yep, that's the same class of device and should work fine in "Client" mode.

As before, if you wanted to add more ports, a more fully featured router could be set to client, or bridge mode, and offer 4 or more Ethernet ports. That will cost a bit more, and won't be much of a benefit if you just want a single port. (and you can always add a little Ethernet switch later).

(Sometimes routers working in "Bridge" mode can often require some cooperation between your main router and the bridge device, and things can go pear shaped. Client mode is more simple and more likely to work without hassle.)

Another option is power line network adaptors. They are also not guarenteed to work, depending on your house wiring, and they are likely to cost more than this TP-Link unit, but they do work well for some people.

[Stew]

Ended up finding the TL-WA801ND from i-Tech.

Thanks heaps for all your help. I'll report back and advise how it went.

[Stew]

The TL-WA801ND arrived and took only a few minutes to setup.

Works perfectly!

Regular (every 15 minutes) IceTV updates are back after a long break

Thanks very much for all your help.

[SaN]

I had same symptoms on my T2 after software update so have purchased the TP-Link Wireless N Router WR841N but might need some advice on settings to make it work.

At Network Test on the T2, I'm finding Local network = _disconnected_
so IP Adress & Nameserver = _unconfirmed_


Is the appropriate operation mode <Range Extender>? (or Wireless Router, WISP or Access Point?)