my wifi on my laptop has suddenly decided to disappear!! now i have to have the ethernet cable in to use the internet..

ive tried to flick the wifi button on

even when i search for networks it onlys shows me dial up :S and no wireless devices

anyone help me out or how much roughly to get it fixed??

any help is great help

What operating system?

If windows, is it showing under network devices in device manager? Go to Start > run > type devmgmt.msc

Any yellow exclamations under unknown devices in device manager?

if its an o2 wireless thomson router i am having the same problem with mine, i think o2 has issued a recent firmware update to them which is buggy and turns the wireless off. i have not had a chance to phone them and complain yet but i have had to log into the router twice and re-enable the wireless.

To log in to the router its dead easy just connect via an ethernet cable use the Login Name: Administrator Password: you will find it on the bottom of the router by the wpa key or the serial number.

When logged into the router find the wireless tab click on it look towards the top and look for configure then further down there will be an option which says interface enable or something similar. Enable that & look further down and look for powersave mode, disable that as it can cause problems with some mobile devices (laptops, iphones etc)

Yeah hope that fixes your problem

Sam

little_pop i have done this and the following picture shows what is showing

also its sky broadband but i have moved house and it also done this in the last house too its deffently the computer

First of all stop using internet explorer, only nubs use that browser. Any alternative is better.

Secondly, you'll have a hotkey combo (usually FN + a number key) that will turn the device on and off. Should be a blue antenna above one of the number's, thats the key.

This could be caused by any number of problems.

Is this for a USB wifi dongle as the screenshot above seems to suggest? I'll assume it is for now. The yellow error driver is for the Vista IPv6 driver, so "shouldn't" be causing any issues with the wifi card itself. You can disable IPv6 within the network adapter properties though if you want to make sure.

It sounds silly, but try another USB socket, see what happens then. It should detect it and go through the new hardware process, but obviously already has the driver and will install it automatically. If you have the driver CD, try uninstalling the driver and then re-installing it using the CD.

Then go to the start menu, and in "start search" type "services", and then click on the Services option that will appear (it will have a blue cog next to it). Check that services such as WLAN Config (this is the important one), Network Location Awareness, Internet Connection Sharing etc are all set to automatic, and make sure they are all started.

The driver itself is enabled and running fine from the looks of things, so we can count that out.

As you can use it via ethernet, can you connect to Windows update and see if it detects any driver updates for your wireless adapter?

Who is the manufacturer of the dongle (I know its using the Realtek chipset, but the actual manufacturer of the dongle is important to obtaining the correct driver - there is different variants of that particular chipset, never-mind the manufacturer).

You could use system restore to see if it resolves the issue, if it started only recently - you can access it by opening the start menu and using "start search" and typing "system restore" and follow the instructions to restore your system to a date before the problems started.

Do you have the box, or is there any stickers on the dongle saying a model number etc??

Try fixing any problems with the file-system, go to the start menu, in "start search" type "cmd" and command prompt should appear in the start menu... right click on it and "open as administrator". Okay the UAC prompt and type "sfc /scannow" - if it finds any errors and fixes them, great, it may solve the problem! It may need an error manually fixing, or it could find none at all.

Also, download and run Malwarebytes and Hitman Pro and see if they find and fix anything. Hitman Pro doesnt need to be installed, just run it.

If none of these detect anything, there is lots more tools, software and fixes you can try to resolve the issue, but we could be here all day lol. If you want me to take a look at the laptop, I can do so at no charge.

Let us know how you get on.

Guilty as charged (though in my defence I also use Iron a lot nowadays lol).

There is nothing wrong with Internet Explorer 8, only nubs get their jollies from knocking it every chance they get!

I use Firefox, at home on my Mac and in work on PC.

Just seems a bit quicker and less cumbersome than others.

I also like the add-ons like Ad Blocker and tineye for the pictures etc.

I'm not saying that other browsers are no good, it's down to personal preference, it just annoys me when you hear people denigrating other peoples preferences. I've tried Firefox, Chrome and IE9 and I don't like them but you won't hear me saying that chaps that do like them are idiots.

People like you keep my business flowing. Keep bringing me those malware infested boxes because IE8 has more exploits and vulns than every other browser combined.

Firefox is crap..

Best of luck to you, if it's keeping your business flowing, why are you knocking it all of the time????

Because i'm not a prick. If a simple thing like changing browser can prevent someone's cc's getting logged or prevent ID theft or stolen passwords I'd gladly help them for free. Educating people that don't know any better (simply because they aren't tech savvy enough to know what a browser is most of the time) is time well spent.

There's a few people on here that have problems with their machines that I feel were directly because of their usage of an unsafe piece of software; (read as: any version of IE) I warned them of this the first time they posted and when they posted the next thread with a similar problem I ignored it. Some people are too stupid to bother helping.

If you could expand on this it would be appreciated?

I've never had a problem with it.

DAUGHTERS LAPTOP WONT CHARGE UNLESS YOU WIGGLE IT ABOUT? ANY IDEAS? CHEERS.

Yep, wiggle it about.

YOU'VE GOT A FAULTY CONNECTION IN THE POWER SOCKET, TAKE IT TO A COMPUTER STORE TO GET IT FIXED IF YOU'RE NOT COMFORTABLE FIXING IT YOURSELF.

ADDITIONALLY, PLEASE STOP SHOUTING AT US. IT'S NOT POLITE AND LOOKS RETARDED.

Thanks for calling me a prick and stupid ex0, you've just lost your own argument! I've been using IE since about 1995 and NEVER had a problem with it, you obviously associate with some very unlucky people.

THANKS, WHAT YOU ON ABOUT SHOUTING AT YOU?

YOU HAVING A BAD DAY EXO? SAYING PEOPLE LOOK RETARDED ISNT VERY NICE, JUST REALISED WHAT YOUR ON ABOUT, IM ON MY WORKS LAPTOP & ALWAYS HAVE CAPS LOCK ON.

I never called you either. Please don't blame me for you lack of reading comprehension dude.

Shouting at people isn't very nice. Especially when you're asking for help.

Im not shouting.

didnt realise, caps lock on meant you were shouting....
Sorry....

When all else fails hit the reset button, it worked for me yesterday.

You said you knock IE because you're not a prick, therefor anyone who doesn't knock it is a prick! You also said that people who continue to use IE are too stupid to bother helping! As I continue to use IE I am stupid? Sorry for your lack of writing ability! Dude!

That and blow into the CD tray.

CD tray?... you mean the cupholder?

Is that what it is?

yeh man. duh

And you can put your credit card in the little slot on the front if you want to shop online.

.... Sigh.

It seems an explanation is required.

You asked me why I keep telling people IE sucks if I get business from it. I replied: I tell people because I'm not a prick. Meaning: I don't care about the money, I tell people because it's the right thing to do. There was nothing implied at all.

I also said that people who post threads here with problems caused by IE who then go on to post more threads because IE is still causing them problems are too stupid to bother with. They can't comprehend simple things like changing browser to fix the problem. Those people are stupid.

Are you just not reading what my posts or does your brain automatically create 'waaaahhhh' responses without taking in what I'm writing? If I wanted to insult you directly I would do so. I don't follow this ridiculous no personal insults thing, people that deserve to be insulted should be insulted. I didn't because I'm trying to explain my point. It's like saying 'this door doesn't lock properly: I'll just leave it and hope no thieves notice it' when the obvious alternative is to accept a free door replacement.

So please, change to a decent browser. Any will do. Literally any of the dozens around. They are all better, faster and more secure than IE has ever and will ever be.

so whats wrong with IE then?
Im confused.....

There's nothing really "wrong" with IE, it works and does it's job, but because it's the most common (and used by most people) it's the one most hackers aim at and so causes the most problems.

There are a lot of browsers available now, for a while Microsoft ruled the roost with IE but legislation was brought in to make the option for other browsers available.

Although certain browsers do have their advantages (and disadvantages) I think much of it is the computer "experts" proclaiming their kudos by showing that they don't comply with the everyday software made for your basic computer user but have to use the new-fangled, not yet in the public domain, all bells and whistles, has to be given a shove to work properly now and then "Zibberdie" browser.

IE has it's faults, and it's restrictions, but it does what it says on the box and usually works. If you want a browser that does that for you, it's fine, if you want to spend a week reading a manual before you use your PC (by which time they've brought out another one)but does allow you to fine tune every part of your internet interaction then whatever works best for you.

Thanks Dr. Some people need to show how clever they are when they are actually 'pricks'.

IMO IE has been a bad risk for a long time, I now dont have any time for any MS claims that IE is now the safest browser, etc, when there are constant updates and bulletins about serious security vulnerabilities.

I was an IE fan before firefox came along as it was much nicer than Netscape Navigator (the other browser at the time), but as the web got more advanced its flaws became more apparent.

From my own experiences working on a lot of faulty virus filled machines, IE was a big part of the cause. But to blame it all on IE is probably too much.

The main part of it I saw was the lack of user knowledge towards protection while online. Its all about how your browser is set up along with any AV, Anti Spyware, firewalls, etc. These things are never 100% safe but they do need setting up to protect you as good as they can for your requirements, they are not install and forget programs.

Firefox is much better 'out of the box' than IE, but its still very easy to get spyware and viruses through most browsers, firefox included, unless setup properly and updated of course.

My opinion on why IE is in trouble would be that MS made IE too integrated into windows and tried to make every MS product linkable to one another allowing too many security vulnerabilities that would affect one, then affect all. That would be my theory.

Firefox as a standalone program would have less vulnerabilities to tap into, but is itself not free from potential viruses/spyware/etc.

Whenever I fix a PC I always say to people not to use IE and install firefox with a couple of apps to keep most of the security risks away.

Just my opinion though.

more confused than ever now, good to have a debate without agressive snide remarks.

dont you just love computers....

Spanner, it sounds like your socket is loose, take the laptop to Bigabyte in Rock Ferry, they'll sort you out.
On the subject of internet browsers, use whichever one you feel happiest with, just make sure you have anti-virus and spam filters etc. Microsoft Security Essentials is a free one that does the lot.

Someone sensible at last. I see my post was too complicated for you to comprehend Croc, maybe Rhoobarb's will be a bit easier for you.

Excellent explanation Rhoobarb,extremely lucid and totally lacking in vitriol.

ex0_ is most probably the most "ignored" poster on WW.
So just add to your 'ignore users' list - problem solved.

Nice 1 croc, thanks for that.

Good idea.

Notifynotify

I must try harder!!!

Ive never had a prob with IE but have had with chrome and firefox so as said previously I think by crocodile dundee everyone to their own

Firefox ismgreat until like i you update it only to find your explorer plugins arnt compatible and there are no updates for them yet fuming!

I happen to like Ex0, at least he doesn`t hit the notify button every five minutes complaining like a fairy in pink boots about other members behind their backs!
Nuff said!!!

This isn`t aimed at you croccy old boy before you get your gloves on!

Quote

B U M P !

This tool only has me on ignore because he got totally pwn3d when we argued about that CHRIS website and wasn't clear enough on his own views to defend them. Ignoring people is easier than considering what they have to say after all

I've always used chrome & Firefox, far superior search engines imo, IE is cack, takes over your machine, there market percentage is falling constantly as people wake up and head else where, hence why they try shove it down your throat on Windows 7, Bill knows he's loosing market and it's a last ditch attempt to catch out the less experienced PC users, It's like AOL (Ar** holes online) takes your PC over