Laptop Wireless Issues

[Vicenarian]

Background:
ASUS Laptop, i3 (or similar) CPU, Windows 7 Home Premium x64

Client accidentally installed some software (might have been a rogue application or something) but then uninstalled it, and since then, the wireless network connection on the laptop has been having issues. Not sure if the wireless issues happening around the same time are just a coincidence, but yeah.

Problem:

Wireless network connection sporadically 'disconnects'; in other words, the wireless status icon in the system tray says that there are no wireless network connections available, or something like that. The wired network connection works fine, however.

What I've done to fix:
- Run a full reset of the Windows networking stack (IP, winsock, and Windows firewall)

- Uninstalled, and then reinstalled (from a fresh copy) the wireless card driver. This did seem to 'fix' the issue, but then the problem reappeared.

- Used an external USB wifi card (worked for a while, issue reoccurred within a day)

- Reset wireless router to factory defaults (I don't really think it's the router anyway, because other devices seem to work fine with it)

- Malware scan (I will do a more thorough scan sometime, but an initial inspection didn't show any persistent issues)


I might try a system restore and SFC scan when I get the chance (done on-site unforunately), but other than that, does anybody have any suggestions on things I could try? Thanks!

PS: What really puzzled me is that the problem only occurs with the wireless connections; having tried two network cards (internal wifi and external USB wifi), and both have the same issue. I always thought the Windows networking stack/system was the same for both wired and wireless connections? Why then does the wired connection work fine?

 

[NYJimbo]

Every time I have seen this where it was NOT a virus was because the WIFI card not only had a driver installed but it also had its own WIFI utility of some sort active.

If you have windows enabled (or attempted to enable) WIFI handling AND have a WIFI utility for that card you will get drops a few minutes after rebooting.

I found if I can remove the utility and only run the Windows wireless whatever and its service, it works fine.

Of course you need the WIFI cards driver installed but NOT the WIFI handler/utility.

Maybe thats something to chase ?

 

[nonchalant]

Had this issue on my own PC once after a power failure.

I believe the issue may have been with Windows wireless zero configuration service. Try stopping & restarting the service. If you get an error, the service is likely broken. And I'm not sure if you can fix it. Your only options may be to try a restore or a reinstall of Windows.

 

[frase]

Check if the appropriate services are running in services.msc

WLAN Autoconfig and its dependencies should be started [check this by selecting the service and selecting the "Dependencies" TAB
I would suggest if you havnt already run - sfc /scannow in a command prompt to fix any corrupted files.

 

[smashedbotatos]

Check the HDD for bad sectors if you haven't already. Then load up a live linux Distro of your choice and see if that solves the issue.

The infection may have corrupted important files in Windows. More than likely something to do with the Wireless Zero Config service.

In all honestly I don't think you will get away without reinstalling Windows or repairing the install.

 

[Rob_NNCC]

Few things to note:

1. I would make sure you only had one wireless config utility running, and that being Microsoft's. (Notice, not managing, but running. Only ONE)

I would also try this with another router, with no security. Then work up to his router with security. This will let you know for sure if it is this laptop's fault and if it has something to do with a security protocol.
I disagree about having to do a nuke and pave. If you look at dependencys and take your time, (and run SFC) you should be able to find this.



Also, Yes, windows does use the same services for SOME of wired and wireless, but:

the OSI model (this is a good thing to know) You can remember it by (Please do not throw sausage pizza away)
This means

Physical (Ethernet, wireless, bluetooth, basicaly media)
Data (frame control, error correction)
Network (Routing and addressing)
Transport (TCP and UDP go here (mostly))
Session
presentation
application
(please correct me if I am wrong)
In this case, the first few layers are different for wired vs wireless. This would cause different services to handle different things. Microsoft has manged this (mostly) by taking 802.3 (Ethernet) and slapping wireless zero config in there to help manage wireless. Things got better when we moved to Vista and beyond.

 

[Disposable_Me]

For all inconsistent hardware, I boot into Knoppix and test it there. If it passes, it's an OS, app or driver issue. Just do a continuous ping test for an hour or two, log it to a file and then " | grep timeout"

 

[frenchscottie]

Is the "Diagnostics policy service" running?

 

[Vyper28]

Does the event viewer have anything to say?

 

[Larry Sabo]

I put my money on the proprietary wireless utility conflicting with Windows zero config. I've had a similar problem and if memory serves, even having the proprietary utility installed but not active, caused the problem.

 

[Vicenarian]

Thanks for all the tips/advice so far everyone; I'll be going on-site this Saturday, and will report back after trying the various fixes suggested. Thanks again!

 

[Vicenarian]

Update:

The WLAN Wireless service was running, and stopped/started fine. Dependencies were ok (I think). Did a SFC, and removed the built-in wifi utility. It's working fine now, but time will tell.

 

[NYJimbo]

.... and removed the built-in wifi utility. It's working fine now, but time will tell.

My money is on it will work fine from now on.

 

[Vicenarian]

My money is on it will work fine from now on.

And you're right! So far everything has been working great. Thanks again for the advice/tips everyone.