Wi-Fi unit dying of old age.

[Randell]

 I seems to me my computers wifi is dying.( Acer Aspire 7551-3650) I know its an old machine  but I have upgraded the Ram to 8G and the 17in screen is still excellent.  the only issue I have with it is the wifi seem to drop  out during the day when I use the laptop.  I have to disconnect  reconnect to  my unit very often but i don't notice the same thing with my phone of my tablet that I use in the evenings. I have Ais fiber 100/100 and my power is stable enough the occasional power outage or blip but not as often as I need to reconnect to the  unit. It could be an iffy unit but doubtful  is it worthwhile to try and u[grade the wifi in my laptop?

Randell

[ballpoint]

I had a similar problem with the old Acer laptop I gave to my grandson, and bought a wifi USB adapter.  It's now much better, and has the bonus of handling both 2.4 and 5g signals from my router, whereas the internal Acer one only does 2.4.  Just plug it into a USB socket and it automatically shows up as Wi-fi 2 under your network settings.

 

I got a TP-Link one from Advice, but there's a lot of models/brands online:

[Randell]

Thanks Ballpoint just what I needed to know. I appreciate your quick reply

[VBF]

It may still be the router even if you don't notice a problem with the phone / tablet - not all devices behave equally when they encounter a problem.

 

If poss, take your laptop to another WiFi area, a good way from home, (friend's house perhaps?) where you can use it for several hours during the day and confirm that the issue really IS on the laptop. 

If it is, then first, shut down the laptop, remove the battery, and hold the power switch down for a few seconds as if you were trying to power it up. Have a cuppa, then replace battery and try again. This is easy to do and will reset the hardware - it's not that probable but always start with the easy stuff!

 

If that doesn't fix it, update the drivers for the WiFi adapter (Control Panel > Device Manager)

 

@ballpoint made a very good suggestion, but if the problem isn't actually on the LT, then it won't help - really up to you.

 

So If his or my suggestions don't fix it or if it's OK at the other location,  turn your attention to the WiFi and router:

Does it happen at particular times of day? You mentioned the "wifi seem to drop out during the day" and using the phone/tablet in the evening:

Have you tried running the phone/tablet alongside the LT and seeing if they drop out at the same time? It's possible that something external is interfering with the WiFi in daytime only.

 

Have you power-cycled the router? (Off....leave it for 30 seconds, on again)?

 

UPDATES:  Try the Google search   "internet dropping out" 

and to illustrate the point that it MIGHT be an external issue especially if it happens at certain times....

https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2020/09/18-months-of-village-broadband-disruption-traced-to-old-tv-set.html

[Randell]

Thanks VBF I will try and comply to all the suggestions and see where that takes me will update results and thanks again for your quick response.

[VBF]

1 minute ago, Randell said:

Thanks VBF I will try and comply to all the suggestions and see where that takes me will update results and thanks again for your quick response.

You're welcome - we cross-posted as I was updating my post - suggest you re-read as I've added a bit to it.

[Eindhoven]

As suggested, move up to 5 GHz with Wireless AC. Less congestion and interference from other devices.

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/600-Mbps-WiFi-Dongle-Wireless-USB-Dual-Band-Adapter-802-11-AC-2-4-5ghz-Laptop-PC/114091377111

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1200Mbps-Wireless-USB-WiFi-Adapter-Dongle-Antenna-LAN-802-11ac-2-4Ghz-Laptop-PC/133491414751

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1200Mbps-USB-3-0-Wireless-Network-Receiver-WiFi-Adapter-5GHz-Dual-Band-Bluetooth/383663146854 with Bluetooth 5.0

 

Of course you will have to find the equivalent in Thailand. That's just to show you for what you should search

 

Hard Drive Capacity:	500 GB
Hard Drive Interface:	Serial ATA
Hard Drive RPM:	5400

 

 

Change this whilst you are at it, to a solid state drive. 

Swapping to a solid state drive makes significantly more difference than upgrading RAM.

 

Costs from a mere 470 baht delivered. So even cheaper than RAM in many instances.

 

https://shopee.co.th/Silicon-Power-128GB-256GB-512GB-เอสเอสดี-A55-SSD-3D-TLC-NAND-SATA-III-2.5-Internal-Solid-State-Drive-3-Years-Warranty-i.219846402.7131212222

https://shopee.co.th/120GB-SSD-(เอสเอสดี)-Hikvision-HS-SSD-C100-120G-Internal-2.5-SATA-III-6-Gb-s-Read-500MB-s-Write-435MB-s-รับประกัน3-ปี-i.43263481.1693668986

https://shopee.co.th/????HOT⚡️SSD-Pioneer-120GB-128GB-240GB-256GB-480GB-512GB-1TB-3D-NAND-รับประกัน-3-ปี-WPG-i.53549820.1946020290

 

A doddle to swap and you'll have a laptop that starts up and loads applications much more quickly than before.

It will get the best out of your lowly AMD Athlon II P340 and give the machine a new lease of life.

[Randell]

Eindhoven. I had be flirting with the idea of going to a solid state drive thanks for the encouragement. I don't know about a dottle to swap being a old retired industrial carpenter my subtle  skills are lacking. If it can't be fixed with a hammers  kind of puts it out of my league but shouldn't cost to much at a shop. Thanks for your  detailed info much appreciated 

[Eindhoven]

1 hour ago, Randell said:

Eindhoven. I had be flirting with the idea of going to a solid state drive thanks for the encouragement. I don't know about a dottle to swap being a old retired industrial carpenter my subtle  skills are lacking. If it can't be fixed with a hammers  kind of puts it out of my league but shouldn't cost to much at a shop. Thanks for your  detailed info much appreciated 

 

You can do it yourself very easily with step by step instructions from myself.

 

Those older laptops have a dedicated hatch for the storage drive. So the swap, even with your inexperience would take less than ten minutes.

 

Never trust a Thai shop to install your operating system. You will almost always get a illegitimately activated copy. Really unnecessary since installing Windows 10 is another doddle as compared to previous Windows operating systems. No messing around with Drivers a la Windows 7.

 

Look : 

 

 

If you cannot do that, your have a serious problem with your hand/eye coordination. 

 

[Randell]

Eindhoven  thank you I shall watch your video order so part and take a crack at it will post results. 

Gentlemen thank you all.

[Eindhoven]

Don't neglect to create the new installation media beforehand, if you have only that PC.

 

 

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/550639/windows-10-media-creation-tool-to-correct-boot-issues

 

This process requires another PC with internet access, and a USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of storage space. The data on the USB flash drive will be erased to create the Windows 10 bootable flash drive.

Creating the Windows 10 USB flash drive

1. Visit the Microsoft Media Creation Tool website: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10
2. Click Download Tool Now.
3. Save the Application.
4. Plug your USB Flash Drive into the PC where you saved the application.
5. Run the Application.
6. Accept the EULA
7. Select Create installation media for another PC and click Next.
8. Choose the correct settings for your version of Windows 10

• Language (Country)
• Windows 10
• 64-bit (x64)

• Click Next.
• Select USB Flash Drive and click Next.
• Select the Flash Drive and click Next.

Allow the application to complete. You will be prompted when it is finished and has successfully created the bootable drive.

Reloading Windows with the Media Creation Tool:

1. Press and hold the Power key for five seconds to turn off your computer.
2. Plug in the USB Drive that contains the Media Creation Tool files.
3. Power on the system and begin tapping the F2 Key to enter the BIOS.
4. In the BIOS, use the arrow keys to navigate to the Main menu item at the top.
5. Use the down arrow to highlight F12 Boot Menu and press Enter.
6. Highlight Enabled and press Enter.
7. Press the F10 key and press Enter to save the changes and exit. The system will reboot immediately.
8. As soon as the system begins rebooting, press the F12 key repeatedly to enter the Boot Manager.
9. Select the USB HDD and press Enter. The Windows Setup environment will launch.
10. Select your Language, Time and Keyboard, then click Next.
11. Click Install Now.
12. Accept the license terms and click Next.
13. You will be prompted with choices:

• Upgrade: Install Windows and keep files, settings and applications. This option should work for most users and should save most personal files. If you attempt this and run into errors, we suggest the next option.
• Custom: Install Windows only (advanced) This option allows you to determine the location where you want to install Windows. Using this option will erase all personal data.

[ChakaKhan]

My thai Gf accuses me of having a unit thats also dying of old age........I dont have a computer though ????

[impulse]

It's usually pretty easy to replace the wifi card in a laptop, with it generally being in one of the compartments that open up with just a screw or 2.  Then, it's a couple of screws and 2 wires that plug in.  I've done it on 3 of mine, 2 when the tech got faster and one when the wifi became sporadic. 

 

And they're not that expensive, leaving more of the scarce laptop USB ports for external drives full of porn.

 

Look up your model in a YouTube search for more info.

 

[torturedsole]

43 minutes ago, ChakaKhan said:

My thai Gf accuses me of having a unit thats also dying of old age........I dont have a computer though ????

It will be well and truly dead by the time you get back. ????

[VBF]

14 hours ago, Eindhoven said:

Don't neglect to create the new installation media beforehand, if you have only that PC.

 

 

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/550639/windows-10-media-creation-tool-to-correct-boot-issues

<snip>

Or better, IMO, might be to create an image of the old drive using Macrium Reflect (link) swap drives, then apply the image to the new drive.

Go for the Free Edition for Home Use.

You do still need to make a boot disk - Macrium which is quite "User Friendly" shows you how.

[Eindhoven]

On 9/27/2020 at 1:02 PM, VBF said:

Or better, IMO, might be to create an image of the old drive using Macrium Reflect (link) swap drives, then apply the image to the new drive.

Go for the Free Edition for Home Use.

You do still need to make a boot disk - Macrium which is quite "User Friendly" shows you how.

 

Why would you assume that idea would be better? Especially when you have no idea of the amount of crud the OP has or doesn't have on the device.

Sometimes it's best to begin from a clean slate.

 

With this CPU;

 

 

I would choose to run a clean install.

 

 

 

 

[VBF]

7 hours ago, Eindhoven said:

 

Why would you assume that idea would be better? Especially when you have no idea of the amount of crud the OP has or doesn't have on the device.

Sometimes it's best to begin from a clean slate.

 

With this CPU;

 

 

I would choose to run a clean install.

 

Well I wouldn't choose an AMD, but as you say, it's a choice ????

 

I guess I sort of forget that many people let crud accrue on their machines (or don't know how to prevent it)

If you don't, the reimaging route is quicker and you get back to where you want to be. (Last time I rebuilt one of my main machines it took me over a day to get all my settings "just so")

 

[Randell]

Thankyou both for all you input.  I am still a long way out in the country and haven't done anything yet. But kind of confirm that neither my phone or tablet have any issues when the computer does. So a wifi thing with my old computer. Which I got new in a rush to work up in the Arctic in Canada when my old one died suddenly. I was a showroom model so got it cheap and it fit my budget at the time. I will follow through with all you knowledgeable suggestions but  it will be done slowly as with everything else me and my 70 year old body  does these days  .I do appreciate it will let you know how it goes but one more question . Should I get the wifi chip replaced inside the computer of buy an external usb one?

[Eindhoven]

31 minutes ago, VBF said:

Well I wouldn't choose an AMD, but as you say, it's a choice ????

 

I guess I sort of forget that many people let crud accrue on their machines (or don't know how to prevent it)

If you don't, the reimaging route is quicker and you get back to where you want to be. (Last time I rebuilt one of my main machines it took me over a day to get all my settings "just so")

 

 

Yes, it really depends on if you have a very specific setup.

 

But I find a clean install concentrates the mind on keeping a lean and clean running machine.

 

I'm actually running a relatively old laptop with an AMD CPU

 

 

So I know something about the capability and performance.

 

A clean install of Windows 10, with it's 8GB of RAM will get the best out of the device. Mine does everything I need it to do for a travel device. Though it struggles with high quality 720p video. Though since it's from 2007, there are no complaints.

 

 

[Eindhoven]

3 minutes ago, Randell said:

Thankyou both for all you input.  I am still a long way out in the country and haven't done anything yet. But kind of confirm that neither my phone or tablet have any issues when the computer does. So a wifi thing with my old computer. Which I got new in a rush to work up in the Arctic in Canada when my old one died suddenly. I was a showroom model so got it cheap and it fit my budget at the time. I will follow through with all you knowledgeable suggestions but  it will be done slowly as with everything else me and my 70 year old body  does these days  .I do appreciate it will let you know how it goes but one more question . Should I get the wifi chip replaced inside the computer of buy an external usb one?

 

I expect you to do it all yourself. 70 years old is not that old; don't be ridiculous.

 

Look on it as a joint project; not one where you have to sit on your own scratching your head.

We can plan what we are going to do and then do it all at the same time.

 

Nothing wrong with the spec of your laptop; it's actually better than mine. But mine is testament that you can get these old laptops running as snappily as a modern laptop for a relatively small outlay.

 

The USB adapter might perform better than the internal card, but the internal card is a neater solution.

I recommend you do both things at the same time; SSD and new Wireless card/adapter. Literally just a few minutes work.

As I wrote earlier, we can plan and do the project together. Just say when and we'll get to work.

 

 

 

 

 

[Eindhoven]

It's actually totally irrelevant where you are right now, as long as the postman can reach you.

Nothing about this job is complicated nor something you cannot do. All you need is a guide.

 

You'll need a screwdriver, the Wireless card, the SSD and a USB Thumb drive of at least 8 GB in capacity. That's it.

 

No need to go anywhere nor ask anyone to do anything for you. Step by step instructions can be posted here. Many here who though themselves incapable have completed the task and are very happy. They will never go back to having a tremendously slow spinning disk storage running Windows again.

Your laptop will be ready to use seconds after switching it on, not minutes.

[Ks45672]

On 9/25/2020 at 3:56 PM, VBF said:

It may still be the router even if you don't notice a problem with the phone / tablet - not all devices behave equally when they encounter a problem.

 

If poss, take your laptop to another WiFi area, a good way from home, (friend's house perhaps?) where you can use it for several hours during the day and confirm that the issue really IS on the laptop. 

If it is, then first, shut down the laptop, remove the battery, and hold the power switch down for a few seconds as if you were trying to power it up. Have a cuppa, then replace battery and try again. This is easy to do and will reset the hardware - it's not that probable but always start with the easy stuff!

 

If that doesn't fix it, update the drivers for the WiFi adapter (Control Panel > Device Manager)

 

@ballpoint made a very good suggestion, but if the problem isn't actually on the LT, then it won't help - really up to you.

 

So If his or my suggestions don't fix it or if it's OK at the other location,  turn your attention to the WiFi and router:

Does it happen at particular times of day? You mentioned the "wifi seem to drop out during the day" and using the phone/tablet in the evening:

Have you tried running the phone/tablet alongside the LT and seeing if they drop out at the same time? It's possible that something external is interfering with the WiFi in daytime only.

 

Have you power-cycled the router? (Off....leave it for 30 seconds, on again)?

 

UPDATES:  Try the Google search   "internet dropping out" 

and to illustrate the point that it MIGHT be an external issue especially if it happens at certain times....

https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2020/09/18-months-of-village-broadband-disruption-traced-to-old-tv-set.html

Less complex way of doing this is turning your phone into a wifi hotspot

 

If your laptop connects to it and stays connected then you it most likely is your wifi box

 

You can use "USB tethering" on your phone also if that works and feed the wifi internet into the computer through the USB cable from your phone

 

Wired connection might not drop at all since your tablet can stay connected