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[Missing D-Link]

Re: The 60 second latency issue

Just to update what I've tried from sources I've read about from Google searching the issue:

* Downloaded and ran WLAN Optimizer, which initially looked like it had improved the spike cycle of once every minute. But that's after I exited the program, restarted the system and then launched it again. With it running, I ran various stop and start tests with the DPC Latency Checker and it appeared as if it would only spike once every 3-5 minutes and even went as long as 9 minutes one test without a spike (by the way, my spikes hit around 3000 on the scale). Unfortunately, after a couple more system reboots, the effectiveness of the program showed to be irregular and eventually wasn't effective at all as spikes went back to being more within the minute or two range.

* Downloaded and ran Vista Anti-Lag, which never worked from the start. Don't waste your time.

I've read some threads on the problem through repeated Google searches, and it seems the problem isn't limited to D-Link cards as some have reported the lag issue with just about every wireless card on the market; some are fixed by the apps above (or, perhaps, they think it fixed the problem) and some have done other "countermeasures" such as turning off the 802.11a radio band in the properties of their wireless card. Others have simply given up and gone to wired connections, which obviously eliminates the problem and it's not something I've ruled out if I can't figure something out soon.

One thing I've considered that hasn't been talked about much is the PCI bus latency settings in BIOS. Mine is currently set to 64 and I read somewhere that Vista adjusts those to it's own settings somewhere, and there's a program called PCI Latency Tool that might help.

If I think of anything else or find a solution, I'll post it.

[Rimtech]

By the way, the "Scan Valid Interval" option in the advanced options for this device in the vista device manager seems to be directly related to these severe DPC latencies.

But even when it's not "scanning", the DPC times aren't great. I'm sorry but this driver is absolutely horrible. D-Link really needs to get on Atheros's ass and get them to code a decent driver.

[war59312]

PM sent, sorry forgot the subject, but did not want to spam you.

New driver out today on Windows Update:



Old latest driver was:



Of course, still has DPC and PING problems.

[arod]

*********UPDATE**********

The PM group for this product has been informed of this issue and they currently have an engineer working on it tyring to see if this can be replicated. We do not have an ETA on when there will be an update so at the moment we will have to sit tight.

Any info I can get from you all that are experiencing this issue please PM me. The more info the better (e.g system info/specs..) the whole nine yards, so I can document the issues.

Thank you
-Ru-Fi-Oh

[thecreator]

*********UPDATE**********

The PM group for this product has been informed of this issue and they currently have an engineer working on it tyring to see if this can be replicated. We do not have an ETA on when there will be an update so at the moment we will have to sit tight.

Any info I can get from you all that are experiencing this issue please PM me. The more info the better (e.g system info/specs..) the whole nine yards, so I can document the issues.

Thank you
-Ru-Fi-Oh

Hi Ru-Fi-Oh,

Check your E-mail. Driver Interruptions or Latency does not come from the D-Link Card or its drivers. It fact, disabling the Adapter, just masks the problem.

The true cause of the problem is Network Monitoring Software, like Vista's or Network Magic's Platform Service.

Anti-Virus background scanning does not come into play. When you boot up the computer and have Network Hard Drives attaching to the computer, there is a slowdown, but only while Drives are attached to the operating system for use. After the drives are attached, they just sit there and cause no problems.

Now, I don't have Vista, I have Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 3 and Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit Beta Version installed on the computer that has the DWA-552 D-Link Wireless Card Adapter.

I disabled the Pure Networks Platform Service and the Latency Output turned green.

The problem is Network Monitoring Software.

This is probably why your Engineers could not replicate the problem. They need to test in the Vista Operating System, Windows 7 or install Network Magic in Windows XP operating system to verify my findings.

[Lycan]

Incorrect.
We are able to replicate the issue with a Xp machine with "lower" then average specs. The services you refer only further agitate the issue.
An adapters driver and it's subsequent IRQ/DMA assignment by the machine also seems to have an effect to some degree. Ru-Fi-Oh and I are working to pin point the situation further.

 

[Missing D-Link]

Ru-Fi-Oh and I are working to pin point the situation further.

Good to hear. Glad to hear you guys are still on it.
It's interesting that you mention a possible IRQ/DMA assignment issue. I recall a time years ago when I had a similar issue with a Pentium 100 system I built and a Gravis Ultrasound sound card. The problem was identical with the "glitch", but didn't have it in the 60 second interval timing like this particular problem. If I remember right, it was just a case of reassigning an IRQ in a cfg file.
But that was with the ancient limitation of IRQ assignments from a ways back.
Hopefully you guys find out it's just something driver related and Atheros can provide a fix.

[war59312]

Excellent, glad Dlink has been able to replicate..

Thanks for trying to get it fixed in timely manner.

[Lycan]

The real problem isn't that we can't replicate it, it's that we have no idea whats really causing it. I mean I can take educated jabs at the problem, (i have a fairly good and long background with PC's and their hardware makeups) but without the ability for us to look at the code itself we're never gunna know whats wrong.
 I'm leaning towards an issue with the core driver from Atheros, since the windows updated driver exhibits the same behavior. Problem is Atheros doesn't see an issue. Short of shipping them our PC, the best I can do is hammer them over the head with failure reports and video/audio capture of the erratic behavior.

Ru-Fi-Oh and I will do our best to ensure every effort is made to correct this problem.

[thecreator]

The real problem isn't that we can't replicate it, it's that we have no idea whats really causing it. I mean I can take educated jabs at the problem, (i have a fairly good and long background with PC's and their hardware makeups) but without the ability for us to look at the code itself we're never gunna know whats wrong.
 I'm leaning towards an issue with the core driver from Atheros, since the windows updated driver exhibits the same behavior. Problem is Atheros doesn't see an issue. Short of shipping them our PC, the best I can do is hammer them over the head with failure reports and video/audio capture of the erratic behavior.

Ru-Fi-Oh and I will do our best to ensure every effort is made to correct this problem.

Hi Lycan,

Even though the Wireless Card of D-Link has a Atheros Chipset, does not D-Link write its own Drivers and firmware in-house rather than contract out?

Isn't Customer Service taking a beating, because D-Link has to rely on another company to fix?

Would not it be cheaper in the long run, to do it in-house?

I can't even get 300 Mbps connection in Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit Beta operating system with this card, yet I can get 300 Mbps in Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 3.

[Lycan]

Hi Lycan,

Even though the Wireless Card of D-Link has a Atheros Chipset, does not D-Link write its own Drivers and firmware in-house rather than contract out?

Isn't Customer Service taking a beating, because D-Link has to rely on another company to fix?

Would not it be cheaper in the long run, to do it in-house?

I can't even get 300 Mbps connection in Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit Beta operating system with this card, yet I can get 300 Mbps in Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 3.

Our drivers are going to be based in the Atheros' driver.

[Missing D-Link]

Update...
Vista Windows Update had optional Atheros driver update 7.6.1.204 available for install.
Crossed fingers and installed.
Issue still exists.
That is all.

[war59312]

Indeed.

Confirming issue still exists on Vista SP1 x86.

[Intelman]

I'm glad this is being worked on, I noticed the same thing. I am not sure what to do at this point other than wait and continue to use the defective product. Hopefully Atheros fixes it, I'm glad D-Link intends to try though.

[gooman]

Add me to the list of Vistax64 victims. I have been racking my brain with a new system build, blaming it on bad ATI drivers, sorry ATI. At least I know what the problem is and hopefully my 30 days hasn't lapsed and  can return or exchange it. Only had to reinstall Vista 5 times in just a few days!! UGH!