Girls and computers!

charleswbcm

Honorable
Jul 15, 2013
7
0
10,510
Trying to fix the many problems of a friends computer.
Windows 7.
I cannot connect to wireless internet.
What I've tried:
Restarting the router.
Updating windows 7.
Restarting the computer.
I cannot click on "manage wireless networks"
There isn't even an icon for wireless.
I went to services.msc to look for WLAN autoconfig.
Wasn't there, so couldn't even start that.
I can connect to the router via wire.
HELP? PLEASE?
Thanks in advance.
 
Solution
Depending on the make and model, you should be able to enter the "advanced settings" and looking for "onboard devices".
Look for Atheros WLAN or something along those lines in the list of options.
If you provide me with the make and model of the motherboard or PC I should be able to find the manual and the exact steps you need to take to verify it is enabled in the bios.


I just tried installing the driver, it failed. Perhaps it has failed, a usb wireless adapter seems to be the only option? Reccomendations?
 


http://www.flickr.com/photos/98925422@N02/

It should say something like Atheros Wireless network adapter where the arrow is. But there is nothing. I was told it recently had the fan repaired. could some damage could have occured then? I could try the drivers one more time i suppose. any thoughts. friend is italian btw ha

thanks for all the answers by the way


the realtek thing must be in reference to the wired connection atm
 
Doesn't look like you have a wireless adapter installed at all, or the option was disabled in the bios if it is a built in wireless adapter. The realtek appears to be an onboard/PCIe RJ45 ethernet adapter.

If it's a USB adapter try a different port, if it's a wireless card, try changing ports, if it's supposed to be onboard, check the bios.
 


It is an onboard one, it was working. but now apparently not. What should i do when in the bios/what should i be looking for?
 
Depending on the make and model, you should be able to enter the "advanced settings" and looking for "onboard devices".
Look for Atheros WLAN or something along those lines in the list of options.
If you provide me with the make and model of the motherboard or PC I should be able to find the manual and the exact steps you need to take to verify it is enabled in the bios.
 
Solution


The model is an aspire 5536. I press F2 which gets me into the set up. The blue screen. I haven't done this in a while, but i presume this is the BIOS, however I don't see any option for advance settings.
 
Correct that is the BIOS. According to the BIOS manual there is no way to enable or disable onboard devices. It's very minimalistic. Common in proprietary systems like ACER and HP.

The ACER specs however do not match up to what the device manager displays, which shows the ethernet adapter drivers as broadcom, not realtek as displayed in the device manager.

Was the motherboard replaced or the BIOS incorrectly flashed by chance during the fan replacement?
It's possible they may have gotten the wrong motherboard or BIOS ROM from ACER.

At this point it looks like you will need a Wireless USB Adapter, but based on everything it does not appear that you have any unrecognized devices in the device manager, and it can not be disabled in the bios, leading me to believe it does not have a wireless adapter or the motherboard is going bad, was replaced, or was incorrectly flashed.

By chance is there a WiFi button on the laptop someplace? On the front, side, or one of the Function Keys (F1-F12 keys?)
Some laptops have the ability to disable the wireless adapter via switch or Fn+F1-F12 button for traveling through airports or on planes to prevent them from connecting to unauthorized access points.
 


The laptop does not have the ability to enable or disable wireless, thankfully. It would have been hilarious if that was the solution! I have to agree, as this problem was not apparant before the fan cleaning, an accidental disruption to the hardware must have caused the problem. I will just get a USB wireless adaptor.

Thanks so much for your help,
Charles