N73SV-XC1 wifi problems

Hi all,

Just got a refurb N73SV from amazon warehouse ($510!!) - had a windows replacement key, and it may have been a european version.

Having problems with wifi - wasn't sure if all drivers properly installed. Installed ATK for Fn+F2 + KB Filter + console 3 and no dice. Console 3 doesn't load and pressing F2 just shows both the bluetooth and wifi disconnected (i.e., doesnt seem to toggle).

I'm new to windows 7 (coming from XP pro - finally took the jump) - device manager shows I have:

Atheros AR9002WB-1NG version 9.2.0.104 installed.

Bios shows:

American Megatrends version 2080, EC Version 202d040001 (doesnt relate to the version show on asus website which shows increments of 2.08 - 3.06).

Also on boot it says Atheros PCIE Ethernet Controller v2.0.2.3 (5/18/10). "Check cable connection! PXE-M0F: exiting PXE ROM" - is this normal?

Any ideas?

Thanks

 

I'd grab the drivers for your wireless adapter from Asus' support site and install them. Check if that fixes the problem, also make sure that if you have a physical on/off switch for the wireless that it is on.

 

The N73s do have a WLAN slider switch on the right side....and it's annoyingly easy to accidentally move it whenever you pick up the laptop.

 

Thanks guys - I didnt realize that it had a hardware switch: never had one before and feel like an idiot.

Bootup message gone after I disabled the LAN boot priority.

This laptop is HUGE and only something that a geek can love )

 

Don't worry about the physical switch, you'd be surprised at the amount of people who don't think to check that. It is a pretty common mistake and if you forgot or don't know you have one, you could be looking for a solution to a simple problem for a long time. I mean, i almost forgot to suggest that, only thought about it because i recently helped a friend do a clean install on his M50V that also has a hardware switch.

 

I wont tell you how long I spent

I was about to hit the panic button...like what the hell..everything recognized but no dice?? MB issue?? This is when you make big mistakes like update the BIOS or something stupid..lucky I posted my query.

Thanks again!

 

Damn. My laptop won't post. Lights flickers than dead.

Just finished a 20min mem test too and installed and updaed windows and passed HDD tests. Was in the middle of a prime95 run...

Took out battery, charger etc and let it cool down. Still dead - recharge other lights still flicker but no post. Lot of heat from vent when running.

Also when working my USB 3.0 external seagate wouldn't get recognized in the USB 3 port but works on USB 2. Ths thing doesn't feel reliable...

I think I am done. May wait for ivy bridge or a thunderbolt laptop if the i7 quad does overheat to avoid these issues.

 

Well, if the laptop is under warranty, you can RMA it, this is clearly not normal behavior. Give a try at booting it up again though, you may have hit thermal shutdown and the laptop just needed a bit of time, still not normal to hit thermal shutdown point under any uasge scenario unless you are blocking the air intakes.

 

Yeah definitely dead. Thought about RMA it but it is a refurb and could take awhile so I would rather return to seller for full refund when given the chance.

This is a big laptop and the postage could cost a lot $$$ for the RMA process.

 

AH didn't know that it was a refurb, the times i had to ship something to Asus for RMA, they waved all shipping fees, i've seen people who had to pay shipping though.

 

Thats good that they pay for shipping - but I'm taking this notebook out of the country and a refurb that's got troubles right from the get go is a bit dicey, especially when its so big and heavy and can be easily damaged in transit to and from the repair center.

I thought about taking it to a local authorized center in NYC but they have really bad customer reviews.

Pity - I quite liked the laptop! I could live with the half-baked USB 3 port as well. I was all ready to load up with a SSD and up the ram and had seriously booked up for this laptop..