MSI X340 Wireless Will not Turn On!

technicbuff · May 28, 2013

This laptop is running Windows Vista Home Premium. I've just installed a slew of updates as the computer was dormant for about 18 months.

The function key shortcut to turn the wireless on "Fn + F10" will not work. I have tried going into device manager and enabling/disabling but that will not work.

Running Intel's Manual Wifi Diagnostics test, it fails on the 'radio test' phase.

I've googled this problem already and tried some fixes but nothing has worked yet.

Specs:

MSI X340OS

Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit.CPU

Intel Core 2 Solo CPU E3500 @ 1.40 GHzMotherboard

Mobile Intel GS45 Express ChipsetMemory

2 GB DDR2 800 MHzGraphics Card(s)

Intel GMA 4500MHDSound Card

Realtek HD AudioMonitor(s) Displays

13" LCDScreen Resolution

1366 x 780Hard Drives

320 GB HDD

wither 3 · May 31, 2013

Have you tried installing or reinstalling the latest driver for the Wi-Fi card?

technicbuff · Jun 1, 2013

Yes, that was one of the first things I did. It didn't seem to improve anything.

wither 3 · Jun 1, 2013

It appears the radio is off. On my Dell workstation, there is a slider switch on one side which enables or disables the Wi-Fi adapter. Perhaps there's one on that system.
Elsewise, If you have the Intel Proset/wireless software, click Wireless On/Wireless Off.

technicbuff · Jun 1, 2013

I don't see any switch labelled 'Wireless on/off' in my Intel ProSet/Wireless Tools. I only have buttons for 'diagnostics' and statistics. As well as a wireless profile import option. I've already tried running the tests but they don't actually tell me anything new, nor do they switch on my wireless.

wither 3 · Jun 2, 2013

It sounds like you're using the standalone Intel Proset. It's supposed to have controls for setting up a network and I suppose that on/off would be there.

However, Windows uses the Intel Proset but you can't access it. If you go to Control Panel, Device Manager, click on Network Adapters. I assume one is shown. If you right click on it and select properties, does it show that it's working and the driver is enabled? Under Advanced, is WakeOnLan..... enabled?

You didn't mention if you found a physical switch on the case of your system for turning the wireless off and on.

technicbuff · Jun 2, 2013

There's no physical switch on the laptop except for the function key shortcut as I mentioned in the OP.

There is not 'wakeOnLan' suboption in the advanced file tab. Options listed are: Channel width for band 2.4, channel width for band 5.2, 802.11n Mode, Ad hoc "channel 802.11 b/g, default wireless mode, power management, QoS mode," Fat Channel intolerant, Mixed Mode Protection, Roaming Aggressiveness, Throughput enhancement, Transmit Power, Wireless mode.

The device is listed as 'Intel(R) Wifi Link 5100 AGN' and is 'working properly' according to the general tab.

wither 3 · Jun 2, 2013

Well, you do have "default wireless mode" and "wireless mode". Are either of those enabled?

I apparently don't have the same options you have since I'm using a different adapter. The attached screenshot shows part of the choices I have.

technicbuff · Jun 2, 2013

Wireless mode is basically a list of options of '802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11b/g, 802.11a/g, and 6. 802.11a/b/g which is the currently enabled option.

Ad Hoc Default Wiresless Mode has only one option, as '802.11b/g'.

wither 3 · Jun 2, 2013

That system is supposed to have 802.11 b/g/n. I wonder what happened to the n. What happens if you enable the default wireless mode?

I read the Advanced options you mentioned and see there is a 802.11 n mode. If you enable it, I suppose you will get that along with b/g.

technicbuff · Jun 2, 2013

It turns out when I updated the driver last time I did not using the most recent version of the driver. I went to Intel's site and downloaded the most recent version of the driver.

Problem still persists however.

802.11n is already enabled.

If I go to my list of network adapters in 'network' there is no wireless adapter listed, only the computer itself.

wither 3 · Jun 2, 2013

That was going to be my next question. According to the system specs, the WiMax module is optional. However, the specs indicate that the system will still process the signals. I couldn't find anything that said there is a wireless adapter. In general, the drivers provided by the vendor for a laptop or notebook are the optimal ones.

If you check the wi-fi via the icon in the system tray, does it show a network and does it show connected to the internet?

Do you get a internet connection if you connect via a ethernet cable?

technicbuff · Jun 2, 2013

Yes, I installed all my updates via an ethernet connection.

If by wireless icon you mean the standard two monitors side by side in Vista in the system tray, it's always a red x. clicking on it will say 'you are currently not connected to any networks'.

When I click, 'connect to a network', it opens up the dialog box. In the middle it says 'windows cannot find any networks'. There is refresh button on the top right. Refreshing does nothing.

wither 3 · Jun 3, 2013

I think you just found the answer. If your setup is that you have a system with a router that you're trying to get wi-fi from. You need to set up a network on that system. If not, it's not detecting any networks in your area.

technicbuff · Jun 3, 2013

PHP:

Well, I've already established an SSID with that router, and I've used it succesfully in the past. As there is also an iPad that uses that internet connection.

I'll double-check the Router settings.

As well, there several wireless networks that are in the local area (confirmed with the iPad) that should also appear on the list of networks but they don't appear.

wither 3 · Jun 4, 2013

As mentioned before, I couldn't find what the wi-fi adapter is for your system. Since there are other networks available, either the device is off or not working (hence the failed Radio test). I don't know what the next step is.

MSI X340 Wireless Will not Turn On!

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