Engenius/Senao USB Wireless adapter - Page 7

melbem · 11-20-2007, 01:38 PM

Thread is getting stale here. Hope someones reading.

I've been using the eub-362-ext for some time now and went out in search of advice on the net. You seem to have the richest thread on this device so I hope I can get a little feedback on an IMMENSE FRUSTRATION I've been having.

I even purchased the ALFA 400mw usb device and am experiencing the very same problems. I've use the devices on two separate laptops with winme and winxp. Same thing.

I use these devices frequently while on the road. Travelling and RV'ing. I connect in airports, cafes, truckstops, etc. I also use the device to connect to my ISP account (the sector antenna hangs on a telephone pole about one hundred feet away.

Regardless of how strong the signal is, or what brand of router I happen to connect to on the road, on an average of every fifteen to twenty minutes the signal will simply 'blink' out.
The connection is there, the signal strength is good to fantastic. When it's especially annoying is if I'm in the middle of a download and the progress bar and trasfer rate just stop cold. Nothing I do short of disconnecting and reconnecting the link will bring me back on line.

The ALFA card actually seems to be worse at this sort of behavior than the engenius is. Tech support at my ISP has no idea. None of my neighbors seem to have a problem either. I borrowed a neighbors Zyxel desktop bridge/client and never had any similar interrruption whatsoever.

I'm starting to wonder if this is a quirk associated with high powered usb cards generally.
Anyone else ever experienced anything like what I have? Can I change some settings to correct this? I'll sit here with my hands in prayer hoping for an answer. Without this annoyance these are the simplest most effective little units for on-the-road available.

thanks

madmax00 · 11-20-2007, 08:51 PM

I have a Engenius and a Alfa too. I had the same problem. Are you using a USB hub? If so disconnect the USB hub and connect the Engenius or the Alfa straight in to the USB port on your computer or laptop.

Also placing any USB adapter as high as you can helps too. Like on the second floor or up in your attic.

melbem · 11-21-2007, 12:04 PM

Not using a hub. I've tried to eliminate any possible conflicts. No extension cords, good solid connectors. It doesn't seem to matter how strong the signal is. Both laptops have only USB1.0 but I've connected through a USB2.0 pcmcia adapter as well, same trouble. This is so damn irritating.

-zip- · 11-22-2007, 07:07 PM

What client are you using? Do not use the Engenius client if you are, uninstall the client, when you do it will ask if you want to keep the drivers say "yes" to that.

I called Engenius as my 362 does not seem to be recognized at boot up and I have to unplug and then plug the unit back into the dongle.

The tech guy informed me that the 2.1 drivers are not on the CD and to try that installing those.

He also informed me this little guy can get hot and cause issues. For a test, put a fan underneath it if you can and see if the connection holds. The tech guy actually does this with his own 362

The other thing I found interesting was that he stated that the 362 is not designed for prolonged connection times. Should last hours, but I found that interesting.

I also have read that the USB cable can be faulty. The Tech Guy confirmed this as well.

So
Windows Zero Client not the one that comes with the 362
2.1 drivers
Try a Fan or someway to keep it cool
swap USB Cable

Give those a shot.

shrodavis · 12-13-2007, 03:39 PM

Melbem,
Your unit is over heating. If you can't place it in an air stream, try standing it on its edge, that was the cure for my unit.

Shrodavis
Retired, and loving it!

Phatsacks · 12-14-2007, 08:17 AM

If you are able to install a PCI card, would their desktop PCI card be better?

I thought antenna strength was measured in the dBm, while both cards have almost the same, the desktop is 600mw (so not sure on the difference).

shrodavis · 12-14-2007, 01:16 PM

PCI card would work great, I would suggest using a card with removable antenna, which would give you a lot more options.

Antennas are rated by dbi, and wattage capable also. Most antennas are rated with dbi, but the wattage capableilty cannot be exceded.

Shrodavis

Still retired and loving it!

Phatsacks · 12-14-2007, 01:31 PM

I'm mostly asking because the PCI card is cheaper, and the notated difference is 600mw vs 200mw, and I'm not sure what the difference is.

USB could sit in my back car window (my seats fold down, so it would be very easy), the PCI would be in my trunk (not a huge huge difference).

shrodavis · 12-14-2007, 01:46 PM

Which one you chose should work, where you have the antenna located is the most important thing. The max wattage output is immaterial if your antenna signal is blocked.

PCI card should present less of a heat problem, assuming your cpu container is well ventaleted.

Robert Davis

Retired and loving it!

zoef · 12-22-2007, 12:43 PM

I'm mainly using the unit on my boat, to connect to (unprotected) networks around harbours. And yes, every now and then the connection is broken. I found the following suggestion from Trey MacDonald in another forum:

Once installed, go to the Control Panels/Network Connections
Right-click on the USB Network Adapter and Select Properties
Click on the Configure button on the right-hand top, of the General tab
Go to the Advanced tab
Set the value of "Long Retry Count" to a higher value - The default is 7, (I used 21)
Set the value of "Short Retry Count" to a higher value - The default is 7, (I used 21)
Click OK.

That's it !

The effect of making this change, is that the adapter will retry the packets (both long and short) many more times AT THE DRIVER LEVEL before reporting an error. In many cases this will overcome poor reception or disruptive interference.

The consequence to the end-user is that the connection appears to be more reliable, because the driver is doing all of the work of repeating packets...[/i]

It worked for me.
Zoef