Wireless Adapter missing/not detected after Windows 7 Clean Install

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  1. Posts : 20
    Windows 7
       #1

    Wireless Adapter missing/not detected after Windows 7 Clean Install


    I'll start from the very beginning in hopes that it will help to receive as much advice/information as possible. I first did a clean install of Windows 7 Home Premium on my ASUS 1015-PEM Eee PC. Then, out of nowhere one day, my wireless stopped working. I tried everything to no avail. Remembering that after the clean install the wireless card was recognized and working properly, I re-installed Windows again the exact same way as before. This time Windows did not find my wireless network adapter, only showing the LAN card in Device Manager under Network Adapters. So, my basic question is; Since after the first clean re-install of Windows 7 the OS immediately recognized the wireless card, why would the OS not show the wireless adapter this time after re-installing windows again? I didn't install any drivers the first time around, and IT WAS RECOGNIZED. This leads me to believe it's not a driver issue. How do you get Windows to recognize the wireless adapter?


    Things I have tried thusfar are as follows;
    • WLAN is indeed enabled in the BIOS.
    • WiFi is indeed toggled on, on the physical netbook itself. WiFi LED is lit blue (on).
    • Tried every one of the drivers listed on the support page HERE.
    • Took apart the entire netbook to verify exact wireless card model, finding it to be AzureWave AW-NE762H OR Ralink RAK-RT3090. (Pictured below)
      • NOTE: The drivers on the ASUS page provide the NE762H which installs "Ralink RT2860." I then found a driver for RT3090 HERE as it actually says on the physical card which I tried as well.
    • Full clean re-install of Windows (as mentioned earlier) since the wireless was working after I first re-installed Windows.
    All the evidence keeps pointing to the fact that it really doesn't seem to be a driver issue. A physical hardware failure of the PCIe Wireless Half MiniCard would seem to be HIGHLY unlikely, correct? How do I get Windows to detect my wireless adapter?



      My Computer


  2. Posts : 3,487
    Win 7 Pro x64/Win 10 Pro x64 dual boot
       #2

    In this case, it looks like a physical failure is very likely. If it was operational before and Windows detected it automatically, then it should detect it now if it's actually working.

    You may have to take the notebook to a repair shop and have them test the wireless card to see if you need a new one.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 6,292
    Windows 7 64 Bit Home Premium SP1
       #3

    Agreed ^.

    A long shot is that there is a setting in BIOS to enable or disable the card there.
    But if the device is working and enabled Windows will detect it. A driver issue will not change that.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 20
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Is there anyway to test the card myself? I have a desktop I can use.

    A quick look to eBay revealed the card can literally be bought for $5-$10. It seems the cheapest fix would be just to buy another card and hope it works. If I do this, I have two more questions;

    1. Can I literally buy any PCIe Wireless Half MiniCard for the netbook to use? (Or could you recommend a specific one?)

    2. Let's hypothetically say I buy a brand new card we know is functional, and Windows doesn't recognize new hardware THEN either. What's the most likely culprit in that scenario?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 6,292
    Windows 7 64 Bit Home Premium SP1
       #5

    You might be able to test it in another laptop. You would need a good friend to allow you to do this, as it would involve uninstalling their driver and card , installing yours with it's drivers, testing, uninstalling your drivers and card, and reinstalling their card and driver. (Then a System Restore for good measure).

    1: Theoretically yes, any card that would fit should work, but there can be problems with drivers playing nice with your motherboard. So it is best to at least match the brand and device model group.

    2: If you checked the BIOS to see if the card can be enabled/disabled there and it is enabled or there is no choice, then that would mean there is a problem with the motherboard, or in the 2 wires that connect the card to it.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 20
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Thank you so much for the very detailed response. Last question, every one of the RT-3090 variants of the card I can find online all seem to have two antennae outputs to match the two wires as you mentioned. My card only has one and there's only one antenna wire in the netbook. Do you think it will matter that the new card will only be connected by one of its antenna outputs?

    Going to get it here.
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/200925135933...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 20
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #7

    I tried installing a USB wifi stick I had to the netbook. It worked. I was wondering if this in any way tells anything about the windows installation I did and it's ability to use a wireless card? Is this a good thing or does it have nothing to do with the new internal card I'll be trying?
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 6,292
    Windows 7 64 Bit Home Premium SP1
       #8

    Q1: if there is only one wire connection then it is very important to have a card with the same. I suspect it must ground by means of it's installation - probably one of the screws. I have not seen one like that.

    Q2: It tells you Windows was installed and is running correctly (in identifying and running a wifi stick). Does not have any bearing on the problem wireless card. It's a good thing. It does not have any bearing on the new wireless card.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 6,292
    Windows 7 64 Bit Home Premium SP1
       #9

    Here's what I see:
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Wireless Adapter missing/not detected after Windows 7 Clean Install-capture.jpg   Wireless Adapter missing/not detected after Windows 7 Clean Install-capture2.jpg  
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 20
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Great. I can't find a one antenna card and you've never seen one. "One antenna pcie wireless half card" isn't a feature specific search I can do for one.

    If this was your netbook can you link me to the new card you personally would try putting in it, please.

    I purposely left the corner of my background in there.
      My Computer


 
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