BleepingComputer.com: Cannot dectect wireless controller....

Im trying to re-activate my wireless device in my laptop. I have reinstalled the drivers for my wireless hardware correctly(or so i think obviously) and I still cant find the hardware in device manager. This is puzzling me. Any help is appreciated.

I am working on a Gateway 4026GZ Laptop. Windows XP SP3 OS.
My wireless device is Gemtek WMIB-114G.

I downloaded this driver as i believed it was the right one:

(supposedly broadcom=gemtek? i came to this conclusion after some long hard searching)
BCM40100.exe - Broadcom Wireless Driver Version 4.100.15.5
http://support.gateway.com/support/drivers...on%204.100.15.5

What is listed under Network adapter? Is there any yellow ! in the list? Are there any unknown devices?

Have you run an ipconfig /all to see if it is listed?

This post has been edited by CaveDweller2: 18 September 2009 - 03:57 PM

There are no unknown devices listed under "Network Adapter" in device manager.

After i ran "ipconfig/all" the only device that showed up in the command prompt was the Realtek Ethernet card.

This post has been edited by Nycist: 18 September 2009 - 07:47 PM

While I do`t think this will help. Have you tried the Fn+F2 key combination?

Since it is not showing at all in Device manager I do not think this is the solution but won`t hurt to try it.

You said re-activate wireless...I assume from that statement that it has worked in the past?

Look in Device Manager's list...see if its under something else. It should be under Network adapter and I can't understand why it would be anywhere else but..lol it has to be somewhere.

The only other thing I can say is uninstall all software that has to do with your wireless, reboot and see if Windows picks it up. if not go back to Device manager -> right click the computer name at the top and scan for Hardware changes see if it can pick it up.

If that doesn't work. turn off the laptop and unplug it. Turn it over -> there is a cover right above the white label take the screw out and lift the cover. I think that is where the wireless card is installed. I could be wrong tho lol

Your close CaveDweller2.

There are probably 2 covers, maybe 3. One is for memory and probably labeled with an M. The second is probably to the rear in a corner, may have vents and is a cooling fan. The third may be labeled with a C. This is where the wireless card might be.

This is a pic of the bottom of the Laptop. the one I think its under is the only one that isn't specifically labeled as something

F it is, or should be. Mini PCI bay

ThunderZ: I have tried the Fn+F2 combination many times.

CaveDweller2: It did work in the past. I have no idea what my buddy did to his computer.

edit*
I just chucked under panel "f" and located the wireless card. It was slightly dislodged from its socket! My buddy must have dropped this thing pretty hard to do that. Its held firmly in place by two clips+ the slot is very snug.

I just rebooted the computer and the computer immediately recognized the card. Thank you for your help CaveDweller2, Thunderz. Again the support I receive on BC is better than the manufacturer!

CD2 nailed it. I just helped pin-point where to dig.

woot...glad it was something silly =)

There are probably 2 covers, maybe 3. One is for memory and probably labeled with an M. The second is probably to the rear in a corner, may have vents and is a cooling fan. The third may be labeled with a C. This is where the wireless card might be.