Wireless connection problems, bunches

12 years ago

I've had an Acer Aspire 4720Z with Vista laptop for two years, can't get it to connect to internet. Several problems. Today, it's the Atheros AR 5007 Eg Wireless Network Adapter. the system tells me it needs a driver. I can't get the driver because I can't connect to the internet with the laptop. Catch 22. I tried to connect laptop via modem, same message. The Atheros site wants to download Driver Detctive, I put it on disc, to load into laptop. Twice. Windows says it may not have a valid Windows installer package, and it won't install. Catch 22, again. I also get a message when I hit button to connect to internet, "wireless lan disconnected". Have no idea where to go to turn it on, laptop does not have switch on body. This is driving me nuts, I've tried several times to get the wireless to work, and haven't yet, amost 2 1/2 years. I hope there are some useful suggestions, my sweetie feels bad because he gave it to me for my birthday. There seem to be several other issues, but I'd like to work on this first. Tia

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Comments (7)

owbist
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Are you absolutely sure there is not a tiny switch somewhere on the front or side to turn on the wireless connection? Sometimes it can be a devil to locate.

Check the Device Manager to see if the drivers are there.
mikie_gw
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I don't know your computer but looks like the following two download/installs should enable your wireless...

For your model & vista 32bit/X86 & Atheros

Wifi Lan driver link from Acer support ...
Wireless LAN Driver
Atheros 7.3.1.109 4.7 MB 12/08/2008 ...link at bottom

Acer eNet Management helps you quickly connect to both wired and wireless networks in a variety of locations. To access this utility, select "Acer eNet Management" "Acer eNet Management" from the Empowering Technology toolbar or run the program from the Acer Empowering Technology program group in Start menu.
eNet Management Application

(from acer support for your model... http://support.acer.com/us/en/product/default.aspx?tab=1&modelId=24 )

Here is a link that might be useful: Wireless LAN Driver
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Good information from raven and here's more to think about. Hi sportsman12, There could be a lot of things going on, sounds like it's limited to that computer though, since the other one connects. We should be trying 2 browsers too to see if it's browser related. Have you tried 2 different browsers Internet Explorer and another one like Firefox. Sometimes an Anti Virus or Firewall can cause issues, since that is a new router your firewall may not like it just yet. Restart the computer now keep hitting the F8 key. The computer should boot to the Windows Advanced Options Menu. Once you get there Black screen with white letters, use the arrow keys to select Safe Mode With Networking hit enter now try again to connect to www.Google.com. See if it connects there. This mode runs without Anti Virus and firewall that's why we want to try it. Don't surf in this mode if it does connect here. Some laptops have a wireless switch on them. Does yours? There are 2 small computer Icons down by the clock, right click them and notice the options available in case you have not done that yet. Note any errors. Next we can look in the Device Manger for errors, and or reinstall the Wireless adapter and flush the DNS as that's what appears to be going on. Since you see a strong connection and unable to connect that points to a DNS issue and it's just a matter of flushing it and renewing it. We can get to that if needed.
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ravencajun Zone 8b TX
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
according to the stats on acer site for that model number it definitely has wifi and would have some way to turn it on.

I own 2 acer laptops and on mine it is a very very tiny little slider right on the bottom right corner where the indicator for the wifi light is. Check very very carefully all over the laptop it is easy to miss seeing it. If you happen to still have the booklet that came with it that should show you all the switches etc on the laptop.
On my husbands acer it is right next to the power button that is at the top center above the keyboard, there is a tiny satellite looking thing with an indicator light there that is the button to push for wifi.

this is the link to the pdf manual for your model number
Guides and Manuals
and the link to the specs for it
Aspire 4720Z Series Specifications
User
Original Author
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Thanks everybody! Yes, I do still have the original book, have checked it many times for switch, large one for internet connection located right across top with 4 others. Push that first then chose IE or Windows Mail. Device Manager does list drivers.
I may be wasting everyones time, I think the registry may have been edited. I was checking in System Info, Network, Protocol, found most of the things say No. I don't know how to copy all that info out unless I hand write it. I also found 3 items disabled in Services, enabled them. They were: Net.Tcp Port Sharing, Internet Connection, Routing and Remote Access. From my limited knowledge, I think they must be enabled to make an internet connection. But back to current issue, I will check for Lan Driver via Mikie's link. Have spent some time on Acer website, will check it again. We are both job hunting would be more convenient to have another computer to use, but not necessary. Thanks for all the help, much appreciated, from both of us.
genes
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
How long has this connection problem been going on..have you considered doing a system restore back to before it started..Ie Start>Accessories>System Tools>System restore..you may have to redo updates and anything else added since the new restore date
User
Original Author
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
owbist, sorry I posted wrong, I thought if it was a different problem I should do a separate post. Mikie, thanks for the LAN driver, installed okay. Thanks, revencajun, for the manual link, still have original. Good news, I actually jumped up and down, not good at my age.LOL. I was able to enable the network adapter, and turn on network discovery and all the rest. I'm now writing this from that troublesome laptop. Thank you all so much, I could never express how grateful I am for your time and help. Have questions about what to put in the 'exceptions' list on Windows firewall. TIA
User
Original Author
12 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago

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Net work Sharing and discovery, all off clip this post email this post what is this?
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Posted by carolssis (My Page) on Thu, Aug 4, 11 at 10:30

After attempting to connect with my wireless connection, the computer gives me "network and sharing center" and all choices are turned off. I'm running with administrator rights, but when I change one to "on" and apply, it comes back up with 'off". Not sure where to go to fix this one. I did unzip file for Atheros driver that Mikie sent me, checked out Acer website, and was directed to Network and Sharing Center. Thanks to all, your time and expertise is so appreciated.
Acer aspire 4720Z, Vista, Netgear Router, up and working, or I wouldn't be here.

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Posted by owbist (My Page) on Thu, Aug 4, 11 at 11:37

You should not be starting a new thread on an existing problem otherwise confusion reigns.
This needs to be copied and pasted to the original thread so everyone can see the full picture of the problem and any help offered to date.

The original thread

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RE: Net work Sharing and discovery, all off clip this post email this post what is this?
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Posted by carolssis (My Page) on Fri, Aug 5, 11 at 22:50

I'm sorry, I thought if it was a different problem, I should start a new thread. Thanks for help from everyone.

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Wireless connection problems, bunches

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owbist

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