Question Wi-Fi Not Working

[JaRoam]

Just did some cleaning on my computer, Windows 7, clean disk, emptied cache, deleted some stuff, what have you (no actual cleaning inside the box, just software). Nothing out of the ordinary. All of the sudden my wireless doesn't work. I can see the wireless networks under "manage wireless networks" but can't connect . Ran the troubleshooter and such, I get "local area connection doesn't have a valid IP configuration" and "problem with wireless adapter or access point". Tried a few online suggestions, still got notta, including updating, enable, reenable, delete and restart, reinstall, reconfigure, drivers... Who knows, maybe I should try all that again. Thoughts? Thanks!

Here's some extra info:

System hardware specs and OS: Dell Optiplex 790, Intel Core i5-2400 3.10GHz, 4 GB RAM, 64-bit Windows 7

Make and model network adapters: DW1520 Wireless-N WLAN Half-Mini Card, Intel 82579LM Gigabit Network Connection

 

[Ralston18]

Update your post to include full system hardware specs and OS information (Windows 7 noted).

Make and model network adapter(s)?

Did "cleaning" include physically opening the case, blowing out dust, re-seating connectors and cards? Or just software related actions?

Did you try manually downloading, reinstalling, and re-configuring the drivers for the installed wireless network adapter?

Run "ipconfig /all" (without quotes) via the Command Prompt. Post the results.

 

[JaRoam]

I updated the post.

System hardware specs and OS: Dell Optiplex 790, Intel Core i5-2400 3.10GHz, 4 GB RAM, 64-bit Windows 7

Make and model network adapters: DW1520 Wireless-N WLAN Half-Mini Card, Intel 82579LM Gigabit Network Connection

Cleaning was software only, no box. "Did you try manually downloading, reinstalling, and re-configuring the drivers for the installed wireless network adapter?" Pretty much, but I'm not perfect. As for running "ipconfig /all," that's a lot of info! All of it? Since the computer has no internet at this point, I either have to post a picture(s) or copy it all down. Ha!

 

[bill001g]

What is important in the ipconfig /all is if the wifi is in a connected or disconnected state. It could be connected to the wifi but just not getting IP addresses or it can not be connected all. Be nice if windows put out better messages.

 

[JaRoam]

Well, in this case, it's saying... Wireless LAN Adapter Wireless Network Connection and Tunnel Adapters (whatever those are) are "Media Disconnected". And, Ethernet Adapter Local Area Connection is "enabled". Just bought a cheap wireless dongle until I figure this crap out.

 

[bill001g]

Check that ipv4 setting are set to auto so it request a IP.

 

[JaRoam]

Check that ipv4 setting are set to auto so it request a IP.

Apologies, how do I check that? I ain't enough knowledgeable on the intricacies of these things. Wait! - Queries the internet - Yes, settings have been on automatic. More thoughts, please!

 

[bill001g]

So what does it show for your IP address in the ipconfig /all command. Most pc show 192.168.x.x if you see something starting with 169.x.x.x there is a problem getting the IP.

 

[JaRoam]

So what does it show for your IP address in the ipconfig /all command. Most pc show 192.168.x.x if you see something starting with 169.x.x.x there is a problem getting the IP.

Well, my, hopefully, temporary wireless dongle is showing 192.168.x.x. Ethernet Local Area Adapter is showing 169.254.x.x (yikes!). And, the Wireless LAN Adapter isn't showing anything because it's "Media Disconnected" at present. So...what now? I really don't understand what could have happened. All I did was cleanout temporary and unneeded files. I mean, I've done that before and all was well. What else ya got? Thanks!

 

[bill001g]

Try to put in a static IP in the IPv4 settings for the ethernet. Look at the values your wifi is getting and put in a similar setting. If your wifi is getting 192.168.1.x then put in 192.168.250.x and use the same subnet mask and gateway for the wifi.

When you do IP config you should now see this IP. You should in theory be able to ping the router IP and maybe even get internet.


...............ah I got distracted. you were talking about the wfi not the ethernet. It says disconnected so that is some setting in the wifi. You might have to delete the network for the wifi and see if it will reconnect it.

 

[JaRoam]

Yeah, this computer has never been physically connected via ethernet, so that's not a problem - at this point at least. So you're saying the wireless adapter is disconnected because of some wi-fi setting? As in, a setting that needs to be changed in the router or on the computer? Actually delete the network from the router or from the computer?

 

[bill001g]

It is on the computer. Hard to say when these get messed up what will fix it. Since it used to work the hardware is likely ok. Generally deleting that network and letting it redo it is simpler than trying to figure it out.

You have to be somewhat careful because you now have your other wifi network on the dongle and you do not want to mess that up. What you might try is see if you can get the old network card to look for networks. You should be able to see your neighbors networks at least.

 

[JaRoam]

Well, this is fun. Now I can't see the available networks for the problem adapter (I previously could even though it wouldn't connect), so I can't try your suggestion. Wonder if that has anything to do with the wireless dongle I installed. I can see networks for that adapter but not the other. Ughh.

 

[bill001g]

It would be nice if windows was more like linux where you can more easily find the configuration...even though it is all line mode. Windows has so much crap hidden in registry settings that you have no idea where are. The old days were nice where I could put a bunch of commands into a post you could cut and paste. Now everything is find some window and click on some icon that you would need a video to follow.

If this was a windows 10 machine I would say just reinstall windows with the option to keep all your data. You would have to reinstall all the apps and reconfigure things but your data files all would still be there. I don't remember what you can do with windows 7.

I suspect in some ways you have made your problem more complex by adding in the second adapter. It is purely a matter of digging around until you find what is confusing windows.

 

[JaRoam]

Yep, still nothing. For what ever reason, still no networks under the problem adapter. I could uninstall or disable or just pull the second adapter out, I suppose, and see what that does.

Just so strange. All I did was a li'l spring, er, uh, winter disk cleaning. I also did Cleanup System Files and checked 'Windows Update Cleanup' to delete during the process as well. Would that have caused this?

 

[bill001g]

I never run magic tools. I might run them and get a list of what they recommend I delete and then do it manually. It can be as simple as the registry now points to a file that does not exist but finding that setting when you don't even know what it is is hard.

 

[JaRoam]

Here's an unrelated question. Why in the hell does my Dell computer sometimes not recognize my Dell monitor? Sometimes, upon restarting. the resolution's all out of whack , only recognizes it as "generic," and won't even let me change it back. For bonus points, could whatever's goin' on cause my computer to crash? Weirdness is afoot! This has been happening for years.

 

[bill001g]

Maybe someone else will know you might have to post in a different section on this forum in a new post so someone sees it. I worked for a huge company where everyone specialized so I only know network stuff really well, other than learning stuff fighting with my own machines.