Wireless network disappeared suddenly

sunrise22 · 10-21-2009, 04:45 AM

I have a Compaq Pressario v6000z notebook PC running Windows XP SP3. The wireless network adapter is Broadcom 802.11 b/g WLAN .
The problem:
* The wireless network icon and the wireless assistant icon have disappeared from the system tray suddenly.
* The wireless network button light in front does not change from orange to blue when switched on
* There is no wireless network connection in 'Network Connections'
* In 'Device Manager>Network Adapter' there is no Broadcom 802.11 b/g
* Automatic Updates is enabled and set to everyday
* Download and installation of Wireless Assistant failed
* I have tried re-installing the driver for Broadcom 802.11 b/g WLAN
*I am unable to get chat support or email support for my laptop from HP.
*Is it true that this is a known issue in this series of laptops?I have read scores of posts on different forums on this issue but am unable to find a solution.
* System restore does not help
*This has happened once last year and HP service changed the motherboard. I don't wish to take it back to them Is there any other way I can get back my wireless networking?
*There doesn't seem to be a PC Card slot in my laptop. Should I buy a USB wireless network adapter? If so, which one ? Will it have any conflict with the existing adapter in the laptop or with my Netgear router?
Thanks a ton in advance .

Madcatz · 10-21-2009, 09:41 AM

Looks like you've already tried everything but one thing. I run into this problem quite a bit on laptops I work on and my wife's laptop also, and sometimes its windows actually causing it.

Couple things you can try and do, one is you can try another wireless card in the laptop, if it works, then you have a bad wireless card. If it doesn't work, then its windows or the motherboard.

Backup your data and do a system recovery, still no go, then a bad motherboard and I would get a USB wireless adapter.

As for what USB adapter to get, they are pretty much all universal. Linksys is one of the better ones, netgear comes in 2nd, Dlink in 3rd. If you get a wireless N adapter, then you shouldn't have a problem with it talking to almost every router out atm, but a wireless G should do the same thing, just won't do wireless N speeds.

sunrise22 · 10-23-2009, 10:45 AM

Thanks a lot.
I think I'll first try a USB wireless adapter. Will let you know how it works out

LaptopNomad · 10-23-2009, 02:10 PM

Try and remove/reseat the wireless PCIcard in the laptop. When the card is gone from windows, start into BIOS and check if it's detected. If not there, it's a hardware issue, nothing to do with windows.

Download the diag test for your laptop and run test in continous loop for a few hours.

10-21-2009, 04:45 AM	#1 (permalink)
sunrise22 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2 OS: win xp pro sp3	Wireless network disappeared suddenly I have a Compaq Pressario v6000z notebook PC running Windows XP SP3. The wireless network adapter is Broadcom 802.11 b/g WLAN . The problem: * The wireless network icon and the wireless assistant icon have disappeared from the system tray suddenly. * The wireless network button light in front does not change from orange to blue when switched on * There is no wireless network connection in 'Network Connections' * In 'Device Manager>Network Adapter' there is no Broadcom 802.11 b/g * Automatic Updates is enabled and set to everyday * Download and installation of Wireless Assistant failed * I have tried re-installing the driver for Broadcom 802.11 b/g WLAN I am unable to get chat support or email support for my laptop from HP. Is it true that this is a known issue in this series of laptops?I have read scores of posts on different forums on this issue but am unable to find a solution. * System restore does not help This has happened once last year and HP service changed the motherboard. I don't wish to take it back to them Is there any other way I can get back my wireless networking? There doesn't seem to be a PC Card slot in my laptop. Should I buy a USB wireless network adapter? If so, which one ? Will it have any conflict with the existing adapter in the laptop or with my Netgear router? Thanks a ton in advance .

10-21-2009, 09:41 AM	#2 (permalink)
Madcatz Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 1,424 OS: XP/7/Server 2008 My System	Re: Wireless network disappeared suddenly Looks like you've already tried everything but one thing. I run into this problem quite a bit on laptops I work on and my wife's laptop also, and sometimes its windows actually causing it. Couple things you can try and do, one is you can try another wireless card in the laptop, if it works, then you have a bad wireless card. If it doesn't work, then its windows or the motherboard. Backup your data and do a system recovery, still no go, then a bad motherboard and I would get a USB wireless adapter. As for what USB adapter to get, they are pretty much all universal. Linksys is one of the better ones, netgear comes in 2nd, Dlink in 3rd. If you get a wireless N adapter, then you shouldn't have a problem with it talking to almost every router out atm, but a wireless G should do the same thing, just won't do wireless N speeds. __________________ memtest86+ \| Hard Drive Diags \| Speed Fan \| Unknown Device Identifier

10-23-2009, 10:45 AM	#3 (permalink)
sunrise22 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2 OS: win xp pro sp3	Re: Wireless network disappeared suddenly Thanks a lot. I think I'll first try a USB wireless adapter. Will let you know how it works out

10-23-2009, 02:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
LaptopNomad Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Middle-East Posts: 21 OS: XP, Ubuntu, Mac, Fedora	Re: Wireless network disappeared suddenly Try and remove/reseat the wireless PCIcard in the laptop. When the card is gone from windows, start into BIOS and check if it's detected. If not there, it's a hardware issue, nothing to do with windows. Download the diag test for your laptop and run test in continous loop for a few hours.