Solved Wifi Network Adapter not detected by Windows & after BSOD

[vinayakjoshi]

Hi

I have Windows 7 Ultimate x64 on a Dell Inspiron Laptop. I also have Ubuntu 11.10 as a dual boot option on this machine.

Recently I got a BSOD with the following error -

DRIVER POWER STATE FAILURE

Since then Windows does not recognize the Wifi network adapter. It is not there in the Device Manager at all.

It does not seem to be a hardware problem because when I boot using Ubuntu, the Wifi works without any problem.

Can anyone guide me how to solve this issue. Since the adapter is not being listed in the device manager, I don't know how to update or reinstall drivers.

Thanks

 

[Grego86]

Whats the model of your Dell Inspiron ? Once you post that I can lead you to where to download the appropriate driver.

 

[vinayakjoshi]

Model

It is Dell Inspiron N5010

 

[Grego86]

Follow this link and scroll down and refine your search results for Win7 64bit and then choose network list and eliminate each driver until you find the correct one that works. I apologize I cannot tell you exactly which one.

Drivers and Downloads | Dell [United States]

 

[vinayakjoshi]

Ok, I got the solution.

The trick was to go to Control Panel > Device Manager > Network Adapters and the Right-click and select "Scan for Hardware Changes". Windows scanned the entire hardware and signalled to itself that there is a wifi adapter attached.

Somehow the BSOD had made some changes in the system so that it appeared that there was no wifi adapter installed.

Thanks Grego86 for your help.

 

[Grego86]

Awesome ! Your welcome anytime.