Wireless driver disappeared?

Question

Hello,

I've been having this issue for ages where our wireless connection either drops out or doesn't connect. I could usually resolve it by restarting the computer but now that doesn't work. I spoke to our Internet company and we worked out that there is no wireless driver listed for the computer. Which is strange because earlier today I was using the wireless connection for about 20 minutes before it dropped out.

I now have the computer connected to the Internet using the ethernet cable although this is not ideal given the long cable running perilously across our house. We have a Dell Studio Slim (F5N 332S) with Windows 7. It comes with the Dell wireless antenna.

I downloaded the wireless driver (Dell Wireless 1395 WLAN Minicardfrom the dell website and it unzips, then nothing happens. I tried reinstalling the driver from our original disks and it said I was not authorised to run it on my system.

Is this a Windows 7 issue? I'm only semi computer literate and I just can't work out how to resolve this.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Keelie

DELL-Saharsh K · Answer

Hi Keelie,

Please share the exact system model, as there are various variants under Dell Studio Slim desktop. Also, please try and run Network Troubleshooter from the link http://dell.to/17xXAea and check functionality, you may also try the steps listed on the link http://dell.to/19BglOp for troubleshooting wireless issue.

Please share the screenshot of the Device Manager with Other Device and Network Adapters expanded. Here are the steps:

Press the key combination of 'Windows Logo' key + 'R' key to open 'Run' dialog box.
Type in 'devmgmt.msc' and click 'OK'.
The 'Device Manager' windows will appear.
Click on the sign next to Other Device and Network Adapters to expand them.

Also, share the Hardware Ids of the device which has a bang in the Device Manager, this will assist me to identify device and its drivers. Here are the steps:

Open Device Manager.
Select your device and right click on it.
Click Properties from the drop down list.
Click Details and then click Device description button to select Hardware Ids.
Share the Hardware Ids mentioned under Value.

Please reply with the information, I'll be happy to assist you further.

wheeliebean · Answer

Hello,

Thanks for your reply

It's a F5N 332S. Do you need more than that?

I went through the links you sent and nothing came up on the troubleshooter. The wireless trouble shooter doesn't work when the wireless goes down because there is no wireless option to right click on - the whole wireless option disappears. You know how you can normally ask the computer to bring up wireless options in range? That just doesn't show up anymore. And the wireless device disappears from the list.

We had two days of great wireless connection and I thought maybe trying to update the drivers had fixed it but it's been dropping out again this morning. Bit if a *** shot but you can just about see that the wireless device is missing from the list here:

And here's what it looks like when the wireless is connecting:

So it's like the adapter disappears and that's why I can't connect any more.

Here is the hardware Ids:

Any help?

Thanks,

Keelie

DELL-Saharsh K · Answer

Hi Keelie,

Thank you for sharing the information. However, the system model shared is incorrect. Please share the correct system model. Also, it appears that the Wireless card is loose. Try to reseat the wireless card and check functionality.

Please refer to the Service Manual of this system for instructions on assembling and dis-assembling the hardware components. Follow the 'Safety Guidelines' listed on the manual to help protect your computer from potential damage and to help ensure your own personal safety. Click on the link http://dell.to/15qqGcr. Enter the Service Tag of your system and click on manuals and documentation tab to get the manuals.

Hope this helps. Please reply if you have any questions.

wheeliebean · Answer

Thank you.  I don't know how to find the system model - it's not on the computer. The driver disk that came with the computer says for 'Dell Studio - 540/540s' so I'm guessing that's it?

wheeliebean · Answer

Try to reseat the wireless card and check functionality.

- I've been through the manual and there is nothing about a wireless card. The map of system board components doesn't mention a wireless card. Is it related to the PCI card?? I could open up the unit but then I'm not going to know what to do because there are no instructions to follow in the manual...

We have an external wireless antennae. Would this make any difference?

This is the link to the manual:

ftp://ftp.dell.com/Manuals/all-products/esuprt_desktop/esuprt_studio_desktop/studio-slim_Service%20Manual_en-us.pdf

wheeliebean · Answer

I've found what must be the wireless card - it's on the other side of where I plug in the antennae and has a sticker saying WLAN.

But what now?? I don't even know how to get it out or what to do with it if I could get it out? I've tried googling but all I can find is videos for Dell laptops and their wireless cards don't look anything like mine.

DELL-Saharsh K · Answer

Hi Keelie,

Thank you for sharing the information. WLAN card is the wireless card installed on the system. You will need to follow the instructions listed under the heading Replacing PCI/PCI Express Card(s) to remove and reseat the wireless card. Also, make sure that the antena is securely connected. once done try connecting to internet and check wireless functionality.

Hope this helps. Please reply with the results.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Wireless driver disappeared?

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