Atheros (accidentally) uninstalled - No WiFi for my ASUS A53TK

gregrocker said:

How would one uninstall the wireless driver by cleaning up files on the HD?Never heard of that one.

I was clearing my hard drive AND uninstalling programs in control panel.

gregrocker said:

Rightclick the connection icon in bottom right System Tray to Troubleshoot problems. What does it report?

"Use the switch on the front or side of the computer, or function keys if available, to enable wireless capability on this computer."

I then clicked "Check to see if the problem is fixed" because the other option I had was to skip it. It then said that troubleshooting was unable to automatically fix all the issues found, and that I could find more details below. The issues were: "Wireless capability turned off - Not Fixed" and "A network cable is not properly plugged in or may be broken - Detected". I did use the switch, but had the same results as if I didn't.

gregrocker said:

In Device Manager what is listed under Network adapters? What is each one's status when you double click on it? For the wireless adapter, what is the exact make/model listed? Is it Atheros? Next, on Driver tab select Update Driver Automatically.

In Network Adapters, listed is 'Atheros AR9285 Wireless Network Adapter', 'Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter #4' and 'Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller'. I then tried to automatically Update Driver, but came up with "Windows was unable uninstall your Atheros AR9285 Wireless Network Adapter".

gregrocker said:

If that fails and you're connected via ethernet, enable Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3) and Check for Updates, install all Important and Optional Windows Updates except Bing. These may include drivers and important patches needed to make hardware/software work right.

It updated Realtek Lan driver, but I still can't use WiFi.

gregrocker said:

If that fails import the wireless driver for that make/model from the Support Downloads webpage for your model PC, extract its file, rightclick Setup to Run as Administrator. What happens exactly?

Ok, it asked to Repair, Modify or Remove. I chose repair and pressed next. It said Qualcomm Atheros WiFi Driver Installation is configuring your new software installation. It then said "Installing Driver for Qualcomm WiFi Driver. This may take several seconds." The installation completed and I clicked "Finish".

Thanks for your help, but it is still not working. I tried to restart the computer but it's still the same. Would turning WPS on my router do anything or should it be off?

~ Sparkzz

The troubleshooter detected that your wireless switch is not turned on. I have never seen this finding be incorrect. Do you know where this switch is? If not read your Manual on the Support Downloads webpage for your model PC linked earlier.

Your wireless driver appears to be installed since when you went to Repair it it tried to uninstall it. This normally indicates it is installed. Does it say it is working when you double click on the Wireless Adapter under Network adapters in Device Manager. It should say its status when it opens.

Do you have a wireless manager on that PC besides the Win7 wireless in the bottom right System Tray? If so it could be interfering and may need to be uninstalled so Win7 wireless manager can work.

maxie said:

Do your Function Keys work ? .... You should have this Program Installed >>> ASUS Wireless Switch (Wireless Console3) Utility ...

Haha, thanks. Just realised that once it was properly installed, all I had to do was Fn + F2. Thanks for the help maxie and greg!