Networking & Wi-Fi

[#1]

Router security is WPA TKIP.   My Satellite M65-S821 running Windows XP connects OK.   But my L305 running Windows Vista fails to connect 90% of the time (not quite always).    It was OK before I secured the router.

Any ideas ?

[#2]

Satellite L305-S5921

Can't hurt to reinstall the driver.

   Atheros Wireless LAN Driver for Windows Vista (32bit/64bit)

[#3]

I downloaded and installed the driver, but I am not sure that "it can't hurt".    Now Device Driver shows no wireless adaptor, and the laptop seems to discover new hardware, being an Ethernet Conroller for which it cannot find a driver ???

Is there a way that I can reboot and have it run the system as it was prior to me trying to instal the Atheros driver update ?

[#4]

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Is there a way that I can reboot and have it run the system as it was prior to me trying to instal the Atheros driver update ?

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Sure, two ways.

(1) Restore the system to before the update.

   What is System Restore?

(2) Roll back the driver.

   Restore a driver to its previous version

[#5]

Jerry:   I could not roll back the driver as the wireless adapter had disappeared from Device Manager.   I successfully did a System Restore.   Then Windows Update automatically installed SP2.   Then I secured the router again, and tried to connect - no joy.   I unsecured the network and connected OK.    Now I will try updating the driver again.   I will advise you of what happens.    Thanks for your help so far.

[#6]

I noticed that the instructions for new driver that you recommended states:

"Wireless LAN Card Check
Run device manager.
If any of the following adapters are found under "Network adapters", apply Driver: 7.7.0.288.0. If none of the adapters are found, then this driver is not for your computer.
Atheros AR9280 Wireless Network Adapter
Atheros AR9281 Wireless Network Adapter
Atheros AR9283 Wireless Network Adapter
Atheros AR9285 Wireless Network Adapter"

My adapter is AR5007EG so I did not install this new driver.    I cannot find a download for my adapter.

So I am still unable to secure my router.    Any ideas ?

[#7]

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My adapter is AR5007EG so I did not install this new driver.

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Hmm. Your computer model is listed among those the driver applies to. Since you can roll it back, I would try it anyway.

   Restore a driver to its previous version

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I cannot find a download for my adapter.

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We have dealt with that AR5007EG in all these places.

[#8]

Jerry:   My existing Atheros driver is 7.6.0.164 dated 7/28/2008.

When I tried installing the new driver from Toshiba a couple of days ago it seemed to make things worse.   My WIFI adapter disappeared from Device Manager, and Windows told me it had found new hardware - an ethernet controller for which it could not find a driver.     I did a System Restore and got back to where I started.

I have now read a number of the previous cases that you provided.   One led me to research the site at www.atheros.cz where I found a driver for AR5007EG.  It is version 7.7.0.331  dated 6/12/2009.   But when I try to download it, the download times out.

I am reluctant to instal a driver that I dont get from Toshiba.    Why wouldn't Toshiba be supplying this driver if it is a valid update for my laptop ?

Where did you see a list of appropriate models, including AR5007EG, for the driver from Toshiba ?

[#9 · Accepted solution]

I got help from Toshiba Tech Support.   Their technician controlled my laptop remotely.   He reinstalled the driver (7.7.0.288.0) which you, Jerry, had recommended.   Unlike when I did it myself, he chose the modify option not the complete removal and reinstall.    And lo and behold, it seems to have worked.

So the description that says this new driver is only for the 4 stated wireless adapter models in incorrect.

I hope that I am not celebrating prematurely.   I have read that sometimes these WIFI issues are intermittent.   I hope mine continues to operate OK.

It was a learning experience.    Thanks for your help, Jerry.

[#10]

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Where did you see a list of appropriate models, including AR5007EG, for the driver from Toshiba ?

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I said only that your computer model is listed for that driver:

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Your computer model is listed among those the driver applies to

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