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Concern that Dell Wireless 1704 802.11b/g/n (2.4GHz) is a dud ("SPROM Format Validation" test Failed)
I have scoured the internet and Dell support webpages. I love my Dell XPS 8700, but the recurrent problem I have had is with internet connection. There are regular and persistent drops and slowings. I will reset the adapter (Dell Wireless 1704 802.11b/g/n (2.4GHz)) and it will pick up for 10-20 seconds and then drop again. On the same desk I will run my laptop (Dell XPS 12) and simultaneously run speedtest.net. And they will display vastly different results (not all of the time, but most of the time).
I have the latest driver for the Dell Wireless 1704 802.11b/g/n (2.4GHz).
I have done some of the instructions on this thread en.community.dell.com/.../19668056.
Is there a way to test the card to see if it is faulty? Can I simply purchase a new one and replace it? (I am moderately tech savvy.) I do run the DW WLAN Card Utility and found that "SPROM Format Validation" test Failed. A google search and Dell website KB search do not give answers.
I have had uverse come and replace the router. No other people in the household have had problems. I have even placed a range extender and have 5 bars.
Any advice or guidance would be most welcome.
Cheers,
Chris
Houston, TX
csgreeley
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May 25th, 2017 20:00
It turns out it was a bad wireless card. I replaced the original wireless adapter with the one Dell suggested.
www.dell.com/.../networking
Now it is working excellent. 5 bars, when usually 3 (without the extender). Signal is excellent (when before it was good)
Tip: download the appropriate drive before installing. For the card that Dell recommended, the driver was:
www.dell.com/.../DriversDetails
When i installed the new adapter, I could not connect to the internet. The original driver did not work with the new card. I had to connect the desktop to a range extender via ethernet, download the correct driver, and then install it. When installed, it worked great.
DELL-Jesse L
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May 22nd, 2017 07:00
csgreeley,
You can replae the wireless card in your system. Click the link below to download the online manual for information removing/replacing parts in your computer.
Dell XPS 8700 Drivers, Downloads and Manuals
AZMoosie
5 Posts
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August 23rd, 2017 17:00
I'm glad you had a happy ending. Most posters, on various boards, do not. I own several Dell laptops with the same adapter and have installed several more laptops for clients, all have the same disease - this Dell adapter is a 3-legged dog with fleas. Periodically I rescan the boards and always find the same stories. I'm now finally going to bite the bullet and purchase a few better quality cards that will actually provide realistic wi-fi speeds. To anyone who finds their way to this reply I offer this valuable advice - stop wasting your time searching and just buy a new wi-fi card.
LewisDC
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August 28th, 2017 21:00
Same problem here. Dell support of no assistance.