Windows 8 Driver for Dell Wireless 1510 N WLAN MiniCard ( 4322 ) - slow network connection

There seems to be an issue with the Windows 8 default driver for the Dell Wireless 1510 N WLAN MiniCard (Broadcom 4322 chip). 

The W8 driver initially installed is Microsoft v5.100.245.20.

This driver has connection stability issues with both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz access points.  It is being reported by many users that after upgrading to Windows 8, this wireless adapter experiences extremely slow network throughput and connection problems.  This adapter with Windows7 was very stable with great network speed.

The work around we have found is to get an older Win7 driver (Broadcom v.5.100.235.12) from Dell and manually force it to install using Have Disk method.

Is it possible to get this information back to Microsoft, and have them work with Broadcom and Dell to provide an updated stable Windows 8 driver for the Dell Wireless 1510 N WLAN Mini Card

November 4th, 2012 9:24pm

Hi,

Thanks for your report.

For this driver issue, I think you'd better contact Dell to request an updated version driver.

Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
November 6th, 2012 10:26am

After experiencing this issue on my Dell laptop, I found that if you use the windows 7 driver from Dell's support page, and run it as administrator and in compatability mode for Windows Vista SP2, that the driver and Dell Wireless utility install, and connection speeds improve dramatically. 
November 8th, 2012 2:00am

I did contact Dell, but it useless trying to get feedback into Dell.

The defective driver (Microsoft signed v5.100.245.20) was provided as the initial driver with Windows 8 upgrade.  I was hoping MS would be interested in understanding there is an issue with this driver.

The driver is most like provided by Broadcom (chipset 4322), and Broadcom refuses to listen to the end users.  Broadcom solved it with the v5.100.235.12 (win7) driver which is what we are using now under Windows 8 (working fine). 

Thanks for listening.

Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
November 10th, 2012 3:56am

I did contact Dell, but it useless trying to get feedback into Dell.

The defective driver (Microsoft signed v5.100.245.20) was provided as the initial driver with Windows 8 upgrade.  I was hoping MS would be interested in understanding there is an issue with this driver.

The driver is most like provided by Broadcom (chipset 4322), and Broadcom refuses to listen to the end users.  Broadcom solved it with the v5.100.235.12 (win7) driver which is what we are using now under Windows 8 (working fine). 

Thanks for listening.

November 10th, 2012 3:56am

Hi, I have the same issue, I downloaded the driver you suggested but how do I get it to install - windows 8 just keeps telling me it has the best driver installed. Could you state specific steps on how to install it.

Many thanks

Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
November 11th, 2012 3:40am

This is the driver I used. Don't install it from Device Manager, just run the .exe as administrator, and in compatibility mode for Vista SP2. It works like a champ, and after reboot, the connection speeds are much improved.

http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/19/Product/studio-xps-13#

November 19th, 2012 12:45am

Hi.

I have the same problem also.

I have downloaded from Dell but the exe file errors on extraction. Then the 'setup.exe' file it puts in the 'Dell drivers' folders errors before completion.

Is the driver in the link you provide the same as the one i find when I go to an Inspiron N5010 page?

Also I can not find how to run Windows 8 in compatibility mode. Why would you run on Vista SP2 and not Windows 7? This driver worked perfectly well for me on Windows 7.

A few things all contributing to a big fail!! thanks for any help.

Many thanks...


Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
November 20th, 2012 1:05pm

Found this: 

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/network-internet-wireless/f/3324/p/19473737/20218125.aspx#20218125

Users at the end state their issues resolved.

I'll give it a go.

thanks.

November 20th, 2012 1:25pm

@BigMrC

The auto installer didn't work.  I had to extract the files to a directory and then update the driver using the 'Have Disk' option (pointing to that directory)

The driver I found is: Network_Driver_WD35F_WN_5.100.235.12_A37
I found it here: 
http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/04/driverdetails/product/precision-m4500?driverid=wd35f&fileid=2962647016
 
The the auto installer will not run without error. However, it will allow you to extract the files from the driver
package to a directory of your choice.  Then you can point Windows 8 driver change/update utility 
('Have Disk') to that directory - 'Drivers/Win7/WL' and select the bcmwl6.inf to install a driver 
(Broadcom v.5.100.235.12)

I hope this helps others.
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
January 5th, 2013 5:43am

These step by step instructions were provided by AMRDYS on the Dell Community board -> http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/network-internet-wireless/f/3324/t/19473737.aspx?PageIndex=2

I've fixed my problem thanks to "stevekesler" I've N5010 with Win 8 Pro installed too, use this steps to fix yours:

1- Download the driver "stevekesler" presented: www.dell.com/.../precision-m4500

2- After download Run the installer "As Administrator" select "Extract Without Installing ...>" and extract it to a new folder in any location.

3- Go to Device Manager by right clicking the Start Menu shortcut that appears when you move your mouse to the Down/Left corner on your screen, and press "Device Manager".

4- Now under "Network Adapters" right click your old WLAN driver, and choose the following in this order:

"Update driver software" > "Browse my computer for driver software" > "Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer" > Press "Have a Disk" > Click "Browse".

5- Now go to the folder that you've extracted the driver files in. and go to:

Drivers > Win7 > WL > Choose the file: "bcmwl6" and click "Open" > "OK" > "Next" > wait for the driver to install then press "Close", and that's it. you should have your speed back to normal, even without a computer restart.

Please tell me when you are done, Regards.

January 5th, 2013 6:01am

These step by step instructions were provided by AMRDYS on the Dell Community board -> http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/network-internet-wireless/f/3324/t/19473737.aspx?PageIndex=2

I've fixed my problem thanks to "stevekesler" I've N5010 with Win 8 Pro installed too, use this steps to fix yours:

1- Download the driver "stevekesler" presented: www.dell.com/.../precision-m4500

2- After download Run the installer "As Administrator" select "Extract Without Installing ...>" and extract it to a new folder in any location.

3- Go to Device Manager by right clicking the Start Menu shortcut that appears when you move your mouse to the Down/Left corner on your screen, and press "Device Manager".

4- Now under "Network Adapters" right click your old WLAN driver, and choose the following in this order:

"Update driver software" > "Browse my computer for driver software" > "Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer" > Press "Have a Disk" > Click "Browse".

5- Now go to the folder that you've extracted the driver files in. and go to:

Drivers > Win7 > WL > Choose the file: "bcmwl6" and click "Open" > "OK" > "Next" > wait for the driver to install then press "Close", and that's it. you should have your speed back to normal, even without a computer restart.

Please tell me when you are done, Regards.

  • Proposed as answer by NMattheij Sunday, January 13, 2013 7:59 PM
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
January 5th, 2013 6:01am

dSTeVek is right, this worked for me on a Studio 15 with a 1510 card.

Other solutions like the compatibility settings for the official Windows 7 or Vista drivers gave me system crashes, this one seems to be solid.

January 13th, 2013 11:01pm

Yessss thank you, I was beginning to regret upgrading.  Windows were not helping even though I was talking to them over the phone they didn't have a solution.  And Dell just said if there isn't a new driver too bad.  Then I tried looking on the Broadcom site, and there isn't even any drivers available on their site for Wifi.

These companies really need to communicate.

Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
February 19th, 2013 11:25am

It seems Microsoft still hasn't figured this is an issue. Windows 8.1 Preview once again forces the install of their driver v5.100.245.20 for the Dell Wireless 1510 N WLAN MiniCard (Broadcom 4322 chip). This driver has a major issue with wireless speed and connection stability. I had to reinstall the older Win7 driver (Broadcom v.5.100.235.12) from Dell to get back to good speeds and stability. See above step by step procedure.
June 30th, 2013 1:58am

yep, thanks ..that did the trick.

My download speed has increased six fold to where it was under windows xp

Just hope i remember if i do a rebuild

Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
July 19th, 2013 7:25am

The solution given by dSTeVek is right, worked for me on a Dell Studio 1537 with a 1510 mini WiFi card.

The other solutions like the compatibility settings for the official Windows 7 or Vista drivers gave me errors, this one seems to be solid.

December 2nd, 2013 8:15pm

Thank you so much BigMrc.. i have vostro 1320 with same problem... downloaded the driver 

Network_Driver_WD35F_WN_5.100.235.12_A37.... worked like a charm...

Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
February 1st, 2014 10:14am

This topic is archived. No further replies will be accepted.

Other recent topics Other recent topics