Can't get wireless internet connection

dense · 19 Mar 2018

Relocated the system described below to a location not conducive to a wired ethernet connection which I had been utilizing for years. Now need instead to establish a wireless internet connection to the same router that had previously provided the wired ethernet connection.

Device manager initially showed under “Network Adapters” two listings:
Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet
WAN Miniport (PPPOE)

and under Other Devices:

Unknown Device

Both the “WAN Miniport (PPPOE)” and “Unknown Device” had yellow exclamations beside them which I interpret as indicating needs for drivers. An attempt to update the WAN Miniport (PPPOE) got an error 651 report. Seemed to successfully remedy 651 report by replacing raspppoe.sys file but then got a different error report seven hundred something (can’t recall). Next downloaded “HP Support Assistant” utility, went through some updating, performance, network and OS checks. Network check only found the ethernet connection, and after the OS check the WAN Miniport (PPPOE) listing disappeared from Device Manger.

I know I have two wireless connections that are broadcasting from my router, but neither show up in the system tray available connections pop up.

Any help / suggestions that will get a wireless internet connection working on this system will be much appreciated. Thank you. (See system description below)

System Model: Hewlett-Packard HP Compaq 6005 Pro SFF PC

Processor:

3.40 gigahertz AMD Athlon II X2 B28
256 kilobyte primary memory cache
2048 kilobyte secondary memory cache
64-bit ready
Multi-core (2 total)
Not hyper-threaded

Motherboard

Board: Hewlett-Packard 3047h
Bus Clock: 200 megahertz
BIOS: Hewlett-Packard 786G6 v01.15 08/02/2011

Bus Adapters

Standard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller (2x)
Standard OpenHCD USB Host Controller (5x)

Other Devices

Microsoft Composite Battery
HID-compliant consumer control device
HID-compliant device (2x)
USB Input Device (2x)
HP Officejet 6600 (NET)
Standard PS/2 Keyboard
HID-compliant mouse
PS/2 Compatible Mouse
Trusted Platform Module 1.2
USB Composite Device
USB Mass Storage Device (2x)
USB Root Hub (7x)
Generic volume shadow copy

Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium (x64) Service Pack 1 (build 7601)

samuria · 19 Mar 2018

It seems you donthave a wireless card you can buy a usb wireless very cheap go for one thats AC type so its future proof

mrjimphelps · 21 Mar 2018

Probably any of these wifi adapters would work:

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_s...d=OWBC2C3S2F0H

I like this particular one:

https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-N300-...p_89%3ANETGEAR

Not only is it a name-brand (Netgear), but also, you can put it anywhere you want, such as up high on a shelf, so that it gets the best signal. The ones that plug directly into the USB port are limited to whatever signal is available right there at the USB port.

riskreversal · 21 Mar 2018

dense said:

Device manager initially showed under “Network Adapters” two listings:
Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet
WAN Miniport (PPPOE)

Personally, since you appear to have a NIC (wired) in you pc, I would go for setting up a client bridge mode connection with your router.

Get yourself one of these (TP Link TL-WR802N)

https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Wirel...ds=nano+router

Plug it into the NIC in your pc. Configure the unit and set up a link with your router an you're away.

That way you will never need to buy a wifi card again.

This will also work a lot better than a flaky usb wifi stick.

The WR802N can be be powered either with it's own power supply or plug it into a usb port as it only use 0.2A.

I have two running on my network. They are very good fast and I have found them to be reliable with no drop outs plus the range is excellent.

Good luck

JoWazzoo · 21 Mar 2018

Risk

What is the effective distance on this? I have a potential use. Looks much more effective than a dongle.

samuria · 21 Mar 2018

Powerline adapter may be the best option they plug into your main and you plug a network cable in from the router and pc and they go as far as your mains got Amazon.co.uk: powerline

riskreversal · 21 Mar 2018

JoWazzoo said:

What is the effective distance on this? I have a potential use. Looks much more effective than a dongle.

I have one about 35 feet from my WAP which is on the floor above and the connection is strong and stable. I have a 40/10 connection and I download at about 32-34mbps on it.

The dongles are usually c**p. I think if you read the reviews on Amazon, you can get a better feel for this unit's range.

These units can also be used in other modes, router, extender, etc..... so a lot more versatile than a dongle or a wifi card. Plus, the unit is tiny just like dongle.

Have a look at the quick installation guide here

Download for TL-WR802N | TP-Link United Kingdom

Good luck

JoWazzoo · 21 Mar 2018

riskreversal · 22 Mar 2018

Just remember one thing, if you get this unit it is factory configured in 'wireless router' mode which means that you will need to access the unit's interface over wifi first and then change it to whichever mode you want. So, if when you get it you plug it into your router or laptop you will not be able to access the unit's interface eg by typing http://192.168.0.x

What I did what was first connect the unit to the power supply (or the laptop), locate the wifi signal ie SSID, input the default password then log in that way.

Failing that as regards the op's options

samuria said:

Powerline adapter may be the best option they plug into your main and you plug a network cable in from the router and pc and they go as far as your mains got Amazon.co.uk: powerline

An excellent suggestion. Ensure only one electricty ring (sometimes basements can be on a separate ring) and plug directly into a wall socket as they can be a bit iffy when plugged into extension sockets.

Good Luck