My aging computer has recently started rejecting using wireless (am unable to do wired due to my living circumstances), and I seem to have run out of options other than reinstalling windows (at this point, installing :tux: )or updating the hardware, so I figured I'd post here to see if anyone has any ideas before pursuing any further solutions. It's a custom built computer, so I'm using a wireless adapter instead of an integrated chipset or whatever it's called. I've ruled out the wireless transceiver as an issue, as my roommate's adapter worked the same way (I did install the drivers first).

I took a photo of my screen (no internet so you can't punish me!) to show that the wireless transceiver drivers are functioning in the task manager, and the device manager recognizes that I have the transceiver plugged in. I edited out my desktop background (though it's not really incriminating at all so I could post the original photo if needed) No wi-fi networks appear when I open the internet menu (the menu exists cut-off as pictured: the buttons that read wi-fi, airplane mode, and mobile hotspot do not appear. the menu does not get larger than that tiny corner).

So far everything I've tried has been your normal turning it off and on again, unplugging & plugging back in the transceivers into different USB ports, reinstalling the drivers (on several occasions), windows's "Network Reset" function (which says it uninstalls all relevant drivers and everything). Something to note is that my windows is probably like 6 months plus out of date. I have experienced a couple similar bouts of illness before (all this calendar year), but these were all able to be solved with the "Network Reset" function.

I'm mostly posting this here on a lark, since I've been able to get tech problems solved like this in the past. Also if this is the wrong comm and I should post in askchapo instead or something let me know.

  • sexywheat [none/use name]
    ·
    2 years ago

    Something to note is that my windows is probably like 6 months plus out of date.

    It's been a while since I've had to troubleshoot Windows, but I would definitely recommend updating your OS to remove that potential variable.

    Any particular reason you haven't been applying system updates? :thinkin-lenin:

    Edit: I just realised that if you don't have wifi OR ethernet, then you have no internet and cannot download Windows updates lol. Regarding ethernet, you could consider a powerline ethernet connection, something like this . It's not ideal, but it could get you online.

    • brokeinternetthrowaw [any]
      ·
      2 years ago

      Any particular reason you haven’t been applying system updates?

      Whoops, forgot to respond. It's because I hate microsoft and expect their updates to break things. My ex always said that was an autism thing, but I think that it's just the normal reaction to have with user-hostile features that 'updates' that major corporations always make

      • sexywheat [none/use name]
        ·
        2 years ago

        Yeah, that's understandable, but the downside to that is that you're also missing critical security patches and it's also possible that skipping updates caused your wifi issue :ohnoes:

    • brokeinternetthrowaw [any]
      ·
      2 years ago

      Tbf I could try to take it somewhere I can plug it in in order to try to download updates that way. It'll have to wait a week, but it is possible