XP doesn't see wireless network

[IzabelaB]

I've an old Vaio Sony desk top with XP. It stopped seeing any wireless network after one of the programs froze, followed by a re-start. The response is - "check the wireless switch on is on". Can't find the 'switch on' in the first place!
Help please.

 

[The Paladin]

click on start, in the search box type " device manager " left click on the display menu choice, go to network devices
and do you see your WIFI device listed there? right click on it, and can you enable it ?

if that doesn't work I suggest writing the model displayed. right click uninstalling it, and rebooting computer to see if it will re install the drivers device. and enable your wifi device.

 

[IzabelaB]

Many thanks for answering.
The wifi device is enabled and computer says it's working properly. However, when searching for available wireless networks, computer doesn't detect any and keeps mentioning the 'wireless switch on must be switched on'. Where is it?

Do you still suggest that I should uninstall the device?

I.

click on start, in the search box type " device manager " left click on the display menu choice, go to network devices
and do you see your WIFI device listed there? right click on it, and can you enable it ?

if that doesn't work I suggest writing the model displayed. right click uninstalling it, and rebooting computer to see if it will re install the drivers device. and enable your wifi device.

 

[The Paladin]

I cannot answer the button question as can only look specification of a laptop or its manual with a model number.

 

[boosted1g]

Unistall and reinstall the driver

 

[IzabelaB]

Thank you for trying - my PC is a desktop type computer...

I cannot answer the button question as can only look specification of a laptop or its manual with a model number.

 

[boosted1g]

Thank you for trying - my PC is a desktop type computer...

I cannot answer the button question as can only look specification of a laptop or its manual with a model number.

This is not a laptop or desktop specific issue.
If wifi card came with computer then lookup information on your model of computer,
If you added the wifi card then lookup information on that model of card.

You likely just need to uninstall (not delete though) and reinstall the wifi driver and then it will work.
Is this a a usb wifi card, a pci-e card you put in, a pci-e card that came with the computer, or wifi built into the motherboard?

 

[IzabelaB]

Apologies for latency in response. It is a usb wireless card. (I struggle with this PC as I'm brought up on Apple products - I'm pulling my hair everytime something happens...)


[/quotemsg]

[/quotemsg]

This is not a laptop or desktop specific issue.
If wifi card came with computer then lookup information on your model of computer,
If you added the wifi card then lookup information on that model of card.

You likely just need to uninstall (not delete though) and reinstall the wifi driver and then it will work.
Is this a a usb wifi card, a pci-e card you put in, a pci-e card that came with the computer, or wifi built into the motherboard?[/quotemsg]

 

[boosted1g]

Try your wifi adapter in another computer to see if the usb adapter is defective.

Otherwise download the "newest" XP driver for it (if it even has one).

If you cant get this to work then you will likely need a new adapter, you may have to look for 3+ year older model to find something with Win XP drivers.
Although, frankly at this point the card is doing you the best service imaginable, not allowing a super insecure windows xp machine on to the internet

 

[IzabelaB]

Try your wifi adapter in another computer to see if the usb adapter is defective.

Otherwise download the "newest" XP driver for it (if it even has one).

If you cant get this to work then you will likely need a new adapter, you may have to look for 3+ year older model to find something with Win XP drivers.
Although, frankly at this point the card is doing you the best service imaginable, not allowing a super insecure windows xp machine on to the internet

 

[IzabelaB]

Thank you so much for trying. As none of the advise worked, I resigned to remain being unconnected