[bwj]

OK thanks for the tips

The laptop was blocked from acessing wifi printers etc anyway so guest network sounds like the way to go for simple internet access.

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[bwj]

After a weekend of no problems and no complaints with this router, I’ve run into this problem on the Monday morning return to work and search a solution:

My other half has a “civil service” laptop that is obvioulsy remotely managed and the security settings block access to Windows Device Manager so the user can’t update WiFi drivers etc

Hard to be sure but I suspect the Wifi card is on an old Wireless N or even Wireless G standard. First, her laptop couldn’t see the network at all but after resetting the 2.4GHz network to “Wireless N only”  on the AX router mode we can get connected. Small problem is that that setting then throttles all of the other 2.4GHz only devices like the Skybox and Alexa.

I note the Asus help pages for the AX88U suggest updating the Intel Wifi drivers as this is a known problem but that is not an available option for the above security reasons.

What I am wondering is whether it would be possible to use my defunct HomeHub as a bridge and set up a network just for this device? Any hints on feasability and setup greatly appreciated.

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[bwj]

Ha – yes, sorry for cutting across your edit. I had seen that video online while researching the issue!

Seems to require a microscope and super steady hands. Nothing to do with COVID-19 early in the day drinking, and I have a little tech proficiency, but think that would beyond me!

Going to see on Monday if any of the repair shops might have the equipment as in the video but those I’ve spoken to so far, give the genreic response of “replace the antenna.”

 

 

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[bwj]

The AX card itself is fine – it’s the antenna that is broken and hard to source a replacement for (the gold crimped on clip has sheared away from the antenna cable just leaving bare wire exposed). I read elswehere that this is a common problem but I doubt it is covered by the warranty!

I’m getting by with an AC dongle while I wait for an antenna.

The AX card is currently available on Amazon for £34

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07Q4YYQC2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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[bwj]

Yes – that is what I feared about the antenna connections

Would routing a generic antenna cable (like in link https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-Universal-Internal-Antenna-for-Wireless-Wifi-Mini-PCI-PCI-E-Laptop-Desktop/163656043628?hash=item261aa90c6c:g:RmsAAOSwYAdd0jVI) through my laptop case to the Wifi card be a temporary solution (while I wait for the two month ship for the correct antenna from China)?

To stay on topic I am super happy with this router and just how easy it was to setup – just need to get full use of the AX capabilities now!

 

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[bwj]

Yes Openreach fitted fibre connection points to every home locally about 2 months ago, whether or not you had already expressed an interest. The BT website showed the availability of FTTP upgrade the very same day so all surprisingly seamless. Only wait was for the modem fitting inside the house which is clearly understandable at the moment.

Thanks for the tips which I have taken on board.

At the risk of straying off topic again – the solder glue tip is a good idea for a temp fix. In the illustration the antenna with red arrow is just bare wire. Is it sufficient to make the contact with anywhere on the round gold clip on the wifi card/or do you need a super steady hand to make sure the contact is only between the wire and the centre “pin” on the gold clip?

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[bwj]

Speedtests have improved now that everyone else is asleep – up to full speed on LAN and approaching it on Wifi

In answer to the question, I was already on BT FTTC but don’t know if that makes any difference; there were no Openreach installation charges and my contract is roughly the same per month for FTTP as before. Especially happy now that the new router let’s me take full advantage!

Seperate note maybe not for this forum but why is fitting a new (AX) wifi card in a laptop always such a pain in the a…? The antenna clips never click on and I’ve managed to snap one off completely! Need to buy a whole new antenna now. For a Dell Alienware that promotes itself as being easy to upgrade…

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[bwj]

Thanks will come back to you (when the others are offline!)

Yes I was on FTTC before, now on FTTP. Seamless installation for which the engineers have to be congratulated. Max speed on the Wirral appears to be 300 MBps rather than the Star Wars light speed 900 MBps available elsewhere!

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[bwj]

Yes – I appreciate the difference in testing methods (not being narky honestly – really appreciate the tips)

I will give it a thorough LAN test when the children are offline, it was just that a basic Wifi speedtest on the BT router and on the ASUS shows a speed drop of about 50 MBps (the BT Homehub got close to my advertised 300/50 even on Wifi)

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[bwj]

Well please forgive the cusswords but f… me backwards what a world of difference there is between these two routers. ASUS have shamefully given up on any support for the DSL-AC88U whereas the new purchase of the AX enabled RT-AX88U has provided virtually painfree setup and seamless ipv6 connectivity.

What a world of difference … the last router took hours to setup and provided constant niggles. [Ignore this if you see my eBay sale of this router!]

My only comment is that on basic speedtests I’m getting about 50/60 MBps less than the BT Homehub for download speeds, upload speeds are identical. Any expert tips?`

Thought I was taking a risk going for an expensive ASUS again but it’s worked out. Forgive a newb question but what are the advantages of now also switching to Merlin firmware when everything is stable and working as is?

 

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[bwj]

Thanks – helpful and prompt reply! Will ditch the DSL router!

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[bwj]

Thinking of getting this router now that I’m on BT FTTP and ditching the DSL-AC88U

Does this one have better support for ipv6? On the DSL-AC88U it is not possible to change the LAN prefix from 64 to BT’s standard 56 prefix.

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[bwj]

This router/modem (Asus DSL-AC88U) has become a really dissapointing piece of expensive kit to the extent that I might go back to the Homehub.

Can anyone help with appropriate settings for ipv6?

Unlike the previous iteration of the router (AC-68U) this one doesn’t give any options to change the lan prefix length to coordinate with BT as /56 rather than /64

I have it set in native mode and have tried messing around with the other settings (eg Static Ip) to no avail.

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