Broadcom Wireless adapter freezes randomly

My Acer Aspire 3000 series's, Broadcom Network Adapter 802.11g's
(BCM4318) driver is 3.100.46.0 as default came with my Acer notebook.
After having freezing problems when browsing the net or downloading
with no chance to reach 192.168.1.1 also, i decided to update to a new
driver also supports 802.11n, but after updating successfully(although
i can browse sites successfully), the Wi-fi LED indicator which is
built on to my notebook went CRAZY!!! It lits randomly and irregularly
after rolling back to old original driver, Wi-fi LED went back to
normal but i want to get rid of this strange freeze problem.

The problem i'm having about freezing: While i'm surfing or
downloading the net smoothly, randomly the data transfer(receive and
sent, bi-directional) stops, no packets are received or sent anymore,
I use Wireless Zero Configuration of XP Home SP2. But the connection
does NOT seem disconnected and no logs in event viewer about this. I'm
on channel 11 with my US Robotics 9108 MaxG router. Also there are
some several wireless networks around my building.

Then after searching for a long time, i'm forced to update to a new
driver, but i'm furious because there's no newer drivers in Acer's
supports site for my wireless adapter, even in Broadcom's site.

The driver which is suited to my adapter but Wi-fi LED went crazy by
flashing irregularly and intermittently:
http://www.opendrivers.com/driver/23...-download.html

What do you think?

Is freezing after connecting or surfing for a while related to router
or drivers of my wi-fi adapter?

NOTE: The only solution is to disable/enable wireless adapter from
''network connections'' or to use ''repair'' option, then the
connection establishes successfully. Also i'm using WPA-PSK with 22
digits.

Thanks for the help.

Regards...

kimiraikkonen wrote:
> My Acer Aspire 3000 series's, Broadcom Network Adapter 802.11g's
> (BCM4318) driver is 3.100.46.0 as default came with my Acer notebook.
> After having freezing problems when browsing the net or downloading
> with no chance to reach 192.168.1.1 also, i decided to update to a new
> driver also supports 802.11n, but after updating successfully(although
> i can browse sites successfully), the Wi-fi LED indicator which is
> built on to my notebook went CRAZY!!! It lits randomly and irregularly
> after rolling back to old original driver, Wi-fi LED went back to
> normal but i want to get rid of this strange freeze problem.
>
> The problem i'm having about freezing: While i'm surfing or
> downloading the net smoothly, randomly the data transfer(receive and
> sent, bi-directional) stops, no packets are received or sent anymore,
> I use Wireless Zero Configuration of XP Home SP2. But the connection
> does NOT seem disconnected and no logs in event viewer about this. I'm
> on channel 11 with my US Robotics 9108 MaxG router. Also there are
> some several wireless networks around my building.
>
> Then after searching for a long time, i'm forced to update to a new
> driver, but i'm furious because there's no newer drivers in Acer's
> supports site for my wireless adapter, even in Broadcom's site.
>
> The driver which is suited to my adapter but Wi-fi LED went crazy by
> flashing irregularly and intermittently:
> http://www.opendrivers.com/driver/23...-download.html
>
> What do you think?

That sounds like a driver bug. I work on the Linux bcm43xx driver, which is a port of Broadcom's
driver. Coding the LED's is not very complicated. You might try other drivers. For example, the
Linksys WPC54G V3 contains a 4318 chip. Getting the driver from their website would give you another
option. The driver is bundled with Linksys's configuration programs, etc. that you will not need,
but the bcmwl5.sys and .inf files should work.

> Is freezing after connecting or surfing for a while related to router
> or drivers of my wi-fi adapter?

As you can use 'repair' to restart communications, the problem is likely to be with your adapter.
Have you tried changing channels to see if that helps? You didn't tell us which one you are using,
but it is likely channel 6. Change your AP configuration so that it uses either channel 1 or 11, and
see if that helps.

Larry

On Mar 28, 7:27 pm, Larry Finger <Larry.Fin...@lwfinger.net> wrote:
> kimiraikkonen wrote:
> > My Acer Aspire 3000 series's, Broadcom Network Adapter 802.11g's
> > (BCM4318) driver is 3.100.46.0 as default came with my Acer notebook.
> > After having freezing problems when browsing the net or downloading
> > with no chance to reach 192.168.1.1 also, i decided to update to a new
> > driver also supports 802.11n, but after updating successfully(although
> > i can browse sites successfully), the Wi-fi LED indicator which is
> > built on to my notebook went CRAZY!!! It lits randomly and irregularly
> > after rolling back to old original driver, Wi-fi LED went back to
> > normal but i want to get rid of this strange freeze problem.
>
> > The problem i'm having about freezing: While i'm surfing or
> > downloading the net smoothly, randomly the data transfer(receive and
> > sent, bi-directional) stops, no packets are received or sent anymore,
> > I use Wireless Zero Configuration of XP Home SP2. But the connection
> > does NOT seem disconnected and no logs in event viewer about this. I'm
> > on channel 11 with my US Robotics 9108 MaxG router. Also there are
> > some several wireless networks around my building.
>
> > Then after searching for a long time, i'm forced to update to a new
> > driver, but i'm furious because there's no newer drivers in Acer's
> > supports site for my wireless adapter, even in Broadcom's site.
>
> > The driver which is suited to my adapter but Wi-fi LED went crazy by
> > flashing irregularly and intermittently:
> >http://www.opendrivers.com/driver/23...xx-wireless-la...
>
> > What do you think?
>
> That sounds like a driver bug. I work on the Linux bcm43xx driver, which is a port of Broadcom's
> driver. Coding the LED's is not very complicated. You might try other drivers. For example, the
> Linksys WPC54G V3 contains a 4318 chip. Getting the driver from their website would give you another
> option. The driver is bundled with Linksys's configuration programs, etc. that you will not need,
> but the bcmwl5.sys and .inf files should work.
>
> > Is freezing after connecting or surfing for a while related to router
> > or drivers of my wi-fi adapter?
>
> As you can use 'repair' to restart communications, the problem is likely to be with your adapter.
> Have you tried changing channels to see if that helps? You didn't tell us which one you are using,
> but it is likely channel 6. Change your AP configuration so that it uses either channel 1 or 11, and
> see if that helps.
>
> Larry- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Hi Larry and thank for the quick reply,
I'm on channel 11 both for router and adapter. I couldn't find a newer
and better driver than 3.100.46.0. With this driver the wi-fi LED is
health and connection establishes successfully. But as i mentioned
above, i experience odd freezes i cannot explain. My integrated wi-fi
adapter listed as ''Broadcom 802.11g Network Adapter'' in device
manager.

Where can i find the newer and better? As you know Broadcom does not
provide driver support for their integrated wi-fi adapters and Acer(my
notebook) does not have newer on the support site.

Thank you.

kimiraikkonen wrote:
> On Mar 28, 7:27 pm, Larry Finger <Larry.Fin...@lwfinger.net> wrote:
>> kimiraikkonen wrote:
>>> My Acer Aspire 3000 series's, Broadcom Network Adapter 802.11g's
>>> (BCM4318) driver is 3.100.46.0 as default came with my Acer notebook.
>>> After having freezing problems when browsing the net or downloading
>>> with no chance to reach 192.168.1.1 also, i decided to update to a new
>>> driver also supports 802.11n, but after updating successfully(although
>>> i can browse sites successfully), the Wi-fi LED indicator which is
>>> built on to my notebook went CRAZY!!! It lits randomly and irregularly
>>> after rolling back to old original driver, Wi-fi LED went back to
>>> normal but i want to get rid of this strange freeze problem.
>>> The problem i'm having about freezing: While i'm surfing or
>>> downloading the net smoothly, randomly the data transfer(receive and
>>> sent, bi-directional) stops, no packets are received or sent anymore,
>>> I use Wireless Zero Configuration of XP Home SP2. But the connection
>>> does NOT seem disconnected and no logs in event viewer about this. I'm
>>> on channel 11 with my US Robotics 9108 MaxG router. Also there are
>>> some several wireless networks around my building.
>>> Then after searching for a long time, i'm forced to update to a new
>>> driver, but i'm furious because there's no newer drivers in Acer's
>>> supports site for my wireless adapter, even in Broadcom's site.
>>> The driver which is suited to my adapter but Wi-fi LED went crazy by
>>> flashing irregularly and intermittently:
>>> http://www.opendrivers.com/driver/23...xx-wireless-la...
>>> What do you think?
>> That sounds like a driver bug. I work on the Linux bcm43xx driver, which is a port of Broadcom's
>> driver. Coding the LED's is not very complicated. You might try other drivers. For example, the
>> Linksys WPC54G V3 contains a 4318 chip. Getting the driver from their website would give you another
>> option. The driver is bundled with Linksys's configuration programs, etc. that you will not need,
>> but the bcmwl5.sys and .inf files should work.
>>
>>> Is freezing after connecting or surfing for a while related to router
>>> or drivers of my wi-fi adapter?
>> As you can use 'repair' to restart communications, the problem is likely to be with your adapter.
>> Have you tried changing channels to see if that helps? You didn't tell us which one you are using,
>> but it is likely channel 6. Change your AP configuration so that it uses either channel 1 or 11, and
>> see if that helps.
>>
>> Larry- Hide quoted text -
>>
>> - Show quoted text -
>
> Hi Larry and thank for the quick reply,
> I'm on channel 11 both for router and adapter. I couldn't find a newer
> and better driver than 3.100.46.0. With this driver the wi-fi LED is
> health and connection establishes successfully. But as i mentioned
> above, i experience odd freezes i cannot explain. My integrated wi-fi
> adapter listed as ''Broadcom 802.11g Network Adapter'' in device
> manager.
>
> Where can i find the newer and better? As you know Broadcom does not
> provide driver support for their integrated wi-fi adapters and Acer(my
> notebook) does not have newer on the support site.

I still do not think it is a driver problem. The main change between the 3.xx.yy.x and 4.xx.yy.z
drivers is the firmware.

Your loss of connection could be some interference on channel 11. You need to try channels 1 and 6
to see if they also have the same problem. If not, it was interference. If they do, it could still
be interference, but it might be your hardware.

Do you have a portable phone with a 2.4 GHz carrier? How about any Bluetooth devices? Does the
hangup correspond with the use of your microwave?

Larry

On Mar 29, 6:50 am, Larry Finger <Larry.Fin...@lwfinger.net> wrote:
> kimiraikkonen wrote:
> > On Mar 28, 7:27 pm, Larry Finger <Larry.Fin...@lwfinger.net> wrote:
> >> kimiraikkonen wrote:
> >>> My Acer Aspire 3000 series's, Broadcom Network Adapter 802.11g's
> >>> (BCM4318) driver is 3.100.46.0 as default came with my Acer notebook.
> >>> After having freezing problems when browsing the net or downloading
> >>> with no chance to reach 192.168.1.1 also, i decided to update to a new
> >>> driver also supports 802.11n, but after updating successfully(although
> >>> i can browse sites successfully), the Wi-fi LED indicator which is
> >>> built on to my notebook went CRAZY!!! It lits randomly and irregularly
> >>> after rolling back to old original driver, Wi-fi LED went back to
> >>> normal but i want to get rid of this strange freeze problem.
> >>> The problem i'm having about freezing: While i'm surfing or
> >>> downloading the net smoothly, randomly the data transfer(receive and
> >>> sent, bi-directional) stops, no packets are received or sent anymore,
> >>> I use Wireless Zero Configuration of XP Home SP2. But the connection
> >>> does NOT seem disconnected and no logs in event viewer about this. I'm
> >>> on channel 11 with my US Robotics 9108 MaxG router. Also there are
> >>> some several wireless networks around my building.
> >>> Then after searching for a long time, i'm forced to update to a new
> >>> driver, but i'm furious because there's no newer drivers in Acer's
> >>> supports site for my wireless adapter, even in Broadcom's site.
> >>> The driver which is suited to my adapter but Wi-fi LED went crazy by
> >>> flashing irregularly and intermittently:
> >>>http://www.opendrivers.com/driver/23...xx-wireless-la...
> >>> What do you think?
> >> That sounds like a driver bug. I work on the Linux bcm43xx driver, which is a port of Broadcom's
> >> driver. Coding the LED's is not very complicated. You might try other drivers. For example, the
> >> Linksys WPC54G V3 contains a 4318 chip. Getting the driver from their website would give you another
> >> option. The driver is bundled with Linksys's configuration programs, etc. that you will not need,
> >> but the bcmwl5.sys and .inf files should work.
>
> >>> Is freezing after connecting or surfing for a while related to router
> >>> or drivers of my wi-fi adapter?
> >> As you can use 'repair' to restart communications, the problem is likely to be with your adapter.
> >> Have you tried changing channels to see if that helps? You didn't tell us which one you are using,
> >> but it is likely channel 6. Change your AP configuration so that it uses either channel 1 or 11, and
> >> see if that helps.
>
> >> Larry- Hide quoted text -
>
> >> - Show quoted text -
>
> > Hi Larry and thank for the quick reply,
> > I'm on channel 11 both for router and adapter. I couldn't find a newer
> > and better driver than 3.100.46.0. With this driver the wi-fi LED is
> > health and connection establishes successfully. But as i mentioned
> > above, i experience odd freezes i cannot explain. My integrated wi-fi
> > adapter listed as ''Broadcom 802.11g Network Adapter'' in device
> > manager.
>
> > Where can i find the newer and better? As you know Broadcom does not
> > provide driver support for their integrated wi-fi adapters and Acer(my
> > notebook) does not have newer on the support site.
>
> I still do not think it is a driver problem. The main change between the 3.xx.yy.x and 4.xx.yy.z
> drivers is the firmware.
>
> Your loss of connection could be some interference on channel 11. You need to try channels 1 and 6
> to see if they also have the same problem. If not, it was interference. If they do, it could still
> be interference, but it might be your hardware.
>
> Do you have a portable phone with a 2.4 GHz carrier? How about any Bluetooth devices? Does the
> hangup correspond with the use of your microwave?
>
> Larry- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Hi Larry, If i try channel 1 and 6, will i be able to use
54mbps(802.11g) ? No Bluetooth device in my home. No microwave owen. I
have Panasonic high-quality (made in japan) cordless phone but it's
just powered on with no use when this freeze happens.

Also, what do you mean that updating drivers make change on firmware?
Firmware changes device inside software as it flashes newer and it can
destroy. I know drivers are different than firmwares, drivers only
talk between OS and device to function properly. Installing a new
driver does not mean that i flash my device's firmware as far as i
know. So?

Thank you.

kimiraikkonen wrote:
>
> Hi Larry, If i try channel 1 and 6, will i be able to use
> 54mbps(802.11g) ? No Bluetooth device in my home. No microwave owen. I
> have Panasonic high-quality (made in japan) cordless phone but it's
> just powered on with no use when this freeze happens.

Some cordless phones scan the spectrum even when not in use. Yes, channels 1 or 6 work equally well
with 802.11g.

> Also, what do you mean that updating drivers make change on firmware?
> Firmware changes device inside software as it flashes newer and it can
> destroy. I know drivers are different than firmwares, drivers only
> talk between OS and device to function properly. Installing a new
> driver does not mean that i flash my device's firmware as far as i
> know. So?

The firmware for a BCM43xx chip is _NOT_ in flash memory. It is stored in some sort of RAM, is
embedded within the Windows driver, and is reloaded every time you start the device.

Larry

On Mar 30, 5:57 am, Larry Finger <Larry.Fin...@lwfinger.net> wrote:
> kimiraikkonen wrote:
>
> > Hi Larry, If i try channel 1 and 6, will i be able to use
> > 54mbps(802.11g) ? No Bluetooth device in my home. No microwave owen. I
> > have Panasonic high-quality (made in japan) cordless phone but it's
> > just powered on with no use when this freeze happens.
>
> Some cordless phones scan the spectrum even when not in use. Yes, channels 1 or 6 work equally well
> with 802.11g.
>
> > Also, what do you mean that updating drivers make change on firmware?
> > Firmware changes device inside software as it flashes newer and it can
> > destroy. I know drivers are different than firmwares, drivers only
> > talk between OS and device to function properly. Installing a new
> > driver does not mean that i flash my device's firmware as far as i
> > know. So?
>
> The firmware for a BCM43xx chip is _NOT_ in flash memory. It is stored in some sort of RAM, is
> embedded within the Windows driver, and is reloaded every time you start the device.
>
> Larry

Hi again Larry!,
Thanks for the support so far. I changed channel number from 11 to 6
inside my router (192.168.1.1).

But i think i also have to change some channel settings of my Broadcom
driver from ''device manager'' in Windows.

There are 2 settings in ''advanced'' tab in my Broadcom wi-fi
adapter's driver settings, they are:
IBSS channel number
WZC IBSS channel number, they are set to 11 still. But my router is
changed to 6 and i can surf with these settings.

But do i have to ALSO change the channel numbers to 6 inside drivers
settings and which ones above?

Thank you,

Regards...

kimiraikkonen wrote:
>
> Hi again Larry!,
> Thanks for the support so far. I changed channel number from 11 to 6
> inside my router (192.168.1.1).
>
> But i think i also have to change some channel settings of my Broadcom
> driver from ''device manager'' in Windows.
>
> There are 2 settings in ''advanced'' tab in my Broadcom wi-fi
> adapter's driver settings, they are:
> IBSS channel number
> WZC IBSS channel number, they are set to 11 still. But my router is
> changed to 6 and i can surf with these settings.
>
> But do i have to ALSO change the channel numbers to 6 inside drivers
> settings and which ones above?

I'm not a Windows user any more, but if I recall correctly, one selects the ESSID when choosing a
network. If "i can surf" means that everything works, don't worry about it.

Larry

On Mar 30, 4:39 pm, Larry Finger <Larry.Fin...@lwfinger.net> wrote:
> kimiraikkonen wrote:
>
> > Hi again Larry!,
> > Thanks for the support so far. I changed channel number from 11 to 6
> > inside my router (192.168.1.1).
>
> > But i think i also have to change some channel settings of my Broadcom
> > driver from ''device manager'' in Windows.
>
> > There are 2 settings in ''advanced'' tab in my Broadcom wi-fi
> > adapter's driver settings, they are:
> > IBSS channel number
> > WZC IBSS channel number, they are set to 11 still. But my router is
> > changed to 6 and i can surf with these settings.
>
> > But do i have to ALSO change the channel numbers to 6 inside drivers
> > settings and which ones above?
>
> I'm not a Windows user any more, but if I recall correctly, one selects the ESSID when choosing a
> network. If "i can surf" means that everything works, don't worry about it.
>
> Larry- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

So, is a channel change on router enough? I had freeze problems again
when the channel is set to 6 instead of 11 in the router settings.

Also, do i also have to set the channel set 6 for Broadcom wi-fi
adapter to be sure i'm on channel 6? I don't know how to determine
which channel i'm running wi-fi on.

On Mar 30, 6:54 pm, "kimiraikkonen" <kimiraikkone...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Mar 30, 4:39 pm, Larry Finger <Larry.Fin...@lwfinger.net> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > kimiraikkonen wrote:
>
> > > Hi again Larry!,
> > > Thanks for the support so far. I changed channel number from 11 to 6
> > > inside my router (192.168.1.1).
>
> > > But i think i also have to change some channel settings of my Broadcom
> > > driver from ''device manager'' in Windows.
>
> > > There are 2 settings in ''advanced'' tab in my Broadcom wi-fi
> > > adapter's driver settings, they are:
> > > IBSS channel number
> > > WZC IBSS channel number, they are set to 11 still. But my router is
> > > changed to 6 and i can surf with these settings.
>
> > > But do i have to ALSO change the channel numbers to 6 inside drivers
> > > settings and which ones above?
>
> > I'm not a Windows user any more, but if I recall correctly, one selects the ESSID when choosing a
> > network. If "i can surf" means that everything works, don't worry about it.
>
> > Larry- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> So, is a channel change on router enough? I had freeze problems again
> when the channel is set to 6 instead of 11 in the router settings.
>
> Also, do i also have to set the channel set 6 for Broadcom wi-fi
> adapter to be sure i'm on channel 6? I don't know how to determine
> which channel i'm running wi-fi on.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Additionaly, i found IBSS (independent basic service set) is about
computer-to-computer ''ad hoc'' networks and about 802.11b(not G)
networks. So does it mean there is relationship with my router's wi-fi
operating at 54mbps(802.11g) ?

Thank you.