Craziest Thing!

carstensdj

carstensdj

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Hi All,

Please can someone assist me here...

Scenario:
The accountants laptop shows that he is NOT connected to any wireless networks in his wireless taskbar icon. It's got the red cross through it... The weird thing is, he IS actually connected to it and can surf the web.

Then when he is at home and puts his 3G modem into his Laptop, it just won't connect to any kind of signal, but when we put the same 3G modem into MY laptop, it works.

What i've done:
I have updated his wireless NIC and Ethernet NIC drivers. I have deleted the saved connection to our router and re-entered it. I have deleted all NIC drivers and installed latest versions from scratch.

None of this helps :( Anyone got any ideas?

P.S. It's a HP 620 Notebook
 
What 3G software is he using. I have seen this exact problem with the Vodafone Mobile Connect software.
 
Check to see if the laptop does not have a built-in 3G modem that he's using to connect to the Interwebz...
 
While in this "not connected" state where he can still browse, open up a command prompt and type in "netstat". This will list open of open connections. Look under local address for something other than 127.0.0.1 & remember that IP. Then type in "ipconfig /all", which will list all the network adapters. The one with the same IP is the mystery one that is being used to surf while not connected.

The other part I can't help you with since frankly I can't make heads or tails out of the description & most of the relevant info is missing. (OS, 3G modem type, 3G software, the detail on the "it just won't connect to any kind of signal" part and finally how "our router" and the ethernet fits into any of this).
 
I have had it as well and the problem was the vodacom software that took over the wireless connection
 
Franna said:
What 3G software is he using. I have seen this exact problem with the Vodafone Mobile Connect software.
Click to expand...

He is using the F@stLink MTN software, with a MTN 3G Dongle and a Vodacom Sim where he has changed the profile in the software to a Vodacom one.

holler said:
Check to see if the laptop does not have a built-in 3G modem that he's using to connect to the Interwebz...
Click to expand...

Nah, there's no built in 3G...

HavocXphere said:
While in this "not connected" state where he can still browse, open up a command prompt and type in "netstat". This will list open of open connections. Look under local address for something other than 127.0.0.1 & remember that IP. Then type in "ipconfig /all", which will list all the network adapters. The one with the same IP is the mystery one that is being used to surf while not connected.

The other part I can't help you with since frankly I can't make heads or tails out of the description & most of the relevant info is missing. (OS, 3G modem type, 3G software, the detail on the "it just won't connect to any kind of signal" part and finally how "our router" and the ethernet fits into any of this).
Click to expand...

Will go and do these various steps once he is in the office. I'm assuming that if i find a connection that i dont want i must get rid of it in network and sharing?

OS: Windows 7 Home Basic
Modem: MTN F@stlink Dongle
3G Software: MTN F@stlink Software
"It wont connect to any kind of signal" - I was refering to Cellphone signal/Reception. Usually bars come up with signal strength for your connection. Nothing comes up on his Laptop.
Ethernet: Was just stating the procedures that i took. Thought "While i'm updating NIC Drivers, i may aswell do the Wireless AND Ethernet"
Router: What do you mean you don't know how/where this fits in? It's the bridge between his laptop and the internet. As with any other laptop that has wireless, you connect to your wireless enabled router and then get the signal bar in the taskbar showing your signal strength. Now his shows that it's Not Connected, yet he is able to browse our network and surf the web. Windows in Lying! :p
 
Download Device Remover.

Disconnect/disable everything unnecessary (including wireless NIC). Run it and select "Show Hidden and Detached devices"

Remove all troublesome devices. Reboot. Reinstall.

This solves most 3G modem problems, as windows tends to think it's a different device if you plug it into different USB ports.
 
dequadin said:
Download Device Remover.

Disconnect/disable everything unnecessary (including wireless NIC). Run it and select "Show Hidden and Detached devices"

Remove all troublesome devices. Reboot. Reinstall.

This solves most 3G modem problems, as windows tends to think it's a different device if you plug it into different USB ports.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestion. Will give it a bash when i see the guy again later and let you guys know the outcome...
 
Check that the HP Wireless Assistant is not controlling the wireless. Under the Wireless Connection Properties (Control Panel\Network Connections\Wireless Properties) there is usually a 'Wireless Networks' tab and you can check what controls the wireless.

When the laptop is connected, and you physically turn the wireless off, what happens? Something should pop up
 
hungrybeaver said:
Check that the HP Wireless Assistant is not controlling the wireless. Under the Wireless Connection Properties (Control Panel\Network Connections\Wireless Properties) there is usually a 'Wireless Networks' tab and you can check what controls the wireless.

When the laptop is connected, and you physically turn the wireless off, what happens? Something should pop up
Click to expand...

You know i had a feeling about that HP Wireless Assistant!

Yes his Laptop is using HP Wireless Assistant. When you turn the wireless on and off a little HP Wireless Pop Up window will pop up telling you if the wireless/bluetooth is on or off...

Still haven't seen the oke to actually try any of these fixes, but i believe he will be in tomorrow. (Out Sourced Accounting Firm)

He has the same laptop as me and our Operations Manager (HP 620), and neither of ours has this problem...
 
Ah OK. You should be able to open the Wireless Assistant by right clicking on its icon on the taskbar and selecting the option to do so. Just check out the Properties of the Wireless adapter in Network Connections, and change it under the on tab Wireless something (can't remember the name) to 'Use Windows to manage my wireless.'

I'd be interested to know the outcome of this!
 
hungrybeaver said:
Ah OK. You should be able to open the Wireless Assistant by right clicking on its icon on the taskbar and selecting the option to do so. Just check out the Properties of the Wireless adapter in Network Connections, and change it under the on tab Wireless something (can't remember the name) to 'Use Windows to manage my wireless.'

I'd be interested to know the outcome of this!
Click to expand...
Will give this and bash and let you know.

So you reckon the HP Wireless Assistant is taking priority over WZC?
 
carstensdj said:
Will give this and bash and let you know.

So you reckon the HP Wireless Assistant is taking priority over WZC?
Click to expand...

It's possible. Many a time I've battled with a wireless connection problem it's been down to other software controlling it all. The Windows one is easiest to use. I assume the OS is XP?
 
hungrybeaver said:
It's possible. Many a time I've battled with a wireless connection problem it's been down to other software controlling it all. The Windows one is easiest to use. I assume the OS is XP?
Click to expand...

Nope, as mentioned it's Win7.

I have un-installed the HP Wireless Assistant but he still has the same problem.

I went into properties for the HP Wireless Assistant but there was no options like you mentioned, and NO WHERE to turn it off or change how it works :( Was going to post pics but i cant login to imageshack for some arb reason!

Going to give that device removal tool a go as another member in the thread suggested, but now the guy's gone again so ya :mad: Hate how us IT okes must make everything work in everyone else's time! People always want things fixed NOW, but never give us half a chance to actually spend time fixing it!
 
lol this is just strange. The next thing I'd suggest is removing ANY wireless software and drivers on the computer, and start over.


carstensdj said:
Going to give that device removal tool a go as another member in the thread suggested, but now the guy's gone again so ya :mad: Hate how us IT okes must make everything work in everyone else's time! People always want things fixed NOW, but never give us half a chance to actually spend time fixing it!
Click to expand...

I hear that!
 
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