PCE-AC66 wifi card not picking up 5ghz 149-161 channels

[wacko24]

CHange PCE-AC68 Driver region

Hi,

I've found a way to change windows driver region by modifying PCE-AC68 windows driver's INF.

When you have installed the utility+driver package, you can find the driver's INF in C:\Program Files (x86)\ASUS\PCE-AC68 WLAN Card Utilities\Driver\PCE-AC68\Win81\bcmwl64.inf (or other win variants in parent dirs).

Here is the modified lines on the INF to make the card working with channels >= 149 :

- Line 3784, section [a.channels.reg], under the comment "Additional channels supported only on SPROM map version 2" : uncomment the next five lines to enable channels 149 to 165.

- Line 3356, section [common.reg] : uncomment each lines containing Ndi\params\Country (lines 3356 to 3598)

To continue, you must uninstall (with removing) the driver with the windows device manager and deactivate windows driver integrity check with an admin console:
bcdedit -set loadoptions DISABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS
bcdedit -set TESTSIGNING ON

After rebooting, go to the device manager and install the modified INF on the newly discovered uknown network adapter.

After installtion, got to the PCE-AC68 adapter's properties in the device manager, in the advance section you can choose the country (for channel 149, i've chosen %UnitedState%).

If everything is set correctly, you can now connect on channels >= 149

You Are As oneandonly says, A Legend.

I spent 7 months thinking my AC68 had gone tits up, did as you say in your reply, and hey presto, its working again on Windows 10.
i took the test mode off again with the bcdedit command to get rid of the testmode in the bottom corner, enable driver test as well, and its all good.

I will pass this along to anyone who has this problem.

what were Asus thinking when they messed this up ?

Once again, Many Thanks.

 

[sfx2000]

Have you checked the advanced settings on the network adapter in Device Manager? There's a lot of configurable options there usually, there might be one related to the region or the use of DFS.

If I recall, Windows knows the system locale, so it's possible that the driver is picking that up during install - makes sense that the .inf tweak would work there..

 

[sfx2000]

Just as an FYI - on linux, one can also override the region from userland...

I've got this really nifty little sony laptop sourced from Japan - so to use the US region...

iw reg get (this retrieves current region in use)

$ iw reg get
country JP: DFS-JP
    (2402 - 2482 @ 40), (N/A, 20), (N/A)
    (2474 - 2494 @ 20), (N/A, 20), (N/A), NO-OFDM
    (4910 - 4990 @ 40), (N/A, 23), (N/A)
    (5030 - 5090 @ 40), (N/A, 23), (N/A)
    (5170 - 5250 @ 80), (N/A, 20), (N/A)
    (5250 - 5330 @ 80), (N/A, 20), (0 ms), DFS
    (5490 - 5710 @ 160), (N/A, 23), (0 ms), DFS
    (59000 - 66000 @ 2160), (N/A, 10), (N/A)

iw reg set US (if I want to set the regdomain to US, the region is the two letter country code) - this has to be done as superuser, so one might have to sudo in front of that...

$ iw reg get
country US: DFS-FCC
    (2402 - 2472 @ 40), (N/A, 30), (N/A)
    (5170 - 5250 @ 80), (N/A, 17), (N/A)
    (5250 - 5330 @ 80), (N/A, 23), (0 ms), DFS
    (5490 - 5730 @ 160), (N/A, 23), (0 ms), DFS
    (5735 - 5835 @ 80), (N/A, 30), (N/A)
    (57240 - 63720 @ 2160), (N/A, 40), (N/A)

This should work with any modern desktop linux that uses cfg80211 (or nl80211)...

 

[Pir8pete]

CHange PCE-AC68 Driver region

Hi,

I've found a way to change windows driver region by modifying PCE-AC68 windows driver's INF.

When you have installed the utility+driver package, you can find the driver's INF in C:\Program Files (x86)\ASUS\PCE-AC68 WLAN Card Utilities\Driver\PCE-AC68\Win81\bcmwl64.inf (or other win variants in parent dirs).

Here is the modified lines on the INF to make the card working with channels >= 149 :

- Line 3784, section [a.channels.reg], under the comment "Additional channels supported only on SPROM map version 2" : uncomment the next five lines to enable channels 149 to 165.

- Line 3356, section [common.reg] : uncomment each lines containing Ndi\params\Country (lines 3356 to 3598)

To continue, you must uninstall (with removing) the driver with the windows device manager and deactivate windows driver integrity check with an admin console:
bcdedit -set loadoptions DISABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS
bcdedit -set TESTSIGNING ON

After rebooting, go to the device manager and install the modified INF on the newly discovered uknown network adapter.

After installtion, got to the PCE-AC68 adapter's properties in the device manager, in the advance section you can choose the country (for channel 149, i've chosen %UnitedState%).

If everything is set correctly, you can now connect on channels >= 149

I just bought a Asus PCE-AC68 and I have 2 Asus RT-AC86U routers, 1 setup in full router mode, 1 as AP and noticed it was only showing the US/CA router and not the China router on channels 13 for 2.4G and 52 for 5G set on region Europe.

https://www.asus.com/ae-en/Networking/PCEAC68/

https://www.asus.com/ae-en/Networking/PCEAC66/HelpDesk_Download/
https://www.asus.com/ae-en/support/Download/11/1/0/54/5nt5Va5YcRysaXrr/30/

Searched and found this post and thought it must be the same but enabling the EU on the Adapter. Sure enough it was, I followed the instructions and tried a few countries and found that Thailand displays all low to high channels. Thank you for posting this work around.



++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Here's a link to the newest Win7 64 drivers downloaded from Asus website edited as per the instructions above;

Tested and working great.
http://www.mediafire.com/file/it092mdc2a6ruo5/ASUS_PCE-AC68v2143-UNLOCKED.rar

 

[oiluj]

Here's a link to the newest Win7 64 drivers downloaded from Asus website edited as per the instructions above;

Tested and working great.
http://www.mediafire.com/file/it092mdc2a6ruo5/ASUS_PCE-AC68v2143-UNLOCKED.rar

I used your file with W7 and... worked flawlessly!!!! (Obviously, had to accept that i was installing an unsigned driver)

But... went to your W10 folder, tried the same (in W10, obviously. I have dual boot on the same computer)... and... PCE-AC68U still is unable to see upper channels on 5GHz band.
Strange: this time... no question about unsigned driver. The driver seems to be properly signed (is it the original, not modified?)

 

[oiluj]

OK, so... I managed to do it also on W10.

What I finally did: Our Asus PCE-AC68 uses a Broadcom BCM4360 chipset, so... I went directly to the Broadcom drivers.

Windows 7: http://www.driver-wireless.com/Broadcom_BCM43xx_7.12.39.28-8-7-81.zip (v7.12.39.28, newer than v6.30.223.259 posted by @Pir8pete)
Windows 10: http://www.driver-wireless.com/Broadcom_BCM43xx_7.35.317.3-Win10.zip (v7.35.317.3)

Then I modified INF files as explained on https://www.snbforums.com/threads/p...g-up-5ghz-149-161-channels.10932/#post-138688

On W10 you will need to disable Windows Driver Integrity Check with these commands on the admin console.
bcdedit -set loadoptions DISABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS
bcdedit -set TESTSIGNING ON
Then reboot and now you will be able to install the modified INF.
After installing the modified INF, better if you enable Integrity Check again:
bcdedit -set loadoptions ENABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS
bcdedit -set TESTSIGNING OFF

Then... I chose New Zealand as %Location% on de Advanced section of the adapter's Properties, in Device Manager. Because New Zealand seems to be one of the most permissive locations with this stuff: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_WLAN_channels#5_GHz_(802.11a/h/j/n/ac/ax)

And... that's it!!! Now my computer can see and connect properly to 5GHz networks on upper channels. Both with W7 and W10 (I have dual boot). Before this, my computer was unable to see U-NII-2A and U-NII-2C (and of course, U-NII-3) channels. Now I can.
Note: I am in Spain.

 

[ReMAG]

CHange PCE-AC68 Driver region
When you have installed the utility+driver package, you can find the driver's INF in C:\Program Files (x86)\ASUS\PCE-AC68 WLAN Card Utilities\Driver\PCE-AC68\Win81\bcmwl64.inf (or other win variants in parent dirs).

Hello! I have just installed the PCE-AC88 device with the driver below
https://dlcdnets.asus.com/pub/ASUS/wireless/PCE-AC88/UT_PCE-AC88_v2807.zip
and there is no bcmwl64.inf file at all.

C:\Program Files (x86)\ASUS\PCE-AC88 WLAN Card Utilities\Driver\PCE-AC88\Win10
28.02.2018 19:38 644 157 4350c5rtecdc.bin
28.02.2018 19:38 643 283 4356a2rtecdc.bin
28.02.2018 19:38 641 676 43602a1rtecdc.bin
28.02.2018 19:38 863 219 4365c0rtecdc.bin
28.02.2018 19:38 634 653 4371c2rtecdc.bin
28.02.2018 23:45 4 167 136 bcmihvsrv64.dll
28.02.2018 23:45 3 795 424 bcmihvui64.dll
28.02.2018 23:45 13 599 bcmpciedhd63.cat
28.02.2018 23:45 1 066 936 bcmpciedhd63.sys
28.02.2018 19:38 23 970 bcmwdidhdpcie.inf
02.11.2006 07:22 525 792 DIFxAPI.dll
31.03.2017 10:10 65 536 InstallDrv.exe

Any suggestions?

 

[Fisioloco]

CHange PCE-AC68 Driver region

Hi,

I've found a way to change windows driver region by modifying PCE-AC68 windows driver's INF.

When you have installed the utility+driver package, you can find the driver's INF in C:\Program Files (x86)\ASUS\PCE-AC68 WLAN Card Utilities\Driver\PCE-AC68\Win81\bcmwl64.inf (or other win variants in parent dirs).

Here is the modified lines on the INF to make the card working with channels >= 149 :

- Line 3784, section [a.channels.reg], under the comment "Additional channels supported only on SPROM map version 2" : uncomment the next five lines to enable channels 149 to 165.

- Line 3356, section [common.reg] : uncomment each lines containing Ndi\params\Country (lines 3356 to 3598)

To continue, you must uninstall (with removing) the driver with the windows device manager and deactivate windows driver integrity check with an admin console:
bcdedit -set loadoptions DISABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS
bcdedit -set TESTSIGNING ON

After rebooting, go to the device manager and install the modified INF on the newly discovered uknown network adapter.

After installtion, got to the PCE-AC68 adapter's properties in the device manager, in the advance section you can choose the country (for channel 149, i've chosen %UnitedState%).

If everything is set correctly, you can now connect on channels >= 149

Thank you a lot. Good explanation. It works! Have a nice Christmas and happy new 2020.

 

[Sachb]

CHange PCE-AC68 Driver region

Hi,

I've found a way to change windows driver region by modifying PCE-AC68 windows driver's INF.

When you have installed the utility+driver package, you can find the driver's INF in C:\Program Files (x86)\ASUS\PCE-AC68 WLAN Card Utilities\Driver\PCE-AC68\Win81\bcmwl64.inf (or other win variants in parent dirs).

Here is the modified lines on the INF to make the card working with channels >= 149 :

- Line 3784, section [a.channels.reg], under the comment "Additional channels supported only on SPROM map version 2" : uncomment the next five lines to enable channels 149 to 165.

- Line 3356, section [common.reg] : uncomment each lines containing Ndi\params\Country (lines 3356 to 3598)

To continue, you must uninstall (with removing) the driver with the windows device manager and deactivate windows driver integrity check with an admin console:
bcdedit -set loadoptions DISABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS
bcdedit -set TESTSIGNING ON

After rebooting, go to the device manager and install the modified INF on the newly discovered uknown network adapter.

After installtion, got to the PCE-AC68 adapter's properties in the device manager, in the advance section you can choose the country (for channel 149, i've chosen %UnitedState%).

If everything is set correctly, you can now connect on channels >= 149

Does this trick work on Asus USB-AC68 adapter? It has a Realtek Chipset 8814au. Can I use a compatible driver which is region free?

I can't see my D-Link router which is on channel 149. I see only the Netgear X4s, my other device see both.

Why would a manufacturer implement Region Lock on an adapter but keep it Region Free on their Routers?

 

[RAH-66]

Hello! I have just installed the PCE-AC88 device with the driver below
https://dlcdnets.asus.com/pub/ASUS/wireless/PCE-AC88/UT_PCE-AC88_v2807.zip
and there is no bcmwl64.inf file at all.

Go to \HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4d36e972-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}\
choose wifi card 0001-00xx via driver name ASUS PCE-AC88 802.11ac Network Adapter
add Country/US
set autoCountryDiscovery/0
reboot PC

 

[remusator]

Registered just to say thanks to @RAH-66.
Adding these two values (I set Country=SK for my location) enabled me to use with my router set to Auto channel (find and connect to channel #100) - all of that with stock driver without modifying the *.INF file!

I cannot believe, this small fix, and oversight from Asus made me almost bin the card (I've been struggling with it for years).

Edit: Adding Country=SK is actually enough
How did you find this out @RAH-66 ?

 

[Muaddlb]

How did you find this out @RAH-66 ?

It's quite logical: on previous post on Win8 driver one user suggested to unquote country list in ini-file. As you may notice, in the inf-file there are lines line addReg ac.channels.reg and etc.
So theses params must be stored in a registry.

Since RAH-66 is located in US, he has a little bit different registry set after drv installation (installer can detect country PC located in), hence...

add Country/US
set autoCountryDiscovery/0

Thanks a lot, pal! I spent half of a day in this *****

 

[RAH-66]

@RAH-66 is located in US

no, these parameters are changed manually

 

[Muaddlb]

no, these parameters are changed manually

Ah, I see
I thought it was the way you figured it out by comparing registries (i.e. noticed additional strings)

 

[nr92cp]

CHange PCE-AC68 Driver region

Hi,

I've found a way to change windows driver region by modifying PCE-AC68 windows driver's INF.

When you have installed the utility+driver package, you can find the driver's INF in C:\Program Files (x86)\ASUS\PCE-AC68 WLAN Card Utilities\Driver\PCE-AC68\Win81\bcmwl64.inf (or other win variants in parent dirs).

Here is the modified lines on the INF to make the card working with channels >= 149 :

- Line 3784, section [a.channels.reg], under the comment "Additional channels supported only on SPROM map version 2" : uncomment the next five lines to enable channels 149 to 165.

- Line 3356, section [common.reg] : uncomment each lines containing Ndi\params\Country (lines 3356 to 3598)

To continue, you must uninstall (with removing) the driver with the windows device manager and deactivate windows driver integrity check with an admin console:
bcdedit -set loadoptions DISABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS
bcdedit -set TESTSIGNING ON

After rebooting, go to the device manager and install the modified INF on the newly discovered uknown network adapter.

After installtion, got to the PCE-AC68 adapter's properties in the device manager, in the advance section you can choose the country (for channel 149, i've chosen %UnitedState%).

If everything is set correctly, you can now connect on channels >= 149

9 years later, and you're still an absolute legend. You absolutely saved my sanity with this method for getting my AC68 to join to 5ghz. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

 

[Muaddlb]

You absolutely saved my sanity with this method for getting my AC68 to join to 5ghz.

The method only works with Win8.1, not 10 or 11

PCE-AC66 wifi card not picking up 5ghz 149-161 channels

CHange PCE-AC68 Driver region Hi, I've found a way to change windows driver region by modifying PCE-AC68 windows driver's INF. When you have installed the utility+driver package, you can find the driver's INF in C:\Program Files (x86)\ASUS\PCE-AC68 WLAN Card...

www.snbforums.com

Much easier and better solution for any Windows ver