Laptop's wireless suddenly 'blind'

[C6Gunner]

A customer, who is also a neighbour, for whom I installed a wireless network a few months back (router & cable modem combo) phoned this evening to say that he can no longer connect to his home network.

I walked down and quickly verified a few things (i.e. router, modem, protocols, laptop wi-fi switch, device manager, etc) because I had just cracked open a beer when he called.

The laptop just doesn't see ANY networks (there are at least 3-4 in range).

At this point I'm suspecting the antenna. Anything else I forgot to check?

I told him that I would pick it up tomorrow for a thorough check.

 

[frostbyte5014]

I would start by removing all saved preferred wireless networks and let the laptop rediscover his wireless router.

 

[Kenhelms]

yea Ide uninstall the adapter, everything. let windows rediscover the device and see how that works.

 

[C6Gunner]

Sounds good. Thanks guys!

I'll give it a go tomorrow and post the results.

 

[RevivedCS]

Hey, what model and kind of laptop does your neighbor have? I ask because some laptops have been producing bad wifi cards especially HP's. I hope this isn't the case.

 

[C6Gunner]

I know it's an Acer for sure, but I didn't take note of the model. Will find out tomorrow.

 

[mike_tech]

I know it's an Acer for sure, but I didn't take note of the model. Will find out tomorrow.

Hey C6Gunner,

i know that theses are very obvious but on laptops you are able to stop your wireless connection with a button. On some laptop it is usually a FN key + F1-F8 key combination. I would check to see that that the wireless hasn’t been disabled /switched off via this button, as roaming for wireless networks will result in none showing up at all.

Also are you using the software/utility that came with the adapter, or are you using the windows wireless zero configuration?

 

[C6Gunner]

Hi Mike,

I did try the button already (that what I meant when I mentioned "laptop wi-fi switch").

It was using WZ. I'll check what brand/model of Wi-Fi card is installed when I get it today.

Thanks for the input!

 

[stevenamills]

I always start by trying my laptop.

 

[eric76]

Make sure that Wireless Zero Configuration is "started." Go to run - services.msc and make sure it's started.

 

[Jake77444]

Does he have a wireless networks tab in the wireless network connection properties?(This is the easiest way to verify WZC is enabled). In the wireless networks tab is the button that says "Allow windows to configure connection" checked?

Any third party wireless client managers installed?

Some laptops have hot key commands that can turn off/on the wireless in addition to the wireless switch itself. So technically its possible the wireless switch may be on but it still could be off.

Need more information on make/model to narrow it down.

 

[C6Gunner]

Delay

Hi guys,

Sorry I'm late posting back. Unfortunately, I didn't have a chance to get my hands on the laptop today because I got recalled to my real job. I should get it tomorrow.

Jake77444: I didn't have time to get any details as I only saw the machine for a few minutes initially. I will definitely check if there's a hot key.

Standby for more...

 

[hitch]

If its an Acer I would be weary of the acer connect software that the machine likes to use to connect to networks. In my opinion it's junk compared to the original windows wireless (zero config) networks tab. If it is running the acer wireless discovery product try to disable that first and then see what windows finds by itself. I've seen this happen more then once.

good luck

 

[C6Gunner]

Resolved... I guess.

Well, after all this trouble, my neighbour came by today and told me that the problem 'resolved itself' (!).

Now, I really don't know what the hell could've happen in the past couple of days... I can only suspect a software glitch, or that the laptop antenna works intermittently (i.e. when the LCD cover is opened/closed).

Somehow I don't think that this is the last I hear of this problem.

Man, don't you hate 'intermittent' problems?!


Thanks everyone for all the suggestions (I'll try them if the 'ghost' resurfaces)!

 

[Larry Sabo]

If its an Acer I would be weary of the acer connect software that the machine likes to use to connect to networks. In my opinion it's junk compared to the original windows wireless (zero config) networks tab. If it is running the acer wireless discovery product try to disable that first and then see what windows finds by itself. I've seen this happen more then once.

I hate the OEM wireless tools intended to make it easy for users to locate and connect to wireless networks. Toshiba's is a major PITA, as far as I'm concerned.

I ususally uninstall or disable them, but do remember to check Programs\Startup to verify that the startup for it has also been removed. Otherwise you can get connected for a few minutes then lose the connection, yet it looks like WZC is the only connection aid running.

 

[JW The Computer Guy]

Make sure there are no devices that transmit radio frequencies nearby (cordless phones, cell phones, baby monitors, wireless security cameras) as anything running on the 2.4ghz - 5.8ghz band will block out wi-fi, learned this from experience.