The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Acer Aspire 5930g, Intel 5100 WiFi adapter DISAPPEARING

    Discussion in 'Acer' started by lexmirnov, Mar 21, 2015.

  1. lexmirnov

    lexmirnov Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    6
    Acer Aspire 5930g laptop with Intel 5100 WiFi adapter. Been testing Win 10 Tech Preview, switched off WiFi via built-in system switch and since than it completely disappeared from the laptop.

    Which means when I press WiFi button on the laptop there's no light, the adapter itself is missing from the system — even in hidden devices. But all the other buttons (Bluetooth, browser) work well.

    I've tried switching back to Win7, running WinXP from LiveCD, various Linux distribs — no result.

    Tried other adapters (all of them Intel), it didn't help. Actually the system found Intel WiFi/WiMAX, but only WiMAX drivers were installed.

    Tried flashing BIOS, also didn't help.

    Been advised to install native ACPI utility with hardware buttons drivers. While trying to find it I stumbled upon a software called Acer Drivers Update Utility.

    It's a third-party software which scans devices and proposes to download driver updates for them. For some money.

    Yet while scanning it found the card (at least, listed it among devices). When I was scanning the laptop was connected via LAN, and after scanning Windows notificated about installing some bridge and PCI drivers. The button was working, and so was the WiFi card.

    The next day, when I opened my laptop (as far as I remember, I didn't switch it off then), WiFi disappeared again. I've tried reinstalling the system and repeat the "magic" with Update Utilty, but failed. Of course, I've tried force-installing the drivers, installing Acer power management software — still no result.

    Yesterday I've installed (on a fresh system) the latest Intel chipset drivers and Intel Rapid Storage software. Quite surprisingly it worked, but when I carefully turned off the system to make a full backup copy of it (via Acronis), and then turned it on again, the adapter disappeared again. Reinstalling the drivers didn't help. Restoring the system from the image too.

    I've tried bypassing a laptop wireless switch by cutting its circuit (leading to pin #20). Honestly don't know if I really cut it (it's very small), but anyway no result.

    I'm asking my dear colleagues for help :) Suspecting glitches with ACPI and/or power saving functionality. And yes, I've tried disallowing power saving of WiFi adapter :)
     
    lexmirnov, Mar 21, 2015
    #1
  2. Starlight5

    Starlight5 Yes, I'm a cat. What else is there to say, really?

    Reputations:
    826
    Messages:
    3,230
    Likes Received:
    1,643
    Trophy Points:
    231
    lexmirnov, cmospwd.exe /k from DOS bootable flash card, then reboot.
     
    Last edited: Mar 21, 2015
    Starlight5, Mar 21, 2015
    #2
  3. lexmirnov

    lexmirnov Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    6
    Actually I've fixed it :) After a month of struggle, I finally noticed that there's another mini PCI express slot! Plugged the adapter in it, and everything's OK now.
     
    lexmirnov, Mar 23, 2015
    #3
    Starlight5 likes this.