wireless low signal pavillion p61201f

[bearcreekacres]

Hello!

I am pulling my hair out! I have used my computer plugged directly into my internet connection for about 6 months until last week when I set up a desk one floor up and wanted to have a nice home office.  I put my old computer back at the desk with the Verizon wireless modem/router thing and moved my HP Pavillion upstairs and tried to get a signal.  No luck. No signal at all. Both of my  daughters $200 wireless devices detected a signal and get great service. I switched out the router 3 times (different routers and 2 different brands) Tried differetn days. No signal. Removed cordelss phones and turned off flourescent lights. No signal. Moved the router a bit closer and pointed it in a different direction.No signal. Moved the HP computer to  a table that is  right next to the computer that's plugged directly to the router. Signal! Yeah!  But it only goes from" poor"  to "good"  quality.   Left it there 3 days looking for signal to change and indicate what may interfere with it? no good. Guy who works at the store where I bought the HP is also a family friend and neighbor.  Suggested I try bringing the computer to my mom's house and connect to his unprotected network ( in case it's a problem here at my house) No signal at all.  He says I should have signal judging by his computers's performance.  I think I have ruled out all other options and have determined it to be an HP problem. It is possible that I have a bad LAN card or whatever? Can I get a replacement?

Mary Ann

[Big_Dave]

Mary Ann,

You might try a different channel or band on the wireless hub and see it that makes a difference.  The Atheros wireless adapters are pretty weak IMHO.

Your wireless adapter might need a driver update.  Your PC is a 6120F then check here for a driver update listed under the operating system that your PC has installed.  Look under the original drivers. If the driver update doesn't fix the problem then go with a replacement card.

There are lots of wireless adapters to choose from at here.  Go with a PCI-E 1x internal card and a known brand name.

[bearcreekacres1]

Thanks for trying Big Dave. Here's an update. My drivers are updated.  I spent hours and hours on the phone with tech support.  I found their English to be quite good after I acclimated myself to her accent...but that took a 1/2 hour or so. She was polite and patient and did try changing channels...or perhaps that was the internet serive tech I spent hours on the phone with. At any rate after carrtng my 2 CPUs up and down the stairs umpteen times and reconnecting and rebooting over and over I still have not resolved my issue.  HP sent me a new LAN card...it arrived promptly and at no charge, she helped me install it...very patiently I might add. And? No help. Not at all. After spending more time on the phone with another tech another day I was told I need to buy a booster for my modem.  I don't want to spend more money if it's not going to help.  And it seems to be that the WLan card that came with the computer ought to be just as good as a $200 toy of my daugher's.In the process of connecting, disconnecting rebooting and carting computers around my old (very old and slow but functional Dell that was to be the 2nd best computer has choked and died. ) Now I only have one computer...and I can't use it in my new office. My question is still ...why in the world does my daughter's DS i  and Ipod touch work from an even greater distance in the  house, but my computer doesn't? And it's not like it's poor signal...it's no signal from one floor away and right next to the router I get 1-3 bars out of 5. And, now that the other computer died...I am in the market for a basic laptop or desktop and won't spend a nickel until I am guaraneed it will  work wirelessly in my office. How will I do that? Sorry to ramble. I am impressed with how responsive HPs been....but my problem's not solved. I want to buy another computer and would like to buy HP.

[Big_Dave]

Perhaps there is an update for the Verizon wireless modem/router.  You might want to check with Verizon.