Broadcom 1350 miniPCI wireless and Code 10...

Question

After having my motherboard and processor replaced in my Inspiron 1150 to correct a completely different and unrelated problem, I open up my (now working) laptop to see that my wireless isn't working. Not the normal 'no wireless networks in range'.... it simply hasn't even started my wireless card. Going to the device manager shows a little exclamation point over the card, and right clicking to check the properties gives this error message:   'This device cannot start. (Code 10)'   I have uninstalled and reinstalled the card via Windows. I have uninstalled and reinstalled the drivers via my resource CD. I have updated the drivers via Dell itself. (I have also spent 3 hours on the phone with 3 different technicians bouncing me around the place.) The latest tech had me reinstall the chipset drivers, and seems to be sure that reformatting my harddrive, and doing a clean intstall of Windows and all drivers will fix the problem. Understandably, I'm a bit against this, so I'm wondering if this is a common problem, or if there is ANYTHING else I can do other than an OS reinstall.

asd34567 · Answer

Try this:   1) Go to Start->All Programs->Dell Wireless->Dell Wireless WLAN Card Utility and launch it.   2) In the upper left window of the Wireless Networks tab, UNCHECK 'Let this tool manage your wireless settings'.   3) Restart and your card should work provided that you have previously let Windows reinstall its driver.   4) Report back whether or not this worked for you.   Good luck.

Azhchay · Answer

Would if I could, but when I start the Dell Wireless WLAN Card Utility, I get a blank box (or about as blank as can be) with 'No adapters' as the only tab. I admit this could be a hardware problem, and I'm in the wrong forum, but I'm trying to cover all bases first. (Considering when I tried to talk to a hardware tech, they got mad and sent me to wireless..... who then sent me back to hardware....)

niteshift · Answer

Hey man, sorry for your troubles. I am having the same exact problem you have described with the exception that I have a truemobile 1400.

I have an all blank box too. Device manager has an exclamation point and reinstalling windows for the second time has accomplished nothing. Calling dell tomorrow to get worked over by incompetent tech support(lol).

You have any success, write back. I'll be watching and will do the same.

Azhchay · Answer

Considering I'm re-formatting my harddrive and reinstalling Windows today.. this wasn't the message I really wanted to read at this point in time.... but *shrugs* what can ya do? If it truely is a hardware issue, I guess you have to go through all the steps to prove to Dell that it truely IS a hardware issue.

Easy for me to say, now, when I'm not trying to re-set up my computer and grab all the files that I have backed up on my desktop. If re-installing works, wonderful... if it doesn't.. I'm not looking forward to having ANOTHER tech come to my place. I think they have a map to my house plastered in every car, considering they've been here now three times in the last 4 months (two motherboards and a case... my screen was very literally coming off its hinges).

Tell me what your tech has you do next, and if it works.. so I can see what hoops I'll be jumping through in the future. :-)

Azhchay · Answer

Well.. after 3 more hours.. and 6 different people (at one point I was transferred to helpdesk.. and then from helpdesk I was transferred to........... helpdesk... where the agent about fell out of his chair at my casenotes because the original hardware tech from a few days ago had written 'Do not transfer to helpdesk.')... they've determined that it's a hardware problem, and that I need a new motherboard and wireless card.   Hope yours is resolved soon, niteshift. Good luck!

asd34567 · Answer

Before you change components, here is the fix........

1) The reason you get the message No Adapter is because you disabled the wireless connection. It's easy to do in error. I know 'cause I did it.

2) Once you disable the connection, you cannot re-enable it easily where you expect it should be and when you check the Dell Wireless Utility it shows No Adapter. Very scary.

To FIX the problem, click Start->Connect To->Wireless Connection->ENABLE and the trouble is fixed.

Please post back here and let us know it worked for you.

Azhchay · Answer

Well.. the technician came out on Thursday to replace the board and card... so things are working now. But.. thanks for the tip. I'll remember that from now on.

niteshift · Answer

Nope, dell had me download an up dated driver and that seemed to fix the issue......3 hours after being on hold and finally cycled to the correct tech(wireless).

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

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