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Can see wireless networks but not connect. Acer Aspire 5741G

post #1 of 24
9/6/10 at 6:00am
Thread Starter 
I recently bought an Acer 5741G with Windows 7 that came loaded with bloatware. Thus I formatted the hard drives and installed a clean version of Windows 7. Before the reinstall wireless networking worked fine.

After the new install I installed the latest driver for my Broadcom wifi-card available on the Acer website, activated it and tried to connect to my home network. After a couple of seconds trying a window pops up saying that "Windows is unable to connect to the network", there is no question for password although the network is secured. When trying to connect to an open network the same thing happens. My router is working fine as I can connect to it with another computer. I can also connect to the router with my Acer by using a LAN-cable.

I have been searching the internet for answers for the last couple of hours but have not managed to find any. So far I have tried all of the below with no success:
  • Installing all Windows updates
  • Deleting and reinstalling the wireless driver
  • Rebooting both computer and router
  • Disabling IPv6
  • Changing mode on device driver from b to auto
  • Changing channel on device driver from 11 to 6
  • Activate device discovery
  • Updating to last BIOS (1.13)

I've checked and the IP settings (automatic assignments, etc) are the same for my wireless connection as it is for my LAN connection. I have also made sure ther are no saved networks in the network list.

Please, please, please could someone help me understand what is going on and help me connect to networks?

Thankful for any ideas!
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post #2 of 24
9/6/10 at 3:35pm
You have fallen into a common way of thinking with new laptops... You should always a)create recovery discs b) create driver discs c) uninstall the free bloat ware i.e. Mcafee or Norton free trials, M$ office trial etc. ... Then run the system normally... Formatting it and starting again causes these little anomalies, mainly from leaving a driver out or installing an incorrect one... Go to the Acer site and download and install all the drivers and utilities for it, esp Acer Empowering stuff - this has a significant effect on some 'hotkeys' and drivers and can cause problems like this... Seen this a few times with Acers, but mainly on DELL and HP's...
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post #3 of 24
9/7/10 at 2:21am
Thread Starter 

Problem solved

I did a factory reset yesterday and then noticed that the wireless driver shipped with the computer was newer than the one Acer supplies on their homepage. So I reinstalled windows yet again and by downloading this never version from a different webpage everything works well. Not so well done by Acer... :-(
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post #4 of 24
11/16/11 at 12:54pm

Hi Gnopps! it would good to know what driver and from where you downloded it.

I have run into the same nightmare as you did. Thanks

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post #5 of 24
11/16/11 at 2:45pm
You would be better of going back to the factory reset...and just uninstalling the couple of trial programs etc..there is not that much "bloatware" to be concerned about..far as I am concerned, totally unnecessary
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post #6 of 24
11/16/11 at 3:31pm

i have not any bloatware left in my laptop, this is about the driver and that wireless card, the user found a driver and had the exact same problem as i have so first choice would be that. to restore is the last thing im going to try, hope to not have to go there.

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post #7 of 24
11/16/11 at 3:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by EddieX View Post

i have not any bloatware left in my laptop, this is about the driver and that wireless card, the user found a driver and had the exact same problem as i have so first choice would be that. to restore is the last thing im going to try, hope to not have to go there.

Download and run Belarc Adviser

You can then use the information on the report regarding the wireless card and search for the latest driver.

cheers ...
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post #8 of 24
11/16/11 at 4:02pm

Hi thanks for you help,  i already know its a  Broadcom 802.11n adapter.

At Broadcom there is plenty to look for but I dont see what of all that is the right one..

 

http://www.broadcom.com/products/Wireless-LAN

http://www.broadcom.com/products/Wireless-LAN/802.11-Wireless-LAN-Solutions

 

 

 

At acers this is the latest version WLAN_Broadcom_5.60.18.8_Win7x86x64 and i dont see any newer anywhere else, thats why I wonder what the user found, WLAN_Broadcom_5.60.18.8_Win7x86x64

 

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post #9 of 24
11/16/11 at 4:11pm
Thread Starter 
I'm afraid I don't know anymore from where I downloaded the driver, nor can I check its name as I am travelling right now and don't have the Acer with me. I'll try to check the version when I get home again, send me a reminder next week if you haven't heard anything from me!
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post #10 of 24
11/16/11 at 4:11pm
They have some newer driver version here

Give that a shot

cheers ...
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post #11 of 24
11/17/11 at 5:45am

Thanks Gnopps, i stalked from another forum to here I think.  ;) Sure Ill check back if i still have this problem, would be cool to know for the next poor soul with this strange problem. 

Thanks Qhn! Ill try this new driver when I get home.

Btw, great program that Belarc Adviser you linked to, I wouldnt have installed it if it wast an admin the recommended it.

Its gives a very detailed picture of your soft and hardware, even works offline.

 

Have a great day!

 

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post #12 of 24
11/17/11 at 5:46am
smile.gif Same to you. Hope the driver works

cheers ...
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post #13 of 24
11/17/11 at 6:44am
Aida32 is another good utility for that purpose
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post #14 of 24
11/17/11 at 12:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by qhn View Post


They have some newer driver version here
Give that a shot
cheers ...


hmm.. its an exe, it wants to install a program to be able to download the driver,. can i trust this, have you tried this radarsync ?

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post #15 of 24
11/17/11 at 12:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by EddieX View Post



hmm.. its an exe, it wants to install a program to be able to download the driver,. can i trust this, have you tried this radarsync ?

Oops - NO, don't touch it then, sorry. It's a trap for some s#$%! to come. Let me look a little bit further

cheers ...
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post #16 of 24
11/17/11 at 12:14pm
This one?

Click on the normal download - I just did it (extract and all) , no surprise

cheers ...
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post #17 of 24
11/17/11 at 1:35pm

thanks, but nope this driver wasn't recognized by the hardware ( the Broadcom 802.11n network adapter) when i tried to update it so

I installed the driver manually with the setup but the Broadcom 802.11n network adapter is now "missing" and shows as unknown hardware.

 

its weird, with the acer homepage driver, i can see the wireless networks but cant connect to any, its just says "couldnt connect to network" not even my droid wich used to work fine. its the exact problem as the original post in this thread.

 

the regular broadcom netlink (tm) gigabit ethernet (cable) is still working fine as usual.

 

 

 

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post #18 of 24
11/17/11 at 1:48pm
Try this. Machine off - Remove the card from the machine. Reboot - shut it down. Put the card back and see what Windows says

cheers ...
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post #19 of 24
11/17/11 at 2:09pm

you think it could help, its a real hassle to get to the card in this model, but ill see if that helps during the weekend. cheers!  :) 

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post #20 of 24
11/17/11 at 3:37pm
smile.gif
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