A6200 Windows 8 support

11,907 views.. Is there a time frame or critical mass that this device's owners have to reach before we can even be informed of what is going on?

Here is my story:

Constant disconnects (this is the third review I wrote -the first 2 were lost when I got disconnected mid session; this time I wrote it in word first and copied and pasted!).

Steps I've taken:

1 - Installed it on a fresh Windows 8 install along with a new WNDR4300. Used the latest driver available 1.0.0.26.

2 - Uninstalled and re-installed the driver several times, both the stand-alone and the one with Genie.

3 - Called tech support who had me uninstall and re-install everything the same way I had already done, multiple times. They denied anyone else with Windows 8 was having issues.

4 - I did not like Windows 8, so went back to Windows 7 and it worked perfectly for the last 3 months.

5 - Wiped system and installed Windows 8.1 x64. Same problems as before. Called Netgear to ask for a time frame for the next driver. They AGAIN denied anyone else was having issues.

6 - Went looking around the internet for solutions and other people with the same problem. There are many, so I did the following -all without any improvement to the constant, random disconnects-:

- -6.1: Set device manager option "Minimum Power Consumption" to "Disabled".
- -6.2: Disabled the "Netgear A6200" service.
- -6.3: Tried both available drivers on Netgear's website: 1.0.0.23 and 1.0.0.18
- -6.4: Disabled all sleep/hibernation options on my system.

7 - I still have constant disconnects and they are random. Sometimes it will be in the middle of browsing Reddit, checking email, or leaving the PC alone, doing nothing. I come back to it and it is disconnected. Sometimes I catch the windows sound event of a device disconnecting, then connecting again.

8 - It seems that I am luckier than other users I have seen because but pulling and re-inserting the device from its cable craddle gets me back immediately. This is no relief when I am composing a review, writing an email, transferring files, checking bank accounts, VPN sessions to my work network, etc.

Other Thoughts: Netgear, please do not ask me to email you and work out the issue.

Please tell your tech support to stop telling people that "I" am the first one to call about that problem. A simple Google search or a look at this forum and you lose a ton of credibility.

It is obvious that you need to improve on the driver ASAP. For me, you have another 10 days before my return deadline expires. If there is no working driver available I will be returning both the router and USB adapter for something that works with Windows 8.

Any update on your troubleshooting efforts?

Either good or bad...

It is obvious that you need to improve on the driver ASAP. For me, you have another 10 days before my return deadline expires. If there is no working driver available I will be returning both the router and USB adapter for something that works with Windows 8.

Been forum still an user to user your chances are slim that you will hear from support here in forum.

Driver is released quarterly base but what will be release is unknown to anyone.

Despite the issues and looking a solution in 10days also may put in you a halt. I would consider looking at different avenue while you can return the item for exchange.

jmizoguchi wrote:
Been forum still an user to user your chances are slim that you will hear from support here in forum. Driver is released quarterly base but what will be release is unknown to anyone. Despite the issues and looking a solution in 10days also may put in you a halt. I would consider looking at different avenue while you can return the item for exchange.

LOL!

Netgear won't talk to its customers on its own forums, but they show themselves in reseller's forums such as Newegg (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833122490).
Sales are a higher priority than happy customers and working devices. But I wonder if the lack of credibility, good will, and the cost of all these returns is really worth it.

@Jmizoguchi: I am happily connected with CISCO products now.

I am just throwing out some ideas it appears while it is physically connected to the router it is still probing for connections.

Beam is that a fancy way of saying the dual band internal antenna is backed by a parabolic antenna.

Both of these if factual will cause the issues were getting.

A device with the sole intention of providing internet or network capability that fails in its designed task, false advertisement needs to be RMA'ed.

I am trying to run a media server on this freaking thing don't make me get the FCC involved in your recall fix this Netgear.

I know Netgear don't specifically resolve complaints on this forum so its just an attempt to find like minded people and instigate a solution

Same thing for the similar architecture - Server 2012

It was working ok for a bit then died off. I upgraded the driver to a newer one for windows 8 and now it cannot find the drivers on reboot.

SUCH a pain, especially as officially, no wireless is supported officially by hardware vendors on servers. Daft when 2003 server on wireless worked as per any xp installation.

My next step is to try a fresh rebuild and install the driver from the disk and leave it.. .then see how it goes.

Mines going back if this isn't resolved.

The issue is a kernel conflict with the driver partially it is due to installation. I did receive a important order of operations notice packaged with the adapter.

This method works, Since no other solution is working for folks.
1)Install the adapter and Genie software suite.

2)Now download the Windows 8 signed-Driver this is a compressed file for manual installation.

3)Unplug the Adapter *

4) Open Windows System32 and copy the whole windows-8 signed driver which will replace only 2 files or just identify the 2 and copy. (the reason I say whole cause its universal 32bit - 64bit)

Conclusion (Adapter wont work until restart.) This is what the driver suite lacks it does not enter the kernel properly as an active service doesn't set right with the kernel to not restart prior to initialization. Directly patching the files with the adapter unplugged requires a restart the software suite dropped the ball.

akmo23 wrote:

This method works, Since no other solution is working for folks. 1)Install the adapter and Genie software suite. 2)Now download the Windows 8 signed-Driver this is a compressed file for manual installation. 3)Unplug the Adapter * 4) Open Windows System32 and copy the whole windows-8 signed driver which will replace only 2 files or just identify the 2 and copy. (the reason I say whole cause its universal 32bit - 64bit)

Hi Akmo where can i find the file "Now download the Windows 8 signed-Driver" to download? Can u send-us a link?

support.netgear.com and download the latest drive.