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General discussion

Wireless Network Problems

by Randall_S Feb 18, 2009 9:23PM PST

Hello,
My wife purchased an Acer Aspire 5315 laptop eleven months ago.The laptop has performed perfectly until last night when the wireless connection failed. I called our Broadband supplier who confirmed through a diagnostic test via a telephone call that the problem was the wireless card rather than with the router.During the same phone call then the Broadband Customer Service person instructed me how to set up a new network which to connect to,yet every attempt failed and resulted in a Windows Troubleshooting pop up box.The attempt to reconnect to the new network was done while the laptop was connected,by a cable to a modem designated for a desktop elsewhere in the house.So,I am wondering if any of you,considering what I have said,then are of the same opinion or of a differing opinion? Coincidentally, two nights before the wireless fault then my step-son had installed on my wife's laptop, a Samsung suite which would allow him to download music from the laptop to his new Samsung mobile phone.During my un-installation of that same suite the following morning then a pop up box appeared with a message sugesting that the laptop's registry had (or was) affected but afterward of the un-installation then I was able to use the laptop for net surfing.
I would appreciate anybody else's opinions on the possible troubleshooting of the wireless connection problem.Consequently,then the laptop,purchased from PC World in the UK is yet under warranty and is additonally covered by extra insurance purchased at PC World where the laptop was bought.In closing then I thank anyone who is inclined to ofer their thoughts on the matter.
Kind Regards from a fellow American,
Randall_S

Discussion is locked

5 Posts
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Suggestions..
by Grif Thomas Forum moderator Feb 19, 2009 12:18AM PST

It would sure help if we knew which operating system the computer has.. Windows XP? Vista?

At this point in time, please try using the "wired" connection only.. We'll deal with the wireless connection after verifying a few things..

1. If you're using Windows XP, please download and run the WinsockXPFix tool from the link below.. It should repair any damaged connection software:

http://www.majorgeeks.com/WinSock_XP_Fix_d4372.html

2. Next, verify the wired connection is enabled by opening the Control Panel, then double click on the "Network Connections" icon, then RIGHT click on the "Local Area Connection" icon, choose "Enable" if it's not so already.

3. Next,, please try reinitializing the modem, and or router.. (You don't mentioned whether you've got a router/modem combo device or a separate router and modem.) In order to do so, turn OFF the computer and all computers on the network.. Then turn off the router, then turn OFF the modem if separate, and leave everything off for about 10 minutes.. AFter waiting, turn ON the modem, wait two minutes for it to reinitialize, then turn ON the router, if separate, and wait two more minutes, then turn on the computer..

4. Next, because you may have malware on the machine, please click on the link below to download, install, update, then run a full system scan with the free SuperAntispyware removal tool:

SUPERAntispyware Removal Tool

5. If things still aren't going well...Have you tried using System Restore back to a time when things were running right? If not, please do at this time.

Hope this helps and let us know more.

Grif

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Wireless Network Problems -Suggestions
by Randall_S Feb 23, 2009 9:48PM PST

Grif,
Correction- "At last check then the laptop was no longer showing all available wireless networks"

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Wireless Problems-Suggestions
by Randall_S Feb 23, 2009 10:07PM PST

I wrote a reply to "GRIF" (not the very brief one showing on the forum already) which did not get posted in spite of no offensive content.I don't know where in cyberspace it went or why it did not get posted.Apologies to GRIF.

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A fast issue worth noting.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Feb 23, 2009 9:55PM PST

If your WIFI router is configured with less than WPA security, there is kiddie software (easy to use) to SWAT down the connection and create troubles.

Be sure to configure it per our Networking Forum sticky.
Bob

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Wireless Network Problems
by Randall_S Feb 24, 2009 8:18PM PST

Thanks much for the advice.As I replied to GRIF in the yet missing post then the laptop was sent to PC World's Tech Guys,though, I am not confident in commerical repair services as much as private repair services as I often find that those working in retail repairs are porrly trained and for the purpose,undereducated about the technology.
The laptop was running on Windows Vista Home Version with a NetGear Wireless Router running via a *Virgin supplied Broadband modem cabled to a Dell desktop computer.
Randy_S

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