| Stubborn Laptop Wireless - "No Connections" Hello,
I've been struggling for over a month with my laptop's wireless. It all started when we got a new AT&T all in one DSL modem/router. My laptop was experiencing drops of the connection about every 10-15 mins. or less. I fixed that by changing the channel, disabling IPV6 on my wireless adapter, and changing the router mode 11g only (default was 11b, 11g & 11n).
After changing that, I started having a different problem. Whenever my laptop boots or comes out of sleep, my wireless icon in the system tray shows "No connections available". I have to choose to "Troubleshoot" with Windows, and I have to repeat the troubleshooting 3-5 times until the network finally shows up. Then, I still have to do troubleshooting 2-4 more times to get it to connect.
During this troubleshooting, it will show the message "Problem with wireless adapter or access point" and "Not fixed" with a red X. Then after 1-2 more times it shows that problem as "Fixed" with a green checkmark. If I choose to see details, I get this:
"Information for connection being diagnosed
Interface GUID: 08b77672-d807-4a67-9bec-5730dd1aa832
Interface name: Dell Wireless 1515 Wireless-N Adapter
Interface type: Native WiFi
Profile: Discovery connection
SSID: ATT8985
SSID length: 7
Connection mode: Infra
Security: Yes
Connect even if network is not broadcasting: No
Result of diagnosis: Problem found
Root cause:
Wireless association to "ATT8985" failed
A response was not received from the router or access point.
Detailed root cause:
Wireless association to this network failed. Windows did not receive any response from the wireless router or accesspoint.
Repair option:
Look for causes of low wireless signal quality
The signal is weak due to distance or interference.
Windows Help and Support can provide more information about this problem.
Network Diagnostics Log
File Name: DFB8E3B9-C905-48E7-95C1-19C124769615.Diagnose.0.etl
Other Networking Configuration and Logs
File Name: NetworkConfiguration.cab
Collection information
Computer Name: NATALIE-DELL
Windows Version: 6.1
Architecture: amd64
Time: Wednesday, November 21, 2012 6:52:02 PM "
I'm confused as to why the router is not responding. Its position has not changed in 10 years, and I'm using my laptop in the same location. We have AT&T provided DSL line filters on all phone lines.
I've tried updating my wireless card drivers and the router firmware. I've done multiple virus and spyware scans and there's no problems. I even thought AVAST antivirus was blocking the connection, because temporarily disabling the program seemed to be letting the network show up, but that only worked once or twice, then back to the same "No connections" showing at start-up. I've also tried deleting the network from my list of networks and re-adding it. Nothing works, and I'm pulling my hair out!!
I've actually ordered a new wireless card, but since this started after getting the new router, I really don't think my card is the problem. My laptop is also only 2 years old. I had dropped my laptop 8 months ago or more, so I opened it up to see if the wireless card was loose, but it is firmly seated.
Any other suggestions??? |
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 tschmidtPremium,MVM
join:2000-11-12
Milford, NH
kudos:8
 ·G4 Communications
·Fairpoint Commun..
 ·Hollis Hosting
| Since laptop seems to be having trouble communication with the AP in the router what happens if you move the laptop closer? Does that improve the situation. If so check Tx levels on both AP and laptop and increase of possible.
If you are in an urban area may want to download inSSIDer to see which channels are in use and pick the best one. If both router and PC support 5Ghz in addition to 2.4 that is much less congested.
»www.metageek.net/products/inssider/
Your description sounds like a weak signal problem but something else you can do it temporally turn encryption off and see if the laptop is able to associate with the AP. Then reset it be sure to use compatible setting on both laptop and AP. If possible use WPA2 with AES. Not sure why disabling 802.11n improved things, in my experience coverage on N is better then before.
Since the old unit worked fine for wireless you could always use it an an Access Point, rather then a router to address your problem.
/tom |
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 John GaltForward, MarchPremium
join:2004-09-30
Happy Camp
kudos:5 | reply to bearcatnat
I have a similar issue with one of my laptops.
I found that the issue was related to the 'sleep' function' you describe. It might resolve itself if you wait for a while after waking it up.
I stopped using sleep/hibernate/whatever...it was always more hassle than it was worth.
YMMV
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Don't ask questions -- just do as you're told.
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 jubangyPremium
join:2005-03-26
Corry, PA | Try going into the power management settings of your adapter and set it to Not be able to turn the device off to save power. |
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 nwrickertsand groperPremium,MVM
join:2004-09-04
Geneva, IL
kudos:7
 ·AT&T U-Verse
| reply to bearcatnat
said by bearcatnat :Whenever my laptop boots or comes out of sleep, my wireless icon in the system tray shows "No connections available".
My older laptop loses sound after sleep. It also loses sound after shutdown. It it is powered off for long enough (several hours), it is fine. But after a shorter shutdown, it loses sound. I can usually coax the sound into working again by rebooting.
My point. Your problem is likely to be partly a hardware issue. Your wifi card might be slower to start up than other components.
I completely solved my problem by purchasing a newer laptop 
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AT&T Uverse; Zyxel NBG334W router (behind the 2wire gateway); openSuSE 12.2; firefox 16.0.2 |
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| reply to bearcatnat
Well,
a quick google search pulled this up on the dell support forum.
is old but, some times older drivers are better.
»en.community.dell.com/support-fo···828.aspx
About half way down shows all the steps of replacing the drivers of the Wi-Fi card dell 1515 which looking at the images is really an
Atheros AR5009 802.11a/g/n WiFi Adapter. |
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| reply to bearcatnat
I have also had the wireless antenna connector come partially loose on the wireless card causing similar problems. The connector only pushes onto the card so a hard knock or just vibration over time can sometimes shake it loose.
There should be an access panel you can open on the bottom of most laptops where you can verify physically that the small connector is on tight. A quick reading of the user manual or a Google search will tell you how to access the card in your particular laptop.
Someone mentioned, running inSSIDer to check for channel interference. It can also help identify this kind of problem as every signal will usually be way low or non-existent if the cable is loose. |
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 PeteC2Got Mouse?Premium,MVM
join:2002-01-20
Bristol, CT
kudos:6 | reply to bearcatnat
Which model is your wireless gateway?
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Deeds, not words |
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