wireless won't work

unfortunately, i cannot connect to the wireless. first of all, i don't know if the third party programs that i have attempted to disable or uninstall are still interfering with the computer's inability to acquire a network address. i also see still the message that "windows cannot configure this wireless network. if you want windows to manage the network, do this stuff" that i've already done. hmm…. what to do?

THe compaq laptop, as with most laptops, has a third party product that controls your wireless connection. You can always disable it and allow Windows to handle the connection. You need to pay close attention to what the message tells you. THere are a at least a couple different ones and it tells you how to enable Windows to control the wireless network. Sometimes you will have to do one thing, and then do a second thing. Each time the message will be a little bit different but looks similar if you don't take the time to read it. Please tell me exactly what it says to do to allow windows to manage the network.

the wireless does not work. however, that driver resolved the "no base device" issue.. and for that i thank you. the other network admin programs installed on the computer are atheros client and broadcom. i have tried to uninstall them, but the windows wireless config still says "windows cannot configure this wireless connection… if you want windows to manage this network then.." and do the stuff that i've already done. the wireless picks up the network but it is unable to acquire a network address. hmmm…. what to do?

Please tell me exactly what it says to do to allow windows to manage the network.

…"do this stuff" that i've already done.

does not answer my question.

I'm trying to help you but, quite frankly, I'm about to stop. If that happens, I guarantee another tech on WTT will not come along to help you. If you need help, then you need to realize that you DON'T know everything you think you know and instead need to provide the information I am asking so I can guide you in the right direction. Please don't waste my time. I'm only a volunteer and I chose to help you, I am not required to do so.

I guarantee I have dealt with everything you are discussing hundreds of times over and can easily fix your problem if you are willing to learn.

Please go into device manager, expand network devices and tell me exactly what your wireless adapter is called.

oops! sorry about the repeated post… i couldn't see where my first response was, thought it wasn't there and typed a new one.

1) the wireless adapter is called HP WLAN 802.11a/b/g W500

2) the exact message from windows wireless config says exactly:

"Windows cannot configure this wireless network. If you have enabled another program to configure this wireless connection, use that software. If you want to use Windows to configure this wireless network, click "change advanced settings", click the wireless networks tab, and then select the check box labeled "use windows to configure my wireless network settings"".

so you are spot on, i need to disable the other programs, Broadcom and Atheros. I have tried to uninstall them from the add/remove programs list, but it didn't work. how do i disable them?

Hello etidd, Sometimes when a third-party wireless device is installed the software that controls the wireless adapter disables a service known as "Wireless Zero Configuration". If you re-enable this service it might allow you to connect via windows default. To check, goto: Start, run and type "services.msc" and press ok. In the Services dialog that opens look for the Wireless Zero Configuration entry, then if needed change the options to Automatic and/or start the service. If the wireless client programs are still loading when windows starts you can check with the msconfig utility. Goto Start, run, type in "msconfig". Look under the startup tab for entries containing Broadcom/Atheros. clearing the check marks for any you find. Afterwards reset the computer and retry connecting to the wireless. Rich

Hi etidd. Thanks for the information.

One problem is that you have installed multiple software packages for your wireless adapter.

Your laptop could have been equipped with up to 3 different wireless adapters. You have software installed for two of the types (that you mentioned) but only one can be correct.

It is not all bad to to have the manufacturer provided tool manage your wireless network. It just means that you need to use that tool to connect to a wireless network. This has the added benefit that you will have on/off controls for your wireless adapter which may be disabled if you remove the wireless management tool. However, if your goal is to allow Windows XP to manage the wireless network then we need to remove that software and reconfigure windows to take over. I don't think this is a bad idea as long as you understand the possible drawback.

According to the response in your last message, this is what we need to do.


First, download the following file:
HP WLAN Driver

Second, go into add/remove programs and look for and remove any entries similar to the following: (You can wait to reboot until the final one is removed)
Intel PRO/Wireless (Not the WIRED one)
HP WLAN (Driver and Client if you find it)
Atheros (anything named Atheros)
Broadcom (anything named broadcom)
WLAN Utility

This should remove all products related to wireless. Your wireless adapter should not work at this point and will require that you load the new drivers. You can install the file that you downloaded previously to reinstall the wireless drivers. Now, your wireless should be listed OK in device manager, and there should be no third party utilities to control the wireless.

Now, if WIndows XP still does not allow you to manage the wireless network you will have to do one or both of two things (both of which have already been mentioned)

1) Enable the Wireless Zero Configuration service by click start -> run -> typing services.msc and pressing ENTER. Find Wireless Zero Configuration and make sure it is enabled and set to automatic. Start the service while you are there. If it fails to start, report back with the error. Sometimes the service needs to be reinstalled.

2) Now that the service is running, follow the instructions you used earlier in order to manage the properties of your wireless adapter and select the option to allow windows to manage the connection. (The same instructions you said you already did.)

This should allow WIndows to manage the wireless network and it should stay that way. Then, you can try to connect to your wireless network.

that solved the problem! thank you so much for all your help.. i am on the wireless on my nx9110. i hope my donation will further this site, and thank you for you patience with me.