x3i wifi lack of range, signal strength

jacklew · 04-21-04, 10:04 PM

In late February, I purchased a refurb but had digitizer problems. 2 replacements have had wifi range problems. Both are A01 (Jan 05, 2004) R74809 ROM. I flashed A01 on original refurb which was A00.

Working hardware=A03, both nonworking=A05 (under battery)
<edited> Start | Settings | Connection | Dell WLAN Utility | About
Driver 3.00.04.02.2810
Utility 3.00.04.2.0059
F/W 1.07.06.00
either 6 (working) or 10 (non-working) digit Hardware SN

6 inches: 232984 Link quality 71 strength –17
1040103829 Link quality 55 strength -37

4 feet: 232984 Link 62dB, strength –27dBm, 5 green bars
1040103829 Link 40dB, strength –52dBm, 5 green bars

20 feet 2 walls (bedroom): 232984 Link 27dB, strength –61dBm, 4 green
1040103829 Link 14dB, strength –78dBm, 3 yellow. Depending on orientation, I can completely lose the signal.

25 feet 2 walls/1 door: 232984 Link 22dB, strength –68dBm, 3 yellow. Signal is never lost.
1040103829 Link 7dB, strength –86dBm, 1 red. Depending on orientation, I can completely lose the signal.

Also I can see more routers in the neighborhood with my original.

I told them last time and this time to do a root cause on why there is a problem. They seemed only interested that I get a replacement. This time, they didn’t care that I had the extra defective one prior to sending out another – last time, they wanted it back prior to shipping. Can I find out if anyone else is having problems and whether it is a 6 or 10 digit Hardware serial number? One may be defective, but two in a row? If you have a lack of range, complain and get a replacement from Dell. Thanks, Jack

HighTymes · 04-22-04, 01:39 AM

Where do you find the serial number? Hope it isn't under the battery because i have people downloading from my X3i right now.

I get amazing range out of my X3i. At probably 120+ft going through 2 interior walls and 1 exterior wall i get around 19db signal strength and -71db link quality.

You can check out my wifi range test video on my x3i server. File is only 2.3MBs.

Video in here

Would like to note i have a cantenna($.69 can on antenna) on my router so it increases the range.

jacklew · 04-22-04, 03:16 AM

Oops, sorry.

Start | Settings | Connections | Dell WLAN Utility | About will get you this info.

I just wanted to point out the last two x3i's Dell shipped me should not have even made it out of the factory. Where is their quality control? The signal strength is so weak compared to the original.

HighTymes · 04-22-04, 04:31 AM

I have a 6 digit serial number my hardware version is also A01 under the battery.

I haven't heard too much about people having problems with wfi range on the x3is so it sounds like a isolated insident. I guess thats what happens when you get refurbished stuff even if it isn't your choice, you never know what you are going to get.

detlefs · 04-22-04, 10:08 AM

I just experienced something similar. I compared the Wifi capabilities of my X3i with the X3i of a friend and mine is definitely weaker.
Achim bought his device in december or january, mine is just a week old.
If we put both devices directly next to each other in our meeting room, mine can't connect to our AP, while he gets a quite good connection...
My device has Bluetooth while his hasn't. Maybe due to bluetooth the antenna is different and weaker?

jacklew · 04-23-04, 02:07 PM

I just received my 3rd replacement x3i - I do have 3 sitting here! This one has a Hardware Serial Number of 226071 (A01 ROM, A05 under battery) and it works just like my original 232984.

Bottom line -
2 with 10 digit SNs have weak signal reception and I do lose it sometimes in the bedroom and kitchen.

2 with 6 digit SNs have very good signal reception.

There is a mix of good and bad stuff being delivered.

jeffvanburen · 04-23-04, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by HighTymes
Where do you find the serial number? Hope it isn't under the battery because i have people downloading from my X3i right now.

I get amazing range out of my X3i. At probably 120+ft going through 2 interior walls and 1 exterior wall i get around 19db signal strength and -71db link quality.

You can check out my wifi range test video on my x3i server. File is only 2.3MBs.

Video in here

Would like to note i have a cantenna($.69 can on antenna) on my router so it increases the range.

Couldn't open your video, would really like to see your cantenna and know where or how to get one, is there noticable range increase with it?

HighTymes · 04-23-04, 03:02 PM

The server is on my X3i so i can't keep it on 24/7 but i turned it on now. The video just shows where the router is and the distance i get out of it with the cantenna but doesn't show what i get without it even though i should probably do that. The cantenna makes a WORLD of difference. It is only made out of a soup can that is just slipped on the orignal antenna that has the wire exposed now that is usually inside the antenna. Video is dark at beginning so you can't really see in detail the router but if you want pics of the antenna i will take some for you and the link i made it from since it has a forumla.

New Link to server

jeffvanburen · 04-23-04, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by HighTymes
The server is on my X3i so i can't keep it on 24/7 but i turned it on now. The video just shows where the router is and the distance i get out of it with the cantenna but doesn't show what i get without it even though i should probably do that. The cantenna makes a WORLD of difference. It is only made out of a soup can that is just slipped on the orignal antenna that has the wire exposed now that is usually inside the antenna. Video is dark at beginning so you can't really see in detail the router but if you want pics of the antenna i will take some for you and the link i made it from since it has a forumla.

New Link to server

Good range my router is upstairs in my office,I can go out side the end of my driveway (about 75') in my vehicle dorrs closed and still use my connection with a 2 bar signal. Yes if you get the chance I would like info on the cantenna, you rock!

HighTymes · 04-23-04, 03:39 PM

Ok i updated the web page after my last post, so if you head to it again i posted the website i got the info from and nice clear pics of my cantenna. The pics are about 175kb each so give them time to load.

Thankz

jeffvanburen · 04-23-04, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by HighTymes
Ok i updated the web page after my last post, so if you head to it again i posted the website i got the info from and nice clear pics of my cantenna. The pics are about 175kb each so give them time to load.

Thankz

Great, got the info, and shopping list, nice rainy day project I'll let you know how it pans out, Thanks again!

HighTymes · 04-23-04, 04:12 PM

No problem man. For your info i didn't use any of the parts they have listed, i just used a can and put it on the antenna. If you looked at the exposed antenna wire you will see it is what they are trying to do with the wire they have in their can but they just have a long cable for their can going to the router because they wanted the antenna to be mobile. I didn't so i didn't need all the N connectors and such. Just drilled my whole in the can and pushed the exposed antenna right through and made sure it was secure. I made sure my antenna was in the same exact way(centered, right height,etc.

Good Luck.

jeffvanburen · 04-23-04, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by HighTymes
No problem man. For your info i didn't use any of the parts they have listed, i just used a can and put it on the antenna. If you looked at the exposed antenna wire you will see it is what they are trying to do with the wire they have in their can but they just have a long cable for their can going to the router because they wanted the antenna to be mobile. I didn't so i didn't need all the N connectors and such. Just drilled my whole in the can and pushed the exposed antenna right through and made sure it was secure. I made sure my antenna was in the same exact way(centered, right height,etc.

Good Luck.

If you get a chance and you Can (no pun intened) take a picture of yours.

HighTymes · 04-23-04, 04:47 PM

Those pics are of mine

User Name		Remember Me?
Password

X3 / X3i Hardware Troubles - Axim X3 Hardware Discussions