yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] demandarin:
You are correct. The pogo pin deal is that it could "Possibly" be causing the wireless issue some have been having. NOthing actually concrete has been proven yet. Gary only said that those pins was something engineers are looking at "Also" in Primes that are returned or sent in. BRINGING up the pogo pins wasn't meant to make everyone think that "this" is definitely the problem. IT could be for some people, maybe its not. We already know about the backplate. SO having the metal backplate plus possible faulty pins in individual primes is the worst. I SAW that post from e.mote where he brought up the subject n provided pics. It was very interesting as I didn't know that. Then i saw a couple members talk about how they flexed or pressed the tablet in that area n suddenly they getting better wifi n GPS reception.

SO that made me think, since it wasn't brought up yet, did the original Transformer use the same type of connection. SINCE prime was compared to it alot and in general the OG transformer had good wifi n GPS. I knew the original had a plastic back but wanted to see if there was also a difference in the connection. Thats when I found the teardown pix of the original one n it was pointed out that it actually used the more secure soldered connection. You are right that the pogo pins are a more elegant design. BUT if there are issues with it in certain peoples Prime, then I'd rather have the soldered type connection to where its more secure n less likely to loss contact. THIS does sound like a pain for Asus though if this is found to be an issue for some. MAYBE this could help Asus down the road for their new model also. Which I would think they would use pogo pins on it also. Down the road people could get new model n find it performing poorly wirelessly, regardless or plastic strip, because of the pins. This is all speculation though. No concrete facts yet to say the pins causing issues But it makes perfect sense though if it is true. As this, IMO, would affect wireless signal way more than metal backplate. IF the pins are actually losing contact with the pad, you could possibly have the backplate off n it'll still perform subpar. The pins themselves seem like a deeper less obvious issue than backplate. We already nerfed from backplate. We don't need the pins possibly failing or acting erratic to further worsen the situation. That's all I'm saying ;)
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BarryH_GEG:
If the TF700 uses the same components as the Prime (including pogo pins) and suddenly has no wireless issues, I think that's the only thing that will convince people it's both the design and metal back cover that's causing the Prime's problems. Until then, it'll be the witch hunt du jour trying to reverse engineer the Prime without even cracking it open.

Personally, I'm leaning toward the back cover not only causing interference, but introducing new sensitivities that require lower tolerances in assembly than previous Asus devices. That would explain individual device differences and the slower than normal ramp-up in production. But hey, I have nothing more to back that up with than those looking to lynch the pogo pins.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Lock-N-Load:
LOOOOONG before any of this was known, before tear downs and pogo pins and what not, you can find a post of mine - late December - where I reported I had so so GPS with nearly zero signal seen or locked on, and then I dropped my tablet while running a GPS test - picked it up and low and behold POW satellites and locks for days.

Ironic how that post might have been the first indicator of connector issues and none of us knew at the time of that post.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] clenz:
Yep - I remember it was you post back then that caused me to squeeze the top of the bezel and I swear that is when my GPS started seeing sats.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Lock-N-Load:
So the more news that has come to light since then indicates I was not crazy in my reporting and in fact, the drop might have better seated the now known about pogo pins and created a better connection.

BTW, the drop was from 2 feet off a chair onto a bamboo mat on top of a hardwood floor landing screen down :)
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BarryH_GEG:
But think about this... If via whatever means Asus connects the antennas, there's a signal fluctuation of up to 20%, in a plastic backed device no one would notice as performance would still be adequate. Because the signal's fighting its way through metal, 20% could be the difference between working and not on the Prime. So if by dropping your Prime, the signal improved by 20% and GPS started working, it would have been irrelevant if the back was plastic as even 40% less signal would have appeared fine.

Pogo pins aren't new and based on Asus not appearing to cheap out on the rest of the Prime's componentry it doesn't make sense (to me) that they'd pick a Wi-Fi connection method that would bring the whole house of cards down. We’re all armchair quarterbacking with nothing but suspicion as evidence.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] junrider:
Hehehe, now your going to get people taking their primes and dropping it on the floor from2 ft. Its funny, because my child's ipad2 was dropped and the screen had a blue hue to everything and screen all garbled. I thought Sh!t the lcd is messed up now I have to buy a new open and open this puppy up to replace the lcd. Went to youtube to find a disassemble of the ipad2. Ran into a few videos of the same problem, you know what they did to fix it? Drop it with the connection part down. Did I try it.... Hahaha yes twice from 2 ft and the second drop a little harder.. Did it work? Yup, screen is back to normal
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] shinzz:
^^^^^^

Now where's Diamondback... this actually HARMS Prime.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] junrider:
I think this happens when the company is not releasing any insights to what they have eliminated as the source or the if they are any updates to a solution. The the consumers are forced to fend for themselves to find a solution and even taking the side of the suspicions, so they have something to blame. The back plate has already been found, but some are reporting a perfectly working prime that has that same backplate. At least with suspicions they can be proved by actually proving right or wrong. Only problem none want to break their prime in the process nor lose waranty. If Asus could donate a few faulty primes to a 3rd party that are will to test these suspicions and put them to rest.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Guybor:
Do I need to have the power button towards me, or away from me. :D

No joke, I'm going to try the "squeeze" method. Just so I'm clear, the antennas are on the power button side (left side looking at face)?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BarryH_GEG:
January 26, 2011

AsusTEK

Taiwan

In response to numerous complaints regarding Wi-Fi performance with the newly introduced Transformer Prime, Asus is providing existing customers with a fix. All newly sold devices will have the fix included in the box at shipping. By simply applying the fix over the Wi-Fi antenna connection on the edge of the Transformer Prime, customers will see an immediate benefit. As always, Asus is constantly stiving to come up with new ways of improving the customer experience.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] tedr44:
And should you break the $500 Prime in the process, Asus will disavow any knowledge of this fix. Good luck. :D
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] demandarin:
Good one. Got me laughing. I like this section of Xda. The drama, laughs, speculations, the rants..lol. I wonder if any other section is as animated as this one.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] l33tlinuxh4x0r:
Guys just my 2 cents but pogo pins are probably not the issue. They work well and are still around for a reason. If it was soldered like some suggest the tablet would be much harder to put together, take apart, service, and manufacture. And like it has been mentioned before the TF700T has the exact same pogo pins and works fine. Also I have used a couple of devices with pogo pins and man do they work great!

Also for anyone who is wondering my tablet doesn't have a single issue even GPS works without wifi on! I have never used bluetooth with it though so maybe bluetooth is the root of all problems.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] faxmonkey:
Contacts might be the issue

For lunch i decided to test this thing out. Mind you, that i have never really been able to get any birds to show up in my car. So, i was a passenger during lunch and busted out the Prime. I first twisted the top portion of the prime just ever so slightly. Then i proceeded to press hard all along the top where the wireless and GPS antennas are located. Then i also slightly banged the top of the Prime against my knee.

I couldn't believe it, but now i see about 8 sats constantly and locks from time to time (about every 15 seconds). We were driving up to 40 MPH.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] demandarin:
Wow, be ready for the doubters though. Interesting info nonetheless. Glad to hear you finally see sat's in car and getting locks.

I've yet to see a single sat. Or get a lock. I never took my prime outdoors yet to truly test it. I always tried from indoors n really never gave it more than 5 mins to attempt to see anything or lock. Always get impatient and cut GPS off as I'd rather do other things with my prime..lol

I think once I take it outdoors n get my first lock, all other ones will come fast n easy. Maybe finally this weekend I take it outdoors n car n be passenger also to test.

You should make a video n post it up. Good news always welcomed ;)
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] faxmonkey:
I really don't give a rats _ _ _ if people believe me or not. Just posting my experience. I'll add that the reception was poor. I had to hold the Prime on the dashboard (almost) to see the sats. Holding it near my lap, like i would normally use it, i couldn't get a lock. Weather outside was cloudy, couldn't see the blue sky at all with a chance of rain and a north westerly wind of about 5 MPH. ;P
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] gogol:
He is hiding :)
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Lock-N-Load:
yeah.... because they are a cheap solution. Does not make them worthy or good.

Hey man... this worked for me and I reported it a month ago. I did not "mean" to do it, drop it, but when it happened, it 100% made a difference. That was before dropping, squeezing and twisting was cool :)

Now, later, having seen the pogo pins I surmised that the drop created a gravity & force type sandwich effect and pushed the connection closed or made it tighter or firmer seated the male to female connection.

Take it for what it is worth and as I originally reported, I had been trying GPS tests for days with no joy... the very moment I picked it up I had a screen full of seen satellites and connections being made where seconds and days earlier.. nothing. It was dramatic, but for real and I said it then.

It was not a "fix", it did not repair or change the inherent design flaw, but I would 100% say it improved my situation - and I posted a TON of indoor and outdoor and cold start photos to show my signals - which logically told me the connection was better seated.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Diamondback:
Okay guys, not sure what you want from me, but here I am :D

This is my story:

You can all read up on my previous threads what my GPS was like: absolutely non working. Not seeing a single sat...

I actually tested this "fix" today just out of some fun mood :)

And believe it or not, it worked for me :eek:

After going through this method here I get 14-16 sats in view.

That's even more than my Desire HD.

I still can't believe it myself, but it is correct.

I don't say I get a great fix now, but at least my Prime sees the satellites now.

Let's compare it to my Desire HD:

Desire HD

: Sats used/in view: 9/9, accuracy: 2m, not showing any movement or whatever --> pretty solid GPS lock

Prime

: Sats used/in view: 12/15, accuracy: 8-12m, showing more or less constant drift off by 1-2 km/h

Also note that the Prime immediately dropped every single satellite once i moved though my door.

My Desire HD doesn't do that. It might lose the fix but doesn't lose all satellites.

Ah and this is not due to the last recent update, the update didn't change a thing for me.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] faxmonkey:
Just got an RMA to return my Prime, full refund. I'll wait for ASUS to fix this issue. I would love to buy it again.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] redpoint13:
Gee what a helpful and informative post.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BarryH_GEG:
That's actually pretty scary. Does everyone's signal change (either positive or negative) when they squeeze above the antenna? If so, that's a pretty big design issue. I have no idea how Asus would go about addressing that on devices they've sold and/or are still selling. Assuming the pogo pins are all working within spec and there aren't any other production-related issues the only fix would be a mid-run design change. Those aren't cheap.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Diamondback:
Yes you are right, this is kinda scary. Whenever i go near a window now, after several seconds one after another sat pops up...

What you wrote early sounds pretty correct: Prime has to struggle with the backplate plus the bad connection...
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] micaman:
Perhaps this is a dirty little secret Asus engineers wanted to slip under the rug. Awfully quiet...Gary? Looks like ****s going to hit the fan at Asus.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] faxmonkey:
No problem just hit the thanks button.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Lock-N-Load:
Ahh... nice. Yet a little more indication this might not be a totally looney theory.

I might have got it by accident when I dropped it, tonight I will try my chicks on purpose as her GPS is as sucky as I have read others to be. Side by side ours are totally different and yet the same device. Mine was dropped and got the previously reported improvement, hers was not and is as bad as it gets.

In my house I see right now 10-13 in view, 8 in use, 36-48 feet accuracy. I even saw as ow as 12-24 feet several times. Captured photo below. Again, this inside & wifi aided BUT before I dropped it... nothing like this would ever ever have been seen. I have gotten results like this cold boot and outside no wifi.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BarryH_GEG:
The part of all the comparisons people have been making that seemed strange to me were the differences in wireless performance. If the metal back was the only issue (and it's still an issue) all Prime's should perform (close to) the same. I've been assuming it's just different routers and/or conditions added to the fanboy effect and that all Prime's were the same. Whether it's the pogo pins or Asus' implementation of them it certainly would explain the wide differences in performance. The one mystery left is why updates seem to make it better or worse depending on user which doesn't make sense if it's a h/w issue. I'm sure this is the beginning and not the end of this issue/discussion.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] shinzz:
Alright, as soon as I got home from work.. I tested this theory on my prime. Now, mine is from 2nd batch that starts with BCOK.. & mine had a solid view/lock of satellites (both indoor and outdoor) when it was stationary. However, the performance of WIFI has been very underwhelming... thus.. I figured I'll give it a try.

GPS: Stayed the same. Was able to find and lock on satellites .. but it'll disappear once I started to move (car).. but was able to hang on to a lock when I only walked.

WIFI: Nothing... slight variation in performance but more or less.. stayed the same.

If you're a novice, I can't recommend you to follow this "advice" based on speculation. It's a possibility, but if POGO pins are also part of the problem with metal backplate.... I'll wait for Asus to make a comment & act after that.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Moothead2:
Just held it down over the contacts while in Wi-Fi analyser and it fluctuated between the lowest it's ever been sitting next to my router and as strong as a signal the app will read. This definately looks as though it's one of three contributing factors, along with the metal design and software but seems like the most detrimental of all three but I can't really test the other two :p.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] e.mote:
>The one mystery left is why updates seem to make it better or worse depending on user which doesn't make sense if it's a h/w issue.

The update may have a higher signal threshold before it would display sats. That would make sense from a functional perspective, as having a signal that fades in and out is worse than no signal at all.

The majority of post-update reports were of people losing GPS altogether. This fits well with the above. The few reports of better GPS may have been coincidental from inadvertent "love squeezes" that are then associated with the update.

Granted, these are all suppositions. But multiple reports of "frame squeezing alters reception" all point to a marginal connection. The only evident culprit are the pins.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BarryH_GEG:
As more people are "squeezing" and having their signal strength change I'm beginning to agree with the suppositions. But how do you prove something like that with a device that's hermetically sealed?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Phoneguy589:
It might sound like a crazy idea but why not use the metal back as an antenna? Is it possible squeezing corner is causing the pins to come in contact with the back plate and increasing the signals?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] e.mote:
>But how do you prove something like that with a device that's hermetically sealed?

You already have, in showing that signal strength can be readily affected by pressures on the unit. It's not up to the user to ascertain cause, it's up to Asus.

>Is it possible squeezing corner is causing the pins to come in contact with the back plate and increasing the signals?

The pins, along with most components, are mounted on a plastic "tray" which is itself mounted onto the metal shell.

You are right in that the entire pathway, from chip lead-out to antenna contact, needs to be inspected for problems. As said, evidence would point to the pins, but it could well be something else that doesn't show up in the teardown. We are limited by what are shown in the pics.

>Just held it down over the contacts while in Wi-Fi analyser and it fluctuated...

I'd point out that having your hand over the antenna will also affect reception, usually for the worse.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BarryH_GEG:
This...

Is more what I was looking for than this...

Everyone's saying "pogo pins" but it could be an assembly or component issue not directly related to the pins themselves. And you're right, we'll never know and it's up to Asus to figure it out.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] demandarin:
I remember your post and alot of people thought you was blowing smoke. Now this new evidence/info backs up your claim. I never doubted what you said did improve yourself signals. Now we know a pretty likely reason as to why. Makes since logically now that we know new info.

---------- Post added at 07:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:49 PM ----------

This was what I've been trying to say since new evidence came up. We already have the backplate to fight with. Last thing we need is the actual connectors being faulty on some devices on top of that. This is crazy..lol. boy this whole Prime deal is like a drama/thriller story. I just hope it has a happy ending for all. SMH

---------- Post added at 07:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:54 PM ----------

Good one..made me laugh...this section on xda is classic..I luv it..lol
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BarryH_GEG:
I agree. And the irony is everyone was *****ing about being part of the QC process. We're now actually getting in to design. Never in all my experience with electronic devices have I seen anything this mired and tangled. Not even the cursed LG G2X/O2X.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] tedr44:
Just compare rf paths between the 101 and 201, I think the difference is pretty obvious and proves why the former has no rf issues. :)

---------- Post added at 05:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:00 PM ----------

It is still part of the QC process since Primes are being shipped with almost dead wifi's/gps that come to life after an accidental drop. Were they even tested before shipment, I doubt it.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] demandarin:
WHAT NOT BARRY? IT CANT BE..STARTING TO BELIEVE our speculations...Shinzz seeing this as a possibility to be an issue also with evidence others are posting..

hmmm...you should hear my evil laugh...

Welcome! We've been waiting for your arrival..lolololol I'm glad you've realized resistance is Futile. ASSIMILATION PROCESS WILL COMMENCE SHORTLY. SAY YOUR GOODBYES..LMFAO
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] opentoe:
I have a good working unit (besides GPS that won't work) and it was one if the very first shipped out. BCOKAS is the beginning of my serial number. When you say "new hardware" what do you mean? Some units actually shipped with different hardware?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] demandarin:
Yes. Now as far as exactly what is different is not exactly known. I think I saw Gary said something on wireless side. Early batch had issues n they revised them on newer batches supposedly. I would think probably midway between our serial numbers and the new C ones that it was revised. Its not llike a whole new entire hardware change. Maybe wireless card or something along those lines. But yes, to some extent, early batches are different somehow thanbthe newer ones. Not exactly sure on details of what it is exactly.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] opentoe:
I have a good theory about this. Well, it is just a hardware theory only. The pogo pins connect to a contact point. I have a feeling maybe the pogo pins aren't directly in the center of these contacts. Maybe they are just on the outside edge, barely touching the contact, hence weird performance. Maybe? :)
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] demandarin:
l

Its a good theory. Could be possible. More n more evidence and peoples experience with squeezing that area where pins are at are pointing to this or similar theories. All we want to do is get to the bottom of this all. Since Asus doesn't update all of us on a regular basis. THIS is all we can do instead of just sitting back forever and waiting for a statement to be released. This is all for a good cause n will only help Asus in the end to getting to the root of problems.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] junrider:
I just love how were are now getting along. I guess Asus can write back the GPS on the box when the hand clamp is included in the prime box with Asus's official logo and instructions on where to place. :D
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BarryH_GEG:
And I hear it'll be offered in Champagne and Amythyst Grey so it matches the device. ;)
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] faxmonkey:
So a workaround for better GPS-WI-FI reception is to:

Gently massage your ASUS?

That just doesn't sound right.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] junrider:
I think Asus is already aware of the connection problem, the beta testers (consumers) are already starting to pinpoint the problematic area and we are just using the intricate prime squeezing and drop methods, while Asus can disassemble and play around with the actual circuitry. Maybe, Asus wont admit it because of the mass recall they would have to issue..... Just throwing thoughts in the air.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] HiddenSanctum:
How bad would a mass recall be for Asus? Due to the limited number of stock and the amount of returns, how many units do you think are actually out there? And what about a "conditioned recall" like if you have a problem sent it in and we'll fix it.