Solved Possible problem with Atheros Network Adapter

[Stieglfan]

Hi,

I posted a topic about the same computer back in April - http://www.sevenforums.com/crashes-...y-freezing-while-inactive-upon-waking-up.html. I am a novice compared to almost everyone here. So when I didn't get any real assistance with my previous post, I felt I had no option other than to do another "restore to factory settings" on my HP Pavilion P6745f desktop.

Ever since, it is not able to connect to my home network/router properly. My pc uses an Atheros 802.11 a/b/g/n Dualband Wireless Network Module. My router is a Linksys E3200. I am unable to troubleshoot via the tools provided on my pc.

In my control panel/network connections, the adapter is shown but says "attempting to authenticate".

If I use an ethernet cable and connect directly to my router, I have internet access. However, my "personally assigned network name" is not displayed, it only says "network - internet access". If I try to connect to my network wirelessly, it says windows in unable to connect". I cannot access my router settings via my browser.

I have reset/power cycled the router etc, which has not helped. I have 2 laptops which use the router and they are working normally - either using wired or wireless connection. They access it normally through my proper network name etc. From what I can tell, the issue seems to be specific to my desktop and not my router itself.

I'm sorry but I am quite new to forums and hope I have posted this in the right section. I have no clue about posting this stuff or which scans to run etc., but I am able to run any of these things under direction of experts. I could really use some help!

Thanks!

 

[chev65]

You should first install the latest driver for the Atheros WIFI NIC from the HP website. This is the page for your model of HP.
HP Pavilion p6700 Desktop PC series -  Download drivers and software - HP Business Support Center

If you can access your routers settings from one of your laptops you should try making some adjustments to the wireless settings. You will want to use WPA2 security with AES encryption. Make sure the Atheros driver is set to use the 2.4Ghz frequency and that your router is set up to use the same. Be sure and make adjustments to your wireless profile in Windows to reflect the changes made in your router. Everything needs to match up with the routers settings, SSID, wireless password, WPA2, AES, choose a clean wireless channel etc.

 

[Stieglfan]

Thanks for your reply!!

I tried to install the driver from the HP website link, it failed. I did rollback and then update the driver via Windows update earlier this morning. Is it possible that the windows driver is "newer" than the HP site and that is why it failed?

My router is dual band (5 & 2.4 GHz), both bands are set to WPA2 Personal. I do not see anything about AES in any of selection options (in my router management software) though on my desktop "wireless network properties" I do see AES encryption is selected. There are a few other options, from what I can see the differences are mostly between Personal and Enterprise modes. Should I just leave it on WPA2 Personal - it is just my home with this desktop and 2 laptops.

How do I check that the driver is set to 2.4 GHz? When I select "manage wireless networks" I see my personal router, when I view personal properties, all seems to be correct. But I still cannot access my network.

Sorry for being technically challenged!! Your help is very much appreciated!!

 

[chev65]

The driver may be capable of picking up both bands so that may not be an issue. Usually the newer driver comes from the HP site.

It's a bit strange that the driver from the HP website won't install and that could be part of the problem, though the Windows driver should be working.

It's possible that your anti virus software is causing this connection problem, AVG, Eset, and a few others are famous for causing these types of wireless connection problems so uninstalling them may help.

The setting for AES encryption setting may be further down the page in your routers set up page for WIFI.

 

[Stieglfan]

Thanks again!

This is driving me absolutely nuts. I did (yet another) factory restore and without updating or touching anything else, - no antivirus, no firewall, no other security programs and it still is unable to connect to my router. When I run the cable from my ISP`s modem, it connects to that, no problem. I only have one ethernet port on the back of my pc, so I know that works.

When trying to set up my router, it asks for the router name and password, then rejects it and says unable to connect. I wonder if the actual network adapter is somehow faulty. Maybe that needs to be replaced or something. I`m guessing that restore to factory settings doesn`t actually work for possible hardware issues.

I`ll try updating that driver again and see if that works. Somehow I doubt it.

 

[Stieglfan]

Edit - I am still getting the same error when I try to install the driver via the HP link "the update did not complete successfully (259)"

 

[Stieglfan]

Hi chev65,
I just wanted to let you know that I have figured it out! What a relief.

My router has a feature that can create "network keys" that can be used to connect new computers to the network. I guess when I restored my system, the router no longer had the information contained in the key. By creating the network key (inserting a USB stick in my laptop), allowing it to download the proper info, then connecting the USB to my desktop, the network key "did it's thing" and my system is working well again. I should have seen that feature (remembered it was there!!) earlier, but didn't even think of it.

I hope my explanation may help someone else with a similar problem. If anyone needs me to explain it further etc., don't hesitate to contact me.
Thanks again for your help and suggestions. I really appreciate it.

 

[chev65]

Hi chev65,
I just wanted to let you know that I have figured it out! What a relief.

My router has a feature that can create "network keys" that can be used to connect new computers to the network. I guess when I restored my system, the router no longer had the information contained in the key. By creating the network key (inserting a USB stick in my laptop), allowing it to download the proper info, then connecting the USB to my desktop, the network key "did it's thing" and my system is working well again. I should have seen that feature (remembered it was there!!) earlier, but didn't even think of it.

I hope my explanation may help someone else with a similar problem. If anyone needs me to explain it further etc., don't hesitate to contact me.
Thanks again for your help and suggestions. I really appreciate it.

That is the so called automatic way of doing it where you send the password to a USB drive. I always use the manual method and create my own password so no USB drive is required.

When you restored your system the original password was lost because it was removed from your wireless profile. I'm still wondering why the HP driver would not install. Anyway glad you have it working again.

 

[Stieglfan]

Would it be "odd" that my password and all of the "manually entered" network info was correct, but still was unable to connect? The network name and password were saved on my pc, even after the restore.

I did everything manually when I bought and initially set up my router. I'm pretty clueless with this stuff, so I just assumed that there was more "hidden info" contained in the automatic set up (?), since as soon as I connected that USB, it fixed the issue and worked. Thanks again!!