Windows 7: Wireless devices not installing

Is your router transmitting its SSID? Some routers can be set so they don't broadcast it and it can still work wirelessly but can be troublesome, especially for the initial connection.

Then check to ensure the adapter is enabled:



You can right click the adapter name to bring up a context menu with an option to enable it.

Rightclick on the wireless icon in SysTray to Troubleshoot.

Do you have HP Wireless Manager also running in System Tray. You need to set it to Allow Independent Wireless manager before disabling it, or it will often block the signal or disallow use of just the device without the HP bloatware. Turn off any other wireless software in msconfig>Startup. Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7

This brings up whether this is still an HP bloatware preinstall? HP has the worst load of bloatware and useless factory utilties with better version built into Windows 7. Most tech enthusiasts will not run such a corrupted install but instead Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

The latest HP's have a Minimal Factory Recovery that is very close to a Clean Reinstall however keeps the HP Wireless manager. Again, you need to disable it in the Preferences.

You can also Clean Up Factory Bloatware

Even if you're not ready to do the recommended clean install without all the bloat, I would at least disable any OEM software that tries to manage network connections. Windows handles network connections quite well.

If you find you cannot enable or otherwise manipulate properties of the network adapter via Network Connections it is likely due to OEM software interfering.

Im now thinking that is is a Windows issue. I have set up a 2nd router as a repeater. This is working with other computers in my house, but not with my desktop. I have deleted all of the connection software and adapters, so that only the ethernet connection remains, then rebooted the computer. But it won´t connect. It says that an unidentified network is connected and it won´t connect to the internet.

Both routers transmit SSID and both work wirelessly and wired with other computers running Windows 7.

Any ideas?

Work through all of the Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7

I have the repeater working - the IPv4 was not set to auto detect. However the taskbar icon still has a red X through it. I have internet though. I'm going to try the wireless card again and see if I had the settings wrong.

Red X gone now and internet working. Now I want to focus on trying to get this card working as I would like 802.11n rather than b/g. I have checked all the settings and they appear to be normal. It says "Not Connected" rather than "Disconnected" - not sure if that makes a difference?

In Network and SHaring Center, choose Network Adapters, disable all others than the one you want and Enable it.

If it won't connect to a Network, run it's Troubleshooter.

Can you post some screenshots of the settings you're looking at? Also post a screenshot of ipconfig /all output.

Attached screenshots. The IPv4 and IPv6 are both set to auto detect in the properties.

Thanks!