No WIFI on Pavilion G6 - Network Card RT5390

[delphyno]

Hello,

I have just formatted my HP Pavilion G6 laptop and there's no trace anymore of the WIFI connection. 

I have checked the Device Manager too but I can see the PCI drivers only.

The operative system is Windows 8, I can't find any drivers online for this version of Windows. 

I tried the drivers you've provided into topics similar to this but they don't work.

Any help?

Thanks!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

This is the latest W8.1 driver HP has for the RT5390 Wi-Fi adapter:

MediaTek (Ralink) Wireless LAN (WLAN) Adapter

5.0.50.0

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp69501-70000/sp69543.exe 

[delphyno]

I think I understood what's the problem.

After formatting, Windows is not 8.1 but 8.0. So maybe it doesn't read the drivers correctly. In fact, the setup of this file you've sent didn't work.
I have downloaded and installed all the Windows updates through an Ethernet cable and after that it appeared a button to switch to the 8.1 version, but it links to an internet page that I can't open, I guess that is happening because the old operative system version...

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Here's the link to the latest W8 driver for the RT5390:

MediaTek(Ralink)802.11 b/g/n Wireless LAN (WLAN) Adapter 

5.0.44.0

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp65501-66000/sp65802.exe 

[delphyno]

Sadly it doesn't work yet 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

I think your wifi card has died on you.

If the Wi-Fi card needs a driver, there has to be a device listed in the device manager labeled as a Network Controller (Controllore di rete).

If you don't see that device then it isn't a driver issue.

[delphyno]

Are there any other possible explanations? 

Thanks for your help so far.

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

You're very welcome.

My understanding is those Ralink cards weren't very good, and, in some cases, they ran very hot, and the onboard Wi-Fi chip would burn out.

Your notebook has a BIOS whitelist which prevents any other model Wi-Fi card from working, so your only option for an internal card replacement would be to find the exact same model/part number on eBay.

There should be a white 'Replace with HP spare' label on the card with the part number.

There is one thing you can do and that would be to remove and firmly reseat the Wi-Fi card.

Try and leave the antenna wires connected if you can, to save time and not have to mess with the antenna wires.

Sometimes the contacts get oxidized and break the electrical connection.

There should be an access panel to remove so you can get to the memory and Wi-Fi adapter.

If you need the service manual, I will need to know the exact model of your notebook, or at least what g6 model series it is.

They go from g6-1xxx to g6-23xx.

If reseating the Ralink Wi-Fi card is not successful, I recommend you purchase a dual band USB Wi-Fi adapter.

I use this one on one of my PC's that doesn't have Wi-Fi.  This device even has Bluetooth.

It would be an upgrade to the Ralink card since it is both dual band AC and provides Bluetooth functionality to your notebook which it does not have with the RT5390.

RUIZHI USB WIFI, 600Mbps Dual Band 2.4G/5.8GHz PC Adapter, Bluetooth 4.2 Dongle Card for Laptop Wind...

[delphyno]

I will take the WI-FI adapted then, thanks a lot for your help.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance.