Intel WiFi Link 5100 AGN not connecting

[roses]

I am having an issue getting the Intel WiFi Link 5100 AGN on my HP Pavilion dv7-1275dx to connect to my wireless router (Zyxel P334WT). It would intermittently connect, then drops off for no apparent reason, and then refuses to connect for days. I contacted HP support and we spent three hours trying to fix the problem, to no avail. Strangely enough, when I stick my Netgear WG111v2 USB wireless adapter into the computer, I am able to connect to my network with no problem. The computer runs Windows Home Vista 64 bit. Thanks in advance for your help.

[CyberVisions]

I'll assume you're connecting to a network you're positive is yours - if you're not absolutely sure the broadcasting SSID from your Router is yours, then it's easy to connect to a neighboring network and have a really bad connection due to distance issues. Your SSID should be a unique name that you can recognize - the Router's default isn't adequate, as too many people also leave the default SSID in place. When you have several of the same brand of Router within range of each other, and they all broadcast the same network ID, it's impossible to determine which network is which, unless security is enabled and you have to use a key or password.

If you're sure your SSID is yours and you're connecting to your Router, then the other most likely problem is your Intel adapter's settings. Just like your Router has wireless settings, so too does your wireless adapter. If it's not set to match your Router's Wireless Mode and Standard/Wide Channel settings, you'll get exactly the symptoms you're describing. The adapter's power setting is also important - if the system is allowed to shut it down for power savings, it will drop your signal strength in a heartbeat.

The following assumes that you or someone you trust understands Network Device Access and settings. You must be able to access your Router to determine it's current settings, or change them as necessary.

First you need to get your Router's current Wireless Settings, and note what type of Router it is - Wireless G, N, B, etc.

To access the Intel Adapter's settings;

1. Go to your Control Panel, open up Network and Sharing.

2. Click on Manage Wireless Networks, then on Adapter Properties.

3. Click on the Advanced tab first.

Check and adjust the following settings:

802.11n Channel Width - Set to 20mhz or to match your Router's setting.

802.11n Mode - Set to "Enabled" if your Router's Wireless Mode is set to Wireless N only. If not, Set to "Disable".

Ad Hoc Channel 802.11 b/g - 11

AH Power Management - User choice (Mine is Disabled to keep the system from shutting it off))

AH Quality of Service (QoS) - WMM Enabled if using Router Quality of Service settings and WMM is Enabled. Disabled if not, but you should be using it on your Router.

Roaming Aggressiveness - Highest

Throughput Enhancement - Enabled

Transmit Power - Highest

Wireless Mode - Either 3, 4, 5, or 6 if N mode isn't enabled. When 802.11N modes are enabled, it doesn't matter.
The Wireless Mode should match your Router's settings. If your Router is set to Mixed, then select B/G, B/G/N (if an N Router).

If the Router is set to G only, then set the adapter to G.

After that, go to the Power Management tab and check the box that denies your system permission to turn off the adapter. If allowed to, it can turn it off whenever any given process determines it needs to shut it down.

Click Apply, then Okay. Restart your system and do a POR (Power-On Reset) on your Router. Remember to keep it unplugged for at least 30 seconds before plugging it back in.

Go to Network and Sharing, then remove any existing profiles. Setup new ones, and connect to the Router. On the Network and Sharing window, click on Status to the right of the Connection label, then verify your network speed and signal strength.

[samschilling]

Holy **bleep** that guy posted way too much info.

What is your security on your router?

Vista 64 doesn't play nice with anything other than WPA2

[CyberVisions]

Holy ***bleep*** you didn't bother to read or understand the problem!

And you obviously didn't read or understand anything that was posted or you'd know what it meant.

Like most BDt's. 

"Vista 64 doesn't play nice with anything other than WPA2" Well, since WPA2 is the recommended security protocol for most applications today, that's not really much of a revelation, is it? In fact, WPA2 actually is a hindrance to wireless connection speed. But the user made it clear it has nothing to do with the Router.

The person stated that his Netgear adapter runs fine - indicating that even if he did have another security protocol other than WPA2, or even if he's using WPA2, it's not a problem or an issue. If it was a problem at the Router, both adapters would be having problems. Therefore,since one adapter works fine and the other doesn't, the issue logically is with the Intel adapter itself since Vista's Network Connection setup allows for setting up connections for 2 separate adapters, and being able to switch between them at will.

I see this problem every day, so I already knew to recommend setting up the Intel adapter to match the user's Router settings, because it's the one thing that no one bothers to do. They just assume it'll connect and that's it. But the newer Intel adapters can be and must be setup to match the Router's wireless settings for optimum connection.

As far as "too much info", the problem with most is that they don't put ANY info, just a random suggestion or criticism on what the person should've done to begin with to keep from getting into the problem they have. What I posted were the settings for that adapter based on a known good setup, allowing for the user's matching settings. As a Professional, I understand that most people here either don't or may not understand how to setup certain devices, so I take the time to tell them how because one, I know how to, and two, I do it for a living. And three, I've been fixing HP systems for over 20 years. All it takes is for the adapter's Wireless mode settings to be off and the signal drops to nothing.

Now it might work and it might not - but it's at least logical troubleshooting flow based on careful analysis of the reported symptoms, not a random suggestion hoping to get it right. But given the initial reported symptoms, I'd say the adapter is a good starting point, and not the Router.

[firehawk82]

Hey, I understood what he said and I am happy for the detail. I just got a dv6 straight out of the box and the intermitten internet issue using this card has been very frustrating. I am not on an N network, and will give these options a try. It does seem to make sense...let's just hope that it translates into results!

[DV7T-monster]

I have a dv7t with a 5100 AGN card with vista home premium.  I was having similar issues.  Cybervision's advice on the advanced setting (see above) quite good, but I had to go one extra step.

I went to the control panel and clicked on power options. I clicked on change plan setting under the default HP setting.  I then clicked on advanced power settings.  From there I scrolled through the list to wireless adapter settings and expanded.  I then changed the power save mode for battery to maximum performance ( same as is the default for plugged in).  Presto -- I have had no issues since and it has not seemed to noticeable reduce the battery life.

I hope this trick works for you as well.

[jahmanmusic]

Saw this post and tried all the things in your list.  Even tried the power management changes.  All with no results.  I have a hp dv7-1275dx with the Intel WiFi link 5100 AGN and a Linksys WRT150-N wireless router.  Tried every possible combination of settings.  Spent many hours of wasted time on this.  Very frustrated.  Was hoping to use laptop as live audio analysis computer with fast internet at shows but can't connect.  Downloaded new drivers for everything and all updates from hp.  I get connected within about 20 feet from the router, with good or excellent strength but only have local access not local and internet.  Tried hp wireless assistant says it is on.  Then it just gets dropped.  When I use Windows Network Diagnostics to find the problem it says it did not receive any response from the wireless router or access point.  The hp sees the router when I go to connect to a network.  Name:linksys  Signal Strength:Excellent  Security Type:Unsecured  Radio Type:802.11n  SSID:linksys.  Please help!

[Cyberfind]

I am having the same issue with my HP Pavilion dv7-1285dx. At the same time that I can actively send/receive with Outlook and can FTP files - I can't browse with Internet Explorer 8 all the time. It will go to a failure page with a link to diagnosis the problem, which can never find a fix. Again, at the same time I have a failed website link I can still work Outlook and WS_FTP. To browse, when this happens, I must every few pages, go to Device Manager and Disable and then Enable the Intel WiFi link 5100 AGN. Should I do the sequence provided at the start of this thread?

[adybotchev]

ok everybody you are not the only one my pavilion dv6000 has the exact problem and i just sent it to hp to get my motherboard changed and i still have problems

btw

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Message Edited by adybotchev on 07-23-2009 01:46 AM

Message Edited by adybotchev on 07-23-2009 01:47 AM

Message Edited by WendyM on 07-23-2009 07:08 AM

[mgrey_ve]

Can not connect wireless since yesterday. Saw this post and tried all the things in your list.  Even tried the power management changes.  All with no results.  I have a HP 6830S (Windows XP) with the Intel WiFi link 5100 AGN and a Linksys WRT54GS wireless router.  Tried every possible combination of settings. Downloaded new driver for the Intel WiFi Link 5100 AGN.  I can not get connected via wireless. WLAN says radio is ON, However when in Network connections, my "Wireless Network Connection 2" it always says Not Connected. There is not way to repair or enable it. When I try to view available network, I can not see any. When I use Windows Network Diagnostics to find the problem it says it did not receive any response from the wireless router or access point.  Please help!