Wifi adapter missing from device manager and Ralink driver won't install

[Z-Song]

Hi,

My laptop's model is Envy m6 1125dx, recently I've been experiencing a wifi issue with my laptop not being able to find any wifi signals at all. Today, I performed a system restore but the problem was still not fixed. I noticed Ralink 802.11bgn wifi adapter is missing from Device Manager afther the system restore and its driver was not installed. So I went ahead and downloaded a driver from HP support with the name sp58374.exe. All installation files were successfully extraced into SWSetup folder under C drive but when I tried to run Setup.exe InstallShield will display preparing for install for 2 - 3 seconds, with the progress bar only half way complete, then it closes itself. There were no error messages or anything, Installshield just closes itself and nothing comes after that. I've tried to intall the driver after a clean boot but sadly I had no luck of installing after many attempts. I appreciate any help I can get thanks for reading my post!!!!

[Z-Song]

Oops forgot to put my product number up here: C2N76UA#ABA 

Also I am running on WIndows 8

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Based on your attempts to fix the problem, I would say the wireless card probably died on you.

The parts list indeed indicates your notebook came with a Ralink wireless adapter and if it is not listed in the network adapters category in the device manager nor is a device showing up listed as a Network Controller under an Other Devices category in the device manager, the card has probably died on you and needs to be replaced.

[Z-Song]

Thank you Paul,

Would a broken adapter prevent the installation of its driver? What's really bugging me is InstallShield wouldn't even finish preparing before it closes itself.

I performed another system recovery yesterday, wifi worked fine for 8 hours straight until I installed Norton then the same problem came back which prompt me to perform another system recovery today. Before yesterday's recovery, I had all the same symptoms showing a dead adapter and yet yesterday's recovery fixed it somehow. But this time I noticed Ralink driver was not included as part of HP recovery manager, so I suspect wifi adapter driver wasn't installed at all when I performed the recovery today.

I really want to solve the installation problem with installshield or perhaps do I have to download the driver directly from Ralink?  If so could you provide a direct link?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

The problem as I see it is...if there isn't even a device labeled Network Controller in your device manager, that means the PC is not picking up the hardware.

You can try the latest driver directly from Ralink, but I doubt that will make any difference.

PCIe (RT2790/ RT309X/ RT35X2/ RT539X/ RT3290/ MT7630)

4/15/2014

V5.0.46.0

Win7 32/64 Win8 32/64 Win8.1 32/64

[Z-Song]

Thank you so much for your assistance Paul!

As of now, I think I've narrow down the problem:

This might sound silly but it's true. The problem is not with wifi driver, it's acutally with positioning of the laptop. When it's placed on a flat surface wifi works 100% of time. But when the laptop is slightly tiled forwards me wifi will break within 2 minutes. Returning it to a flat surface won't fixed the problem but if I remove the battery wait for a few seconds then put it back in, wifi will return to normal. I've tested this repeatedly and it behaves like that everytime. 

I still have no idea what caused it but I think it has to do with power and connection somehow. Where can I get more information on replacing parts or repairing/diagnosing physical hardware? 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

That is very interesting!

Perhaps you should remove and firmly reseat the wireless card.

It is possible the contacts have oxidized a bit.

Remove the battery and disconnect from A/C power before working inside your notebook.

Consult the service manual for the wireless card removal and replacement procedures.

[mdslove · Accepted solution]

I dont know whether it will work for u.but i solved for myself.i did everything whatever i found on help .but nothing worked.finally i downloaded driver from microsoft site and installed it.now whenever it disappears i dont go anywhere but program and features in control panel and select ralink driver and click under this ,change option and it works fine.