Netbook Wireless Troubles! =(

hey guys,

a buddy of mine dropped off his EEEpc netbook to me cuz he couldn't get it to connect to a wireless router. i tried to get it to work, but didn't have any luck. i'm so used to vista now that XP seems so foreign to me. i can't seem to find out how to make it search for wireless networks in the area.

- windows XP
- EEEpc netbook with 1.6ghz processor
- device manager says that the network adapter is in proper workin condition
- if u need anymore info on the netbook, please let me know

could someone please help? thanks alot in advance guys!

 

Does it use atheros AR5007EG wifi adapter?
If it is, just turn off laptop, take out battery and AC for 5 minutes. Then start the computer.

Also disable the powersaving feature for the wifi adapter on the wifi adapter.

 

it says:

atheros ar8121/ar8113/ar8114 pci-e ethernet
driver: 1.0.0.30

again, this laptop is usin windows XP. i'm not familiar with XP anymore cuz i've been usin vista for so long. i forgot how to do alot of things.

i need to figure out how to make it scan for connections around the area. like on a vista machine, all u have to do is left click yur internet icon and it'll give u an option to find different networks. could anyone please break it down to me like start ~> program ~> etc.

 

control panel
network properties
right click wireless lan
let windows manage wireless device

 

Go to Start --> Network Connections , click open
Then under LAN or High-Speed Internet you should see Wireless Network Connection.
Right click on it and choose View Available Wireless Networks and that's where you should see your network listed. Most laptops have a WiFi on/off switch... make sure it's on.

 

i've tried all of the suggestions already and had no luck.

the wireless indicator light is on, but i don't see any wireless lan icons. in my network connections folder, i only have 'bluetooth network' and 'local area connection - unplugged'.

i've already tried usin the wireless network setup wizard, but that didn't do a thing. any other suggestions? i appreciate the help so far. +reps for u guys.

 

anyone have any ideas? still haven't been able to figure how to get the wireless up and workin.

 

Sounds like the Wifi adaptor isn't even installed? In Device Manager, what are the things listed under Network adaptors? Also, are there any 'other devices' with a yellow question mark? And make sure WIFI isn't disabled in the BIOS.

 

Yeah @namaiki is right, even if it's disabled(by the WiFi button or by Windows) the Wireless Adapter icon should appear in the network connection folder. If it's not there then that would mean the adapter is not being installed/detected or it's disabled in the BIOS.

Isn't that the ethernet NIC? If there is no other network adapter listed in the Device Manager then a wireless adapter hasn't been installed or it's disabled at BIOS level or the laptop doesn't have one

 

it's weird cuz there is a LED blue light, that is on, for the wireless indicator on the netbook. when i checked the device manager, that atheros device is what's shown for wireless adapter. what is the atheros device i listed then? sorry, i'm just not familiar with netbooks in general and way out of sync with XP to be of any big help anymore.

how could i find out more info? this is a netbook that was issued to my friend from his work place. do u guys think they disabled or tinkered with the BIOS? how do i find out if it is disabled at the BIOS level? sorry for all the questions, this is an area i'm not very familiar with. thanks for all the help so far guys.

 

I think that the Atheros device you've listed is an ethernet NIC, not a wireless adapter. That blue LED is not a real indicator....if I recall correctly on some Acers the bluetooth LED is on even though there is no bluetooth installed. What's the exact model of that netbook?

Are there any "Unknown Devices" in the Device Manager? Devices with a yellow exclamation mark? If yes then this might help for identifying the missing device.

 

ok, cool i'll take a look see when i have some time tonight. thanks for the link and +rep'd