Still happy with my 500gP!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Sebastian78
Looks like you have found out the same thing as me. I've spent some more time with this issue, searching the web (Since we are not allowed "to Google" stuff any more........). This is what I found out on the Intel web:
" Symptom(s):
If the wireless access point / wireless gateway does not properly support the PSP feature, intermittent loss of wireless connection, inability to initiate a wireless connection, or poor wireless connection data performance could result. The symptoms may be more pronounced when on battery power.
Cause:
In a mobile environment, power save polling mode is a feature for extended battery life for mobile stations. The capability requires coordination between the access point and the laptop's wireless adapter for proper operations. Intel has discovered the feature may not be implemented correctly or completely in some wireless access points or wireless gateway devices.
Solution:
Contact the access point vendor for an updated software which corrects the problem.
As a temporary workaround, manually set the adapter to CAM (continually aware mode), which disables the PSP capability. To do this, in either Intel® PROSet for Wireless Software or the Network Control Panel Applet (NCPA), in the power management section, uncheck the DEFAULT / AUTO selection and set the slider for HIGHEST / MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE "
The thing is, I found almost every feature of the WL-500gP a "hassle" to set up and I still haven't been able to make it "work like it should". SO even if I get it "up to speed" there are quite a few boogeys in the box.
I tried with an 3Com Wireless USB dongle and I got 6300 kbps in the basement with it, it worked like a dream. The Intel chip still only gave me 1800-2500 kbps. I'll try turning off the power management feature and post the results after work today. SO is it Asus or Intel's fault?
In my opinion, Asus SHOULD make their devices work with one of the major manufacturers of onboard/internal wlan. Especialy power saving modes, because this is very important for most of laptop users.
It is indeed not quite simple to get this device working as it should, but I still don't see many alternatives that I can set up as wireless router, print server, web server and network storage. Right now it all works fine to me (the distances in my house are limited), so the advise not to buy this device is a bit overstated I guess. Maybe I'm just so happy because I used to have some really old crap that only one in a while really worked, but I still think it is very useful and a nice value for money.
BR
Martin
Well the thing actually IS working
I am not very happy about the ASUS original firmware and its web interface, but the thing is - after you set it up step by step - everything is working. I just do not know any other router at this price which would be able to offer all the options:
-> ssh access
-> complete firewall configurability
-> ipkg installable packages
-> USB HDD
-> downloads as you please (torrent, ftp, http)
-> print server
-> I probably forgot something ... :)
In many ways you are right
As I said - the ASUS software is not polished at all. By far not the way NETGEAR soft/interface is for example. The reason why I think ASUS is worth buying - it is because you can replace that software.
The point is - you are not limited with what NETGEAR or other vendor has provided - you can put in all you want. So far ASUS seams very reasonable hardware that will do its basic functions out of box. As you said - for more advanced things - it sucks. But then there is Oleg's firmware, openwrt and guides created by people like you and me on how to set up these functions.
...enough said, keep it real...
500gP on the way - lets find out.
I've ordered the 500g Premium router, mainly because there's nothing else like it. I've also got a 250Gb USB drive at the same time, for music etc.
If it doesn't mostly work with the latest firmware it may be going back. Depends whether I expect the faults to be fixed or not (Oleg or Asus, I don't mind, but hardware/design faults shouldn't be tolerated.
I suspect Sabastian is partially right (although a bit picky :) ) but I'll find out for myself (and I have an AMD notebook not Intel :) ). This router has 4 features that are the sole reason for buying it instead of the Linksys Linux router:
1. NAS: Network attached HDDs have a whole industry built around them and an extremely large market. It means I can access the same files from any machine on my network.
2. Print Server: Won't be using this function yet.
3. Webcam: This is a big feature that should work out of the box. Although I WILL buy a webcam from the 'supported webcams' list.
4. Download Manager: Leaving my main machine on to download torrents is too noisy. This thing says it can do it. I hope it can.
I've read a few reviews and forum posts and reckon that the user interface isn't that bad. But it should do all the things advertised or it's a con.
Question: Why doesn't ASUS support this website and the contributors. They could use the mods on this forum to make the product better but also add their own updates..... It probably clashes with their bottom line I guess....would be nice to have a partnership (like Rockbox.org and Archos).
And really Eddie, your comments are personal. Why flame the guy for reporting facts. If you can prove him wrong you should. He's only putting newbies off, not the kind of people who don't mind playing with Linux scripts!
ASUS is a trusted name. If they release shoddy hardware they'll only be hurting themselves.
Shouting or misleading? ... perhaps both
I guess shouting in text mode is using bold, caps and size increase to draw attention to your point. I personally find your latest exclamation:
Do NOT under ANY circumstance BUY this product, because you WILL get dissapointed...
plainly misleading. The product works very well - if you do what is recommended on the forums. Most of the features - firewall, wifi, hdd, samba, download master did work out of the box. With less control you would get from using the command line - so not perfect, but still working.
However the point is - it works really well if you upload customised firmware and operate through command line. I guess it works also via web interface then, but cl is much more convenient.
Most of the people here discuss firmware customization to make the router work well. I wonder if this really is the target audience where you want to moan at length how something is not working exactly how it is supposed to? If everything was working and nothing could be changed - would there be such a forum in the first place?
Bye
The egg or the chicken...
Still having problems with slow speeds, then suddenly no problems, then extremely slow speeds the next second. I Still think "ordinary" people shouldn't buy the Asus WL500gP....
If it's Asus's fault, Intel's, Toshiba or anybody elses fault doesn't matter really, I'm just telling people that if you have a Intel internal wifi car, don't buy an Asus router because at the present time, they don't talk to eachother very well.
Off course there will be sw updates, but not right now.....
People are going to hate me for this, but I think Apple's "It just works" campain is a very good thing. You can say a lot of bad things about Apple or even (gosh) Microsoft....but it seems Apple tests their prodctucts with whats available in the market at that time, making sure it works.......no matter who is to blame for any issue that pops up.