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 Something to note is that my windows is probably like 6 months plus out of date.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.
Your wireless card could be dead. Even if you're on a laptop they're usually pretty easy to replace. If you can get a Linux live USB going somehow, that would allow you to check if it's a hardware or software problem.
This is a custom-built desktop PC, without in-built wireless function. Is this a part of all motherboards to allow internet connection, or are you referring to the things that most commercial computers have in order to do wifi without any attachments?
When you say you have a wireless adapter, is that the kind where it's attached by USB to the back of your computer, or the kind where you buy it separately then put it in a slot in your motherboard?
a USB adapter, yep
Since it's a desktop I recommend looking into a PCIe wireless adapter. You would have to make sure you have an open slot on the motherboard first.
You can see the A7000 application running. It’s for a usb wifi adapter. They’re usually pretty solid, I had one for a couple years