Need to replace Ralink RT3290 802.11bgn

[Elenitabibbo]

Hi Paul. I have pavilion g4-2210la and also Ralink RT3290LE disappeared from devices after screen froze. I've formatted the pc and still not showing. Removed it, put it back in but nothing is working. You mentioned Windows 10 may cause this issue, do you think going back to W8 may make it work or shall I replace the part? If so, should I get the Ralink again or replace it with a different card?

Thank you for your help.

Regards.

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

That model series may have a BIOS whitelist which prevents the installation of any wifi card other than the one it came with from working.

I recommend that you try going back to W8.1 and see if the card shows up again.  If it doesn't, replace it with the same model and part number, or buy a USB wifi adapter.

You can probably find the card on eBay cheaply.  Search by the HP part number, not the model of the wifi card.

I can give you a way to reinstall W8.1 for free by using the W8 product key in your notebook's BIOS if you don't have a way to return the PC to an earlier version of Windows.

[Elenitabibbo]

Could you tell me how todo this?

"I can give you a way to reinstall W8.1 for free by using the W8 product key in your notebook's BIOS"

Regards

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Sure.

Here you go...

Install W8.1 by creating the Microsoft installation media, using another Windows PC, if yours is not working...You want W8.1 64 bit.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows8ISO

If you are asked to enter a product key during the installation process, use this generic key.

This is the generic key for W8.1 'Standard.'

334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT

If you had to enter the generic key, manually change the generic product key to the W8 key in your PC's BIOS in the PC settings menu.

After you get W8.1 installed, and you had to manually enter the W8.1 generic product key, you will need to run the free utility I zipped up and attached below, that will show you show the W8 product key in your PC's BIOS.

I have also zipped up and attached below, the Microsoft tool which hopefully will transfer the ISO file to a DVD or USB flash drive so it is bootable.

Then you can install the available drivers and software from your PC's support page.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-pavilion-g4-2200-notebook-pc-series/5296078/mode...

[Elenitabibbo]

Going back to W8.1 didn't help. Will have to replace the wifi card. Meanwhile I'm using it with an external wifi adapter.

Thank you for your help.

Regards

P/D: The Bios key for W8 does not work for W 8.1

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Sorry that the wifi card is no good.

The reason the key didn't work is probably because it was for W8 Single Language and I gave you the instructions for W8.1 regular.

If you run the showkey plus report, see if it indicates W8 Single Language.

If it does, use this key instead and download the W8.1 Single Language ISO file.

Y9NXP-XT8MV-PT9TG-97CT3-9D6TC

The method I gave you should work 100% of the time provided you downloaded the right version of W8.1 the W8 product key is good for.