Gateway Parts

Laptop can't find wireless networks anymore?

I bought my Gateway laptop new from BestBuy about a year and a half ago. Up until about 6 months ago, my computer would automatically connect to any wireless networks that were available. Now, it won't show any wireless networks available even when I know there is at least one, such as at a public place with Wifi. I've tried to repair the wireless connection and it displays this message: "Windows could not finish repairing the problem because the followinng action cannot be completed: Connecting to the wireless network." The part before this was a copy of another question on here but it was never answered and now one of the people at work has the same problem any ideas? I've also uninstalled the device and let windows pick it up on startup and I still get the same error. I didn't see and external switch at all. I did look originally because I thought that might be the issue.

Public Comments

1. Your comp is still under warranty. Try calling gateway and explaining the problem. Its very simple to walk through and fix.
2. do you have a wifi switch that maybe got turned off? i have an HP with an external switch that can turn on/off the wireless capability. maybe you bumped it.
3. Get your own wireless router. Then, in My network Places, run the Set up a wireless network for a home or small office Wizard (on the Sidebar). Last resort, back up your personal data and Use the Restore CDs to reset your laptop to factory settings.
4. Sounds about right to me. If you can't even SEE any networks, I would suspect a radio issue as the other user suggested. Depends on the laptop model, and what sort of card as well. I know that on some laptops, there are certain situations where the card/laptop will disable the wireless radio to conserve battery power. And then you have to actually re-enable the radio function for it to work again! Try looking around for an actual switch on the outside of the laptop somewhere with a tiny antennae on it. Some models use one of the F keys on your top row, so you would look at the F keys for an antennae, hold your Function key down and then press the F key with the Antennae. If still no go, some wireless cards themselves have a setting in their Properties That can be used to turn the antennae on/off as well. Other than the suggestions above, try tech support, and if STILL no go, you may simply have a problematic wireless card. Which unfortunately means replacing it. Hope you find something useful here in my ramblings... Cheers