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Posted: Aug 22 2010 06:33 pm

So while I was at LDAC, my sister's computer had problems. Instead of waiting for me, they took it to Geek Squad...I'll leave it to you to imagine the kind of clusterfuck I'm trying to untangle with it now as a result of that.

All in all, you're just another brick in the wall.

Her machine is running Vista, x32 (no smartass comments about Vista, please; I know it sucks but its what I have to deal with at the present moment.) Major issue is complete inability to connect to any wireless networks at all. It won't save a network profile, and in "network and sharing center," the network discovery options aren't available at all--they just aren't there. The only thing I see there is a "this computer is not connected to the internet" message, and "wireless networks available." No network sharing option to turn on, no file sharing option, nothing. I'm at an impasse as to how to fix this. Anyone have any ideas? Or did Best Buy fuck this up beyond repair?

EDIT: oh yeah, should also mention she neglected to tell me of this problem until she left for a semester in France, so this is a (very) long distance tech support thing. So if anyone needs further info, I can get it, but not right away. I'm pretty good at coaching her through stuff fwiw though.

Banned Joined: Sep 13 2008 Posts: 3129

Okay, GP will probably be the best with this but I'm wondering if the network services are still on.

Open services.exe (Should be in the system32 folder) and scroll down to the N's then head to anything with Network.

If they're set to manual set them to automatic.
Just double click on the services and then you should be able to figure out the rest
The ones that should be set to manual are Network connections, and Network List service
The ones that should be set to automatic are Network location awareness, and Network Store interface service.
None of them should be disabled

Joined: Dec 06 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 11244

First, don't do what Hacker said.

Lets begin with a software reset of the adapter. It probably won't work, but it is an easy first test.

1. Click the Start button (The little Windows looking thing in the bottom left) Why the fuck did they get rid of the damn word.
2. Type "ncpa.cpl"
3. Press Enter
4. In the list you will see your wireless adapter.
5. Right Click your adapter
6. Select Disable
7. Wait about 10 seconds
8. Right Click the adapter again
9. Select Enable

Ok, that's done, now see if you can connect.

If you can connect, great. If you can't, lets delete the adapter... slightly scarier, but not too bad.

1. Click the Start button
2. Type "devmgmt.msc"
3. Press Enter
4. Next to "Network Adapters" click the little triangle to expand what adapters are present.
5. Right click the wireless one
6. Select Uninstall
7. If there is a box that offers to Delete the driver, make sure that it is NOT checked.
8. Click OK
9. Wait for it... and done. Count to 10 and then continue. Seriously... wait 10 seconds.
10. At the top of the Device Manager Window click the Action menu
11. Select Scan for hardware changes

The network adapter should be found and automatically installed. Give connecting to a wireless network a shot.

If you still have trouble we can continue, but I will need further information. What is the brand of the computer, what is the model, and if you know, what are the specs on the wireless adapter.

Lets cross that bridge when we get there.

Good luck.

Edit:
In addition, if there are any error messages she sees, tell her to write them down exactly and send them here. The more info, the better the help will be.

Posted: Aug 22 2010 09:40 pm

Don't forget to check inside the case to make sure Syd isn't living in there, spying on you.