557 replies to this topic

[mobilenvidia]

Below are the modded Atheros drivers to enable all known settings.
The modded drivers contain the NMI/Parity error fix mentioned below.

After weeks of testing, tweaking and reinstalling Windows, I've found the culprit to the NMI:Parity error for Atheros cards on some systems (well at least the i9400 anyway)
Below is the latest driver with a modded INF that includes the fix and has everything enabled.
DO NOT adjust pcieaspm setting to either 1 or 3 !! this could possibly cause the error to happen again (not the actual fix but part of it)
Just extract the driver somewhere and use the update driver method to install.
If s previous driver is installed remove this and if it auto detects an older one then remove this as well, do this until it no longer installs a driver.
Reboot after the uninstall then point the new 'hardware found' to the directory where the modded driver is.
Once installed reboot again.

v9.2.0.105 with modded INF v1.31 for both Vista/Win7 x86 and x64
Should work for ALL Atheros Chipset versions

v9.1.0.314 with modded INF v1.30 for both Vista/Win7 x86 and x64
Should work for ALL Atheros Chipset versions

v9.1.0.100 with modded INF v1.30 for both Vista/Win7 x86 and x64
Should work for ALL Atheros Chipset versions

v8.0.0.316 with modded INF v1.29 for both Vista/Win7 x86 and x64
Should work for ALL Atheros Chipset versions

v9.0.0.125 with modded INF v1.29 for both Vista/Win7 x86 and x64
Should work for ALL Atheros Chipset versions

v8.0.0.279 with modded INF v1.29 for both Vista/Win7 x86 and x64
Should work for ALL Atheros Chipset versions

v7.7.0.449 with modded INF v1.29 for both Vista/Win7 x86 and x64
Should work for ALL Atheros Chipset versions

v8.0.0.225 with modded INF v1.29 for both Vista/Win7 x86 and x64
Should work for ALL Atheros Chipset versions

v8.0.0.219 with modded INF v1.28 for both Vista/Win7 x86 and x64
Should work for ALL Atheros Chipset versions

v7.7.0.384 with modded INF v1.28 for both Vista/Win7 x86 and x64
Should work for ALL Atheros Chipset versions

v8.0.0.171 with modded INF v1.28 for both Vista/Win7 x86 and x64
Should work for ALL Atheros Chipset versions

v2.0.0.73 with modded INF v1.28 for both vista and Windows 7 x64 only
Should work for ALL Atheros Chipset versions

v8.0.0.144 with modded INF v1.28 for both Vista/Win7 x86 and x64
Should work for ALL Atheros Chipset versions

v7.7.0.319 with modded INF v1.28 for both Vista/Win7 x86 and x64
Should work for ALL Atheros Chipset versions

v2.0.0.72 with modded INF v1.28 for both vista and Windows 7
Should work for ALL Atheros Chipset versions

v7.7.0.259 with modded INF v1.26 for both WinXP x86 and x64
Should work for ALL Atheros Chipset versions

v7.7.0.233 with modded INF v1.24 for both WinXP x86 and x64
Should work for ALL Atheros Chipset versions

v7.7.0.231 with modded INF v1.24 for both Vista x86 and x64
Should work for ALL Atheros Chipset versions

v2.0.0.70 with modded INF v1.26 for both vista and Windows 7
Should work for ALL Atheros Chipset versions

v7.6.1.221 with modded INF v1.26 for both WinXP x86 and x64
Should work for ALL Atheros Chipset versions

v7.6.1.204 with modded INF v1.26 for both Vista x86 and x64
Should work for ALL Atheros Chipset versions

v7.6.1.184 with modded INF v1.24 for both WinXP x86 and x64
Should work for ALL Atheros Chipset versions

v7.6.1.204 with modded INF v1.23 for both Vista x86 and x64
Should work for ALL Atheros Chipset versions

v7.6.1.184 with modded INF v1.23 for both WinXP x86 and x64
Should work for ALL Atheros Chipset versions

v7.6.1.162 with modded INF v1.20 for both Vista x86 and x64
Should work for ALL Atheros Chipset versions

v7.6.1.170 with modded INF v1.21 for both WinXP x86 and x64
Should work for ALL Atheros Chipset versions

v7.6.1.122 with modded INF v1.20 for both Vista x86 and x64
Should work for ALL Atheros Chipset versions

v7.6.1.122 with modded INF v1.19 for both Vista x86 and x64
Should work for ALL Atheros Chipset versions

v7.6.0.172 with modded INF v1.19 for both Vista x86 and x64
Should work for ALL Atheros Chipset versions

v7.6.0.83 with modded INF v1.17 for both Vista x86 and x64
Should work for ALL Atheros Chipset versions

v7.3.1.109 with modded INF v1.15 for both Vista x86 and x64
Should work for ALL Atheros Chipset versions

Feedback is encouraged, would be nice to know it fixes the problem for other

INF version changes
v1.11
 original release based on other modded INF
v1.12
 added support for all Atheros Chipsets
 Changed the mode options to just 11a, 11bg or auto, setting should allow for legacy devices and 11n in 40 and 20Mhz modes
 Added manual transmit speeds for 11a, 11g and 11b only needed for legacy routers  if ever at all.
 Now supports full 3x3 aerial mode
 Set Receive buffers to max
 Fixed LED's for Gigabyte, hopefully this doesn't break it for other devices, should have a slow blink not connected and a solid LED for connected.
 Added Sleep mode
 Fixed Transmit power
v1.13
 Removed all legacy commands from INF, these were causing slow surfing
  Leaving essential tweaks still adjustable in device properties.
 Set powersave feature to off and also turned off pcieaspm (these can be turned on, but pcieaspm to on.on gives me parity error)
v1.14
 Removed the Netband settings couldn't get this to work 100%, driver will automatically choose fastest link speed, but can no longer force a slower one
v1.15
 Added 'Force Wake' enable to stop the WLAN card from going into lower power state mode, this makes a big difference to performance
 Also fixes the slowness this driver had with the Gigabyte WI06N WLAN card.
 Changed the LED to slow flash at no connection, solid during connection, once connected the flashing will speed up with rate of data send/received
   remove these 2 lines from INF if this is not what you want and you prefer v1.13 version:

HKR, ,softLEDEnable,0x00002,  "1"
HKR, ,swapDefaultLED,0x00002,  "1"

v1.16
 Minor LED fix
v1.17
 Added support for the 928x Chipset
v1.18
 Reworked the INF completely, added support for the 922X/928X chipsets.
v1.19
 Fixed 92XX install bug
v1.20
 Added lots more tweakble features in the Device Properties to play with.
 Set Receive buffers to 256
v1.21
 Fixed Win XP lack of 'Advanced Properties'
v1.22
 Pre 11n cards no longer can change the speed settings (most were 11n anyway)
v1.23
 Changed name for AR928x to include AR5009 (half height version) and AR5BH92
v1.24
 Added Adhoc channel select to the INF, thanks to ElectriX
 Fixed driver install issue
v1.25
 Added, dynamic MIMO power save and Adhoc 11n settings to control panel.
v1.26
 Added support for the new AR chipsets and also a couple of missing older ones.
v1.27
 Modded 2.0.0.72 to enable Windows 7 Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter
v1.28
 Fixed 32bit OS error with v1.27
v1.29
         Added 'Atheros IHV Service' support
v1.30
         Added support for new AR938x Chipset (BT also on card)
v1.31
         Added support for Green TX, and AR9485 chipset with Blutooth

[mobilenvidia]

Hmmm, the LED doesn't work at all with the Gigabyte WI06
It did work with the Sparklan.

Can't seem to enable the LED's at all

[mobilenvidia]

Numerous fixes as per v1.12 see above for details.

[BlackSeal84]

Thanks mate,

I really appreciate your efforts and they couldn't have come at a better time! I just order last week the SparkLAN card (Mini PCI) and Gigabyte card (Mini card) AGN cards for my newer and older laptop, as well as an extra internal antenna for the older machine (Dell Inspiron 9300). I grabbed em both from Oxford Tech who I previously bought a Super G mini card by Gigabyte (AR 5005G) as well as their excellent Gigabyte Super mini PCI A/G card (AR5006XS). I am currently running Intel's AGN  mini card in my XPS and it will be interesting to do some testing between the two cards once I get my hands on a n based  router. I noted the model you quoted from D Link (DIR 855) and am waiting for that one to come out since it will feature an Atheros chipset.  

Whilst you have the newest driver and awesome modded inf posted, here's another good Atheros driver source:

ftp://lizzi555.dyndns.org/Download/WLAN/Atheros/

Thanks!

[mobilenvidia]

No worries, the Gigabyte is working good with the modded INF.
Am now trying to get the Sparklan to do the same, am making very slow progress with this card.

Lizzi555 yes I've been there, excellent site for older chipsets.

[mobilenvidia]

v1.15 added, tested on Gigabyte works OK
This is probably the best I can do for these drivers.
Not ideal but it should give decent file transfer speeds.

[debaucher]

Great work man.
You are the inf modding KING!!!!!!!!!!!!

D.

[mobilenvidia]

What else would I be doing ?

Just tried to install MacOSX and a no go with the Gigabyte WI06N.
OSX doesn't recognise the the card, so no WIFI, no WIFI = no MacOS for me.

May give it another go with the Sparklan as this uses the reference Atheros chipset/board

[mobilenvidia]

I can hook up just fine with 11b, typing this now with 11b.
I've set the router to only send 11b, 11Mbps this is so yesterday
If I try to force the WLAN card to only use 11b it gives BSOD (not a parity error)

What you could try doing is set the Antenna switch to 'B' not 'Auto' or try 'A'.
I have issues some times with logging in to the router with it set to 'auto' and 'B' works much better.

The modded driver has the Antenna switch in the device properties.

[mobilenvidia]

I can't guarantee compatability with older chipsets.
It obviously installed OK but the driver won't start, this is probably maybe as the INF is setup for 11n where as your card is not.

Try changing the receive buffers then transmit buffers then map registers down to around '64' if the device properties will let you.
Also edit the INF and take out the 5416_antenna section then reinstall driver.

[mobilenvidia]

It might be a SP1 fix, as I this is what I'm using as my main OS Vista x64 SP1 beta.

I've not tried it with the Spaklan 5008X card, yet which is similar to the Gigabyte, but has it's very own issues.

[mobilenvidia]

What have you got that is still on 11b ?
I have never had any 11b devces and I've been a WIFI freak for some years now

[mobilenvidia]

Although it should connect with 11b, it might be time for an upgrade to anything but 11b

Done some work on the netband settings, add the following to the INF some where in the [11n] section (do not into the [blabla] section or it won't run

HKR, Ndi\params\wModeSelect,            ParamDesc,                      0,        %wModeSelect%
HKR, Ndi\params\wModeSelect,            Base,                           0,        "10"
HKR, Ndi\params\wModeSelect,            default,                        0,        "130671"
HKR, Ndi\params\wModeSelect,            type,                           0,        "enum"

HKR, Ndi\params\wModeSelect\enum,       "4",                            0,        %wModeLegacy11bonly%
HKR, Ndi\params\wModeSelect\enum,       "3",                            0,        %wModeLegacy11a%
HKR, Ndi\params\wModeSelect\enum,       "28",                           0,        %wModeLegacy11bg%
HKR, Ndi\params\wModeSelect\enum,       "31",                           0,        %wModeLegacy11abg%

HKR, Ndi\params\wModeSelect\enum,       "2052",                         0,        %wModeSelect11bonly%
HKR, Ndi\params\wModeSelect\enum,       "4099",                         0,        %wModeSelect11na%
HKR, Ndi\params\wModeSelect\enum,       "2076",                         0,        %wModeSelect11nbg%
HKR, Ndi\params\wModeSelect\enum,       "6175",                         0,        %wModeSelect11abgn%

HKR, Ndi\params\wModeSelect\enum,       "130671",                       0,        %wModeSelect11abgn40%
HKR, Ndi\params\wModeSelect\enum,       "104003",                       0,        %wModeSelect11na40%
HKR, Ndi\params\wModeSelect\enum,       "26668",                        0,        %wModeSelect11nbg40%
HKR, Ndi\params\wModeSelect\enum,       "26628",                        0,        %wModeSelect11bonly40%

As you can see from the above there are 3 distinct range of settings, the first lot (3,4,28,31) are legacy 11abg or the old standard.
2nd lot are for up to 130Mbps connection or max for 20Mhz bandwidth
and the 3rd lot are for 11n (40Mhz, 300Mbps)

The default is 40Mhz 11abgn, try this first.
Failing this set the device to legacy 11b and work your way up.
Should legacy 11b not work then there is a driver problem with old 11b

Hope this works, may even play with the above my self to see how these settings affect things.

[mobilenvidia]

When in Legacy mode:

Set antenna switch to either A or B (I get slightly higher signal from using A)
I assume Legacy mode only uses 1x1 antenna receive/transmit
Setting Antenna switch to Auto (default) means I cannot connect to router.

Setting to legacy 11b only, causes a BSOD (not parity error) this is for me, you might not as your router is 11b only anyway.
If I want 11b mode only I have to set the router to this mode.