Gateway SA8 M-series Cannot see Wireless network After Windows 7 installation

[Paul678]

I got this unit totally dead, and replaced a blown power diode and current
sense resistor, and got it up and running, but.....

After installing Windows 7 (originally it had Vista), the Atheros
AR5B91 wireless adaptor is seen by the device manager, and
shows it's "working properly", but it cannot see ANY wireless router,
while my other laptop sees both mine and 6 others.

I tried automatically updating everything in Windows 7, and tried
uninstalling the driver for the device (after which, it immediately
auto installs new driver), but it still doesn't see any networks.
I also checked the black and white antenna cable connections
in the back, and they were fine.

I also tried to get a second opinion with Knoppix 6, and for some
dumb reason, it would hang up during the boot-up.

With wired ethernet, it sees the internet perfectly fine.

Thanks for any advice in advance......

[RJARRRPCGP]

Re: Gateway SA8 M-series Cannot see Wireless network After Windows 7 installation

Sounds like spiked network hardware.

A 56K modem I had did stuff like that, Windows won't detect a problem in Device Manager.
It will say "This device is working properly." or similar, but still can't browse.

Sometimes, the modem seems to work and accept commands when dialing, but still cannot browse after handshaking!

It was after a good T-storm in May, 2004.

[Paul678]

Re: Gateway SA8 M-series Cannot see Wireless network After Windows 7 installation

No one else has an idea what I could try next?

Currently, I'm downloading a Ubuntu USB creator, and will
try a different version of LINUX, to see if it sees my
wireless modem....

[Paul678]

Re: Gateway SA8 M-series Cannot see Wireless network After Windows 7 installation

Ok, I got the Ubuntu USB Linux Live to work
on this unit, and it says the wireless network is
disconnected. "Enable Wireless" is grayed out,
as is "wireless network disabled by hardware
switch". The hardware switch on the left edge
appears to be working physically, but it doesn't
affect the situation, and Linux still cannot see
my wireless modem.

Bum deal. And again, the Atheros card shows up in the Windows
7 device manager, as "working properly".

Anyone have any ideas here?

[t.j.]

Re: Gateway SA8 M-series Cannot see Wireless network After Windows 7 installation

got another wireless card to drop in there? if it dont work then problem is on mobo!

[Paul678]

Re: Gateway SA8 M-series Cannot see Wireless network After Windows 7 installation

got another wireless card to drop in there? if it dont work then problem is on mobo!

Ok, good idea, thanks.

So I tried two other Wifi cards, and they are both
seen by Windows 7, and the drivers are automatically
installed on boot-up, but still no connections.

I noticed the blue LED antenna symbol for Wifi lights up
briefly when you first turn the unit on, but then
turns off, never to turn on again, even when I switch
the hardware switch on and off.

So that makes 3 cards that don't work with the unit,
even though they are seen by the OS.

It's gotta be the mobo, as you said. But hell if I'm
gonna take this one apart again! HELL NO!

I'll just sell it as-is, and lose a few bucks...oh well...

Thanks!

[t.j.]

Re: Gateway SA8 M-series Cannot see Wireless network After Windows 7 installation

could be the wifi on/off switch! check bios for setting for wifi switch! had a lappy that had it turned off in bios!

[Paul678]

Re: Gateway SA8 M-series Cannot see Wireless network After Windows 7 installation

Ok, does anyone have a schematic for this Gateway SA8?

Hopefully a free one? lol!

I've decided to try troubleshooting this Wifi.

The switch appears ok so far, but a schematic would be
a God send.....

[trebo]

Re: Gateway SA8 M-series Cannot see Wireless network After Windows 7 installation

have you checked in the bios to see if its turned off as t.j suggested

[Paul678]

Re: Gateway SA8 M-series Cannot see Wireless network After Windows 7 installation

could be the wifi on/off switch! check bios for setting for wifi switch! had a lappy that had it turned off in bios!

Shit dude! I wish I read this before I took it apart YET AGAIN!!

HAHA!! The BIOS has a "restore" mode, but also an "on" mode
for the WLAN, which turns it on everytime it boots up. I set it
to "ON" mode, and it works!!!

Also, silly me didn't notice the WLAN switch on the keypad! FN button
plus F2. But it seems redundant to me to have both this, and the
hard switch on the left side, so that's why I didn't try it.

I'd give you a kiss if I wasn't so homo-phobic!



FUCK YEAH!!! NOW LET'S MAKE SOME REAL MONEY!!!!

AND OF COURSE, NEVER-MIND ABOUT THE SCHEMATIC!!!!

YES!!! THANK YOU ALL!!!