orange asteric over the wireless tray icon

ok, topic as state, i am just completely fed up about the whole connections. I have now found a new low for this overall problem that i have NEVER until right now, this very minute while typing. I HAVE internet access, lan access, but now in the taskbar i have the orange asterix over the wireless, as usual, i looked down and thought, what the hell... i wasnt even stressing the network, just browsing, thats IT. so i go to check the available networks, it shows that i'm connected to my network.... and sure enough i am, i tried to surf on this site to another link and now to post this thread.

cant take a screen of both the icon and available networks window showing me connected. just chalk this one up.

my next thought:

am really considering going back to using the beta as a primary 7 OS... i have seen no new nothing when it comes to RC, other than themes, how it saves them, but so what... i see really nothing really OS useful out of this RC from the beta to really give MS a pat on the back for improvement. honestly, if you ask me its gone backwards. I can not see any more "speed" improvement. Stability was, well fine with me once drivers were assigned correctly. Rarely crashed, if so, there was a culpable reason why, like a new driver or program, and once because of heat. All of which could have happened with XP as well, so understandable is my point.

But for MS to really be on their horse and come in with this RC AND release to the public and have these issues, that are so widespread, which is not just pertaining to internet/adapter/connectivity problems, there are more, and its deeper. Take for instance the all but DUH mistake leading to the first update for the RC x86, i mean, are you guys serious???? I think Bill has had you guys working waaaaaay too many hours a day and you arent getting the needed sleep in order to rush this twisted-at-the-hip p.o.s. compiled RC. FFS, take your time, it can still be beta... call it beta 2, dont rush to put this RC label on it when its truly really isnt up to snuff RC. Progress has not been made quite yet to fully give it an RC label. Problems with the IE shouldnt have been still be happening with RC, what the crackers is in your soup? I can understand HG still having its issues. But it seems this OS is now in chasing-its-tail mode, or putting out fires left and right without thinking of the hot spots not fixed beforehand, take your time, make sure, before you have the flare up you have on your hands now.

[/rant]

just to continue... after 3 reboots, troubleshooting, repair startup, i come back to the desktop and still have the same asterix, but am connected and browsing just fine. This is brand spanking new to me, as far as seeing this goes. I have not installed a single thing, not even a browser addon or any program. THE ONLY thing i have done, is created an incoming vpn connection, and thats it, never even connected to it yet, or did anything like bridging, nothing done special, same way any other person would go to set one up, and just like i did plenty of times on 7000. But that is the ONLY thing i have done from the previous bootup till seeing the problem and then rebooting the 3 times. Reason for the 3 times was twice at logon screen 7 wouldnt detect my keyboard/mouse (which is a MS combo and using their 7 drivers, this didnt ever happen on the beta either). The other time, i tried logging on and just got a black blank screen with the watermark in the corner. Waited for ages to see if it would load the desktop, my patience wore out after 5 min, rebooted. and like i said, still have the asterix, but connected.


Where does 7 keep the cache settings for the wireless credentials/profiles? I have 2 routers, and have changed the SSID a few times in the past, leaving me with 3 profiles cached. This i speak of actually deals with the laptop that i noticed it on, not this desktop for which this particular problem started with.

including pic... shoulda thought of this before.

Now after a reinstall of drivers using vista SP2, i dont see the connection dropout as much, 1 time in 24 hours, but i just now rebooted after it working fine today, lost the orange asterix, and when i log back on, here's the asterix making yet another appearance. Same scenario, still connected while it shows me not.

That's exactly what I had. Does it do it after a period of you not using the internet? Or being on the same page for a while, not needing to send/recieve any new data. It could possibly be shutting your Wireless down because of Power-Saving...I fixed mine by doing registry edit.

RickJ said:

That's exactly what I had. Does it do it after a period of you not using the internet? Or being on the same page for a while, not needing to send/recieve any new data. It could possibly be shutting your Wireless down because of Power-Saving...I fixed mine by doing registry edit.

Click to expand...

well, first time it "just happened" while i was logged on, now it happens after EVERY reboot. Just a reboot, or uninstalling, reinstalling with different comp modes getting it to work fine - even using XP SP2 (which the troubleshooter recommended, even tho its a vista driver being used on 7, hillarious right?), then when i go to reboot to double check, i get the same thing, but still connected now... now this is a CONTINUOUS problem, to where before it recognized it and had shown initial connection while actually having it, only problem was the continuous dropouts when stressing out the connection for various periods of time, no real pattern to the dropout rate/variance.

ok, well to update this..

I dont know how why or otherwise, but i can now get the asterix to disappear. Like i said, why this is i still dont know, its just happened so its still new to me.

Uninstalled deleted driver (checkbox) thru DM. Now i have done this literally countless number of times the exact same way mind you. Well, after that, reboot. Desktop loads, 7 detects it, tries forever and ever and ever, probly 4 mins to install, maybe longer. hit the balloon to watch what was happening, which was nothing, then i get the red X, failed. Now also mind you that while all this was going on i quickly pulled up the DM to see if and when and what the device was doing. Of course it refreshed a few times, at first it had the uninstall symbol of course, then refreshed and appeared as working (windows still working in bacground trying to find a driver while going on). Then another refresh, adapter disappears, gone... 30 secs later is the "failed" and two series of "device failed to connect" tones. yes, two. 5 secs afterwards another refresh and it shows it installed in DM, i look down and see the asterix (thought ok same ole). Only i double checked again to see if this would be different, connected to network, and voila, it disappeared.

The only things i have done is update punkbuster (yea i know but just listing everything), and installed a mp3 to wav encoder, downloaded no new updates that have been released in the past day and a half... and oh yea, also by the way i wrote in to MS. And i think i can happily report that i believe they paid some attention to the issue. I sent in a detailed feedback, and that was just earlier today, about the driver in question. Now like i said, this just happened. But now when i go to the properties of the adapter /details it now for the first time shows the actual device description, hardware Ids, compatible Ids, on down the line... tho, its still the same driver, dated 2007. Now in the past i have gotten msg's thru AC like alot of you probably have if you've been in any similar case. I have yet to see a particular notice reguarding this, but we'll see


The same type of situation happened on a laptop that involved a problem with drivers for it on 7000. One day, voila, did nothing for it either, just a happen chance that i tried it out one day, and i had sent in info on it as well. So atleast again, i will say that this seems to be a good thing in many ways if proved to be what it seems to be.

now to see how it will perform in the next 24-48 hours. but i am very very pleased to see this and report. I guess my happy dance worked... anyone need a sombrero?

Digger

I have had this problem (orange asterix over network icon) always and sometimes the red cross. I always manage to connect (wireless via WPN111) to internet yet this sometimes drops.

I have tried uninstall then reinstall many times with the WPN111. I followed your steps where it cured it but alas to no avail. I had to install Netgears new wireless connection wizard (via netgear website) to retrieve current drivers then uninstall netgear connection wizard (as it's pretty useless) so that windows7 can locate drivers and then connect.

What info / logs did you send to MS and where?

TIA

PiMan

PiMan said:

Digger

I have had this problem (orange asterix over network icon) always and sometimes the red cross. I always manage to connect (wireless via WPN111) to internet yet this sometimes drops.

I have tried uninstall then reinstall many times with the WPN111. I followed your steps where it cured it but alas to no avail. I had to install Netgears new wireless connection wizard (via netgear website) to retrieve current drivers then uninstall netgear connection wizard (as it's pretty useless) so that windows7 can locate drivers and then connect.

What info / logs did you send to MS and where?

TIA
PiMan

Click to expand...

Well.... lilke i stated, i needed/wanted to test this for 24-48 hours, well it didnt last 8 hours... got up this morning and connection dropped. Wouldnt recconnect, rebooted, no good. Uninstalled, deleted driver again, reboot. Come back to desktop, and then in auto installs the adapter once again, this time without the red X fail. Something isnt right now tho, inet seems a bit on the slugg slide atm, but that could be my paranoia. What i do know is... something still aint right.


I sent in the the info via "checking for solutions" first, by just sending in the report it had on the driver setup exe. I always forget how to get there exactly other than thru AC, but there is another way. I believe it also popped up when done thru the troubleshooter. And additional options? i think? its when it offers a solution to fix your problem, then gives you 3 choices if this fixed it or not, if not any of the 3 choices to choose from, it gives you the option of writing in the problem, and sending it back. Feel like an idiot cuz i can never recall where this little window write-up is. But i think its in the troubleshooter, after you have exhausted all options. I am going to try and re-create this again, and come back with some better info on this. Currently still working on it... again.

While typing and working on the troubleshooter just now, windows found alot of problems with the network diagnostics framework, and diagnostics troubleshooter.

here is an example of what i'm speaking about.. located in action center, maintenance, messages

I usually use "checking for solutions" yet I hardly ever find that it does offer any solutions worthwhile.

I think that this is just so MS can gleam log reports on their software compatibility.

My connection has been pretty good so far - no disconnections (touch plastic), just have the annoying orange asterix over the network icon.

Hope you manage to sort out your connection.

Digger,

I'm a newbie so apologies for format of response.

This was my message from "Control Panel\System and Security\Action Center\Message Details"

"This is a Windows 7 beta response. If you have feedback about this response, please use the survey at the bottom of the page.
Address a problem with your wireless network card
Your wireless network card isn't working properly because a compatible driver isn't available for this version of Windows.
The model name of your wireless network card is NETGEAR RangeMax Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter WPN111.
Because this device isn't compatible with this version of Windows, and there are no solutions available for this problem, we recommend that you find another device on the Microsoft Compatibility website.

Click to go online to the Windows Hardware Compatibility Center"


However when I look at Device Manager my wireless network adapter (WPN111) the driver is digitally signed as a microsoft windows hardware compatibility publisher (netgear).

Go figure!!!

PiMan said:

I usually use "checking for solutions" yet I hardly ever find that it does offer any solutions worthwhile.

I think that this is just so MS can gleam log reports on their software compatibility.

My connection has been pretty good so far - no disconnections (touch plastic), just have the annoying orange asterix over the network icon.

Hope you manage to sort out your connection.

Click to expand...

yea, i am/was/still in the same boat again PiMan. What happens here is, after an uninstall/delete of drivers, then a reboot, let windows install driver, seems to fix everything, no asterix, what seems like good connection and display of. But then do another reboot, and come back to desktop, and i'm back at square one again. Driver reports my usb adapter's usb location, reports the hardware Ids properly now, this didnt happen before when i was installing in comp mode. Even the driver is signed NOW by Microsoft Windows Hardware Compatibility Publisher. Which upon further review of other devices... all but one device, coincidently being the nvidia nforce network controller, is signed "Microsoft Windows Hardware Compatibility Publisher". The nforce is signed by "Microsoft Windows", 7 installed the driver for it as well, havent installed the drivers from nvidia at all yet. This somewhat puzzled me when i found this last night.


work in progress....

PiMan said:

However when I look at Device Manager my wireless network adapter (WPN111) the driver is digitally signed as a microsoft windows hardware compatibility publisher (netgear).

Go figure!!!

Click to expand...

how did you install your driver?

also checked ms website and wpn111 is certified for vista x64

I went on Netgear website for latest drivers. Unfortunately the drivers aren't located individually. So I had to download then run whole setup/install for WPN111 adapter.

I then located driver files (mine were in c:\windows\system32\drivers\wpn111vx.sys) I then copied these drivers to folder elsewhere (I have hardware drivers folder in downloads in case of re-install issues).

Then I uninstalled the netgear setup wizard (actually ran setup again and it uninstalled). Then I removed adapter>rebooted then plugged adapter back in and if windows didn't locate driver I browsed towards my copy location (i.e. my hardware driver folders in downloads).

Adapter appears to work but with this stupid icon.

Hope this was useful.

PiMan

PiMan said:

I went on Netgear website for latest drivers. Unfortunately the drivers aren't located individually. So I had to download then run whole setup/install for WPN111 adapter.

Click to expand...

there is a way to extract the exe if you like... try this : Universal Extractor | LegRoom.net

I then located driver files (mine were in c:\windows\system32\drivers\wpn111vx.sys) I then copied these drivers to folder elsewhere (I have hardware drivers folder in downloads in case of re-install issues).

Click to expand...

Ok, for some testing purposes, is there any way you can put those drivers on a flash drive or something, and not have it connected to the pc after an uninstall/driver delete (everywhere)/reboot ? There's a method to my madness here.
Also, if you decide to do this, or even if not, try this -Pay attention to the specific driver for that device, name etc. go to explorer C:\windows\system32\drivers\yourdriver.sys- when you uinstall the adapter driver, either way- thru DM or uinstall programs and the driver is "deleted", tell me if you see it actually being deleted from that folder, in my case, it doesnt delete when i tell it to when uninstalling. This may be a bug i have found, need confirmation.

Then I uninstalled the netgear setup wizard (actually ran setup again and it uninstalled). Then I removed adapter>rebooted then plugged adapter back in and if windows didn't locate driver I browsed towards my copy location (i.e. my hardware driver folders in downloads).

Click to expand...

try opening up the DM before you pop in the adapter, and watch what goes on.

Adapter appears to work but with this stupid icon.

Hope this was useful.

PiMan

Click to expand...

Have you not had any D/C issues with that adapter along with the asterix? My situation has varied, no real pattern for me as some others have reported.

But i think i have found another bug, need confirmation. From above when i ask you to try my little method of madness, try this, as it has worked, but i'm still testing it out to see if this is the problem/solution to just addressing the asterix problem, not actually a driver based problem. After you do the uninstall and totally delete, and during one of the repeated controlled field tests tries, after the driver installs go to your network and connect. Next, go to the properties of your connecting network. Connection Tab. Take out the checkmark for connect to network automatically.

Looking like this



Now, i did this after i D/C'd from the network while connected with the asterix showing still, then i rebooted. Then back to Desktop go to connect to my network (when usually/previously i never had to, since the checkmark. tho in 7000, this was not needed as i always auto connected and still do btw) and voila, manually connected and no asterix. But then i tested again, rebooted WHILE CONNECTED TO NETWORK, at desktop and asterix showing tho also reporting not connected - i manually connect and good stuff, no asterix. Do a double check, and notice that the adapter still pulls the same IP from the network. Therefore it wasnt an issue as the network wasnt allowing the release of the DHCP from the adapter or vice versa, and then if network/router was the problem, the adapter would have pulled a different IP.

so give this a shot, i believe it may cure your asterix woes. The ONLY PROBLEM with doing this is, in my case which i havent yet tested, but remoting into this pc from laptop with the pc on a cold boot, no active user accounts logged in - therefore not allowing the enabling/connecting manually to the network to get a connection. Therefore no RDP conn. So would have to go to the pc manually and fire up an account to have any connection to and from this pc. I also have the options were its used so when logging or switching back and forth between users it wont lose connection, like in XP. Nice feature that is... if only this problem was NOT around.

Digger said:

there is a way to extract the exe if you like... try this : Universal Extractor | LegRoom.net

Click to expand...

Managed to extract driver file without this but thanks.

Ok, for some testing purposes, is there any way you can put those drivers on a flash drive or something, and not have it connected to the pc after an uninstall/driver delete (everywhere)/reboot ? There's a method to my madness here.

Click to expand...

Put driver files on microsd card and did as suggested.

Also, if you decide to do this, or even if not, try this -Pay attention to the specific driver for that device, name etc. go to explorer C:\windows\system32\drivers\yourdriver.sys- when you uinstall the adapter driver, either way- thru DM or uinstall programs and the driver is "deleted", tell me if you see it actually being deleted from that folder, in my case, it doesnt delete when i tell it to when uninstalling. This may be a bug i have found, need confirmation.

Click to expand...

Upon uninsatll my driver file WPN111vx.sys was deleted from C:\windows\system32\drivers\ and network icon went from orange asterix to red X. I had DM open when uninstalling and WPN111 remained visible in DM until I unplugged adapter - as expected. Then rebooted from shutdown not restart.

try opening up the DM before you pop in the adapter, and watch what goes on.

Click to expand...

Opened DM prior to adapter plug-in. Upon plug-in windows did not auto find driver (on microSD plugged in) and WPN111 appeared as "other device" until I browsed for driver to microSD location. Driver updated OK and WPN111 moved from other device to wireless network adapter - good. Also saw driver repopulate in C:\windows\system32\drivers\ .

Have you not had any D/C issues with that adapter along with the asterix? My situation has varied, no real pattern for me as some others have reported.

Click to expand...

I have had intermittent D/C (if this means disconnections) from network with this adapter but it seems to improve stability with increased number of reboots (or I'm imagining it!). No real pattern before - i.e. heavy network traffic or anyhting.

But i think i have found another bug, need confirmation. From above when i ask you to try my little method of madness, try this, as it has worked, but i'm still testing it out to see if this is the problem/solution to just addressing the asterix problem, not actually a driver based problem. After you do the uninstall and totally delete, and during one of the repeated controlled field tests tries, after the driver installs go to your network and connect. Next, go to the properties of your connecting network. Connection Tab. Take out the checkmark for connect to network automatically.

Click to expand...

Tried doing what you suggested above but had red X on network icon prior to connection and after connection also. Rebooted then had a orange* prior to connecting and afterwards as well.:sarc:

Looking like this

View attachment 10784

Now, i did this after i D/C'd from the network while connected with the asterix showing still, then i rebooted. Then back to Desktop go to connect to my network (when usually/previously i never had to, since the checkmark. tho in 7000, this was not needed as i always auto connected and still do btw) and voila, manually connected and no asterix. But then i tested again, rebooted WHILE CONNECTED TO NETWORK, at desktop and asterix showing tho also reporting not connected - i manually connect and good stuff, no asterix. Do a double check, and notice that the adapter still pulls the same IP from the network. Therefore it wasnt an issue as the network wasnt allowing the release of the DHCP from the adapter or vice versa, and then if network/router was the problem, the adapter would have pulled a different IP.

Click to expand...

Not too sure how I check the IP address - do I go into my router settings and view from there or can I do it more easily from desktop?

so give this a shot, i believe it may cure your asterix woes. The ONLY PROBLEM with doing this is, in my case which i havent yet tested, but remoting into this pc from laptop with the pc on a cold boot, no active user accounts logged in - therefore not allowing the enabling/connecting manually to the network to get a connection. Therefore no RDP conn. So would have to go to the pc manually and fire up an account to have any connection to and from this pc. I also have the options were its used so when logging or switching back and forth between users it wont lose connection, like in XP. Nice feature that is... if only this problem was NOT around

Click to expand...

.

Click to expand...

I don't really have the issues you mention above (don't have network just PC, mobile, router) so I couldn't comment, sorry.

Thanks for your pointers and if I find a dfinite workaround/fix I'll let you know.

Cheers

PiMan

Sorry Digger last post messy - not understood separating quotes like you did previously. I just hit quote and then typed in between.

PiMan said:

Sorry Digger last post messy - not understood separating quotes like you did previously. I just hit quote and then typed in between.

Click to expand...

no problem.. only thing tho, if you have a router, and a pc, technically you have a "network".... and by your typing if i understand correctly, you have a pc and a laptop, right? thats your network.

but anyhow, did you try to take out the checkmark in the picture i displayed ealier? I guess where it is, is the confusion you may have had. Two ways to get to this, i'll give you another way.

Control panel/ network and sharing center / manage wireless networks/

then highlight your network by left clicking once, the right clilck it, properties, and thats where that window i posted will be, hit the connections tab, take out the checkmark. Reboot, then manually connect to your network and let me know if that clears the asterix.