VAIO - Hardware & Networking

[Keiran]

Hmm, patronized indeed. That's just what you did to me. The path runs both ways.

Side note: I was not mocking him in any way. Although, now that I look at it, I could have written it better. As a former ESL teacher, believe it or not,I was trying to help him learn a little bit more about the English language which is why I gave an example. I sometimes forget how much is lost on the web. It didn't help I was also bombarded at the same time with other things/projects to do. Half a mind isn't enough quite too often.

On topic: my input on the situation is there. Read the second half of my comment. It gives information about a possible timeline for a fix. So, yes, I did have something to add to the discussion. I will add it again:

If the Pro's issue is fixed this week according to the message sent to retailers then more resources can be redirected to the Duo. The issue is likely the same or similar to the issue the Pro had which will speed things up. If all goes well, we might see an update in the next two weeks. This timeline is banking on the message to be true and I still have doubts about the source. Whether it pans out is soon to be seen. Cross your fingers.

The sleep issue is interesting. It's actually quite a common problem among computers but more spread out. and therefore no one computer type or configuration really has been put to blame. Sometimes computers will wake up and say they have a connection but be unable to connect to the internet. Disabling the device works as does restarting the computer. Not sure if it is connected to the Wifi issues or not. It might be exacerbated by said issues.

Yes, keep the adapter enabled as it is connected to the modified, active, Sleep that technically keeps the machine running at just above minimum level with wireless and a few other processes running in the background. Normal sleep turns of the wireless and everything else but keeps enough energy in the RAM for it to store your place. Hibernate is my favorite for laptops although you need to sacrifice some disk space for it depending on how much RAM you have.

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osolomon wrote:
Keiran,
Congratulations on your ability to use proper grammar! How about a little respect? Twobrains was nice enough to share his knowledge from Germany, which those of us in other countries would otherwise not have been privy to. Sony's US branch has kept completely quiet and any information is useful with such a serious problem. I'm glad you have the patience to wait, but those of us who don't have 2K to blow on a malfunctioning product would like to be kept in the loop on information about a fix. Unless you have some advice, information, or a question about Duo 13 WiFi, let those of us with productive commentary continue the discussion on this thread without being patronized.
An update on my previous problem with using a USB wifi adapter: I have found that all sleep issues as well as any of the crashing issues can be avoided by not allowing the computer to "connect automatically" to a network. It's an inconvenience since you have to tell the computer to connect every time it wakes from sleep, but it's better than the crashes and error screens from before. Also remember to keep the Broadcom adapter enabled at all times to avoid sleep issues.
I hope that helps someone! I'm staying positive that Sony will come through in turning this computer into a quality product.

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[Kragb55]

Hello,

I follow this blog for some weeks now. My name is Eric and I am an Industrial Hard &  Software developer. I have knowledge on LAN, WiFi and Bluetooth connections in both hard- and software designs.

A friend of my ask me to check on his WifFi and Sony machine. Reading the blogs on this topic and playing around, I can confirm that not only the WiFi is causing problems, but also Bluetooth!

The hardware solution inside a Duo 13 is a Broadcom BCM43142 solution. This chip both integrated WiFi and Bluetooth into the machine. Feature of this chip is a “bridge” between WiFi and Bluetooth for direct communication. I believe here is the base of the problem(s).

Test:

A simple check can be made by anyone with a Bluetooth mouse; connect the mouse to the machine and establish a connection to the internet using WIFI near an access point (maximum connection speed). Open YouTube and play any video you like. While it is playing, drag the mouse simple from left to right and back in a seady speed. Notice that it stalls the cursor on the screen every few seconds.

Even with full WiFi access there is an issue.

If you have a USB network adaptor, connect this one to the machine and make a cable connection to the internet. Disable the WiFi and again play a YouTube video. Move the cursor and you notice it is no longer stalling on the screen.

If you have another brand USB WiFi adaptor, connect this one to the machine, disable the internal WiFi and play again a YouTube video. Move the cursor and you notice it is not stalling on the screen.

Disable Bluetooth and only work with the internal WiFi does not seem to solve the problem.

Measuring with professional equipment shows there is an issue with the internal WiFi. A simple WiFi powertest (sending with 100% to 0% power @10feet) shows very strange behavior with installed software like CommView.

Conclusion:

Broadcom is delivering a so called API pack to developers who use the BCM43142 chip in their designs. Since not only Sony is suffering these problems, I read also something on a Acer machine, it is very well possible that Broadcom has a problem in the delivered API’s for the development of the drivers by Sony. Specific in the WiFi-Bluetooth bridge on the BCM43142 chip there seems to be a problem.

Sony developers should get in to contact with Broadcom on the delivered API’s and investigate in particular the behavior on the BCM43142 chip in relation to the API’s and it’s WiFi Bleteoothbridge function.

By friend returned the Duo13 for a refund. He did not want to wait and purchased another non-Sony device.

[twobrains]

hmm, commenting my English, yeah... important on a Sony weblog on Vaio's....

Anyhow. I purchased a TPlink USB WIFI adaptor for $10, auto-install under W8 and 5 stripes WIFI @30feet from the router. For now I can work.

@kragb55... interesting. I did not noticed is before, but indeed bluetooth connection to my headphone 'stalls' sometimes during skype conversation; so not the skype connection.... interesting.

[jscampi]

Twobrains, I did the same thing. I got a Belkin N300 usb adapter and it is fantastic compared to the internal Broradcom adapter. I just would like the internal Broadcom adapter to well given the nearly $2000 cost of the computer.

[gutopesset]

Can anyone tell if the wireless problem is fixed?

I'm considering buying this Duo 13, but I will only do that if this wifi problem is 100% fixed.

thanks.

[tancheeken]

Guto,
Not yet. Still waiting for news.

[gutopesset]

Thanks for the answer. I'm planning a trip to EUA next month. My hope is this issue fixed until there to buy it.

I wont have other opportunity anytime soon.. hehe

[N45TY]

Hi. I bought a wireless usb adapter for my 1.5k sony duo 13! Dont ask!.....
However it's not working properly after I installed everything. I have to disconnect or restart my duo every hour or so? Do I have to disable the BROADCOM on my sony first to use it properly? Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks.

[twobrains]

Yes, disable the Broadcom SDIO in the devicemanager and. Reboot.

[tillutillu]

I was into market looking for ultrabooks, started with Acer aspire R7, before buying googled for issues and hit http://community.acer.com/t5/Notebooks-Netbooks/Poor-Wifi-on-new-Aspire-R7/td-p/94855. Same wifi issues.

After a week checking acer R7, I decided to move on to Sony vio duo 13. I compared these two at bestbuy in toronto and loved duo 13(costly but loved overall Duo 13 feel). Before buying wanted to check reviews and hit this site, same wifi issues with Duo 13 as with Aspire R7.

So it seems this is neither Sony nor Acer problem, it is broadcom issue. Both units work fine with external USB network adapter. I know this dosent help in anyway, just stating so people are aware of the larger problem and not just a Sony issue.