maver1ick

Hi All - my first post here.

I Couldn't resist any longer – just went to my local Good Guys at Artarmon in Sydney and picked up a 32GB model.

$596 price was no issue after the sales guy went and checked with his boss.

Was going to wait for the Asus but too much stuffing around and I am was just too impatient. Very excited to get it home to wifi and have a proper play but so far looks brilliant except for the following.

I'm hoping someone may be able to help with this scenario:

Wireless modem/router upstairs (Billion BiPAC 7300G) – no problem connecting wirelessly with A500 and other devices. Unfortunately not enough range/signal to reach all of my house.

Wireless Router (Belkin N300) Downstairs – acting as a wireless access point – connected to original Billion modem/router by Cat5- can connect with iMac laptop and Blackberry Bold wirelessly with no issues – using DHCP

For some reason CANNOT connect to A500, no matter what I try(!!), even without encryption? Really don't know why but hoping someone may be able to help!

Desperately want to be able to sit on the couch and use this in comfort on fast n wifi!!

Is it possible I need to manually enter a static address or could it be something else? Just cant work out why some devices can connect while Iconia can see the network clearly but just can't connect.
I have also tried to remove all wireless security and still no connection.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

Dolmangar

First thing to try is changing the channel that the Belkin is transmitting on. Perhaps there is something else that is blocking the signal. In fact, I'd try that on your other router as well. You might find out that you can cover your house with just the one.

There are some android WiFi apps that will help you find out which channels are congested in your area. Then you can switch to one that doesn't have as much traffic. It can make a large improvement in range and stability.


After that you should verify that you're up to date on the firmware for your routers.

HeadOffice

My A500 connected to my wifi network and I'm running a Belkin router with encryption straight away. It also connects to my phones portable wifi hotspot as well as my work's network. How did you go? Did it all end up working for you?

kooa

Hi there, i am new to this forum and i am having the same problem with my Acer A500 and HTC HD2(can be used as wi-fi router). I can get my 2 HP laptops connected to my HTC HD2 handset, but can not get it work with Acer A500.

You mentioned "There are some android WiFi apps that will help you find out which channels are congested in your area. Then you can switch to one that doesn't have as much traffic. It can make a large improvement in range and stability"..

Can you please recommend a android WiFi app(s) that will help me to solve this problem? thanks.

Cheers

HeadOffice

Check out wifi analyzer in the android market...

treefq

I am partial to wifi manager.

kooa

I have downloaded the "wifi anlyzer". Very handy program. However, I just found out that my HTC HD2 wifi is Ad-Hoc version and ACER A500 pups up a message telling me that Android platform does not suppot Ad-hoc wifi.
Has anyone experienced this before?
Any solution to this, please?

cheers

michaelg1030

Yes stock android does not support Ad-hoc. The solution: Root. You have to install a special file for the android to recognize ad hoc. Last I checked at XDA some people have had success with it and others haven't. Give it a couple more days and they will get it sorted out. But you will have to root your device.

LockSpace

I am having no luck connecting my Acer A500 to my Huawei 8100 cell phone Wifi (G) – all security turned off. The A500 does not list the SSID of the phone. Tried 3 phones so not the phone. Laptop and XBOX work fine. I am interested in collecting names of people with the similar issues to put some pressure on ACER. Contact me - Larry labas@lockspace.com. The Sensitivity of the WiFi seems quite low. It does get better if you remove the foil label off the front. My home dlink wireless n-300 does work but range is poor. Some have suggested A500 does not support the higher end channels. It is a warranty issue if it does not work. Other than that, I do love it.

HeadOffice

My home wifi network operates on channel 12 and no problem at all. Can see SSID straight away. Can tether to my phone no problem at all too. Perhaps you have a faulty unit? Did you take to store and try it out there?

If you have a foil label on the front - why would you NOT remove it?

LockSpace

Acer A500 AdHoc WiFi support.
Use Gingerbreak 2.2 to root. (easy )

get adb as part of android development kit. You can use a terminal emulator on the device itself, just harder to type.
- Acer USB driver needed for adb to work
Place new wpa_supplicant in sdcard/download directory - search
"Got Ad-hoc wifi working on my Xoom! (binaries inside)" to find it.
Short usb cable needed. Long one had issues.
set debug mode to on - tablet settings->applications.
on pc - via cmd shell , change to directory where adb is located.
on pc - adb devices (confirm one is listed)
on PC - adb shell (adb remount did not work for me, or use a Terminal emulator (free) from the the market)
su ( should see # as prompt after success)
mount -o rw,remount /system
cd /system
chmod 775 bin
cd bin
cat wpa_supplicant > wpa_supplicant.old
ls ( make sure copy exists)
cat /sdcard/download/wpa_supplicant > /system/bin/wpa_supplicant
ls –a –l (make sure overwritten)
chmod 755 /system/bin/wpa_supplicant ( make it executable)
chown system.wifi /system/etc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf (not sure if needed)
mount -o ro,remount /system
press ctrl-c (exit adb shell)
unplug usb
reboot tablet
restart start phone – ( my Huawei 8100 needs this if its been on for a while)
on tablet go to wifi setup - (as normal)

ahhh!

LockSpace

I leave as much of the original packaging as possible while evaluating the unit, as it can be returned to the store within 14 days. Since I was still not sure how to pick between the Xoom, A500, Asus, or near the future 10.1 samsung. I was planning to wait until the Samsung unit was available, but the Store had a renovation opening special - everything 15% off. - $75 on the 499 32 gig A500 made it a deal too hard to pass up on. The foil was on the frame so I left it there for the first day. With hc 3.1 supporting USB slots the Acer is a good choice for me as a developer. It is easier to move files to a USB key then transfer via a micro SD. I like having my USB key updated with video content attached to a pc, then when ready I just plug it in. In this way I don't have to leave the device teathered to a pc ( those poor Ipad users they are so patient) or have the pad stuck at my house while it loads content via wifi.


Your phone must support infrastructure mode, mine only does hotspots in adhoc mode. The low sensitivity does have its benefits - I can't see all the wifi signals in the area.

Now my only worry is when netflix will be ready for human (android) consumption and determining the best mp4 conversion settings for other content.

choppaB

Did you root your A500 or is the evo capable of Infrastructure wifi ?
thanks in advance

bazsh

Wow..seems so complicated to setup ad-hoc on a500

agent00

I had this exact problem. I could not get a WiFi signal unless I was in the same room as the router, and even then I would lose connection frequently. I found a few posts similar to this one around the web, but nothing to indicate that it was a widespread problem. I returned the device to Best Buy for a new one and am now enjoying WiFi the way it was meant to be: from anywhere in the house!

wshart

My Acer A500 shows weak and intermittent connection when I am sitting 1 foot from my wireless router. Our other computers have strong constant signal throughout the house. I assume the antenna is bad and will return the unit.

gatekeep707

I have a linksys e2000, im on my second replacement. The wifi (wpa) seems to drop every couple requests. I was excited to see the 3.1 update, but problem still exists..

I tried - for testing - turning off the encryption and switching channels...it reconnects instantly, causing a page not found error while reconnecting.

Anyone else experiencing wifi drops?

JBERRY

I have a linksys router that has been working great for my A500, till today, now the tab will not connect. I sees the wifi, but says disabled, I his the connect "button" and get a message obtaing ip address...remenbered, but then goes back to disabled. Do I need to reset?

fran76

THE SAME for me too. For 2 weeks my acer a500 works gr8 now it just tries to scan endlessly (starting today) , says remembered then disconnects then back to scanning and never connecting. all other wifi devices work perfect in my house btw.

fran76

I researched a bit and I did this (after many other suggested it) I used a small pin and did a RESET on the side of the tab and once it re started I was automatically signed in no issues. Some have had to do 2 re sets via the pin hole. Also b4 u do resets u may wanna "forget" your wifi settings and when it resets re scan. IDK but it worked for me.

alienpb

I found the one RESET didn't work but another RESET as soon as it boots up did the trick. I hadn't changed any WIFI setting prior to doing it and I was back on the network straight away.

Macromia

I'm having all the same problems. SOOOOOOOOO frustrating. works at my office but not home or parents home. other devices work fine, but the tablet is stuck in an "obtaining IP address" loop and then disabled. Some have said have to root the device? What does that mean? If its working in my office but not at home should I still do a reset?

chetzcool

Guys, a Soft Reset should fix the issue
Insert a small paper clip or a needle in the Reset hole and hold it when the tablet is on. It should restart the tablet. Once that happens, everything starts falling in place.
You should not lose data by doing this.
Worked for me.

shadowfax49

Hi all, new to forum but just resolved the same problem myself.
Currently have an desktop PC hardwired to a Huawei Echolife HG521 router and happily communicating with a wifi connected Dell laptop.
Bought them a new playmate, Acer Iconia A500 with Android 3.0.
The A500 could see the network but just alternated "connecting/scanning" and refused to connect; even removing all security and running "open" didn't work.
Tried changing DHCP to static, MAC filtering, different channels, manual entry of SSID/password, all with no success.
Took it to a friends and it connected to his network with no problem (different ISP & router), then another friends where it connected to his and two other nearby "open" networks.
I took this opportunity to upgrade the A500 to the latest firmware version and 3.1.
I got home and when it still wouldn't connect I dug out an old Speedtouch 585 router, set it up bingo! it worked.
So I did what I should've in the first place, reset the original router and used its default settings. After that it still wouldn't connect until I "manually added" the network (typed in the SSID etc).
Now, it's fine (at least has been for 36 hrs).

acjohnson

This worked for me on my Android Iconia A500. I actually was needing to connect to an ad hock network created by my windows mobile HTC Touch Pro using an old hotspot app (yeah, yeah, I know winblows!)

Only difference was that I had already updated to HC 3.1 so gingerbreak is not compatible with it... I actually spent like 3 hours trying to root with gingerbreak but it turns out if you have already ran system update on the A500 then you will need to use a different program called IconiaRoot 1.3 (just google [HOWTO] Root for stock HC3.1).

Once rooted I was able to use the free terminal emulator from the android market (instead of messing around with the android sdk and adb) which just took some patience with the onscreen keyboard.

One thing I will note is that it doesn't make sense to run this command:


But it does make sense to run this command to restore proper permissions to the new wpa_supplicant binary:
Just my two cents...

Last edited by acjohnson; July 28th, 2011 at 11:12 PM. Reason: typo

side0ut

Hi all,

I was trying to get the ad_hoc working on my wife's new A500. I was able to root it no problems and downloaded the wpa_supplicant file (extracted to my download directory on Acer). I had read that some people were able to use root explorer and simply copy the new file to the original location (system/bin). Unfortunately, I got the message that since it was read-only, I could not do that. Since I am a noob to this and can't afford to mess up my wife's new tab, I hoping that someone might be able to help me out. Do I have to use a PC to do this or is there something that will let me do it with the tablet? The file is already on the tablet.

Thank you,

Rich

side0ut

I used terminal emulator and was able to apply the wpa_supplicant and connect to my wife's hero (ad-hoc). However, now the wifi keeps disconnecting and reconnecting to the wifi tether. Thought it might have something to do with her phone so I tried connecting to my Linksys router and it is doing the same thing. Did I do something wrong? It never had a problem like this before. My wife is going to kill me if I don't get this fixed.

bedam

hi there i am new to this forum and was wondering if someone could help me with the internet connection. it wont work with the wirless dlink i have and i have been told to shop around for a better wireless modem. can someone please let me know which internet provider actually works on these tablets as the one i have on my laptop doesnt work on my tablet.

mac mc

what a waste....most everything I looked at about my porblem connecting with wi-fi on my new A500 is techno-language that I have no idea what they are talking about. sign me off

catebrooks84

Hi i dont know if anyone can help me, when it comes to techno i am very predated, the most i have ever had is a xp laptop and a cheap nasty Mobile Phone. so all this Android talk i dont get or understand and need dummy language lol.

thought id go tech style and got a tablet, tried to conect to my internet connection that we use for the laptop however when i do what the startup guide says, it scans, and then goes disarmed, and i can not do anything on the damn thing without a connection it seems, when i have gone in to acer for help it tells me to use apps which i need the connection for but i can not seem to get a connection from my bthub in the first place. big help with some dummy language advice would be gratefull thank xx

MahaloCat

It may be a hardware issue.
Take it back to where you got it and exchange it.
Or take it somewhere that has an open Wireless connection (starbucks etc) and see if you can connect there.

Some store/demo models have had this issue....

samturner159

Greetings I just registered to tell all of you with belkin router issues that I solved it very easily no messing about with static ips or anything. Have had a sensation xe for about a week and spent most of that time trying to get on my wifi. my router is about 4 years old so hope this will work for some of you.
If your htc device has WPS(wi-fi protected setup) in the wireless settings enable it with the wireless on, now somewhere on the back of the router should be a small button with a padlock above it hold, that down for 5 seconds and the padlock symbol on the front will flash and then thats it you should be connected. no need to change any complicated settings. Hope this helps some of you guys out am in UK so dont know if it will be same in the US

Mmjos

It was very frustrating when all our iPads and iPhones could connect to the wireless network but the new acer tablet we bought for my 81 year old mom couldn't. The solution was pretty simple, though perhaps temporary. By hitting the reset button on the belkin, we disabled its security settings, and the acer connected right up. Not a big deal for a couple of days since we have been visiting my brother and needed to get the acer working for mom. Not sure if security can be reset and still leave acer connected, but we are leaving town, so no too concerned about it.

dsn0119

Hello, I just pulled my Acer A500 out of the box. I cant get a internet connection. It says that Im connected to my wifi, but when we try to sign onto youtube we get a error message stating we dont have an connection. Any help?

pb65

It happened to me too. It said it is connected but couldn't browse internet.

This is what I did.

(Luckily my router does support WPA protocol.)

Changed my wireless protocol on the router from WEP to WPA. Following were not working with WEP and are now working with WPA.

1) Re-configured Wireless on new Acer Iconia and internet browsing is now working.

2) Wireless connection on my Smart TV (Sony Bravia) is now working and I can see internet videos on it.

3) Wireless on new iPOD Touch is working.


However, please don't forget, you also may need to re-configure your existing Wireless devices such as Laptops, iPODs etc so that they work with this newly configured WPA protocol.

Last edited by pb65; December 31st, 2011 at 09:17 PM. Reason: Update

jollyrotten

nvm

Last edited by jollyrotten; February 20th, 2012 at 11:57 PM.