Wifi adaptor problem

[Oldmoparguy1]

My laptop, (ASUS P51IJ),(win-7 home premium), randomly shuts off the WIFI adaptor. this happens ~3-4 times a month. I've been living with this but decided to try to fix it. When I looked at the adapter I found this error msg.,

"Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (Code 43)".

I've did the actions listed in http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc725873(v=WS.10).aspx .

I wonder if someone here has any more info on this? I've included the adaptor info below if it might help.

Thanks,

Wayne
==================================================================


Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter

Atheros Communications Inc.
6/21/2011
9.2.0.427
Microsoft Windows Hardware Compatibility Publisher

Network Adapter Publisher details

Issues found
Wireless capability is turned offWireless capability is turned off Fixed
Turn on wireless capability Completed


Issues found Detection details

6 Wireless capability is turned off Fixed

Turn on wireless capability Completed

Network Diagnostics Log
File Name: C62F53EB-52F4-4D4F-A103-B569056D277B.Repair.Admin.1.etl




Detection details

Diagnostics Information (Network Adapter)
Details about network adapter diagnosis:

Network adapter Wireless Network Connection driver information:

Description . . . . . . . . . . : Atheros AR9285 Wireless Network Adapter
Manufacturer . . . . . . . . . : Atheros Communications Inc.
Provider . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft
Version . . . . . . . . . . . : 2.0.0.74
Inf File Name . . . . . . . . . : C:\Windows\INF\netathrx.inf
Inf File Date . . . . . . . . . : Monday, July 13, 2009 8:37:24 PM
Section Name . . . . . . . . . : ATHR_DEV_OS61_10891A3B.ndi
Hardware ID . . . . . . . . . . : pci\ven_168c&dev_002b&subsys_10891a3b
Instance Status Flags . . . . . : 0x180200a
Device Manager Status Code . . : 0
IfType . . . . . . . . . . . . : 71
Physical Media Type . . . . . . : 9



Diagnostics Information (Wireless Connectivity)
Details about wireless connectivity diagnosis:

Information for connection being diagnosed
Interface GUID: 93a0b166-507b-450e-98ca-dc0232e319ef
Interface name: Atheros AR9285 Wireless Network Adapter
Interface type: Native WiFi

Connection incident diagnosed


List of visible access point(s): 0 item(s) total, 0 item(s) displayed

Connection History

Information for Auto Configuration ID 1

List of visible networks: 0 item(s) total, 0 item(s) displayed

List of preferred networks: 0 item(s)




Diagnostics Information (Wireless Connectivity)
Details about wireless connectivity diagnosis:

For complete information about this session see the wireless connectivity information event.

Helper Class: Auto Configuration
Initialize status: Success

Information for connection being diagnosed
Interface GUID: 93a0b166-507b-450e-98ca-dc0232e319ef
Interface name: Atheros AR9285 Wireless Network Adapter
Interface type: Native WiFi

Result of diagnosis: Problem found

Root cause:
Wireless capability is turned off

Detailed root cause:
Radio is off (SW switch)

Repair option:
Turn on wireless capability




Network Diagnostics Log
File Name: C62F53EB-52F4-4D4F-A103-B569056D277B.Diagnose.Admin.0.etl

Other Networking Configuration and Logs
File Name: NetworkConfiguration.cab

Collection information
Computer Name: DADS-LAPTOP
Windows Version: 6.1
Architecture: amd64
Time: Monday, June 30, 2014 11:23:40 AM

Publisher details

Windows Network Diagnostics
Detects problems with network connectivity.
Package Version: 1.0
Publisher: Microsoft Windows
Network Adapter
Troubleshoot Ethernet, wireless, or other network adapters.
Package Version: 1.0
Publisher: Microsoft Corporation

 

[dparm]

Most obvious steps are always:

-reseat the adapter
-check for physical damage to adapter, connector, port, switch, antenna
-update drivers
-reset settings to default

If that still doesn't work, I'd say the device is failing.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Last few times I have seen that, the device was failing.

 

[Oldmoparguy1]

Originally Posted By: Miller88
Last few times I have seen that, the device was failing.
Yikes! I hope not. Laptop is only a couple of years old.

Wayne

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: Oldmoparguy1
Originally Posted By: Miller88
Last few times I have seen that, the device was failing.
Yikes! I hope not. Laptop is only a couple of years old.

Wayne



Wifi cards are cheap. You can get a new one on eBay for <$30 shipped to your door.

 

[Win]

The device is failing.

 

[Oldmoparguy1]

Originally Posted By: dparm
Originally Posted By: Oldmoparguy1
Originally Posted By: Miller88
Last few times I have seen that, the device was failing.
Yikes! I hope not. Laptop is only a couple of years old.

Wayne



Wifi cards are cheap. You can get a new one on eBay for div>


This is a laptop. WIFI cards are replaceable? I've replaced HD's and memory. Didn't know there were other replaceable parts.

Wayne

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: Oldmoparguy1
Originally Posted By: dparm
Originally Posted By: Oldmoparguy1
Originally Posted By: Miller88
Last few times I have seen that, the device was failing.
Yikes! I hope not. Laptop is only a couple of years old.

Wayne



Wifi cards are cheap. You can get a new one on eBay for div>


This is a laptop. WIFI cards are replaceable? I've replaced HD's and memory. Didn't know there were other replaceable parts.

Wayne



Yes, they are tiny cards with a standard connector, typically like this:

If you remove the bottom/access panel, you will see it. It may have 2 or more leads running to it, which are for the antennas.

 

[ClutchDisc]

If I were you I would boot up a live Linux DVD or USB and check if you get the same issue with the wireless running off of a different operating system. That will tell you if the WIFI card is going out or if there is a problem with something on Windows.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Oldmoparguy1
Originally Posted By: dparm
Originally Posted By: Oldmoparguy1
Originally Posted By: Miller88
Last few times I have seen that, the device was failing.
Yikes! I hope not. Laptop is only a couple of years old.

Wayne



Wifi cards are cheap. You can get a new one on eBay for div>


This is a laptop. WIFI cards are replaceable? I've replaced HD's and memory. Didn't know there were other replaceable parts.

Wayne

Alternatively, if you don't want to mess with the internal wifi adapter, you can just pick up an external wifi card that plugs into one of your USB ports.

 

[Oldmoparguy1]

Well, it's been 2 months and no more failures...

What I did was uninstall the device driver and locate and remove the .dll file. Then I let windows find and install a new driver. Windows had previously told me that the installed driver was the correct one and wouldn't replace it, even when I uninstalled it. I had to force windows to find and install a new file....

The result is, no more failures, and, a nearly instant connection to the wifi link. Previously, it would take up to 30 seconds to connect to a wifi link after opening the laptop. Maybe this will help someone.

Wayne

 

[Rand]

I've had issues in the past if people update their drivers through windows update sometimes they fix it until it breaks... kinda like some people do with their cars around here