Fun with AM1772 / "TecNew WL1001"
Greg Ember
As I referred to in another message, I recently got a TecNew WL1001
Wireless-B PC Card. This is an AMD Alchemy AM1772-chipset-based PC
Card, made by a company called TecNew. (http://www.tecnewusa.com)
Their website has been down for the past week, and I'm getting ready
to whois them and email their admin - also not a good sign that the
contact email address for the guy is a Hotmail account.
(I believe this is the same company as these guys:
http://www.tecnew.com.tw . However, there is no proof on the website.)
Got it at a great price, $17.00! This is the price these things SHOULD
be!
The drivers out-of-the-box work GREAT. Network driver version
176.10.0.1, Application version 176.10.1.1. Unknown firmware.
According to a friend, it found more local hotspots than his NetGear
card.
Two problems:
1. Using Microsoft's "View Available Wireless Networks" option in the
Wireless Network Icon in the taskbar and in Control Panel ->Network
Connections in XP, the card finds NO local networks. Gee, that's
funny, I have a WAP11 25 feet away. But what's weirder is using the
configuration tool from AMD, AM772CFG.EXE, it immediately sees the
SSID broadcast ID and lets me access the network.
2. Microsoft has driver updates available on WindowsUpdate.com
"Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. - Networking
ZCOM network software update released on January 11 2004.
Download size: 102 KB"
Supported Hardware yields:
"ZCOM network software update released on January 11 2004.
----------------------------------------------------
ZCOM 11 Mbps Wireless 802.11 Adapter
SMC2602W 11 Mbps Wireless 802.11 Adapter
Am1772(tm) Wireless LAN Chipset"
Also known as driver update v2.1.0.0.
I haven't even heard of ZCOM. :-)
But anyhow, when you install the update, first off is that when
updating to the newer drivers, AM772CFG.EXE stops working - it
complains that the wireless card is not available. So I'm forced to
use Microsoft's "View Available Wireless Networks" feature of their
Wireless Networking support - and you know what happens then!
Do you think I can install drivers for the SMC2602W instead? Or you
think they won't match up? See, I'm praying that the MS update
provides WPA, because else I have to go hunt down the manufacturer.
AMD hasn't given me any help other than to tell me to contact the
manufacturer, they claim that the drivers may be modified for my
hardware - but all the files are copyright AMD? What the hell? AMD
does say on their website that they are "working" on WPA and TKIP
support. But they won't even let you download reference drivers
without signing an NDA. I even volunteered for that, they told me to
contact TecNew.
Is this one of those cases of getting what you pay for?
Help!
- Greg
Quaoar
Yes.
Q
Martin
Hi Greg
I got two of those cards. Yesterday I start downloading Win updates
and after the reboot I lost connectivity with the AP. i start
uninstalling the hotfixes and I had to reinstall the card in order to
make it work again. I don't see a solution here. As long as it works
for this price is good enough.
Eddie
I just got the same card on Friday I contacted Linksys on Saturday as
i had trouble getting the card setup They are the manufacture of the
router i own they assisted me it took about 5 to 10 minutes to get it
setup up try contacting the manufacture of your router they should be
able to assist you.
Good Luck
Eddie