[FNP]

Morning

I'm fixing a computer for a friend, and the wireless card isn't showing up in Network Connections or the device manager, which leads me to believe the card needs to be replaced. No big deal. My question is, I'm not sure exactly what card to buy. From research I know it's a Broadcom, and I think this might be it. I just want to make sure.

I do virus removal, so this is a little more fuzzy to me.

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It doesn't have to be the same as the broken one. You can fit any model provided it's compatible with that version of Windows (ie has a driver for that version), and of course it must have the same connector interface (PCI or PCI-E). Remove the old driver too, otherwise it may conflict with the new one.

[phillipcorcoran]

It doesn't have to be the same as the broken one. You can fit any model provided it's compatible with that version of Windows (ie has a driver for that version), and of course it must have the same connector interface (PCI or PCI-E). Remove the old driver too, otherwise it may conflict with the new one.

[Troy]

Sometimes you just need to download and install the latest driver for the wireless card to show up. Or you may need to reinstall chipset drivers first.

[FNP]

@phillipcorcoran thanks.

@Troy I already tried that. Twice. I reinstalled the OS and ran the driver and application CD that came with the recovery CDs.

Also, when i looked at the back, it looked like there were two wires (I'm assuming for power) connecting to the card. Can someone explain what those are (I'm used to fixing towers, and I've never seen anything like that) and how they affect my fix? Thanks.

[SpywareDr]

Also, when i looked at the back, it looked like there were two wires (I'm assuming for power) connecting to the card. Can someone explain what those are (I'm used to fixing towers, and I've never seen anything like that) and how they affect my fix? Thanks.

The two "Main" and "Aux" connectors at the top of the card are for the antenna cables:



HP Pavilion dv8000 Maintenance and Service Guide (.pdf)
http://h10032.www1.h...l/c00554540.pdf
(See page 103 [5-17]).

[FNP]

Thanks, Doc. I found that last night. Not sure which cable is which. Maybe I'll try switching them and see if that helps.

EDIT: OK, both the card and the wires are labeled correctly and in the right position. Definitely time for a new card.

EDIT AGAIN: I got the card working (reseated is again... weird), and now it says that card is active, but cannot find any wireless networks... which isn't the case on any other computer around here. Still working... thoughts are welcome

FINAL EDIT: Alright, I got everything working. Turns out the wireless card functionality was disabled in the BIOS. A quick change and everything is up and running. Oddly enough, I didn't know that was the case until i ran HP's troubleshooting software... the first time HP's crapware has ever done something right for me. Still, it's working.

Edited by FNP, 08 June 2010 - 01:25 PM.

[Troy]