Rachel Campbell > Blog

Eee PC Drops Wireless Signal - A Fix

I have an Eee PC 1005HA with the Atheros AR9825 wireless card. I encountered a problem where it would constantly drop the connection to my home network. It was unpredictable. Sometimes I could surf for hours and stay connected, other times I would lose connection every 10 minutes. The only fix was disconnecting from my network and then reconnecting. It was frustrating and bizarre.

I tried many things to fix it including updating the BIOS, checking for updated drivers, tweaking my network’s security settings, moving the laptop to a different location, buying a new router. I had the most current driver for the wireless card listed on ASUS’ and Atheros’ support websites.

Then I came across a more current driver version available on Atheros’ Czech Republic site. Why isn’t this available from the US site? I’m not sure, but it should be. It fixes the problem with dropping the signal! My connection has not dropped a single time since using this driver version.

I want to get the word out about this solution because this problem was so frustrating to me. I came across many forum threads in which other people were experience the same issue. Hopefully, this post will save a few people from the headaches I went through.

Download Driver: Atheros AR9825 Driver Version 7.7.0.523

Where are All the Retail Apps?

Recently, I’ve been in and out of a lot of different stores searching for a sofa. The whole process has been so time consuming and fruitless. Why don’t brick and mortar stores have mobile apps? Think about this usage scenario:

I have “The Store” app on my phone and I’m in the market for a sofa. Looking at the selection in my local store, I see a sofa I’m interested in but I’m worried it might not be sturdy enough. I wonder if the cushions will lose their support. I wonder if there might be a similar sofa for less money at another store.

I whip out my phone and load up the “The Store” app. Instantly, I can read reviews from other shoppers pulled from the store’s website. Reviewers say the sofa is fairly durable but the fabric is a magnet for pet hair and the cushions need to be re-stuffed within a year. I can compare prices on similar sofas at other stores near me to make sure I’m getting the best deal. I can even order the sofa from the website if my store is out of stock. All that could be accomplished in just 5 minutes on my phone.

Instead, I have to look at each store’s website or flyer—if they even have either—and see if they carry the type of sofa I’m looking for. If I find one I like in a store, I have to search online or call other stores to find out prices. It’s all a colossal waste of time!

Stores need to have this extended functionality. They need to put apps like this out there before other stores or individuals do so they can build a large install base and acquire customer data. I bet many customers would accept marketing offers like coupons, sales, and weekly ad alerts right to their phones as well. It’s a mutually beneficial ecosystem.

The technology exists. The need is evident. Make the apps.