Dv7 Ralink WiFi Card Issues...

[H3RB4LS]

I have an HP Pavillion dv7 that was given to me from a friend, noticed WiFi wasn't working so I decided to do a full wipe/re-install of Windows 7. It seemed to re-install all the other necessary drivers that were needed EXCEPT for the WiFi. The card inside is a Ralink RT5390 (removed cover and physically checked). 

Things I've tried:

-Reading for hours on others similar situations attempting their solutions

-Reseating/re-connecting card.

-Disconnect battery/cmos and hold power

-Uninstalled drivers and attempted to scan changes only resulting in fail install

-Re-installing numerous other drivers associated with Ralink RT5390 & Win7 with reboots.

-Checked with DriverEasy, card doesn't seem to 'appear' under Network Device

-Tried another WiFi card from another laptop, although upon boot said it wasn't compatible so I switched back to original/stock wifi card.

I'm almost at the conclusion that the WiFi card itself needs replaced simply due to the fact I haven't seen it "connected" anywhere in my journey to attempt to get the proper drivers installed; which I thought I had found. 

For what it's worth, this is the Hardware ID that's showing up in Device Manager under "Other Devices<Ethernet.." that seems to pop up after scanning for changes and allowing the computer to do it's thing automatically

PCI\VEN_10EC&DEV_8168&SUBSYS_180B103C&REV_06
PCI\VEN_10EC&DEV_8168&SUBSYS_180B103C
PCI\VEN_10EC&DEV_8168&CC_020000
PCI\VEN_10EC&DEV_8168&CC_0200

Please let me know if there's any other information I can give to assist in resolving this frustrating issue. Thanks for your time and any suggestions you may have.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

The hardware ID you posted is for the ethernet adapter.

Either the wifi card is dead and needs to be replaced, or you need to install the HP Connection Manager software, restart the PC and see if you can turn on the wifi adapter by using the software controls in the HP connection manager.

This package provides the HP Connection Manager for the supportednotebook models and operating systems.

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp54501-55000/sp54945.exe

If the HP connection manager does not get the wifi adapter to show up, then the card needs to be replaced.

If the dv7 you have is not a dv7-7xxx model, then you will need to replace the Ralink wifi card with the exact same card, and it must have the same HP part number on the 'Replace with HP Spare' label that your current card has.

You can probably find one on eBay for next to nothing.  I would get one that shows the picture of the actual card you will be receiving and make sure it shows the same part number on the sticker.

[H3RB4LS]

Appreciate the response. I had the Connection Manager installed and didn't see it. Also had the Wireless Manager and nothing showing up for Wireless at all. Just wanted to be sure I've exhausted every option before spending money on a part. After searching ebay I should be able to find one for 10-20 bucks so that's not too bad. Thanks for the reply.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Yes, you did a thorough job of troubleshooting the problem, and unless it's the motherboard (highly unlikely), the replacement card should do the trick.

[H3RB4LS]

Now this here I can't really explain but... Since I assumed the WiFi card was done for I went ahead and pulled out the heat gun for SMD parts. I heated it up nice and good and made sure the antennas were seated while the solder was 'wet'. Waited to cool down, cleaned the contacts up and crossed my fingers. Well, right on reboot it started installing drivers. And then a following reboot and shazam. I have no idea what the main culprit was but I assume it was a short/bad connection on the actual card itself. But either way, the card IS working and operable.  Feel free to close/resolve this. But I do apprecaite the assistance and all the previous threads I've found on here that led to this strange solution.

Well it seems to be completely freezing about 20-30 minutes of use. Mouse just freezes, screen, no ctrl alt del or anything. I thought it could be salvaged but nothing but troubles from this thing lol. 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Glad you were able to effect repairs to the wifi card.

Could be a flaky memory module or a hard drive going out that is causing the freezing, unless this just started after you got the wifi card working.

If the PC has two memory chips, remove one and run the notebook with one chip.

If it freezes up, remove that chip and run it off the other one.

If it still freezes up, it probably isn't the memory.