Loss of network adapter

[coco999]

Two days ago I started having network connection problems with this Notebook, despite 6 other items all connecting fine (PC, iPad, Tablet, Smartphones, Printer).   I have a wireless network with a router provided by Plusnet.  Windows Network Diagnostics advise -

"Install a driver for your network adapter.  Windows did not detect a properly installed network adapter.  If you have a network adapter, you will need to re-install the driver."

The day before this problem started the Homegroup had been used for transferring a Word file to the Notebook.  There have been no recent software or driver changes.

Having read that some people have had driver problems after recent Windows 10 updates, I should mention perhaps that my Windows Update page shows that  "Windows 10 couldn't be installed" on 12th May 2017 at 11.49 BST.  I haven't allowed W 10 installation as this model would not be compatible with it.

I have found the appropriate page on HP website with Drivers for this model, but don't know how to identify which one I should download (to a memory stick on my PC, having no connection).  Is the correct driver all I'll need? Or do I need to find a Network Adapter as well.  These two questions will tell you techy guys the level of my understanding of this problem!

[Huffer · Accepted solution]

It's a pretty old laptop so you are smart not to upgrade to Windows 10. However, wireless card drivers don't just disappear. It might help to reinstall the driver, but that is a long shot. Much more likely there is a hardware failure in the wireless card itself. Replacement is neither difficult nor expensive. The hardest part would be locating one of the few very specific wireless cards your laptop can support.

Here's the Service Manual:

Manual

See pages 20 and 21. Your spec page says you have a wireless and bluetooth module so it has to be one of these:

Broadcom 4313 802.11b/g/n 1x1 WiFi and 2070 Bluetooth 2.1+EDR Combo adapter (BT3.0+HS ready) (for model 1.1 only) 600370–001 

Ralink RT3090BC4 802.11b/g/n 1x1 WiFi and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR Combo Adapter (BT3.0+HS ready) (for model 1.1 only) 602992-001

Here is the Windows 7 driver page:

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-g62-b00-notebook-pc-series/4247533/model/4315418

9 different Network drivers are listed but your is going to use either the Broadcom wireless and BT or Ralink wireless and BT drivers. 

If you can go into device manager it will show which adapter (card) you have.

If it needs replacement you don't want the Ralink card; Broadcom is better and here is a place you could buy a new card:

https://www.amazon.com/Broadcom-BCM4313-Bluetooth-BCM94313HMGB-600370-001/dp/B00FZM2CBI/ref=sr_1_1?i...

"How to" on p. 47 of the Manual. Very easy to do. 

If you replace the card just use the Boadcom drivers linked above. 

Post back with any more questions. 

If this is "the Answer" please click "Accept as Solution" to help others find it. 

[coco999]

Huffer, thanks for your quick response and all that information.

Just after I posted, I found these drivers in HP Recovery Manager -  Ralink RT3090 802.11 b/g/n WiFi Adapter, and Ralink Motorola BC4 Bluetooth 3.0 + HS Adapter.  I re-installed both, but that didn't cure the problem.

I've been looking at Device Manager to find the adapter (card), but with no success.  Under which heading should I be looking?  I've looked under Network Adapters (which only shows when I set Device Manager to show hidden Devices) and can find nothing with 'Ralink'.  The list there shows  2 Microsoft ISATAP, 1 Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface, and 8 WAN Miniport.  Can you guide me on this please?

The card you suggest I might be looking for isn't available for international shipping from Amazon.com, but I've found one here https://www.amazon.co.uk/WIFI-WIRELESS-BLUETOOTH-BCM94313HMGB-600370-001/dp/B00VYLVQAM - It looks like the same card - would you agree?

And, by the way, I aint a Student!  Can't find how to change that to 'Retired'!

[Huffer]

The fact that the wireless card is absent from device manager is further confirmation it has died. Yes that card for which you provided a link is the same hardware and will work. 

If this is "the Answer" please click "Accept as Solution" to help others find it. 

[coco999]

Many thanks.  I'll get onto it and let you know the outcome.

[coco999]

Huffer.  Spot on!  The part arrived today, fitted it (which, as you said, was easy), had to download the Broadcom Wireless LAN Driver - and connected to the world again. 

Many thanks for your very clear guidance - greatly appreciated.