m17x - Wifi Problem

Here's a problem for you folks if you can figure it out. I haven't called support about this yet. I also haven't tried reinstalling Windows 7 yet, but it is going to be my first step before calling support.

I have a new m17x with the Broadcom N MIMO wireless adapter built in. After I got the machine, I changed the hard drives out and reinstalled Windows 7. When I installed the drivers for the wireless card, I did so from the CD that came with the laptop. Once doing that, the wireless card will not work unless I uninstall it from the device manager, reboot, and let it reidentify. Then if I restart again for whatever reason, it will fail again. Then I have to do the uninstall, reboot, reidentify process over again. It does this consistently... I can always count on when I first start my laptop, the network card with work for about 3 seconds, then it will stop broadcasting. I then uninstall, reboot and everything comes back up ok. As long as I don't reboot the machine, the wireless card works great. Pressing the wifi button on the laptop to turn it on and off doesn't help. Also, disabling and reenabling the card in device manager doesn't work either. It must be uninstalled and rebooted for it to work again.

I've tried downloading and installing the latest drivers from Dell's website, it doesn't make any difference. I also let Windows download an update from Windows Update and it still doesn't make any difference.

Any one had this problem and know how to fix it? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

This is the same if not similar issue your having and believe this thread has the fix, take a look

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=441258

also

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=436486

hope this helps

 

Dude, you gotta read the other topics and do a search. This issue has come up before numerous times. There is a setting that is putting your connection to sleep. Gizmo has a guide up about 6 threads down the main page.

 

Ok so yeah I should have done some searching before I posted but I was lazy. Anyway, the "disable on disconnect" setting in my ethernet card was what fixed my wireless connection. I just have to say that is a totally f^&ked up bug in the drivers or Windows to cause the problem given that they're unrelatd to each other.

Thanks for your help.

 

Yah it is stupid that it turns that on by default, it took me a long time digging around to figure out what was wrong I even blamed my router and tried a new one Glad you are fixed up!