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AR15.COM
1/21/2010 1:49:32 PM EDT
I have an HP Pavilion laptop that is having what I have found out is a common problem with this computer.

It no longer recognizes the wireless function - it has simply disappeared from the Network Connections page.  I tried multiple system restores and a system recovery with no luck.  Since then, I have researched the issue and found that it is a common issue.  Of course, it's out of warranty and the good folks at HP want me to pay them to fix their defective product.  ( I ain't gonna do that.)

I'm not very savvy in the tech world, but is there some other way that I can get this thing to work wirelessly by installing some other type of gizmo?

1/21/2010 2:04:00 PM EDT
[#1]
Make sure the wi-fi switch is slid over to the "on" position. I've got an HP and if I slide or bump it the wrong way, the switch will slide "off" and I won't even notice it until my internetz disappears.
1/21/2010 4:03:34 PM EDT
[#2]
Quoted:
Make sure the wi-fi switch is slid over to the "on" position. I've got an HP and if I slide or bump it the wrong way, the switch will slide "off" and I won't even notice it until my internetz disappears.



Yup.  First thing I did.

It's an HP deal.  They had a recall on it for awhile.  I missed out on that.



1/21/2010 5:26:18 PM EDT
[#3]
What Version of Windows are you running?
1/21/2010 5:30:49 PM EDT
[#4]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Make sure the wi-fi switch is slid over to the "on" position. I've got an HP and if I slide or bump it the wrong way, the switch will slide "off" and I won't even notice it until my internetz disappears.



Yup.  First thing I did.

It's an HP deal.  They had a recall on it for awhile.  I missed out on that.





How far out of warranty is it?   Looking around some people seem to have reported some success by updating BIOS and reloading drivers, but a later post indicated that just altered the way the fan worked and only eked a bit more life out of it.  The true solution is a motherboard replacement and that's not good.

Short of trying to shame/social engineer HP into fixing it as part of goodwill, you might be able to try a USB wireless adapter.  Not endorsing any of these, but as an example of the USB adaptors: http://www.linksysbycisco.com/US/en/products/Adapters

ETA: Seems this was 2007ish so I wouldn't expect much from support.Also make sure the USB wireless  adaptor supports the security encryption you have on the router i.e WEP, WPA, WPA2

ETA2:  Looks like they extended the warranty for these machiens at some point.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&dlc=en&cc=uk&docname=c01087194
1/21/2010 5:37:36 PM EDT
[#5]
Quoted:
What Version of Windows are you running?


XP

1/21/2010 5:40:18 PM EDT
[#6]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Make sure the wi-fi switch is slid over to the "on" position. I've got an HP and if I slide or bump it the wrong way, the switch will slide "off" and I won't even notice it until my internetz disappears.



Yup.  First thing I did.

It's an HP deal.  They had a recall on it for awhile.  I missed out on that.





How far out of warranty is it?   Looking around some people seem to have reported some success by updating BIOS and reloading drivers, but a later post indicated that just altered the way the fan worked and only eked a bit more life out of it.  The true solution is a motherboard replacement and that's not good.

Short of trying to shame/social engineer HP into fixing it as part of goodwill, you might be able to try a USB wireless adapter.  Not endorsing any of these, but as an example of the USB adaptors: http://www.linksysbycisco.com/US/en/products/Adapters

ETA: Seems this was 2007ish so I wouldn't expect much from support.Also make sure the USB wireless  adaptor supports the security encryption you have on the router i.e WEP, WPA, WPA2




I picked it up in 2006 - so I'm well out of warranty.  Unfortunately, I've never really used it for wireless use until now.  I'll look into the USB thing.

HP wanted me to purchase a new warranty so that they would fix their original defective product.  But, I'm not paying them twice for something they should have done correctly the first time.

Screw 'dat.
1/21/2010 5:44:19 PM EDT
[#7]
Quoted:
Quoted:
What Version of Windows are you running?


XP



I have a D-Link DWL-G120 wireless USB adapter that I would be willing to send you (free of course)
All of my new computers are running Windows 7 ( it won't work with Win 7) and it is just sitting around collecting dust.

IM or Email me if you are interested

1/21/2010 5:58:30 PM EDT
[#8]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
What Version of Windows are you running?


XP



I have a D-Link DWL-G120 wireless USB adapter that I would be willing to send you (free of course)
All of my new computers are running Windows 7 ( it won't work with Win 7) and it is just sitting around collecting dust.

IM or Email me if you are interested




Thanks - very generous of you.

IM inbound.

1/27/2010 5:50:40 PM EDT
[#9]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
What Version of Windows are you running?


XP



I have a D-Link DWL-G120 wireless USB adapter that I would be willing to send you (free of course)
All of my new computers are running Windows 7 ( it won't work with Win 7) and it is just sitting around collecting dust.

IM or Email me if you are interested





Up and running on a USB adapter!

Thanks Reload_em!