No WIFI in Win 7 need help plz

Hello, I have restored my old Acer Travelmate 8204 so my Dad can use it (1st computer lol).

I want to run my copy of Windows 7 (x32) on it. Everything installs and is working except for the WIFI / LAN.

Since this machine is not supported for use with Win 7, I simply used the Win Vista drivers from the Acer support website which all work except WIFI.

Funny thing is the device manager reports Intel wireless device drivers working OK, but when you go to search available networks, the troubleshooter starts (and doesn't help any).

Any help greatly appreciated!

 

Do you have it disabled with the Fn shortcut keys?

 

Typical question for Acer would be- have you installed the Launch Manager?
If you have installed the version for Vista in Win 7 you may want to set its main executable (and/or wbutton.exe) in compatibility mode.

 

@Pitabred : No, the laptop keyboard doesn't work and has been replaced with a USB. Anyway the wifi ON/OFF switch is on the body of the laptop and flashes orange when on. It is flashing.

@ downloads : I have not installed any ACER software such as Launch Manager. Just ATI graphics drivers & sound drivers. Makes me think there should be a set of chipset drivers, but they are only provided for XP OS setups (On the ACER website)...Seems strange though....

 

Well download the Launch Manager then- it operates the physical switch that's on the front of your laptop so without it Wi-Fi wouldn't work.

 

I have installed the launch manager to no avail. The switch on the front was all I ever used in the past anyway. Click it once and orange light flashes = wifi, click it again = no light & no internet. What is it the launch manager would do that the switch wouldn't? It just seems to give you the option of assigning short cut keys.

I am at my wits end with this! This reminds me why I never pursued a computing career! Everything else works (except for device manager not detecting PCI serial port, which shouldn't matter right?)

The wifi signal strength indicator just has a red cross over it. When you click on it it says "not connected, no connections available".

WINDOWS NETWORK DIAGNOSTICS - TROUBLESHOOTING RESULTS

PROBLEMS FOUND :

A problem with the wireless adapter or access point

My other laptop is connected fine to wifi.

I hope somebody can help with this soon :-(

 

Hmm...I would suggest you get the PCI serial port driver. The WiFi Adapter might very well be using that port/connection.

If you still have issues after getting that driver make sure the WLAN AutoConfig service is enabled and started. To check this click on Start and type services.msc in the search box and hit enter. In the list scroll to the WLAN AutoConfig service and verify it's enabled and started.

After doing this I would also recommend unplugging the power to the Wireless Router (even though the other computer connects fine) and re-plug it and let it boot up properly then try searching for it again on the computer.

 

If the notebook is based on Intel chipset go to their website and download an Intel INF Update Utility for your chipset and operating system. That should help with the missing device driver.

 

OK guys, I tried all the above and still no wifi :-(

Updated the chipset to latest and win7(Intel INF Update), even updated my wifi adapter drivers to the latest for win7 (all from Intel's website).

Unplugged the router, plugged back in. Turned wifi switch on & off, contemplated suicide - only joking but I think I am outta luck?


here is Intel's diagnostic and the same problem:





Doesn't make sense since this laptop (one I'm posting this on) is sitting next to it and has full signal strength. AARRGGGHHH



Thanks for all the help so far, I appreciate your time!

 

is there an actual antenna connected to the wireless adapter?

 

Oh my god I can't believe how stupid I have been!

The LCD on the laptop broke so I removed it, along with the lid. I just took it out of the cupboard and opened it up. Sure enough I can see the two wires for the antenna inside the casing.

Easy enough yanking them out but I wonder how to get them back in.

Anyway, I will report back when I am done!

 

OK, So after many hours of grief I finally managed to get wifi activated on my Dad's laptop!

In the end it was the two wires which had become detached from the adapter itself. Thanks to NEWSPOSTER for setting me straight.

Also thanks to everybody who replied - especially DOWNLOAD, appreciate the help, and although in the end it wasn't your tip that got me back onlline again I learned a few things from you (and now have proper chipset drivers!)

What a great forum!

Thanks again!

 

newposter FTW! Good thinking there...+rep