Problems with wireless adapter

[gyron1]

Hello,

hope someone can help me with this one please because its causing me problems!.

Up to now, I have always used my laptop to connect to the internet etc via the ethernet cable. However, I now need to use my laptop away from the modem and therefore need to connect via the wireless facility I have via my BT 2091 wireless modem which works fine on my wife's laptop,(wirelessly).

I contacted BT and after much fiddling, they advised that I did not have a wireless adapter installed, and politely advised me go away and install. I went to my product recovery CD-ROM, provided with the laptop, and the found the wireless driver but it would not install, coming up with the error message 'Error installing and/or uninstalling the drivers for the PRO/Wireless adapters' then a long list of error addresses.

I then went to the 'Device Manager'> Network adapters and then 'Network Controller' which shows a yellow exclamation over the Network Controller. I opened up the Network Controller Properties box and clicked 'Reinstall Driver'. Put relevant Sony disc in as prompted and the message then comes up;
'Cannot install this hardware > Network controller > an error occurred during installation of the jardware > Access is denied'

Where do I go from here to sort out this problem please??

Any help gratefully received.

Gyron

[rich912]

Hi gyron

I’m really not sure what the problem is but there are a couple of things that you could try.

1 Uninstall the device by right clicking the device in Device Manager and select Uninstall. Then reboot and reinstall drivers.

2 Check whether there are any updated wireless drivers for your model on the Vaio Link site.

Incidentally can you tell us what is reported under Device Status on the General tab of Properties.

[gyron1]

Hello Rich912,

Thank you for your reply.

Tried your idea to uninstall Network Controller (the one with the yellow exclamation mark over it)and it failed to or would not let me uninstall!!

Regarding the information in Device Status box;

Network Controller > Properties > General, info provided;

Network controller
Device Type - Network Adapter
Manufacturer - unknown
Location - PCI Slot3 (PCI Bus 2, device 11, function o)
Device Status - The drivers for this device are not installed (code 28).
To reinstall the drivers for this device, click Reinstall Driver (button is below this)
(Tried doing this - see previous/original posting)

hope this helps - a bit!!

Thanks again,

Gyron

[rich912]

Hi gyron

Very strange! Are you logged in as an administrator?

Make sure that the wireless switch is off and then disable the device (if option is available) before uninstalling.

If that fails then try the same procedure in safe mode.

If that doesn’t solve the problem can you go to Device Manager > View and check ‘Show hidden devices’. Please post a screenshot of what is shown under Network Adaptors.

Also can you let us know which Vaio model you have?

I have never encountered this problem and am hoping that someone that has may possibly be able to contribute...

[gyron1]

Hello Rich912,

OK, will have a go at doing all of what you say and post.

Just a (silly?) thought, would it be possible to copy the Network Adapter App from my wife's computer and copy into mine? Maybe apps are protected so you cannot do this, not sure.

Thanks for continued help,

Gyron

[gyron1]

Hi Rich912 (again),

OK, just managed to uninstall the Network Driver (Adapter), but still cannot reinstall adapter from original Sony CD's supplied with laptop!

Just had another thought, since I did not install the original Apps/Drivers (they all came with laptop preinstalled), maybe I am not the original Admisistrator? Maybe Sony is the 'Administrator'
- daft thought?.

Regards,

Gyron

[Blencogo]

Hi Gyron,

Can we have some more information?

1. Your Vaio Model
2. Vista or XP
3. You mention discs supplied by Sony - this is not usual - what does it say on the discs? They could be an XP Downgrade and the drivers will not work with Vista.
4. The make of your wireless card - is it Intel PRO Wireless?
5. Are you using the original Sony Operating System?

We just need to make sure you are installing the correct driver.

[rich912]

Hi gyron,

OK, just managed to uninstall the Network Driver (Adapter)

Well that’s a start – what happened when you rebooted after removing the device, did you receive a message that Drivers needed to be installed...? Is the adaptor recognized in Device Manager and are you still getting the same error message?

No, Sony will not be the Administrator. Have a look in Control Panel > User Accounts – Does your account say ‘Administrator’?

I suggest that you click Support at the top of this page and select Drivers and Updates. Download the original wireless driver that was shipped with your model and try that (depending on which model you have this may be an individual driver or part of the full driver package). Also have a look at updated drives and, if available download that also, but try the original driver first.

Just a (silly?) thought, would it be possible to copy the Network Adapter App from my wife's computer and copy into mine? Maybe apps are protected so you cannot do this, not sure.

Not unless this is an identical Vaio model.

[gyron1]

Hello Rich912,

Sincere apologies for silence over last couple of days, but have been 'pulled' away from my work and problem/thread being discussed for Grandparent duties. Also, I did respond to your request for further information with a long post on Sunday 23rd but my posting did not appear on this thread for some reason. However, I will pick up pieces and try again.

Firstly, I am the Administrator but this is not the 'given name' of computer under the Computer Description. As far as I know I always login as the Administrator but maybe there is a special way to do this.

The Vaio Model is as as bottom of my posting ie;
Vaio PCG-Z1SP
Intel (R) Pentium (R) M
Processor 1500 MHz
595 MHz, 1.00GB RAM (additional 500MB RAM added by myself)
MS Windows XP Professional Version 2002, Service Pack 2

You asked for a 'screen shot' of what is shown under Network Adaptors - I have not provided screen shot but under System Properties > Hardware > Device Manager > Network adaptors, the following 3 items are listed;
1394 Net Adaptor
Intel(R)/100 VE Network Connection
Intel(R) Pro/WirelessLan 2100 3B Mini PCI Adaptor # No 3 (this is the one with the yellow exclamation mark over it)

As I explained in my earlier posting, I have now managed to 'uninstall' the last of these items (the WirelessLan) but each time I reboot from begining it seems to re-install itself but again having the the yellow exclamation mark over it!

You suggested downloading the Drivers from the top of this page for my particular laptop - this I have done (they are exactly the same as those on my Sony CD's - Apps & Drivers disc) but again would not install, giving the same error messages.

Finally, you asked for more information on the discs supplied with the laptop, this is as follows;
There are a pack of 5 discs called Recovery CDs, they all have the same written on them, ie;
SONY
Product Recovery CD-ROM (vol. whatever ie 1-5)
for SONY PCG-Z1SP
Support for these products is provided via VAIO-Link

and at bottom of disc;
(for distribution only with a new PC)
then Vaio trademarks etc

The computer (laptop) was bought as new as a present from John Lewis with all software, Application & Drivers pre-installed.

The Drivers are found on disc 5.

I think that is enough for this mailing, I hope I have answered all your questions and once again apologise for delay in responding back

Kind regards,

Gyron

[Blencogo]

Rich may have some other ideas but it may be worth installing the latest Intel ProWireless 2100 driver.

The 'latest' is 26 Oct 2006 but it may be worth a try.


Intel® PRO/Wireless 2100 Drivers

If that doesn't work we will need the Error Code shown by Device Manager if you double-click on the ProWireless Adapter. This will tell us why the driver will not load.