Develop Bugs

Weakest Wifi - hardware FIXED!

Is there anyway to boost the wifi on this thing. I have 3 tablets (samsung tab 7, Lenovo Ideapad K1, and this) Samsung and Lenovo keeps connection with my home router but this one it disconnects half the time. Kinda frustrating. I assume this also will kill my battery faster than it already does. Any advice?
EDIT:
So I exchanged my tablet and still the replacement has bad wifi. I figure this had to be hardware related so following the procedure here I decided to take it upon myself to figure it out. If youre not comfortable doing this I suggest just keep returning your unit till you get a good one. Note when you remove the first side bezel there's a black sticker over one of the screws. I was able to remove it easily with an exacto knife being careful not to rip it so I can put it back on later. After removing the 3 sides except for the power button side (not necessary) you remove the back off and you end up with this.
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I'm not sure which is the wifi antenna or if they work as a pair but I moved both antenna connectors around (I didnt try to remove it cause this might make the connectors loose) and moved the black antenna right on top the camera. Reference all the red arrows. I left the tablet on so I was able to tell if it was making a difference. Eventually got it to get 2 bars just like on my Lenovo Ideapad! Possibly one of the micro coax connetors was not making good contact. These are the same RF connectors on RC receivers so they are a little more susceptible in losing contact specially if they're too lose. So just move them side to side and dont remove or lift them off.
Prior to this I was alternating between no bar and 1. This time it consistently stayed at 2 bars regardless how I moved or where I moved in my room (our router is in another room upstairs). Carefully put the tablet back together and now my connection is stable 2 bars. Finally!
So it does seem like there's some QA issue with these tablets. There's a huge thread in the acertabletforum about this issue and some say to change your connection from DHCP to static but that doesnt make logic sense to me. Some have been able to exhange theirs gotten good replacements.
Anyhow if you have any question, let me know.

I was actually thinking that wifi going out when it's turned off might be on purpose to prolong the crappy battery life.

bsharitt said:
I was actually thinking that wifi going out when it's turned off might be on purpose to prolong the crappy battery life.
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Not when its turned off. Theres a setting for that to disable wifi when you turn screen off. But thats not what I'm talking about. My wifi disconnects as I'm surfing or downloading from market or a file.

hmm, does it look like it has a weak signal strength or are you sitting at a good connection and it drops all of the sudden?
If it isn't a weak connection, I assume the device is just having a problem with your router settings. Maybe call support to see if they can give you information, but I haven't heard of this issue. What about open networks at coffee shops or the like? Do you have the same issues?
This is my third tablet and this tablet has the best WiFi that I have seen so far, so I don't think it is a problem with the signal strength.

Maybe I have a bad unit but I went to Bestbuy today and the a100 could not connect to their bestbuy router. It says "not in range". All the other ones (galaxys, xooms, acer, asus, HTC flyer all were connected to bestbuy wifi. HTC and samsung were the better ones at full bars. Acer had 2 and asus had 3. I don't recall what the xooms were. But man what a disappointment. The only thing good was that the a100 was the cheapest at $249. They must've brought the price down again.

[email protected] said:
hmm, does it look like it has a weak signal strength or are you sitting at a good connection and it drops all of the sudden?
If it isn't a weak connection, I assume the device is just having a problem with your router settings. Maybe call support to see if they can give you information, but I haven't heard of this issue. What about open networks at coffee shops or the like? Do you have the same issues?
This is my third tablet and this tablet has the best WiFi that I have seen so far, so I don't think it is a problem with the signal strength.
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Are you on 3.2.1 already? Maybe thats the ticket. I'm still on 3.2 and it says I'm up to date when I try to check for new version. If you are on 3.2.1 how did you get it?

aznmode said:
Are you on 3.2.1 already? Maybe thats the ticket. I'm still on 3.2 and it says I'm up to date when I try to check for new version. If you are on 3.2.1 how did you get it?
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Nope, I do not have the update in my region.

[email protected] said:
Nope, I do not have the update in my region.
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Oh ok. Updated OP so looks like version number is irrelevant in my case.

does aluminum back cover or case >> interrupts the phone signal ?

to my opinion it must kill the signal
any experience at this issue ?

Yes there are post in here that state the likes of GPS dead or takes very long to lock on, once they take off the metal cover and replace original one its ok.

While GPS reception seems to be worsened by the metal back cover GSM/UMTS reception is not affected since the antenna is situated at the bottom of the phone. This is the actual spare part containing the loud speaker and antennas sitting underneath the bulge:
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Further notice that not all covers are wholly made from metal. As you can see from theses photos some still have a plastic frame with a metal plate attached.

inquisitor said:
While GPS reception seems to be worsened by the metal back cover GSM/UMTS reception is not affected since the antenna is situated at the bottom of the phone. This is the actual spare part containing the loud speaker and antennas sitting underneath the bulge:
Further notice that not all covers are wholly made from metal. As you can see from theses photos some still have a plastic frame with a metal plate attached.
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While I do not have any GSM/UMTS reception problems outdoors or in public areas, I did experience some loss of reception quality when I'm at home. I sometimes experience 'a circle with a cross' sign, no bars at all. Though this problem only recently happen to me after I upgraded to Gingerbread 2.3.4 just days ago. When I was on 2.3.3 and have the metal back on, I did not see any reception problem when I'm at home.
Anyone have similar problem with 2.3.4?

yup, i can confirm no signal degradation for me, stll not test the gps though...

Recently I received a metal battery cover from eBay seller "easytradingco" which I repeatedly tested for its impact on reception in three different locations (balcony, office room, kitchen).
My conclusion is that there's a slight impact on UMTS/3G-reception reducing signal strength by ~5dBm with the metal cover attached (I made sure the phone was always connected to the same NodeB, which is 2km away from me and - at least on the balcony - in line of sight)
Interestingly WiFi-reception seems to be slightly improved by 2-3 dBm with the metal cover attached.
However GPS becomes nearly unusable with the metal cover. On each test run I gave the phone 3 minutes to get a satfix with AGPS data updated immediately before. Even outdoors (on the balcony) I couldn't get a satfix with only a single satellite found after 3 minutes, while with the original cover it took 10 seconds to detect 9 satellites of which 6 provided a signal strong enough to determine my position.
That said I wouldn't buy a metal cover again as it renders GPS unusable and also impacts UMTS-reception slightly.

Antennagate on my AT&T SGS3

hi all.
please feel free to unfold your opinions and suggestions.
What i have: rooted stock SGS3 on LH9 ( latest OTA) + Diztronic Matte Black TPU Case found on this link:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1722606
Environment: I am inside a big hangar not for planes but more like a warehouse, every morning at the exact same place. there is no concrete walls or windows just the hangar structure walls and a big exit door for trucks. i am like 300 yards away from a optimum broadband router on a public street. in NJ if you are a Optimum customer you can connect via wifi up to 5 devices when in reach of routers they installed on public streets.
Issue: when i turn on wifi i have no bars for Optimum connection( it connects successfully but internet is quite impossible at very slow speed. If I take off Diztronic case I immediately get 2 bars on my wifi icon, and the connection is flawless and the speeds for any app are good.
Is this case particularly that bad for my wifi connection?
All cases in general influence the wifi connection/cell modem or just this one?
Or is it how am I holding it? Am I holding it wrong way?
Workaround: every morning I take off my case, read my Twitter, G+ and Flipboard than I put my case back on.:silly:
Thanks

I have no case on mine, but I do notice if I am kinda far from the router and hold phone with my right hand I get a worse wifi signal then when holding with left hand. Cell signal seems unaffected.
Sent from my SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

Not unheard of. HTC Inspire gps antenna was problematic with some cases

I have the same exact case and my WiFi ranfomly drops on with the diztronic case I brought for only $10 . I brought a new puregear case yesterday and never had WiFi issues since
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

hormosapiens said:
hi all.
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Oh hai.
All cases in general influence the wifi connection/cell modem or just this one?
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All cases affect signal quality to a certain extent, but it's mostly negligible and a worthwhile trade-off for the protection gained. Should be fine as long as you don't use a METAL case, like some geniuses insist on using for a "premium-quality" feel (whatever that's supposed to mean).
Or is it how am I holding it? Am I holding it wrong way?
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Well, as corythug mentioned above, and despite the apple joke, you CAN get better reception by holding your phone in certain ways, since the antennas are located in certain spots (as shown in the FCC photo below):
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The #1 thing to do to get better range (for at least WiFi), if you haven't done this already, is to use wireless G instead of wireless N, even though it's "slower" (you won't notice). Wireless-G's 2.4GHz longer wavelengths travel farther & through objects better than 5GHz. I almost always fallback from N to G even in my house. #2 thing to do is to buy a better WiFi router (like the Netgear WNDR3700) that lets you hack it with DDWRT so you can increase the transmit power above legal FCC limits.

zmore said:
Oh hai.
All cases affect signal quality to a certain extent, but it's mostly negligible and a worthwhile trade-off for the protection gained. Should be fine as long as you don't use a METAL case, like some geniuses insist on using for a "premium-quality" feel (whatever that's supposed to mean).
Well, as corythug mentioned above, and despite the apple joke, you CAN get better reception by holding your phone in certain ways, since the antennas are located in certain spots (as shown in the FCC photo below):
The #1 thing to do to get better range (for at least WiFi), if you haven't done this already, is to use wireless G instead of wireless N, even though it's "slower" (you won't notice). Wireless-G's 2.4GHz longer wavelengths travel farther & through objects better than 5GHz. I almost always fallback from N to G even in my house. #2 thing to do is to buy a better WiFi router (like the Netgear WNDR3700) that lets you hack it with DDWRT so you can increase the transmit power above legal FCC limits.
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I learned a lot.
I will read news every morning at the same spot, with my naked SGS3, holding it certain way.

802.11n also runs on 2.4 Ghz, not just 5 Ghz. Now, the new 802.11AC standard only runs on 5 Ghz, so no 2.4 there.

[Q] Boost Extended 4G!

4G JUST became avail in my area in Brooksville FL!!
However I have to go outside to get signal! is there ANY way I can boost the signal? This is my only hope of fast internet at home.....
I'm on JB Liquid rom with I515.10.V.FF02 / I515.FG02 Radios
I'd appreciate any info!

Dragonsla said:
4G JUST became avail in my area in Brooksville FL!!
However I have to go outside to get signal! is there ANY way I can boost the signal? This is my only hope of fast internet at home.....
I'm on JB Liquid rom with I515.10.V.FR02 / I515.FG02 Radios
I'd appreciate any info!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.repeaterstore.com/4g/products/repeaters/cellphone-mate-verizon-4g-lte-cm700v.php
or something similar, can contact verizon and see what they recommend

Man I wish my city had 4G.. there's an Osprey nest in the tower, migrates sometime in November or December.
-__________________________________-
Force 4G with the *#*#4636#*#* menu, sometimes 4G won't connect if it's too weak, but not so weak that you can't use it for internet.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

Woah thanks....I really hope better radios come out so I don't have to shell out the $$ calling verizon tomorrow

http://www.accessorygeeks.com/antenna-booster-sticker.html
$3.99 Just sayin'.

ackliph said:
http://www.accessorygeeks.com/antenna-booster-sticker.html
$3.99 Just sayin'.
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LOL i remember those! funny as hell how many people got suckered into that lol
Also radios can only do so much, the absence of signal is always going to be just that. You need to retransmit, no piece of shielding on your phone will change that, that is just a fancy sticker that will if anything lower your signal because it is now blocking it, and without connecting to the radio itself it cant do anythign.

I think it may be a hardware or software defect, because the area is CLEARLY covered by VZ 4G and even outside I can not get signal, I have to walk at least 100'.....flashing stock then calling VZ.....
Wonder if this would help at all, looks like a hoax.....

Dragonsla said:
I think it may be a hardware or software defect, because the area is CLEARLY covered by VZ 4G and even outside I can not get signal, I have to walk at least 100'.....flashing stock then calling VZ.....
Wonder if this would help at all, looks like a hoax.....
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Does this hook up to the antenna port in the back? Giving the antenna a ground plane like the roof of the car should improve reception. It's too bad the back has to come off to hook it up... then again a drill could easily fix that.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Edit: looks like those antenna ports in the back may be fragile. be careful.

Indeed. As per a thread from September, break one of those antenna ports and you won't get signal, GalNex won't revert to internal antennas. Supposedly, just relaying what I heard.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

Are you sure you don't live in a giant Faraday cage?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

3. It is COMPLETELY WIRELESS! No cables to attach it to your Cell Phone and all Cell Phones in the vicinity will benefit
so no.
It doesn't seem line this would work.....no wires, no power source.....
And no I do live on a 5 acre lot with a good amount of trees....even out in the open 4G signal is very difficult to find. Maybe its a bad LTE chip
EDIT: Called up verizon and they said I was in an extended area and the tower 0.3 miles from me is 3G and thats why my phone isn't connecting to the 4G tower.... :[ wonder if I can force connect to a certain tower...

*#*#4636#*#* set to LTE only...
But Verizon does that, my city is a 4G city on their website, however as per the map, 0% of city limits is covered with even extended 4G.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

Yes, but the thing is, according to their map, I AM IN THE AREA! and less than 450 feet from FULL coverage!
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Even when I walk down to the coverage area its hard to get a signal

Coverage map has not changed one bit but as of December 27th 2012 I have had amazing 4G in my house!! Therefor this thread is no longer really valid. However it makes you wonder why...

Question 5G data speeds are terrible, why?

Testing results in garbage speed (consistently less than 7 Mbps down, less than 1 Mbps up, 20-25 ms ping, 6-8 ms jitter). Signal strength is apparently 38% (-111 dBm). I noticed it was bad sometimes when I was actually out and not at home on my WiFi, but I had to use my hotspot for a few hours since they were doing maintenance on the internet here at home, and it was just terrible. So now I have to ask.... what could be making it so slow? Is it just me, or are others suffering from terrible speed as well? Is it my modem? The area I'm in (Sacramento, CA)? Or is it actually on T-Mobile's end?

Just ran a few Speedtest app 5g tests in Southern Nevada...
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Are any of you on the European ROM?

GuyInDogSuit said:
Are any of you on the European ROM?
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I'm on EU firmware with T-Mobile network in Texas, and speeds are kinda all over but consistently fast. Odd that it used LTE for most of my tests instead of 5G though.

I'm not sure if it's always just been "bleh" speeds for 5G here or not, but seeing as how this is the first 5G device I've owned, it's hard to say if it's on my end or theirs.
Nope, must be something on my end. Their map says my area has "5G Ultra Capacity" so that can't be the issue.

GuyInDogSuit said:
I'm not sure if it's always just been "bleh" speeds for 5G here or not, but seeing as how this is the first 5G device I've owned, it's hard to say if it's on my end or theirs.
Nope, must be something on my end. Their map says my area has "5G Ultra Capacity" so that can't be the issue.
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Might just be your testing locations. 5g actually performs poorly in home environment for me, about the same as lte for speed but less reliable. I'd check open network maps to determine if you're actually close to a 5g cell tower (not relying on carrier provided maps that tend to skew positively for them), and if so, check if you get better signal outside. If you are close to a tower, get decent speeds outside, but not inside, then getting a signal booster for faster mobile speeds indoor would be needed.

It is definitely testing location. When I test at home, the speed is slower than 4g by a lot. When I test at work in NYC I have mind blowing speeds. Faster than my IPS at home.
Here is a screenshot of my 5g in NYC

the bolt of thunder said:
It is definitely testing location. When I test at home, the speed is slower than 4g by a lot. When I test at work in NYC I have mind blowing speeds. Faster than my IPS at home.
Here is a screenshot of my 5g in NYC
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Are they consistently like that? The results I mentioned above were at home. But I tested again yesterday while I was out, at a grocery store just down the street a few blocks, and I got 19.9 up/ 3.98 down (which is better, but still pretty sad).

GuyInDogSuit said:
Are they consistently like that? The results I mentioned above were at home. But I tested again yesterday while I was out, at a grocery store just down the street a few blocks, and I got 19.9 up/ 3.98 down (which is better, but still pretty sad).
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I wouldn't be able to tell you honestly because I do not live in NYC. I commute there for work. I have one ran speed test there 2 times and both times I had blazing fast speed like that. Over at my house, the 5g is poor and I only use 4g.

@GuyInDogSuit I've been having the same issues lately. Not sure what's been going on. T-Mobile OP9P converted to DA firmware, using Family Mobile SIM connected using T-Mobile APN.
Was surprised to get these results today. Went to download an app update using mobile data, realized it downloaded in two seconds, so I figured I'd speed test it. I live in ****ty Ohio lol.

TheKnux said:
@GuyInDogSuit I've been having the same issues lately. Not sure what's been going on. T-Mobile OP9P converted to DA firmware, using Family Mobile SIM connected using T-Mobile APN.
Was surprised to get these results today. Went to download an app update using mobile data, realized it downloaded in two seconds, so I figured I'd speed test it. I live in ****ty Ohio lol.
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Holy mackerel!!
Anyway, to update on this.... It would seem it is definitely something in the area, and not just the 5G. I tested the LTE on my tablet and got piss-poor results on that as well. 9.89 down, 0.07 up. Yikes.

They're fine here

I was all over the place today, in at least two different counties, and tested several times. The speeds weren't spectacular, but they were still much better than the sadness I get at home. I should look into some ways to improve that, especially since it will be my only source of internet for a few days next week.