Computer Gurus, Wirelss issues just poped up

[KEVINS]

Yesterday I went to the local coffee shop and couldn't connect to the wireless system down there. It was fine last week when I was down there and I haven't changed anything that I can remember. Yes, the switch on the front of the laptop is turned on and I tried turing it on/off several times thinking that may be the issue.

The error I got was this: "Can't fine wireless adapter".

I downloaded the "Broadcom Wireless LAN Driver for Microsoft Windows Vista" from HP (sp41675.exe) and went back today, but it still doesn't see any signals at all.

Usually when I'm down there I can see several wireless signals, but this weekend I don't see anything at all.

1. Should I be able to see the drivers installed in the Device Manager, if so where should it be located so I know it's installing properly? I don't see anything that looks like a Broadcom wireless icon. Under "Network Adapters" I see "NVIDA nForce Ethernet" but that's all.

2. Assuming it is installed correctly is there a setting that may have been changed to block my computer from seeing the signals, a privacy switch or ?

3. Any ideas on what to try to diagnose the problem?

HPDV9000 laptop
Vista

tia
Kevin

 

[TurboDave]

If your laptop isn't seeing any signals at all then I'd say your internal wireless board went T.U.

 

[KEVINS]

Is there anyway to diagnose that it's there? How do I know if it's TU or if something is just turned off? Is there a dashboard or control panel for it's settings?

ks

 

[S10xGN]

There is, but I've never had Vista. You can go to the device manager and see if it's enabled. There is a better option, but someone who knows Vista would have to chime in...

 

[KEVINS]

There is, but I've never had Vista. You can go to the device manager and see if it's enabled. There is a better option, but someone who knows Vista would have to chime in...

What would it be called? Should it be called "Wireless Adapter" or ??
There is no "Wireless" anything listed in teh Device Manager which makes me think it's not working at all and there have been reports of them getting overheated and burning up.

ks

 

[TurboDave]

Go to Control Panel------Device Manager-----Network Adapters, and look for a WIFI device. Right click it and look at its properties. See if it says it's working properly.

 

[KEVINS]

Go to Control Panel------Device Manager-----Network Adapters, and look for a WIFI device. Right click it and look at its properties. See if it says it's working properly.

WIFI isn't shown under Network Adapters, only the NVIDIA Ethernet which is working fine.

 

[TurboDave]

WIFI isn't shown under Network Adapters, only the NVIDIA Ethernet which is working fine.

Then either the wifi device is dead/turned off, or its drivers are missing.

 

[KEVINS]

Then either the wifi device is dead/turned off, or its drivers are missing.

Thanks Dave.
It must be dead, then..

ks

 

[S10xGN]

Has the adapter been inadvertently turned off? There should be a "hot key" combination to toggle it on or off (my Toshiba is FN+F8). May also be an LED on the front cover to show whether on or off...