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Question

New C drive installed due to crash. Unable to re-connect wirelessly (WLAN IEEE 802.11 wireless networking hardware is not functioning properly (radio disabled) BIOS shows facility Enabled? No 'bars' in system tray? Device Manager - Network Adapters shows only Marvel Yukon 88E8040 PCI-E fast Ethernet Controller? Service tag G32QH3J

Submitted: 120 days and 3 hours ago.
Category: Computer
Value: $15
Status: CLOSED
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Optional Information

Computer OS: Windows Vista
Browser: IE

Already Tried:
Succesful Ethernet Connect + Netgear Wireless set up Drivers loadded from utility disc - R167854.exe + R164285 BIOS system checked

Posted by Clayton 119 days and 23 hours ago.

Answer

Hello XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX! Thank you for your question.

Based on your service tag, I'm working under the assumption you have an Inspiron 1525.
That said, is your WiFi adapter powered on? If it is, you should see the WiFi light in the front left lite. If it isn't make sure your physical WiFi switch is in the on position.

Once this is turned on, it should be seen by the computer and be installed/installable. If not, please let me know.

119 days and 10 hours ago.

Reply

Hi Clayton

Yes Inspiron 1525

Sorry but problem persisits - lights show Power = On ; hard drive = active ; Battery Charging = active. No other lights (irrespective of physical switch position).

Posted by Clayton 119 days and 10 hours ago.

Info Request

The following is taken from the Dell Inspiron 1525 User Manual:

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Light 4 should come on when the Wifi switch is in the on position. Is this not the case/does this light not exist on your laptop?

119 days and 10 hours ago.

Reply

Light 4 does not illuminate

light 5 (Bluetooth has never worked)

Posted by Clayton 119 days and 10 hours ago.

Answer

If that light does not illuminate at all, that may be a good indication that your Wifi Adapter is not being powered on, which would make it uninstallable, yet alone unusable. This would indicate some sort of hardware issue that would need to be looked at by a professional technician.

Just to make sure we cover all the alternatives, however, you said that a new C drive was installed. Did you do that yourself? Also, was the Wifi working before this?Clayton40137.7331096065

119 days and 10 hours ago.

Reply

Excuse my frustration Clayton but you asking me to repeat previously disclosed information. I installed the new drive and yes the Wifi connection was working before the crash. Apart from re-installing the software nothing physical has changed or been damaged or interered with. I am not an expert but am by no means a novice when it comes to computers. I do hope this does not turn into another one of those software-v-hardware pass-the-buck situations.

Posted by Clayton 119 days and 8 hours ago.

Answer

I apologize if you feel you are repeating yourself, but my reasoning for asking if you had installed it was to determine, as you mentioned, the possibility for damage. I understand what you mean with the issue of hardware vs. software, we've all been there. That said, your Wifi light should be lite when it is enabled. In some systems, toggling the adapter is done via a Fn switch, whch would leave the possibility for the issue being software. If your Fn keys are functioing, try enabling the WiFi adapater using Fn+F2. If they are not, or you haven't yet installed it, I would reccomend installing Dell's Quickset application (http://tinyurl.com/yjez62g). As Dell's description lists, this allows the user to set which device the switch/Fn combination.

118 days and 9 hours ago.

Reply

Thanks Clayton - I am glad that we are now on the same page. I followed your advice and as a result we are a few steps closer to a solution. However, whilst WiFi Catcher/Radio Config. shows status = Enabled the Network Locator options are 'greyed-out' (whether I select All Radios or just WiFi under Advanced Settings)?

Should we now be looking under Device Manager??

I look forward to your guidance.

All the best

Frank

118 days and 9 hours ago.

Reply

N.B. It is the weekend and so my computer time will not be taking precedence. Also it is a little uncomfortable having to conduct communications whilst sitting on the stairs in my hallway. Long story but my telecoms company would only install a single point there and all other points are disabled.

Accepted Answer

Correct, the next thing we want to do is make sure the Wireless Adapter is present and installed. If you look under the Device Manager, you should either see a second networking device installed or some sort of uninstalled device. If the device is not installed, go ahead an install it using the drivers from the same website as before. Let me know if you run into any problems with any of this.

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Expert: Clayton
Pos. Feedback: 98.5 %
Accepts: 229
Answered: 11/21/2009

Electrical and Computer Engineer

10+ years of PC troubleshooting experience; NCSA certified Hardware Technician

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