iPad2 wifi issues.. please help

[LinuxMan]

A few people i know are having endless problems with wifi on the apple ipad2.
The wifi connection drops off regularly. Also when i test Wifi signal with a notebook it shows a higher signal strength. Not too sure how accurate the Wifi indicator is on the ipad2.

Apparently WPA with AES is recommended for most Access Points when connecting. And the Region must be set to united states. I googled it and their seem to be alot of unhappy people :wtf:

Can anyone shed some light here

 

[Dolby]

My sarcastic reply?

You're about to get flamed for thinking that an iPad has an issue - let alone an accidental issue. Steve Jobs limited the wifi (cleverly!) so you don't interfere with the neighbour and visa versa. Also cleverly, he gave you a wifi signal meter that reads the equivalent of low, medium and high - purely so you won't be tempted to tweak and notice every little signal/noise ratio change.

Realistically - the iPad 2 doesn't have great reception compared to notebooks. That said, with the standard cheapy Netgear that Telkom give you, I have access all over my property (300sqm) through walls etc etc

I did have an issue with signal with a Vodafone R201 through a single wall and constant dropping - but the Netgear helped.

What router are you using?
How far?

 

[creeper]

Update your iOS to 5.1 or later. There was an issue previously

 

[Rocket-Boy]

I use mine on wifi at work and at home and it's never skipped a beat. Been through a few iOS versions which didn't change anything. My regions are definitely not on us and I use the least congested channels. One is on WEP and one is on WPA2 so I doubt it's that.

 

[Fudzy]

Update your iOS to 5.1 or later. There was an issue previously

Yeah what OS version you running?

Fun fact, the plastic apple logo in the middle helps transmit signal. The Asus Transformer Prime was solid aluminum and has subsequently suffered from reception problems.

FWIW I use WPA-PSK

 

[Fudzy]

Also to add, I have found my iPad isn't as strong as my old HTC Desire but it's no deal breaker, I don't usually use my tablet in my garage.

 

[LinuxMan]

Will inform them to update to the latest iOS 5.1 or later. Connecting to a Billion ADSL router with, WPA AES encryption, was previously set to WPA2. Notebooks connect correctly

 

[[)roi(]]

Will inform them to update to the latest iOS 5.1 or later. Connecting to a Billion ADSL router with, WPA AES encryption, was previously set to WPA2. Notebooks connect correctly

If they are the WIFI only iPads, then its a known problem, and you need to update to the latest iOS 5.1.1; the other issue is the Billion device, the WIFi facilities on these ADSL edge router are pretty crappy from my practical experience... re standards and gain.

I have found the best way to get a very stable WIFi network and to at the same time further improve your edge security is to simply buy one of Apple WIFI devices I.e. Apple Airport Extreme and then turn off the WIFi on your Billion and Ethernet attach it to the Airport Extreme.

What you will gain from this is a very solid WIFi signal, a greater simultaneous standards support (security and speed), additional edge firewall features, support for a greater number of WIFI devices, higher transmission speeds, and the ability to share device like printers, USB devices etc...

A cheaper alternative is Apple's airport express which as a further plus point also allows attachment of speakers(for example hifi) for AirPlay support.

 

[[)roi(]]

My sarcastic reply?

You're about to get flamed for thinking that an iPad has an issue - let alone an accidental issue. Steve Jobs limited the wifi (cleverly!) so you don't interfere with the neighbour and visa versa. Also cleverly, he gave you a wifi signal meter that reads the equivalent of low, medium and high - purely so you won't be tempted to tweak and notice every little signal/noise ratio change.

Realistically - the iPad 2 doesn't have great reception compared to notebooks. That said, with the standard cheapy Netgear that Telkom give you, I have access all over my property (300sqm) through walls etc etc

I did have an issue with signal with a Vodafone R201 through a single wall and constant dropping - but the Netgear helped.

What router are you using?
How far?

Sometimes I wonder where you dig up this type of crap -- there is no limit on the transmission and receive distances. ps it's an approach thing that get's you flamed more than others... It's not all bad and you know that.

You however did touch on one truth I.e. most WIFI devices on the market are crap; especially the combo ones, for example: ADSL + WIFI, or HSDPA + WIFI.

For example using a decent WIFi base like Apple's Airport Extreme; I have the signal at my Mom's farm extending at high gain output to cover about 2 acres at a minimum of 3 bars (40mbps on the edge, 300mbps with 5bars up to a distance of 1 acre);

A Netgear base I tried couldn't even blanket the house (large 7 bedroom farm house) -- 300m2 is poor in comparison

FYI I similarly tried Billion, Linksys, Huawei, Asus, D-Link, MTN (HSDPA), ... All btw were crap in one way or the other. I had to support: HP laptops, Apple MBP, Apple TV, Playstation, XBox, Samsung TV, iPad, iPhone and BB phones.

The Airport in comparison worked perfectly with all these devices after a few seconds of simple config, and I boosted the signal to high gain by another simple config change. To support all these devices at the farm was a config nightmare on the other Bases..

 

[Dolby]

Is it the sarcastic bit or the realistic bit that you feel is crap?

Obviously the sarcastic is not true - but I don't see an issue with the realistic side of what I said?

My first taste of wifi was back in 2001 with Megawan 802.11B, Orinocco card, 24db antenna and a highsite a few KM away. Since then I've also had my fair share of routers, brands etc - and I've generally found Netgear to be worse than Linksys.

I do find your claims of coverage and speed slightly unbelievable though. We are distributors for one of the wifi systems in this test http://www.prnewswire.com/news-rele...onsistently-outperforms-others-125736668.html ... and Apple don't even rate.

Our product absolutely slaughters Apple Extreme and I'm not sure we'll be getting the performance your Apple gives you over an acre without external antenna? Maybe you have a Super Apple Extreme or something?

High Density Client Capacity Wireless Testing

... and Apple (3.8 Mbps) delivered markedly slower speeds.
... and Apple (54 Mbps) delivered slower speeds.
... Cisco (54 Mbps) delivered much slower speeds while the Meraki and Apple APs were unable to complete the testing.

 

[[)roi(]]

Is it the sarcastic bit or the realistic bit that you feel is crap?

Obviously the sarcastic is not true - but I don't see an issue with the realistic side of what I said?

My first taste of wifi was back in 2001 with Megawan 802.11B, Orinocco card, 24db antenna and a highsite a few KM away. Since then I've also had my fair share of routers, brands etc - and I've generally found Netgear to be worse than Linksys.

I do find your claims of coverage and speed slightly unbelievable though. We are distributors for one of the wifi systems in this test http://www.prnewswire.com/news-rele...onsistently-outperforms-others-125736668.html ... and Apple don't even rate.

Our product absolutely slaughters Apple Extreme and I'm not sure we'll be getting the performance your Apple gives you over an acre without external antenna? Maybe you have a Super Apple Extreme or something?

High Density Client Capacity Wireless Testing

... and Apple (3.8 Mbps) delivered markedly slower speeds.
... and Apple (54 Mbps) delivered slower speeds.
... Cisco (54 Mbps) delivered much slower speeds while the Meraki and Apple APs were unable to complete the testing.

Btw nice meaningful post, congrats

Hahaha, you welcome to come and see it... It just works (distance and signal) -- mounted external in a weather proof unit for maximum signal blanketing...

You do understand 1 acre = ~4000m2 or a corner to corner distance of ~63m

Btw the same approach was taken with the others, yet the problems were far too countless to ignore; incredible connection was quite sick of me returning different units, re they would intermittently fail or were not able to simultaneous support mixed WIFI standards which was specifically problems between the iPad / iPhone, HP Laptops and Bowers & Wilkins Zepplin Air.

For example: the most units fail a basic test with the Zeppelin Air I.e. continuously playing music wireless from the MBP or iPad; the majority would constantly lose connection I.e. multiple dead zones, and there were many examples when the Zeppelin or the Samung LED TV would intermittently lose connection and needed to be rebooted, sometimes in conjunction with WIFI base (yes all software was checked for updates).

Oh an FYI you can easily monitor the WIFI connections in real time using the original Airport Utility 5.6 (advanced tab, logging and settings allows you to in real time monitoring all connected clients: signal strength, noise, rate and connection type; the graph shows the dBm over the last 5 minutes, so quite easy to spot signal drop outs while you move about, or ones that just intermittently show up; again it just works good for the non techies and not too bad for those that need more details -- sadly this was missing in all the units I could obtain from Incredible or HIFICorp)...

Since installing the standard Airport Extreme... It all just works!

Btw I have been working with networking of all types since 1986 (trumps your 2001 ) -- even was part of building one of the 1st private cellular & fibre networks.

I guess your top superb Apple's ass kicking stuff cannot be found at Incredible

 

[Dolby]

I'm not trying to compete on experience or anything - I'm trying to show this >>>>>

Sometimes I wonder where you dig up this type of crap

was probably a little uncalled for as I don't simply spurt negative things about Apple and they can be backed up

EDIT : Yes, I know how large an acre is ...

 

[[)roi(]]

I'm not trying to compete on experience or anything - I'm trying to show this >>>>> was probably a little uncalled for as I don't simply spurt negative things about Apple and they can be backed up

EDIT : Yes, I know how large an acre is ...

It was meant to be a tongue in cheek thing -- guess I need to put more whistling smiling faces...

I know full well that you like your Apple goodies, and that like me you wish competition would spur Apple onto better things at a faster pace... but such is life (or a box of chocolates)

It's pleasant to read something other than complaints

 

[Dolby]

It's pleasant to read something other than complaints

Hey! I posted positive last night and you were still upset

 

[[)roi(]]

Hey! I posted positive last night and you were still upset

Hahaha, don't misconstrue healthy debate for an attack... Good to see humour spilling through...share more

 

[LinuxMan]

thanks for the input guys

 

[chrisc]

My iPad2 won't receive a signal further than 6 metres from my TP-Link router. HP notebook works 18 metres from router. Sometimes, when in same room as router and Wi-Fi Analyser reports 98% signal and recommends what wi-fi channel to use, it just stops responding.

Took it to Apple agents on Roeland Street. As soon as they found out I had purchased it in New York they were not interested in even looking at it. So I returned with the literature describing the limited warranty, which states that ANY accredited Apple agent anywhere in the world would attend to it. Then they argued about the invoice which states 10/2/2011 saying you bought it in Feb, there is no longer a guarantee. It took a further 25 mins arguing to persuade them that 10/2 means 2nd October in the US, not 10th February. Very reluctantly they took it in. 3 days later I was told to collect it. It is exactly the same, as I walk away from the router the signal drops from 98% to 55% (3 metres away) to 2% (6 metres away) then "no signal" after that. Upon complaining, I am told they don't make them, they only sell them and suggested I take it back to B&H Photo in New York. I had already been in touch with B&H Photo who advised me that any Apple agent in my country would honour the guarantee.

Whilst in the shop, the signal was 92% but when I stepped outside 3 metres away, it dropped to 33%. I asked to see another iPad with a signal meter but they said this was not available, I must leave as they have done all they can

It is a pity spending a tidy sum on a good-looking product but when it does not work as you expect, are told that there is nothing that can be done. I have looked at all the tweaks and upgrades available, but they make no difference.

I eventually sold this iPad for R900 to a guy who said he did not mind the poor wi-fi performance as the signal in his office was very good. He called me the next day and agreed that the wi-fi performance was poor, as his desk is 4 metres from a sectorised antenna and the signal is only 34%.

 

[[)roi(]]

My iPad2 won't receive a signal further than 6 metres from my TP-Link router. HP notebook works 18 metres from router. Sometimes, when in same room as router and Wi-Fi Analyser reports 98% signal and recommends what wi-fi channel to use, it just stops responding...

Was this the WIFI iPad or the 3G iPad, also is this an IPad 2 or 3?

The WIFI iPad 2 and 3 are known to have issues with signal, much has been corrected by software upgrades... Yet there were a few instances where the units needed to be replaced.

Btw I've had a very bad experience with a TP-link router (combo 3G and WIFI) -- constantly losing signal I.e. very bad signal attenuation even on short distances.

I ended getting a refund as even after a replacement unit and software upgrades: it failed more than it worked.