Intel Centrino Advanced N6200 AGN wifi locks up Envy 17 whenever I try to download large files.

[GimpsUnlimited]

I got the BIOS boot wifi device not compatible error when I installed 6300. But after I power off, removed battery. Then booted with only battery and nothing attached, it booted fine. However, I still got random crashes when browsing, streaming, etc...

[mmccadden]

Removed BIOS battery or just the main computer battery? Also did you add an antenna cable or just use 1 & 2 of the three? How often are the crashes, mine are about once a day with a 6200 card, so ordered a 6300 card to see if makes a difference.

[Voyager-2 · Accepted solution]

Hi there, I encountered the same problem, and after trying many different driver versions I finally found that the 13.1.1.1 driver works for me. No more interrupted downloads and freeze-ups! 

Here's the link: http://www.wireless-driver.com/intel-centrino-6300-6200-windows-driver-software/

I registered just to share the solution with you, hope it helps!

[GimpsUnlimited]

Read my prior postings.  I already tried the 6300 route and it does not make a difference.  In fact, it only made it worse.  

My solution:  6200 with 13.5.0.6 driver.  

To get rid of that pesky "007-wifi card not compatible..." blue screen:

1.  unplug all (ports, power plug, and battery)

2.  wait a few and then put in battery only and boot up

3.  Once booted, you can plug in power and other ports.

[mmccadden]

Thanks for ideas guys. I notice today there is a new driver 14.3 on Intel's site, I will give that a try before going back to older 13.5. or 13.1.1 links you have success with. My 6300 card hasn't arrived yet, so still using the stock 6200 came with the ENVY17 machine. Of course there is no explanation I can find on the Intel site what the upgrades are for!?!

[Sledge81]

Hi All,

Just checking in to let eveyone know where I got to with the WiFi crashes...

Tried a 6300 could not get it 2 boot so installed a modded bios which worked ok for a few days then started getting the freeze ups again with the WiFi enabled, so no real fix with the 6300..

Reverted back to supported BIOS, removed MiniPCI WiFi card(s) all together and now just using NanoUSB WifI adaptor. Not one crash in 6 weeks. All GOOD.

Obviously not the best option but in terms of stability its the best i've come up with.

Cheers,

Chris

[grafals]

Turns out that my Windows update pushed a driver upgrade to the computer.  I rolled back the driver to 13.4.0.9 (I downloaded from HP) and the problems seem to have stopped again. 

So, it really does appear that this is a driver specific issue.  I'm baffled as to why Intel would put out multiple later iterations of the driver that cause the thing to lock up.  One would normally expect updates to IMPROVE performance not kill it.  Be that as it may, I kept the install files for this driver version so any time an update gets pushed out that stops it from working, I'll just roll it back again. 

[mmccadden]

Anyone getting freezes with 14.3 driver released 11-Jan-2012 by Intel? So far mine hasn't froze...still testing.

[mmccadden]

Sorry meant 12-Jan-2012 release of ver 14.3.0.6 to be precise

[mmccadden]

To which the answer is "Yes", I'm getting computer freeze ups with new driver 14.3. - happened today running uTorrent over wifi!